The difference between style and good taste: deep talks with Óscar Madrazo

Models don’t have the reputation of being the smartest people in the fashion industry, but Óscar Madrazo proves the opposite: He started as a model at the age of nine, in campaigns for Palacio de Hierro, Kellog’s, Sabritas; then he changed his career path at age 18 to record a pop album that never went on sale; and in 1989 he founded Contempo Models, the modeling agency that formed Montserrat Olivier, Liliana Domínguez, Paola Saad and Aislinn Derbez. Now, in addition to running the model agency with the most international projection in Mexico, he has hosted Fashion Police for E! Entertainment, Fashion Hunter for A & E, and America’s Next Top Model for Sony Entertainment Television. The Mexican Heidi Klum: model, entrepreneur, and host every show on cable tv. Here is what he has to say about personal style and good taste.

The difference between knowing fashion history  and knowing how to bring clothes back to life.

“I have always thought that one is born with a taste for clothes, aesthetics, the admiration of creations and the fascination of seeing people’s interpretation and the way they communicate.

The style conversations that I enjoy the most are with people who understand personal taste 

and how people manifest their style or insecurities through the way they dress. There are many people who know fashion history perfectly, or they can give you lectures on trends but they do not know how to interpret and give life to clothes. That’s why today, stylists play such an important role in fashion.”

Tom Ford vs David Beckham.

“We are living in a moment where Tom Ford has returned to the present: the man who enjoys going to a barbershop using bowties or tie clips.

More men’s fashion icons are needed (like Tom Ford) but they will emerge with the recent boom in men’s fashion. For this reason male style today can be seen more and more at red carpets events and fashion editorials. Current fashion icons are more closely linked to metrosexual beauty like David Beckham or Adam Levine, although in reality they dress in very simple manner. They have more tattoos and a impecable haircuts than style. “

The worst that a man can wear.

“Total looks. When one dresses badly, dresses badly completely.For example, the famous designer Jeremy Scott dresses terribly…

He is a very successful designer and saved Moschino from the shadows , but the way he  dresses is ridiculous. He is the clear example of someone who has personal style, knows fashion, is an icon in the industry but dresses very very wrong, it makes you feel bad for him.”

Style is within reach of all budgets.

You cannot buy style, but taste can be educated or simply ask for advice. 

Anyone at any level can look amazing just being neat, having a good haircut and wearing basic or classic clothes with the correct size. Any man in jeans, a white or blue shirt or a suit with a white shirt, a discreet tie and classic perfectly polished shoes can look impeccable.

Current fashion and age impact.

“I wouldn’t wear anything that does not look good with my age or height, although obviously I wear some things that most people of my generation would not wear simply because they do not work in fashion .They do not care for clothes or do not take care of themselves physically so that clothes look good on themselves. I have many clothes and styles that I would not wear anymore but I like to keep playing with them and the effect on people when they look at you.”

Men around him.

“If they dress badly or in a boring way, I do not pay any attention. I understand that for most people, dressing is a necessity, not a pleasure or hobby. “

To know more about Óscar’s style, follow him on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

Photos: Karla Lisker.