Gabriel W. is a 23 year old ARCHITECTURE STUDENT from Stuttgart/Zürich.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I'm Gabriel, 22 years old. I'm an architecture student and live in Zürich, Switzerland.

What are your biggest passions?

I really like architecture, as well as art, photography, music and of course fashion—especially when it has a relation to architecture! And I think all of the above have this in their special ways.

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

I don't think I can name a certain date or something like that. Every time I get dressed and I think of what I should wear, it is a creative process and also an attempt to express a mood or an attitude. So I don't just wear clothes not to be naked. Seeing clothes more than functional things is the first step towards fashion. And that's why me and my girlfriend ended up creating a joint blog around one and a half years ago, to portray both men's and women's fashion ideas, because they're both equally important.

How do you describe the fashion scene in Zürich compared to other major cities or fashion capitals?

I don't think that you can call Zürich a fashion capital. It is just too small to be that. In my opinion a city needs a certain size to develop its own fashion scene. The people have to get used to seeing more diverse people on the streets, and that's something you only have in bigger cities. You can test this very easily! for example, if you're doing a photoshoot on the street in your city and the people are acting weird, looking at you as if you're an alien or giving you negative comments, your city is not ready to develop its own fashion scene. In bigger cities no one cares if you're taking photos in the public, because the the more diverse and crazy people are better accepted. That's what makes a fashion scene possible. And it is the same with art and architecture. I think Zürich is not yet there, but it has good potential. But because they haven't fully reached it yet, the people's style reflects that. It's more safe, a bit conventional and not so much about trying things out. Of course, there are some people who are more fashion forward, but Zürich definitely needs more of them.

What do you love about living in Zürich?

I travel a lot and therefore I see many cities. What I like in Zürich is that it's very organized and clean. And also that you have many beautiful things in a very small space. Every morning on my way to my university, I can see the mountains with snow on top, behind the lake and the city, right outside of the bus window.

Tell us your top 3 places to visit in Switzerland:

Of course you should visit Zürich, it's a beautiful city, and I like the tension between the small old town and booming industrial area. But you should also go up into the mountains [for] skiing in winter or hiking in summer. And for something special, you should visit the Therme Vals baths [designed] by Peter Zumthor. That really is something you should have experienced at least once.

Describe your personal style and its influences or inspirations.

I don't know if I have a personal style, but I like it simple. It's not the one special thing itself that makes your style, it is the combination of how the different parts of your outfit work together, how they complement each other and also how they create tension. I get influenced by the way I feel and I think what you are wearing can very much influence your presence and the way how others interact with you. often I get influenced by movies, but not in a direct way, more in a way that the movie creates an attitude and a mood I want to express with my style.

What are your favorite designers and places to shop?

I don't have a favorite designer nor a favorite store. Often it's the unexpected purchase I like the most.

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

The shoes. They can say a lot about the person.

What do you skimp on?

The food in my everyday life.

What do you splurge on?

The things that are important. It makes no sense to skimp on the wrong things.

A fashion rule you never/always break:

I don't think there are rules. Fashion is very fast-paced compared to architecture. Therefore you should be able to try everything. There is only one thing I always try to include: Whatever you're trying, stay elegant in a certain way.

What is the most underrated item in menswear and womenswear?

Turtlenecks. And bags for men.

Your favorite color(s) of the moment are:

I like black. It almost always fits. But I also like beige. In general you should never be too colorful. Especially not when you mix various colors. I like much more playing with neutrals or tone-in-tone colored outfits.

What is your next "must have" purchase?

A watch.

What is the ultimate showpiece in your closet?

Probably a beige leather bag from a flea market in Vienna. Unfortunately it is too big for every day, but it is perfect for weekend trips.

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

No, not a person in general. It's more different pieces or an attitude.

What's on your iPod, bookstand & DVD player at the moment?

I'm very much into electronic music. I like Paul Kalkbrenner, but it can also be a little bit more intense. It's not always electronic music - a good choice is always Manu Chao. Unfortunately I don't really have time to read, except for the interactive Just Another Fashion Magazine, and I don't even have a DVD player. But on my streaming portal there is everything that is also in the cinema :) I watch a lot of movies, but no one can ever reach Quentin Tarantino.

What can't you live without?

Creativity.

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

Venezia (pictured below) is my favorite outfit by myself. Very reduced and simple. Winter Wonderland by my girlfriend—simple, elegant, unexpected. That's how I love her!

In the year 2017, you will be:

A successful architect living in london.

What would you say to someone seeking general fashion advice?

Try to be simple but take it serious.

Our last interviewee Violet E. wants to know: If you had a time machine, and it will only work once and take you to one place in time, and you will never come back, what year and specific date would you choose to travel to (to stay there forever)? And why?

Definitely not in the past, because we already know what has happened there and we learned from that. But I'm not so sure if I would use it to go into the future. If it only works once, it would be like an escape from yourself, from the present and from all the problems. I don't like running away, so I'd rather not use it.

What should we ask the next interviewee?

If you could switch lives with any person, who would it be?