For the second installment of the "MOLIMU Influencers" series I have chosen Nickelson "Nick" Wooster who is one of my favorite individuals in the fashion world and a great inspiration for anyone who loves menswear!

Wooster has worked in the fashion industry since he was 16 with short interruptions for his studies in journalism and advertising as well as a short gig as assitant account executive at Saatchi & Saatchi. Other than that he has come around quite a bit, mostly working for big departement stores or in the luxury fashion segment.


To give you a quick overview over some of his most impressive jobs, that have definately earned him te industry's resprect and the reputation of being one of the major trend-makers in today's menswear market.

After moving to New York, Nick Wooster gained useful insights in the retail work as an assistant department manager at Saks Fifth Avenue where he worked in a team with people such as Roger Farah or who went on to take major positions at some of the most influential menswear labels such as Ralph Lauren.

He then moved on to become the assistant buyer at Barneys New York, which gave him the opportunity to learn a lot about fabrics, patterns and colors. Wooster the became director of retail merchandising at Calvin Klein, followed by the position of design director at Polo Ralph Lauren.

In 2010 however, he was named men’s fashion director at Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman which gave him the ability to take part in defining the stores' direction and strategic brand-management. Unfortunately he lasted only 1 1/2 years due to a brash interview he gave to GQ magazine, which apparently didn't really fit to the stores' image.

Nevertheless he quickly found new work at Thom Browne, but is currentl occupied with a new task: by leaving his comfort zone of luxury menswear and taking part in the restructuring process of J.C. Penney as "Vice president of brand, trend and design". This move made quite a few jaws drop, but shows that Mr. Wooster isn't afraid to take risks.

I first noticed Nick Wooster, for his ecclectic style that is always on point and extremely distinctive. Being always impeccably groomed with his handelbar moustache and typical haircut he has made quite the brand of himself. His ability to wear tailored suits from toned-down to eccentric colour choices show how important self-assurance is to make fashion look good.

To me he represents somewhat of a modern dandy who is able to pull off extremely well chosen clothes ranging from luxury to street influences and combining them with his own personality.  I am pretty sure that he will be one of the reasons why people won't have to be afraid any longer to get tattoes because it doesn't fit with their job's image. I mean how much cooler can you look in a full suit + having both arms completely inked?!

I am sure we will see many great new projects from “the alpha male of American street style”, as the GQ named him, in the future and be sure to check out his Tumblr for new inspirations that certainly are trend defining!