Beyond the hype // Tony Stone

Tony Stone is a 27 year old artist from Paris, France.

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

My name is Tony, I'm 27 and I'm living in the Paris suburbs ("The Big Paris"). I was originally born in the seaside of France, in Brittany. I spent a lot of time on boats, but now my time is spent in metros. I've been living here in Paris for 9 years. I'm working a lot. I'm kind of a workaholic, even if it tires me. I've got a lifestyle blog with my girlfriend for a year, Wolves&Bucks.

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

When I was little, I loved the Jean-Paul Gaultier sailor shirt. It was my first encounter with fashion, because sailor shirts were something I knew since I was born, and seeing something that was close to me on a catwalk made me understand that fashion wasn't a closed little world.

But I'm more interested in style than fashion. You are what you're wearing. I love seeing people create their own universe from their clothes.

What are your passions?

Soccer. (Joking.) I love photography, sculptures...creating things with my hands. When I have an obsession, I'm always trying to go the furthest I can. I'm fond of music, especially folk music. I also love to travel.

How do you describe the fashion scene in Paris compared to other major cities/fashion capitals?

People don't take risks in Paris. Black and neutral tones are the classics, no matter the time, no matter the year. You won't see crazy outfits as in London; even the young girls you'll see are wearing black tights most of the time, ballerinas, oversized sweaters, black coats...even the craziest styles are sort of adapted to the Parisian style. I think the "chic" notion is in every mind here, no matter the age. Also, [the] French can't be real rockers. They don't have that in their blood, and if they do rock, they suck, or it isn't real rock. We're better in "Chanson Française" (that's a real "bobo" thing) as Gainsbourg, Biolay, Carla Bruni (the FIRST album, okay!) and electro (Air, Daft Punk...but please don't talk about Guetta, he's only able to make 2 notes).

What do you love about living in Paris?

Food. The cafés. Red wine. Paris by night is really awesome. And I also love Paris for all the people I met here.

Actually I'm not living in the little Paris, which is really too expensive and noisy. And living in a little flat doesn't fit me. I'm living 10 minutes from Paris, and [I've] got a garden and a two roomed flat, which is paradise.

Top 3 places to visit in France:

Paris, of course. The best [thing to do] is to get lost and skip the Eiffel Tower. Let's be honest, it sucks.

Giverny, where the house of Claude Monet is. It's very beautiful, there's the garden and the museum of American Photography.

St. Malo, where I'm born, because it's really beautiful (of course) ;)

Describe your personal style.

My personal style is to mix all my basics to do something different. I want to be unassuming but different at the same time.

I'm influenced by folk music and guys from London (because I buy a lot of things on Topman). I'm trying to have an honest style; I don't want to disguise.

Favorite designers and places to shop?

I look at girl designers a lot, but I don't look at guys designers a lot...

Topman of course, and American Apparel (I'm a big fan).

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

I think it's the person who shows you something particular that I would look to first, as nice shoes, a beautiful ring, or a scarf...

What do you skimp on?

Shoes, I feel good only in my Van's, but I make an effort for the outfit, sometimes.

What do you splurge on?

Grey shirts with large necklines, I can't even count them. And white oversized tanks.

A fashion rule you always break:

Mostly I don't like to break the rules. It's a game, if you don't follow the rules it's not fun.

A fashion rule you never break:

A long neck matches with large necklines.

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

Every girl who is trying to look like Pandora (Louise Ebel) should stop, it fails most of the time! The grandma look is awful, I hope this trend would stop very, very soon.

What is the most underrated item in menswear and womenswear?

Guys don't really wear tanks because they think it looks gay, which is a real error.

Girls don't wear enough wide pants.

What is your next "must have" purchase?

A black slim suit.

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

Except the Gainsbourg family who I admire, I don't like to copy people, I think it's better to try to find yourself and like what you like and not what an "icon" likes. Of course you need to have character.

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

The last album I've listened to was Agnes Obel - Philharmonics The last book I read was The History of Photography from Taschen Editions. The last DVD I saw was Basic Instinct, with Sharon Stone.

How did you become interested in photography?

I took my very first photograph when I was 7 or 8. It was at school. I've always loved photography but not in an artistic way. To me, photography is a way to keep something, a moment. No matter the device. Polaroid, numeric, analog, cell phone...when I feel some good energy, I shoot.

What can't you live without?

My cat, my girlfriend and my iPhone.

Tell us about how you and Adeline met?

Well...our first contact...I mean THE FIRST ONE was on LOOKBOOK. And the second one too.

Next place you want to travel to:

Stockholm, because I've got friends there, and I love the city.
Cap Ferré, first with Adeline's mother and then with her best friend.
London, because I'm beginning to miss it.

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

This one, because it's really me.
I don't want to look sentimental so I choose an outfit from someone else than my girlfriend. I really love Tahti's looks, especially this one.

In the year 2015 you will be:

Impossible to know. Really.

What is your ultimate goal in life?

Happiness. I don't want to be rich and/or famous. I just want to be happy. I want to be a nice person.

What would you say to someone seeking fashion advice?

The person has to feel good in their clothes. If it's a girl NO HEELS if she has to walk a lot. I hate to hear someone who complains about how her shoes hurt. And never orange, yellow or silk shirts. NEVER. No more than 3 colors—it's my girlfriend who taught me this.

Rachel I. wants to know: If you could have any non-domesticated animal as a pet, what would it be and why?

A lion, of course.

What should we ask the next interviewee?

Do you think men really walked on the Moon or is it a CIA conspiracy?