Closet Raid: Sunflowerman

The internationally renowned artist and fashion connoisseur takes us on a wild ride through his eclectic and distinct wardrobe.

by Brian Kendall

March 8, 2023

8:38 AM

Crystal Wise

It’s hard to know when one takes that pivotal leap from admirer to connoisseur. When one is no longer a simple hobbyist at a craft but, rather, an expert — an ambassador, even. When it comes to fashion, Sunflowerman is a connoisseur.

An artist whose work has become internationally renowned, his paintings, in many ways, mirror his love for fashion — a large portion of his oeuvre being dedicated to painting timepieces and men in suits. This January, he, along with five other Fort Worthians, visited Florence, Italy for Pitti Uomo, an international fashion fair for men’s clothing. A pilgrimage of sorts for those interested in men’s fashion, the sextet saw themselves as representatives of the city from which they came. And their Texas fashion senses created quite a stir.

“There's a thing called peacocking, which is people who dress up just to be seen. But that wasn’t our intention. Our intention was, ‘hey, we’re from Texas and we want to represent Texas in some way. I was trolled on Twitter after the first night. But, generally, the sense was, ‘You guys are bringing something new.’ There was a lot of good feedback.

It’s hard to believe, but when Sunflowerman was a kid growing up in Grand Rapids, Michigan, his daily “uniform” was basketball shorts and a T-shirt. “Typical Midwestern guy,” he says. Yes, the gentleman who one could only assume would never be caught dead wearing athleisure outside of his home wore such humdrum duds almost exclusively for a spell. Though he’s always been an artist, he hasn’t always been a fashion icon. As he puts it, “I was born with a pencil in my hand and no sense of style.”

My how things change.

Fashion tips:

"If you wanna lean into cowboy, now is the time to do it. It's very cool right now"

"One thing that's in fashion is a slightly larger suit. Right now, a slightly more full suit, something that allows you to walk and breathe a little bit more is becoming more fashionable."

Style Tips:

"Feel Comfortable. I will go out of my way to feel uncomfortable so I can understand what makes me comfortable. I will push myself in a direction I'm not familiar with, and maybe in that moment, I'm not comfortable with it, but how do I feel once I'm out into the world? If I'm still uncomfortable, then I know its not for me. Style is whatever you pull off comfortably."

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