Years after his stint as a reality show fresh-face, James Reid continues to make waves. Graduated from his standard leading man roles, the Fil-Aussie has ventured into music and business, fusing the two as the founder of record label Careless Music.
As James and his career evolves, so does his personal style. Citing the likes of Harry Styles and A$AP Rocky as references, the all-around artist emanates a casual cool vibe with his daily OOTDs. Partially responsible for this new wave of 'fits is stylist John Lozano, whom James himself calls his "fashion director."
While the two have only begun their collaborations, they've already hit some sartorial milestones, including James being hailed as one of Preview's Best Dressed honorees this 2023.
Ahead, John lets us in on what it's like working with James, and what makes him one of today's most fashionable gents.
Preview Exclusive: John Lozano on Being James Reid's Fashion Stylist
Please describe the first time you met.
"I met James before [at] a shoot, but it was only recently when I met and sat down with him and the Careless team. It was a meeting to discuss his styling. It was quite straightforward and really professional, so I'd say it was a little bit intimidating at first.
"I knew that, as an artist, James had a particular eye for style, and that's always a bit scary for stylists as you don't know if you would clash or compliment each other. But [as] it turns out, we work together quite well."
How did you end up working together? How long have you been working together since?
"We've only been working together for about three [to] four months now. His team got in touch with me for the possibility of working [together], but before I said yes, I asked for a test shoot first. I do this with most of my clients just to ensure that I am what they're looking for, and to also feel [if] we click or not. After that shoot, we were both quite happy and I was hired as his Style Director."
How would you describe James as a client?
"To be honest, he's a dream client. He's quite fashion-forward, which is something that stylists love. He's open to trying new things and pushing boundaries whenever he can. But most importantly, he's very trusting 'cause he knows [that] as his stylist, I only have his best interests in mind. In our line of work, trust and respect are very important and I'm glad that we were able to establish that from the beginning."
How has working with James impacted your career as a fashion stylist?
"As a stylist, it unlocked a side of me that has always been there but has never had the chance to come out. It's the playful, more adventurous side. In my mix of clients, I see James as an outlet where I can really play and showcase my creative side."
As his fashion stylist, what can you say about his personal style/aesthetic?
"James personally loves the vintage aesthetic and I try to incorporate that as much as I can. But as a fashion guy, he's also open to anything and can pretty much pull [anything] off easily."
What’s your most unforgettable moment working with James?
"It would be the Preview Best Dressed 2023 shoot when I put stickers and polish on his nails. It was the first time I ever did that for a male client, or [for any of my clients] in general. It just goes to show the lengths we will go to in order to achieve a look."
What’s something interesting about James that his fans don’t know?
"He is very, very knowledgeable about fashion. He knows what he wants but at the same time he also knows what's cool and what's in style right now. He is very in tune with the times and that makes him a true style star."
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