LEFT: Turtleneck from Oak + Fort; suit by Jacquemus; Cline English brogue shoes from Holt Renfrew; hat from Wilfred.
RIGHT: Turtleneck from Oak + Fort; blouse by Alexander Wang; short suit by Orphan Bird; Prada mules from Nordstrom.
The creative force behind fashion blog theyouthnovels.net, which he started when he was 17, Paul Conrad Schneider’s style has evolved into an art form. He went for bright ’80s colours and patterns as a teenager. Now 22, Schneider is more about minimalistic elegance that layers rich fabrics in neutral shades.
“My style is high-end bag lady,” Schneider says. “It’s a running joke that I’m the male version of Leandra Medine’s ‘Man Repeller’ – I’m nowhere in that world of typical men’s fashion.”
Schneider loves luxury brands for the way they turn clothing into art. He draws inspiration from designers like Alexander McQueen, deftly mixing structure, movement and texture to create head-turning outfits. His eccentric look has earned plenty of confused stares (and worse) from passers-by, but he doesn’t care.
“I don’t like having to hide who I am to make other people comfortable,” he says. “People often think it’s too much, but screw it, I’m not dressing for them. I’m doing me.”
What’s your current Calgary fashion obsession?
“Leo Boutique on 17th Avenue S.W.”
What’s your dream outfit?
“A custom outfit by Jonathan Anderson, the J.W. Anderson and Loewe creative director, with the black snake-print Gucci Princetown loafers and a Loewe Puzzle or Amazona 28 Multiplication bag.”
Where do you go to be seen fashion-wise?
“I love going to PARKshow and seeing all the outfits that walk through the doors. It’s my favourite event to people-watch at.”