Fashion and interiors as your personal brand: An interview with NYC men’s fashion consultant Reg Ferguson
New York men’s wardrobe consultant Reg Ferguson, at home in Brooklyn.
This past year, I had the pleasure of being a guest on the New York Fashion Geek podcast with host Reginald Ferguson, New York’s most dapper men’s wardrobe consultant. Reg and I talked about how interior design is an extension of your individual style. Both fashion and decorating make up your personal branding: your choice of dress conveys an image, just as your home does — whether it’s to guests, social media followers, or colleagues on video calls.
Even more important: Being well dressed, in clothing of the right fit, solid construction, and quality materials inspires self-confidence, just like inhabiting a well designed space with those same attributes has physiological impacts on your wellbeing, instilling feelings of ease, comfort, or inspiration. (There’s plenty of science behind this.) A fine undershirt can feel as good as quality bed linens — even when no one’s looking.
Now, I’m bringing Reg over to the design blog to share what it’s like to work with a personal fashion consultant. I’ve come away appreciating how hiring a guy like Reg isn’t unlike investing in interior design services. With both, you’ll have a professional uncover your goals and provide highly personalized solutions that transform the quality of your everyday life.
Illustrated throughout the interview are small-scale, independent men’s apparel shops in New York City — some where you can pick up beautiful homewares in additional to clothing, and others whose store interiors are worthy of admiration in their own right, tying fashion and interiors together beautifully.
- Ksenya Malina
Founder, Time & Place Interiors
About Reginald Ferguson:
Reg Ferguson, New York Fashion Geek
Reginald Ferguson is the founder of New York Fashion Geek, a men’s fashion consultancy based in New York City.
A native New Yorker, Reg blends his deep knowledge of classic menswear with contemporary street style to help men transform not just their wardrobe but their confidence.
Through his newsletter, blog, and podcast, Reg writes and talks about modern style, identity, and culture while conducting interviews with tastemakers and entrepreneurs shaping the menswear space.
Housed in a legendary 19th Century corner bar, Todd Snyder at the Liquor Store offerers an intimate menswear experience, including tailoring services. Tribeca | NYC
T&P: Hi Reg. So what’s it like to work with a personal wardrobe consultant?
RF: If you don’t have the skill or the time to develop and coordinate a wardrobe, I’m here to guide you.
Overall, the experience overall should feel great. It’s fun. You have an individual who cares and pays attention to you and your goals, and helps you either develop a style or elevate it.
The process starts with my “Fashion Form” intake: it’s pretty thorough. Then we have the Fashion Consultation during which we review your responses, and see if anything fell through the cracks. After that, you are presented with the NYFG Style Ladder in which you choose what rung of service you’re interested in — virtual or in person.
Merz b. Schwanen, a family-run business based in Berlin, has perfected the T-shirt and other fine quality neutrals over the course of a century. Their sunny, plant-filled showroom on Canal proudly features a sculpture of a swan — their logo. SoHo | NYC
TP: What are some ways to work with you?
RF: My men's fashion consulting services range from virtual sessions to fully custom solutions.
We'll begin with an audit, taking a peek into your closet to review what's already there. We'll have a better sense of what's needed to build the foundation of your wardrobe. Anything that's purged will be donated.
Next, we can move into personal shopping. With a curated wardrobe designed for your lifestyle, you’ll spend less time figuring out what to wear and more time showing up with confidence.
And for those who need it, I also arrange custom tailoring. We'll get you measured so you can say goodbye to ill-fitting clothes. Whether it's a custom suit for that big meeting or a casual shirt for the weekends, I've got you covered.
One-of-a-kind garments composed of or inspired by antique textiles make Bode a truly unique boutique. But their men’s showroom featuring custom furnishings by Green River Projects, a maijiolica fountain, painted ceiling, and vintage lighting is an equal draw for design lovers. Lower East Side | NYC
T&P: What does style mean to you?
RF: Style is your personal take on fashion. Influenced by your friends, your family, your environment, and — most importantly —yourself. It’s the selection of clothing, the color, the texture. It’s understanding what fits you well and how you present yourself to the world, whether you want to stand out or fit in. And it’s about confidence in your being and your presentation.
Enter a serene Mediterranean-like oasis at Kotn, with a fountain and courtyard-like area. The shop is a certified B-corp company offering apparel and homewares crafted from sustainably sourced Egyptian cotton and linen.
TP: How do you uncover someone’s personal style?
RF: The best way is for me to ask a lot of questions. We’ll take the time to discuss your lifestyle and your goals. Those are critical to in figuring out what should be in your wardrobe.
Whether you’re leveling up professionally, refining your casual look, or stepping into new opportunities, I’ll help you build a wardrobe that aligns with your ambitions.
& Son curates multi-brand clothing and home goods from independent and emerging designers. Check out their radio station on their website. Greenwich Village | NYC
TP: Any common mistakes that you notice people making in their clothing choice?
RF: The most common mistake is fit. Know your size, your dimensions. Fit is it!
The vintage hat forms and tools of Ryan Ramelow’s custom handmade hat atelier takes you back in time. SoHo | NYC
TP: Custom or off-the-wrack: When do you recommend each approach?
RF: Off the rack is fine. Custom, to me, is for people who can’t fit store line clothing.
Colbo is THE place to be, for minimalist fashion and accessories as much as their coffee bar and frequent collab parties spilling out onto Orchard Street. Lower East Side | NYC
TP: What are some of your favorite men’s apparel sources?
RF: You can’t go wrong with J. Crew.
To get in touch with Reg Ferguson for men’s fashion consulting and personal styling services, email reg@nyfashiongeek.com.
Interior design, tailored to your lifestyle
Time & Place Interiors designs for busy New Yorkers seeking a space that feels luxurious and sophisticated. Founder Ksenya Malina’s access to one-of-a-kind vintage and custom design opens opportunities to live in a space that looks curated and reflects your personality — with turnkey, full service execution. Use the link below schedule a free 20-minute information call to talk about your design needs:
