'5 Questions' With Ozwald Boateng

He’s one of the youngest tailors in history to have a shop on Britain’s Savile Row, known all over the world as the epicenter of good tailoring. Ozwald Boateng, fashion designer extraordinaire, is now embarking on a quest to take over America’s streets with his Bespoke Couture line.

Starting Thursday, June 22, 9PM ET, you can catch Ozwald on the Sundance Channel in an eight-part documentary series, ‘House of Boateng.’ The Ghana-born tailor recently talked to Black Voices about metrosexuality, hip-hop and women’s fashion.

Do you think America is ready for Engli sh tailoring?

Yes. Of course it’s ready [laughs]. America is. There’s always been a big love for English style. You just have to look at the success of Ralph Lauren. The whole roots of Ralph are based on an English style -- an English gentleman’s style. That’s basically what I do.

What are your thoughts about the new metrosexual American male?

Men are much more aware now of the way they dress more than ever and this is a trend around the world. That’s just because women are making the same sort of demands on the men as the men used to make on the women, ‘Six-pack. Keep yourself fit.’

Even myself, if you told me 12 years ago that I would be interested in facial scrubs and mud mask, I would have told you to go away -- absolutely impossible. But there you go.

The bottom line is men are becoming more conscious of the way they look.

What do you think about the super baggy hip-hop style?

You could imagine, being a tailor, I’m not a huge fan of that. I completely understand it and I appreciate the casual aspects of it, but tailoring is about cutting the line and cutting suits that fit. This is not about it looking slim or tight, it’s about being cut well. That’s what it’s all about for me.

Speaking of hip-hop, recently the managing director for Cristal was quoted in The Economist saying that he resented the “unwelcome attention” it received from the hip-hop community. Do you share his sentiment? You were mentioned in a Nas lyric.

No. Usher was telling me he had [a clothing project] that had a lot to do with me. For me my style is very distinct and represents a measure of tradition, but also in the same breath it’s very modern. So, I’m very happy that anyone appreciates that style.

Women: Fashion Do's, Fashion Don'ts?

I’m very particular about women’s wear, women’s shoes. You must respect the form of her feet, but always must be elegant. Shoes on women must be elegant. It’s one area for a woman that can be very sexy, elegant shoes and bags!