Loïc Fanel Roman is a respected men's fashion influencer from Geneva, known for his refined and timeless approach to classic elegance. From an early age, Loïc was fascinated by the sophistication of Hollywood stars and vintage cinematography, which deeply influenced his style. His carefully curated wardrobe, which includes handcrafted suits, exquisite accessories and vintage pieces, reflects his keen eye for detail and dedication to quality craftsmanship. Through his widely followed Instagram profile, Loïc inspires his audience by combining traditional elements with a modern sensibility, encouraging them to embrace a sophisticated yet personal style. His philosophy is based on finding beauty in urban and natural environments, and his fashion choices embody a harmonious balance between practicality and elegance. In this exclusive interview, we asked Loïc a set of 20 questions to better understand his style.
Loïc Fanel Novel
Can you tell us about your journey into the world of men's fashion? What initially sparked your interest and how did you decide to focus specifically on classic elegance?
L: I seem to have been interested in fashion since the age of four. My mom made clothes for my brother, who was three years younger, and I would constantly comment on her choices, telling her what I thought didn't go together. Later I watched a lot of movies, I saw all these actors like Cary Grant, David Niven, Michael Caine, Humphrey Bogart, Lin Ventura, Jean Gabin, Alain Delon and so on... and I admired what they radiated, what they wore, that incredible style. I was also very attracted to the style of gangsters and villains in certain films, I mean James Bond of course, but also the films "Casino" by Scorsese or "Scarface" by De Palma. Around 2005, so I was 14-15 years old when I discovered the TV show "How I Met Your Mother". There was the character Barney Stinson, who always wore a suit and I thought that was cool. Looking back now, his choices were often questionable, but to me as a teenager, he was cool. Then I found a forum called De Pied En Cap, something like Styleforum, but in French. There were a lot of crazy members who loved suits, shoes, ties and craft work, it really was a treasure trove of information and I started reading everything, exchanging ideas and views, meeting certain members and eventually showing what I was wearing and commenting on what others were wearing. Basically the same things I do on Instagram now.
Loïc Fanel Novel
Were there any key moments, influencers or mentors that significantly shaped your approach to fashion? How have these experiences shaped your unique style?
L: People I talked to on the forum, all the stars of old Hollywood from the sixties and seventies, the Internet, The Sartorialist blog, people like Yukio Akamina, Douglas Cordeaux, who for me are the pillars of elegance and style. So I look at a lot of pictures, new and old, to develop my eye. I try on a lot of clothes, even used ones, make mistakes sometimes, maybe even often, wanting to do too much, which is normal in the beginning and even more before you turn 20, and in the end I develop my taste and my style step by step. It is a never ending journey with no end in sight, it's always evolving and will continue to evolve.
Loïc Fanel Novel
Your philosophy revolves around finding beauty everywhere, both in the city and in the countryside. How did you develop this perspective and what does it mean to you on a daily basis?
L: I traveled a lot with my parents as a child, walking in the wilderness, in the mountains, crossing the Sahara, sleeping in the desert, visiting Mont Blanc. These landscapes and cultures fascinated me as a child and still do. My father is an artist, painter and sculptor, so we also visited a lot of museums, which gave me a certain sense of beauty. All this means that I have learned to look, to take my time, to appreciate the flower in the field, the colors of the sunrise, to come across a fox at dusk and watch it, all these things are magnificent and can happen every day, you just have to learn to see them and appreciate them .
Loïc Fanel Novel
Can you share a specific experience where you found unexpected beauty in an everyday environment? How do you integrate this sense of beauty into your personal style and fashion choices?
L: Every morning I walk to work through the park. The birds are always singing, sometimes I come across a squirrel and I take 2 minutes to watch it, that break always cheers me up. Then I come to the shore of the lake and every day the light is different, sometimes you can see the mountains and sometimes not, sometimes it rains, sometimes it's sunny. All of that can be inspiring, the clash of colors between two buildings next to each other, the colors of the ice cream in the store, the old man on the street corner, all of that can inspire a combination, an outfit that matches the weather and environment.
Loïc Fanel Novel
What are the daily sources of inspiration that influence your style and fashion choices? Are there certain books, works of art, places or people that you regularly turn to for inspiration?
