In the swarm of people that attend Fashion Week, its easy to get lost in the sauce and lose sight of who’s who. But if you’re a regular attendee there’s certain front row faces that will be familiar to you and I’m here to put a name to one of them. Often seen alongside Skepta, Greatness Dex and Siobhan Bell, Lifestyle Donald is the entrepreneur to watch this year.

Lifestyle Donald can only be described as a lifestyle curator as he heads up companies in two of the most relevant cultural industries of our generation; Music & Fashion. He owns and hosts Sagaflex; the thursday night event currently held at Ace Hotel Shoreditch which is attended by some of the industry’s most prominent faces. As if that’s not enough he is also the owner of Shop Black; the online retailer and blog that specialises in popular items only in the most timeless colour- Black. When he’s not busy doing both of those, Lifestyle Donald is also a Stylist and DJ.

As he’s constantly surrounded by a harem of popular faces in music he also styles and is involved in talent discovery. His primary role is to be the first to put us on to dope things from brands to styles to people.

After being featured on a number of publications and online platforms such as GQ, Basement Approved and The Guardian, I wanted get to know the man behind the fits so I took the time to sit down with Lifestyle D to discuss all things Fashion Week and get his thoughts on it.

1. So Fashion Week Mens, how important is it that you attend?
Lifestyle Donald: It’s always important to me that I go to Fashion week especially in London as this is my hometown so I need to know whats going on in London Fashion in terms of trends, upcoming designers, and so on. As a stylist this is the first place I look to, when I want to visualise certain looks. I draw inspiration from Fashion Week’s around the globe.

2. What was your first fashion week and what made you start going?

Lifestyle Donald: 2014 was the year I first attended fashion week. I can’t remember what brand it was but an artist I was working with dragged me there. Once I saw it I was surprised at how useful it was for helping me style people as I’m able to see what I like and piece it together. Since then, I hardly miss a show.

3. Obviously we just had LFWM, so I have to ask, which was your favourite show?
Lifestyle Donald: The work of Mowolola at Fashion East definitely caught my eye, I’d say that is one to watch. I attended alongside, Skepta, Kim Jones and Siobhan Bell and I remember Skepta saying she reminded him of Matthew Williams and his very first show with Alyx due to the interesting cuts and aggressive, fearless looks.

4. As you’re often seen on Front Row, talk to me about your preparation process before a show. What do you and the gang do?
Lifestyle Donald: Well in the gang you have Skepta, Greatness Dex, Lasha and No Stress. Skepta always comes through with the sauce, Lash has a unique uptown and street mix. Dex brings a combination of UK and African fashion and has come up with popular quotes such as #TogetherWePush and #GreatnessOnly which is incorporated into his clothing. No Stress has a crazy but authentic look that works everytime we step out. So when getting ready we just pick out pieces that are true to our style and carry on in those themes.

5. I saw you at Paris Fashion Week in June which was monumental for so many reasons, what did you like most about it?
Lifestyle Donald: One of my standout moments was when myself, Skepta, Lash, Dex and No Stress were at Dior and I have a clip somewhere of us walking in. That was pretty surreal. A fun memory was also at the VLONE Pop-Up with Asap Rocky and Playboi Carti. It was crazy to see how much young French population are really into the music.

I can’t talk about June Fashion week without mentioning Virgil’s debut show at Louis Vuitton. I love the collection but also had a few friends walking in the show which was great to see and it was such an emotional show for all involved.

Going by the Alyx Studio to meet Matthew and seeing how he made buckles such a prominent feature by designing around it, I for one fell in love with buckles and his craft is undeniable.
At the shows, It was cool to see that a lot of inspiration was taken from street style, which is my area of expertise. So it’s great to see how that has influenced high end fashion.

6. Do you feel like your style has changed since Fashion Week? If so how?
Lifestyle Donald: For sure its changed because I’m constantly evolving, and drawing inspiration from those around me when I see something I like. Also since then its allowed me to begin my own line of clothing (Lifestyle Clothing) which is typically seen at my events. Fashion Week includes travel and I definitely have been influenced by things I’ve seen around the globe.

7. Since Sagaflex made Thursday the new Friday, and Fashion Week is half about the parties, can we expect a Fashion Week Party from you this year?
Lifestyle Donald: 100% Sagaflex has grown so quickly and now people cannot wait for the next one. Without saying too much there’s a lot of discussion happening for 2019 especially in the collaboration space and the same goes for ShopBlack.

8. Dior and LV show just went by what was your inspiration?
Lifestyle Donald: I’ll give you one word: Baboushka.

9. If you had to choose, what’s more of a dope experience, front row at a show or an after-show dinner?
Lifestyle Donald: Without a doubt front row, I need to see everything and part of me being Lifestyle Donald is to experience everything to the fullest. An aftershow dinner doesn’t do that for. I need to see the pieces to get my creative juices flowing. In an after-show dinner I’d be more into the music.

10. We can’t all be front row but what advice would you give for any first time attendees?
Lifestyle Donald: Have your phone ready to snap any and all looks that you see. This will come in handy later whether you’re a journalist, photographer or stylist. Also be free and express yourself this is your one chance to outwardly exhibit yourself and your vision, and who knows who that might attract.

Huge thank you for your time Lifestyle Donald, great things to come from Shopblack and Sagaflex. See you soon!