To continuously improve how we protect your personal data, we have updated our confidentiality policy. Find out more.
THE RIGHT PLACE . . . FOR AN INTERVIEW!
by TONY PRADEAU
This month, we chat all things urban style with ex-professional model and Place des Tendances photographer Tony Pradeau!
1) Tony, what does urban menswear style mean to you?
It?s all about compromise, I think: doing away with anything too stuffy and formal, without looking scruffy. Easy, everyday cool and elegance ? smart without being OTT. Mixing pieces is crucial here: carefully combining sneakers, velvet, tees and statement pieces without going overboard. It?s a vibe that fits with a specific age bracket, too: professional thirty- and forty-somethings embody this style.
2) We thought you?d make a great poster boy for this look. What?s your reaction to that?
Speaking of age . . . ! I need to feel comfortable in my daily life as a photographer and dad to two young kids. I?ve always taken care of my appearance and style without over-doing it. I think I?m well-rounded by nature, maybe it?s the Libra in me. And that?s all that urban style really is: a careful, clever balance. At any rate, I?m delighted you picked me.
3) What?s your go-to simple-yet-effective everyday look? And what?s your made-an-effort outfit?
Good question! For the school run, you?ll often catch me in a hoodie, American Vintage pants, a pair of Vans and a good wool coat. That?s what I call simple yet effective. When I want to make more of an effort, I?ll reach for a double-breasted navy jacket I love. I use this trickier piece to then piece together looks ? to varying degrees of success. I experiment with colors, I try and play down its classic feel. It?s quite fun, actually.
4) What?s your signature piece, the item that really screams ?you??
Right now I?m loving my workwear jackets. They?re hugely varied in terms of colors and fabrics, they work with everything while still feeling chic. They perfectly embody urban style, if you ask me. I?m obsessed with them. I might even try an off-white version for summer!.
It?s all about compromise, I think: doing away with anything too stuffy and formal, without looking scruffy. Easy, everyday cool and elegance ? smart without being OTT. Mixing pieces is crucial here: carefully combining sneakers, velvet, tees and statement pieces without going overboard. It?s a vibe that fits with a specific age bracket, too: professional thirty- and forty-somethings embody this style.
2) We thought you?d make a great poster boy for this look. What?s your reaction to that?
Speaking of age . . . ! I need to feel comfortable in my daily life as a photographer and dad to two young kids. I?ve always taken care of my appearance and style without over-doing it. I think I?m well-rounded by nature, maybe it?s the Libra in me. And that?s all that urban style really is: a careful, clever balance. At any rate, I?m delighted you picked me.
3) What?s your go-to simple-yet-effective everyday look? And what?s your made-an-effort outfit?
Good question! For the school run, you?ll often catch me in a hoodie, American Vintage pants, a pair of Vans and a good wool coat. That?s what I call simple yet effective. When I want to make more of an effort, I?ll reach for a double-breasted navy jacket I love. I use this trickier piece to then piece together looks ? to varying degrees of success. I experiment with colors, I try and play down its classic feel. It?s quite fun, actually.
4) What?s your signature piece, the item that really screams ?you??
Right now I?m loving my workwear jackets. They?re hugely varied in terms of colors and fabrics, they work with everything while still feeling chic. They perfectly embody urban style, if you ask me. I?m obsessed with them. I might even try an off-white version for summer!.
5) Which male celebrity do you feel best captures that sense of urban style?
I?m thinking actors aged thirty to forty: Pierre Niney is a good example of this take on style.
6) This month, we cover two icons who are all about female EMPOWERMENT: BEYONCÉ and RIHANNA. Which team are you?
I need to hold my hands up and admit I listen to neither on a day-to-day basis, but I do feel Beyoncé has that edge that puts her in with the all-time American greats. But Rihanna is wonderful, too.
7) Let?s finish up with a quick RIGHT PLACE pop quiz:
- Your favorite place?
I like unique places and a cozy atmosphere, so I?d say the Hôtel Particulier on Avenue Junot: perfect for summer drinks.
- Your favorite Insta account?
I follow quite a few photographers on Insta, it keeps me inspired and helps me with my craft. I?m currently loving Maurizio Montani, an Italian photographer. Other accounts I like are Yoyo Maeght, the Maeght Foundation in Saint Paul de Vence, and my friend Laura Gonzalez: she?s an amazing architect.
- Your favorite cocktail?
A Bellini, enjoyed in the spring sunshine on the Molino Stucky rooftop terrace in Venice. Or a Moscow Mule at the Grand Hôtel Amour.
- Your favorite pastime?
Right now, I?m obsessed with a chess app. But I still like to get moving, too.
I?m thinking actors aged thirty to forty: Pierre Niney is a good example of this take on style.
6) This month, we cover two icons who are all about female EMPOWERMENT: BEYONCÉ and RIHANNA. Which team are you?
I need to hold my hands up and admit I listen to neither on a day-to-day basis, but I do feel Beyoncé has that edge that puts her in with the all-time American greats. But Rihanna is wonderful, too.
7) Let?s finish up with a quick RIGHT PLACE pop quiz:
- Your favorite place?
I like unique places and a cozy atmosphere, so I?d say the Hôtel Particulier on Avenue Junot: perfect for summer drinks.
- Your favorite Insta account?
I follow quite a few photographers on Insta, it keeps me inspired and helps me with my craft. I?m currently loving Maurizio Montani, an Italian photographer. Other accounts I like are Yoyo Maeght, the Maeght Foundation in Saint Paul de Vence, and my friend Laura Gonzalez: she?s an amazing architect.
- Your favorite cocktail?
A Bellini, enjoyed in the spring sunshine on the Molino Stucky rooftop terrace in Venice. Or a Moscow Mule at the Grand Hôtel Amour.
- Your favorite pastime?
Right now, I?m obsessed with a chess app. But I still like to get moving, too.
Mini bio :
TTony Pradeau is 41 and lives in Paris. A father of two (aged seven and three), he began modelling twenty years ago in Bordeaux while studying history. His modelling career was an incredible experience and lasted fifteen years before he decided to retrain. « . ?It?s increasingly rare for men or women to earn a living exclusively from modelling beyond the age of thirty-five » he explains. He remembers that it was both a nerve-wracking and thrilling time for him. He became a real estate agent and then taught history in middle school for a year, which naturally led him to photography (!) « ?All jokes aside, I had been wanting to retrain for a long time, but it?s easier said than done. I?m delighted to be able to do this for a living.». So, let's do it!