L: Friends online or not, people who have crazy style. All this makes you try new things, pushes you to go further. Then, yes, not necessarily one specific work, but all art can affect us consciously or not. Sometimes we know exactly what inspired us, but that's not always the case. That's why you have to study as much as you can, read, listen to music, watch movies, talk, meet people from all walks of life, whatever happens can only be positive. I also regularly look at old outfits I've made, to improve them or just use as is.
Loïc Fanel Novel
How do these sources manifest in your outfits and overall aesthetics? Do you have a specific routine or process for collecting and integrating those inspirations into your wardrobe?
L: It's very unconscious, sometimes the idea of a combination hits me. When I buy a new piece I often have ideas for combinations, but sometimes, when I look at my closet, I say to myself, of course, I have never tried this, even though these are all pieces that I have had for several years.
Travel and traditional clothing also inspire me a lot. That's why I sometimes wear "bleu de chine" or Guayabera, it's a response to the place, the climate, the culture, but it can also be integrated, if the conditions allow. But again, it could just be the colors or the attitude, the vibe.
Loïc Fanel Novel
How would you define classic elegance? What key elements or principles do you consider essential to achieving this style?
L: When we think of classic elegance, we often think of a suit and tie first, and rightly so. But if you think about it, you can think of pictures of very stylish people without actually wearing a tie or even a jacket. What is classic has become so over time and is part of the collective imagination. In the end, it's more the silhouette, the cut, that makes the look classic.
Loïc Fanel Novel
Are there certain fabrics, cuts or accessories that are essential for you when it comes to maintaining a classic look? How do you balance modern trends with timeless elegance?
L: I avoid synthetics, except for outdoor activities and when really necessary. Otherwise, not particularly. The only thing I insist on is the cut. If it doesn't fit you, it will stay in your closet and you won't wear it, and if you do, you'll immediately see that it's forced, and in those conditions it's impossible to radiate any elegance. If you feel good in what you wear, if you love what you wear, then 90% of the work is done to look cool.
Loïc Fanel Novel
How do you adapt your style to different environments, such as an urban setting compared to a rural countryside? Can you share specific examples of outfits you would wear in each setting?
L: I always try to adapt to my environment. Weather conditions, but also the activities I will be doing. I would never come in a three-piece suit to a barbecue by the lake with friends, that's also elegance, knowing how to adapt. So in the city I will often wear at least a shirt, jacket and high-waisted pants. When it's hot or in tropical countries, Hawaiian shirts, linen, shorts and my trusty jungle jacket. In the mountains, of course, good hiking boots are most important. Even in summer, I always wear a fleece for those cool mornings and evenings. And in winter, a warm, waterproof jacket, a hat to protect against the cold - in short, everything you need for a good trip.
Loïc Fanel Novel
How do you balance practicality with elegance in these diverse environments? What are the unique fashion challenges and opportunities that life in the city brings compared to the countryside?
L: In the city, below 30 degrees, the suit is tolerable, as long as the materials are well chosen and the cut is a little looser. Seersucker, linen and tropical wools are very useful. And in winter, a good mackintosh is essential, as is a woolen coat for the coldest days. All this means you can wear the suit almost every day and still be comfortable. After that, nice pants and a shirt are more than enough if you need to maintain a certain level of formality.
Loïc Fanel Novel
What is your opinion on current fashion trends?
L: I think most of the current trends are inspired by the 80s and 90s, so in the end everything is very classic and quite easy to pair. A Hawaiian shirt under a suit, a military jacket, a western belt, it's not all that new.
Loïc Fanel Novel
What advice would you give to modern men who want to incorporate traditional elements into their everyday wardrobe? What are the practical first steps they can take?
L: You have to take your time. Maybe start with a pair of moccasins, which will go well with any style, then maybe a shirt, then a jacket, try different volumes, but step by step, don't rush the process. Observe people whose style you appreciate and get inspired by them, so you can understand what suits you and what doesn't, what you like and what you don't like. Little by little, as you develop your taste, you will be able to try more things, find tricks, and eventually develop an increasingly personal style that is recognizable at first glance, or almost at first glance. I would say that often a classic enthusiast mistake is wanting to do something too fast. So taking your time is key in my opinion. Then there are the things you like and the things that work for you, sometimes these things are both and sometimes they are not, and sorting through and recognizing that is another key element.
