‘The 36 Must-Know Principles Of Elegance & Style To Live By’: Kunle Bakare
Elegance is not just about how one looks, but about how one feels. It is not just about external appearances, but about internal essence. It is not just about physical beauty, but about spiritual beauty
Kunle Bakare, a master of style, has introduced “36 Must-Know Principles of Elegance and Style to Live By.” He shared these insights on Sunday, December 1, 2024.
Bakare is also the force behind Omoluwabi By KB, a brand known for its bespoke clothing and related fashion items.
Read the full details of ‘The 36 Must-Know Principles Of Elegance & Style To Live By’
Kindly accompany me to Voghera, the Italian province of Pavia, to tap from the wisdom and life long experience of the luminary designer, Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani. The giant of luxury behind Valentino, who’s 92 this year, gave us one of the most profound explanations of elegance:
‘Elegance is the art of eliminating the unnecessary, of stripping away the extraneous, of revealing the essence. It is the art of refinement, of distillation, of purification. It is the art of creating a sense of harmony, of balance, of proportion.
‘Elegance is not just a physical quality, but a metaphysical one. It is a quality that transcends the physical realm, that speaks to the soul. It is a quality that is both timeless and timely, that is both classic and contemporary.
‘Elegance is the result of a deep understanding of oneself, of one’s values, of one’s aesthetic. It is the result of a deep respect for tradition, for history, for culture. It is the result of a deep commitment to quality, to excellence, to perfection.
‘Elegance is not just about how one looks, but about how one feels. It is not just about external appearances, but about internal essence. It is not just about physical beauty, but about spiritual beauty.
‘In a world that is increasingly fast-paced, increasingly chaotic, increasingly superficial, elegance is a rare and precious commodity. It is a quality that is worth cultivating, worth nurturing, worth celebrating.’
And the most crucial principles, embedded in Valentino Garavani’s explanation, are highlighted here (with quotes from renowned designers and celebrities as illustration):
1. Embracing your true self is the foundation of elegance.
‘Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we’re supposed to be and embracing who we are.’ – Brené Brown
2. The art of restraint is a powerful tool in creating elegance.
‘Restraint is the ultimate luxury.’ – Phoebe Philo
3. Style has the power to evoke emotions and create connections.
‘Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak.’ – Rachel Zoe
4. Clean lines and minimalism and a lack of clutter can create a sense of serenity.
‘Minimalism is not just about getting rid of stuff, it’s about living intentionally.’ – Joshua Becker
5. Cultural awareness and sensitivity improve your style.
‘Cultural sensitivity is not just about being respectful, it’s about being aware of the world around you.’ – Rick Owens
6. Quality over quantity multiplies your elegance and style quotients.
‘I would rather have a few beautiful, well-made things than a lot of mediocre, poorly made things.’ – Tom Ford
7. Attention to texture and materials expand depth and beauty.
‘The texture of a fabric can completely change the way a garment looks and feels.’ – Alexander McQueen
8. Evolution opens you to growth and change.
‘Style is a journey, not a destination.’ – Coco Chanel
9. Restfulness and calmness can be achieved through soothing colours and natural materials.
‘A calm and peaceful environment can have a profound impact on our well-being.’ – Axel Vervoordt
10. Individuality is essential to creating a sense of elegance.
‘The most important thing in fashion is to be yourself.’ – Vivienne Westwood
11. A sense of rhythm can add energy and dynamism to your style.
‘Rhythm is the backbone of fashion.’ – Marc Jacobs
12. Clarity is essential to creating a sense of elegance.
‘Clarity is the key to good design.’ – Dieter Rams
13. A storytelling skill is a powerful tool for narrating your personal story convincingly.
‘Style is a simple way of saying complicated things.’ – Jean Cocteau
14. Proportion creates a sense of balance.
‘Proportion is the key to good design.’ – Coco Chanel
15. Lightness and airiness can be achieved through the use of light colours.
‘Lightness is the ultimate luxury.’ – Phoebe Philo
16. A sense of history and tradition embellishes your style.
‘Understanding the past is essential to creating something new and original.’ – Rei Kawakubo
17. Mindfulness helps you create refined aesthetics.
‘Mindfulness is the key to creating something truly beautiful.’ – Axel Vervoordt
18. Timelessness rather than trendiness can help you create a more enduring style.
‘Timelessness is the ultimate luxury.’ – Tom Ford
19. Confidence is crucial to style.
‘Confidence is the key to pulling off any style.’ – Cindy Crawford
20. Editing and curating your possessions are vital for all-round beauty .
‘Editing and curating your belongings can help you create a more refined aesthetic.’ – Marie Kondo
21. Intentionality and thoughtfulness affect your choices in both elegance and style.
‘Intentionality is the key to creating something truly beautiful.’ – Jonathan Ive
22. Discernment is essential to achieving elegance and style.
‘Discernment is the key to creating something truly refined.’ – Tom Ford
23. Patience is essential to creating a sense of elegance and style.
‘Patience is a virtue that allows us to slow down, reflect, and create something truly beautiful.’
– Carolina Herrera
24. Sophistication is about refinement and elegance in all aspects of life.
‘Sophistication is the ability to know what is elegant and what is not.’ – Oscar de la Renta
25. Elegance in simplicity is a powerful tool.
‘The simplest things are often the most elegant.’ – Calvin Klein
26. Attention to scale helps to create a sense of proportion.
‘Scale is the key to creating a sense of balance and harmony.’ – Kelly Wearstler
27. Respect for tradition strengthens your style and adds depth to your aesthetic.
‘Tradition is the foundation upon which we build our style.’ – Ralph Lauren
28. Respect for nature elevates your style and appends a sense of elegance to your aesthetic.
‘Nature is the ultimate source of inspiration for elegance and sophistication.’ – Stella McCartney
29. Elegance in imperfections inserts character to your style.
‘The imperfections are what make something truly elegant.’ – Rei Kawakubo
30. Sense of movement attaches energy and dynamism to your style.
‘Movement is the key to creating a sense of elegance and sophistication.’ – Alexander McQueen
31. Attention to colour greatly impacts the ambiance and aesthetic of a space.
‘Colour is the key to creating a sense of drama and elegance.’ – Kelly Wearstler
32. Respect for craftsmanship refines your style and adds a sense of elegance to your aesthetic.
‘Craftsmanship is the key to creating something truly elegant and sophisticated.’ – Tom Ford
33. Sense of authenticity is essential to creating a sense of elegance and style.
‘Authenticity is the key to creating something truly beautiful.’ – Phoebe Philo
34. Sense of wonder adds magic and elegance to your style.
‘Wonder is the key to creating a sense of enchantment and elegance.’ – Alexander McQueen
35. Attention to detail is essential to creating a sense of elegance and style.
‘Attention to detail is the key to good design.’ – Jonathan Ive
36. Sense of joy adds elegance and sophistication to your style.
‘The joy of dressing is an art form.’ – Christian Dior
—Kunle Bakare for Omoluwabi by KB (Sunday, 01.12.2024)
First published by SocietyNow NG
