// JUNE 2010

Beyond the hype: Denny Wenny

I see it like this—if you are a fashionable person you'd be able to wear anything, cheap or expensive, and still come off stylish.

Denny Wenny is a 22 year old lovable guy from the state of New Jersey!

Tell us a little bit about yourself and where you live.

My name is Dennis Balmaceda but I go by the alias Denny Wenny. I'm 22 years old but I look 16. (I don't appreciate getting asked to present my I.D. just to see a PG-13 film…but the upside is once everyone my age looks old and saggy, I'll still look young and adorable.) I represent the state of New Jersey so shout outs to every single person that resides in our fine state! People often scratch their heads when they try to figure out my ethnicity...so to make things easier I bribe them with money and make them guess! No one ever gets it on their first try so I'll just reveal to you guys that I am actually Filipino. I was born in the Philippines and moved to the United States when I was only 7. I work as a travel agent by day and a superhero by night. Half of that is true, either way I'll be bad ass, right?

What are your passions?

Ah, I love giving high fives to people and performing stand up comedy in front my mirror. My mirror thinks I'm hilarious. I also love talking to strangers and homeless people. I am not even going to lie about that, I think I have at least 5 great homeless friends. I am always intrigued by random people that I wish I can talk to one person a day and just listen to their whole life story.

How did you first get interested in fashion and why is it important?

I would be incredibly vain if I said I was born with the ability to be awesome with fashion, right? So let's not go with that story. I'm just kidding, of course! Hmm, I guess I was always interested in fashion ever since I was a little Asian boy but it didn't really peak until my high school years. I attended a public High School so that means we had no uniforms and had to wear anything we want. This is when fashion became important to me because I was able to express myself with what I wear. Not too many people understood me, I was always that kid that would wear ties and blazers even if there was no special occasion. I would prepare my outfit for the entire week! That's the only reason I loved going to school—so I can show off my gear. When I first wore tight jeans people assumed I was not straight but it didn't get to me because I knew me. I was man enough to wear what I wanted and had the confidence to do so too!

How do you describe the fashion scene in New Jersey compared to other major cities/fashion destinations?

Honestly, these days the NJ fashion scene is pretty good. I can't speak for the whole state but...okay, let's put it this way, if all the major fashion cities like Paris or NYC were the popular kids on LOOKBOOK.nu then New Jersey is a non member who is browsing and getting inspired because they couldn't get an invite code just yet. We are getting there, trust me! I think recently people have become really open-minded when it comes to fashion because they see it everywhere, from movies, television, blog sites, magazines, etc. It's everywhere and it really made an impact on us. Our neighbor is also New York and it's not hard to get there and New York, phew...it'll blow you away. We are like the younger sibling of New York…we're still getting the hang of it.

What do you love about living in New Jersey?

I love its simplicity. If you are in your 20s you would want to move out right away because it's more of a suburban type of state. I want to get out really bad but once I'm older I wouldn't mind settling down here and growing old with my family. It's perfect for anyone who doesn't want the city life and just wants a peaceful, quiet one. It's also perfect for anyone who recently got addicted to the Jersey Shore and wants to live their life that way!  

Top 3 places to visit in the New Jersey/US:

I'm on that Empire State of Mind, so I'm going to have to say New York as number one. The sights, the fashion, the people, the food…everything you've read or seen in the movies or television about New York is 100 times better when you are actually there. You will be in awe, you will not sleep for days and it's not because it's called the City that never sleeps...it's because it's so damn bright all the time!

Number 2 would be Las Vegas, I've been there once because my sister lives 2 hours away from Vegas. I would talk about it but what happens there, stays there...

Number 3 would Hoboken, NJ. I had to mention at least one place people should go to if they visit NJ. I mean there are alot of great places here but it's the closest you'll get to a fashionable, trendy way of life. It's basically our hipster go to place.

Describe your personal style, its influences and inspirations.

I don't really have a personal style and if you look at my looks you will see that. I pretty much tried every kind of style there is! To me fashion is like the galaxy, it's huge so you'd want to explore it and see what you get out of it. It's full of possibilities. I try not to stick to one genre of style and just be open to anything. Most of my blog followers started calling me the Fashion Chameleon because I can blend in with almost any style. Just like everyone else, I am inspired by many things, from fashion blogs like The Sartorialist or magazines like Nylon Guys to movies like Grease or any John Hughes 80's film…all those things inspire me.

Favorite designers and places to shop?

I might get ridiculed for this but I don't really have a favorite designer! I don't believe in name brands, haha...I shop at thrift stores for god's sakes! I see it like this—if you are a fashionable person you'd be able to wear anything, cheap or expensive, and still come off stylish. Look at celebrities, they're rich but most of them dress like shit. It's because you can't just wear popular designer clothes and hope it will automatically look good, you have to have a sense of style. The best dressed people in the world are everyday people.

The first thing you look at in another person's outfit is:

I don't look at their outfit. I look at their attitude, their swagger, the way they carry themselves. It's the most important thing! Sure you may look good in pictures with your cool clothes but that all goes away if you don't have confidence in yourself when you step out of your house. Look at most rappers, they dress like shit but sometimes you don't notice that because they have so much swagger, haha.