Loïc Fanel Novel
Do you have favorite fashion pieces or accessories that you consider essential to achieve a classic look? Why are these particularly meaningful to you?
L: They are all my favorites, I wear everything in my wardrobe. I would say that my favorite pieces are those made by an artisan, because behind them there is more than just an item of clothing, there is a human story, a relationship, a journey. Perhaps there is some of that behind some vintage pieces as well, because there was the thrill of hunting for that particular piece of clothing or footwear.
Loïc Fanel Novel
How do you maintain your special pieces of clothing?
L: I'm not particularly picky, I like clothes to live and acquire a patina. I normally maintain them, wash them in the washing machine or sometimes take them to dry cleaning when really necessary, and I store them well, I think that's important. And then, if necessary, I fix them. I have several pieces that are ten years old or more, and are still wearable, it's all a matter of choosing wisely from the start.
Loïc Fanel Novel
Are there certain brands or designers that you admire for their commitment to classic elegance? What qualities do these brands possess that align with your personal fashion philosophy?
L: I have a lot of admiration for what Drake's been able to do, especially the lookbooks from a few years ago. It is not easy to create a complete wardrobe and atmosphere for a brand, and they succeeded. By the way, how can we not mention Ralph Lauren, decades of amazing designs, in extremely diverse styles, no one else does it.
Loïc Fanel Novel
How do you discover and choose brands to include in your wardrobe? Are there lesser-known designers or artisans who you feel deserve more recognition for their work in this area?
L: I usually discuss with friends and search Instagram to find a new brand that seems interesting to me. I try to support craftsmanship as much as possible, so if I have enough money, I order my suit from the amazing Sartoria Corcos in Florence. We also have the last shirt maker in Geneva, they do everything there and they do amazing work, their name is Revenga. Otherwise, I try to concentrate on small brands, which produce few products, but work very precisely to offer beautiful things. I'm thinking of Manzi and co, who came out with a nice little navy-themed collection this year, or Farela, who also have a little collection with beautiful Moroccan-inspired designs. Almost all of my casual pants (chinos and shorts) are from Casatlantic, I just love their fit and feel. Then, people like Wythe do absolutely beautiful and original western shirts, or Scott Fraser Simpson who always has very cutting edge stuff, as well as AWMS.
Loïc Fanel Novel
How important do you think sustainability is in the fashion industry, and how do you integrate this value into your style? What steps do you take to ensure your wardrobe is both stylish and environmentally responsible?
L: That's not my primary focus. But investing in quality pieces that last over time, and choosing vintage, are things that undoubtedly help. As with food, moving towards local brands that produce locally can only be positive. I think for example of Linkssocialwear, who make golf polo shirts, sportswear is usually not the most sustainable area when it comes to clothing production, but I know it was important to them, they make sure that the whole production chain respects certain standards, and they offer beautiful, well-designed a product that can also be worn in the city.
Loïc Fanel Novel
How has your cultural background influenced your fashion taste and your approach to style? Are there specific cultural elements that you incorporate into your wardrobe?
L: Unless I'm wrong, apart from my shirts made by Revenga in Geneva, very little in my wardrobe really represents Switzerland. There are watches, which are all Swiss made, and vintage pieces of clothing as well. Now, I think my style represents who I am, it speaks for me, it always has a touch of fun and fantasy, which suits me very well.
Loïc Fanel Novel
What future do you see for men's fashion, especially in the realm of classic elegance? Are there any new trends or developments that excite you?
L: It's still a niche, and let's be clear, we're not going to see the whole world dressing up and wearing suits tomorrow. But I think we're seeing a lot of young people taking an interest in it, bringing something different, making it less rigid, re-appropriating dress codes to create new ones, and that's quite positive for the future. While this will never be the norm, it will persist.
Loïc Fanel Novel
Finally, do you have a personal motto or principle that guides you in your life and work? How does that motto influence your fashion choices and overall lifestyle?
L: Have as much fun as you can, they're just clothes and they should stay that way. Bringing joie de vivre to the way you dress brings a bit of fun and good humor to a world that often lacks it. Don't take yourself too seriously in such trivial matters, don't make it elitist, it's a way to get people interested in following our steps.
Loïc Fanel Novel
Comments