The Secret of Style with Ireneusz Korzeniewski (Styleman)

Fashion, Inspirations and Elegance

Interview by Lena Skrzypczak

In the world of fashion, there are individuals who not only create trends, but also inspire to express oneself through clothes. Ireneusz Korzeniewski, better known as Styleman, is one of these people. His passionate passion for fashion and constant pursuit of perfection have made him one of the most influential stylists in Poland. With over ten years of experience in the fashion industry, today we have the pleasure of talking to him about his life, inspirations and of course, the secrets of style.

Styleman is not just a name, it is a philosophy. Korzeniewski has created his own style that combines elegance with individuality. His creations attract attention both in Poland and abroad, inspiring young people to experiment with their style. He says that passion makes a person free, and for years he has been fascinated by luxury cars and motorcycles. That is why in this unique interview we will get to know Ireneusz Korzeniewski better. Let’s understand what drives his passion for fashion and find out what advice he has for those who strive to achieve perfect style.

How did your adventure with fashion begin? What made you decide to become a stylist?

– The period of my youth coincided with the time of real socialism in our country. We tried to break the greyness of everyday life with our appearance, although of course it was very difficult. Most of the people around us tried not to stand out, it was the safest way out. However, with our clothes, long hair, we were colorful birds in the cities we had to live in.

It was the period of the reign of hippies, flower children. We also sewed our own trousers – the then fashionable bell-bottoms, we dyed T-shirts, girls sewed and later dyed dresses made of terry cloth. It was then that my passion for fashion was born. It allowed me to present my otherness to the outside world. I think it was a kind of rebellion that we manifested through fashion. This distinguished us, although I sometimes had trouble because of this otherness – I spent several nights at police headquarters.

I have never described myself as a stylist, although I do often give advice on clothing. My approach to fashion has also changed with age, although I still try to break the classic men’s fashion to bring freshness to it. For example, I love the colors that men are so afraid of, I believe that they add energy to our daily struggles. It is through color that we show our personality and dynamism to life.

You often talk about elegance in fashion. What does that actually mean and why do you think it is so important?

Elegance consists of many elements, our clothing is a certain composition that must be consistent with what we want to convey, what we want to talk about. How we present ourselves is very important in today’s world. Everything must work together, from headgear to the tips of our shoes, then we look elegant. Of course, these are external signs, but in a sense they force us to behave in specific ways towards others. That is why I believe that this combination of clothing and behavior shows whether a person is really elegant.

What sources of inspiration do you use most often in your work? Maybe a few words about your favorite designers or designers who influence your style?

I still value contact with the printed press. I look for my inspiration in men’s fashion magazines, such as GQ Style, The Raka, as well as on the Internet, on portals concerning men’s fashion. However, I do not have my favorite designers, I try to find something that interests me in each one. From the Polish designer circle, I highly value Tomek Ossolinski, a man who finds himself perfectly in men’s fashion. His last show, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of his work, is undoubtedly one of the best I have ever seen.

Premium fashion is often associated with high prices. How can you manage a tight budget while still maintaining exceptional style?

In life there is always “something for something” and you have to pay for quality. That’s just how it is with premium fashion. Quality costs, but it’s worth remembering that it pays us back with its longevity. Both men’s and women’s fashion, so the wheel turns many products of good quality, and this is one of the main determinants of premium fashion, it is extremely universal and one could say still up to date.

I always tell everyone that it is better to buy one super quality item for more money than a few much cheaper ones of questionable quality. For me it is obvious that custom-made shoes will last for many years, and properly served will always be elegant and irreplaceable in many styles. And most importantly, it is such products that allow us to maintain our own unique style!