What do you skimp on?

The sagging of jeans. Terrible, terrible look! I mean seriously what is the upside with that look, the only thing I can think of is if you actually want to look like an idiot. Some people can pull it off though, like prisoners but that's only because they are not allowed to wear belts, duh!

What do you splurge on?

Ties, ties, ties! I have at least 100 ties and sometimes I think that's not enough. I need to go to rehab for my tie addiction—that's how bad it is.

A fashion rule you always break:

Wearing jackets when it's super hot outside! Sometimes you have to sacrifice your health condition just to look good! Am I right? Come on guys. 

A fashion rule you never break:

I think I only did this once and it was so silly that I promised never to do it again. That fashion mishap would have to be the time I wore a belt and suspenders at the same time! I had no idea what I was thinking but I vowed to never do it again. It's either you wear a belt or suspenders to hold your pants…never both!

What do you think is the most recent notable trend to appear/reappear, and what are your thoughts on it?

Everything from the past! If you notice every decade has their own distinct style but in the 2000's, it's like every decade decided to have a comeback. The newspaper boy look from the 1920's, the greaser look from the 50's, a bit of 60's hippie vibe is here too! Thank god the disco era of the 70's didn't come back and hopefully never will! These days we are all over 80's fashion and the 90's is slowly creeping back too! The most recent trend to appear for guys that I love is the dapper gentleman look! The bowties, hairstyle and fitted suits are must haves. I also enjoy flats on the ladies. These shoes were popular in the 80's and thank god they're back because they are super sexy! Everytime my girlfriend wears one, I fall in love all over again.

What is the most underrated item in menswear and womenswear?

Definitely socks on guys…we need to incorporate more sock action! But damn, socks are expensive and I always lose one when my mother does laundry.

For women, absolutely nothing. Women have the power to make every single thing they are wearing noticeable. High five to you gals

What is your next "must have" purchase?

The Buzzlight year Nike SB backpack. That's drool worthy right there.

Are there any fashion icons or famous people whose style you admire?

My inspiration has got to be Andre 3000 of the rap duo Outkast. I don't base my style on him but he does inspire me. Why? because here's a guy who dresses the way he does in an environment where you have to be very masculine and always sing about how tough you are. He wore what he felt like wearing and didn't look back. I'm kinda like him, negativity does not affect me at all. I wear my outfits proudly.

What's on your iPod / bookshelf / DVD player at the moment?

I just bought Drake's Thank Me Later album and I have no regrets, it's a piece of art. I'm also huge 90's hip hop fan so I have a lot that in my iPod. I don't really read books unless they have pictures and word bubbles in it, it's easier for me like that...so I'll know which character is speaking. I just bought the Season 1 DVD set of The Fresh Prince of Bel Air so that's keeping my DVD player company.

What can't you live without?

It's more like who I can't live without. I am going to be super cheesy and say my girlfriend. This girl is the best of both worlds—she's my girlfriend and best friend. We've been together for 3 and half years now and sure we've had our ups and downs and left and rights but we still managed to stick together. This is the person I'd like to wake up next to every morning for the rest of my life and have make me a sandwich. She makes the best sandwiches, thinking about it now makes me hungry! People ask me what love means and I just say her name. I just fucking love the girl.

Next place you want to travel to:

Tokyo, Japan! That place looks beautiful! I have no idea why but everyone just looks so happy all the time there!

What is your personal favorite outfit on LOOKBOOK.nu by you, and by another member?

I don't want to get all my other looks jealous so i'll just say all of them are my personal favorite. Every single one are like my babies, they all mean so much to me. I apologize, I don't want to get too emotional.

I have 2 people I really admire here and they should definitely get interviewed in the future! I love all their sets but my favorites are Oh girls you never know how you make a boy feel by Mr. S. and Let's all go camping by M'c Kenneth Licon.

In the year 2015 you will be:

I will be posting my 1000th picture on LOOKBOOK.nu. Holla! and hopefully rocking a sweet mustache.

What would you say to someone seeking general fashion advice?

Just believe and learn to love yourself. Your opinion of yourself matters more than what people think of you. Dress the way you want to, don't dress yourself just to fit in or please people. Be a leader and not a follower.....also don't wear socks with sandals, it's unflattering.

Louise Ebel wants to know: What would you wear for your last day on earth?

I want to be really comfortable so I'm going to have to say my birthday suit and it only comes in the color tan.

What should we ask the next interviewee?

Would you rather know when you are going to die so you can do anything you want to do or just live your life without knowing when and go with the flow?

Comments

Mr. S. @sartoreality

So glad you got the next Beyond The Hype interview Denny! It couldn't be more deserved. I love how varied in style but consitently awesome your looks are. And great interview too, you come across way chilled & genuine. I bet you're a very cool person to know, I'll have to hit you up if I'm ever in NJ!

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// JUNE 2010

Beyond the hype: Denny Wenny

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