Aleks Musika [00:00:02]: You can say my construction is better than Alex Musika [00:00:02]: Tom Ford. You can argue that, but that's not why they're gonna they're gonna come here. They wanna Aleks Musika [00:00:06]: look great. The the bottom line is Alex Musika [00:00:07]: they wanna look great and they want something different. So that's what I try to do is give them give them something different than what those other brands are Reginald Ferguson [00:00:14]: Welcome to the Fashion Geek podcast. The show that helps you learn more about men's fashion and get some tips to help you dress your best. This is Reg Ferguson, Fashion Geek number 1 and I'm a men's fashion consultant here in New York City, born and raised. My mission is to help you learn more about men's fashion so you can become fashion confident. Right. When you think of luxury menswear brands, whom do you think of? Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Tom Ford, Giorgio Armani? What if you could be introduced to a brand that showcases the next generation of luxury? A brand that represents a lifestyle. That actors and athletes, ballers and shot callers are wearing. What does it take to build something like this? This? I guess Alex Nusica of Nusica New York is here on the show because he's doing it. Reginald Ferguson [00:01:16]: He has created a brand that appeals to the man who wants to wear the finer things in life. So if you had an opportunity to rock this brand, would it make you fashion confused or would it make you fashion confident? Hey. If you ever found yourself staring at the closet, not knowing what to wear, if the idea of shopping for clothes makes you feel physically ill, wait till the end of the show and I have something for you. But for now, let's get to the show. Yo. Today, we're gonna talk with Alex Musica, who's the creative director of Musica, and we're gonna talk about something the everyday man should have an interest in. What makes the Naseca brand one of the distinct luxury menswear brands in New York City? Alex in the building. How are you, man? Alex Musika [00:02:11]: Good, man. Reginald Ferguson [00:02:11]: Hey. Alex Musika [00:02:12]: Happy to have you here. Reginald Ferguson [00:02:13]: Yeah. Really, thank you so much for your hospitality. Alex Musika [00:02:16]: For sure. Reginald Ferguson [00:02:16]: I have been in this building before. Yep. I got my real estate license here. Alex Musika [00:02:22]: There's a lot of offices in here. It's a big building. Reginald Ferguson [00:02:24]: Yeah. But we are literally, ladies and gentlemen, we are here in the Garment District, which to me seems The heart of the district. Yeah. Extremely appropriate for what we're gonna talk about and for what he does every day. So Yep. I'm gonna spring you with some things. I'm not gonna hit you Alex Musika [00:02:39]: early. Talking politics first? Reginald Ferguson [00:02:40]: No. No. Alex Musika [00:02:41]: No. No. No. No. Reginald Ferguson [00:02:42]: Because when we came in, I introduced myself, and you were blank. We have met you. Alex Musika [00:02:46]: Springing on Reginald Ferguson [00:02:47]: me. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. At the appropriate time, I'm like, You're like, oh, oh. Alex Musika [00:02:54]: Oh, man. Reginald Ferguson [00:02:55]: I got I got to. You got it. I got to. Alex Musika [00:02:58]: I'll take it. Won't be the first time. That's the problem. Reginald Ferguson [00:03:01]: Oh, well, I'm sorry to hear that. It was brief, but it was it was it was, yeah, it was memorable for me, obviously, so Alex Musika [00:03:09]: Well, you said it helped you, so why don't we just Reginald Ferguson [00:03:11]: talk about it? You did? Okay. Alright. Aleks Musika [00:03:13]: Alright. Oh, Reginald Ferguson [00:03:13]: so oh, okay. Oh. Yeah. We did talk about it. Alright. So it was during the interview. Okay. So Alex Musika [00:03:18]: I don't mean to mess Reginald Ferguson [00:03:19]: up your question. No. It's okay. No. No. It all flows. Yeah. It all flows. Aleks Musika [00:03:22]: Yeah. Reginald Ferguson [00:03:23]: Alright. In 2017 k. You were a cofounder. Were you not? You you had another brand. I did. Yeah. Alex Musika [00:03:36]: You did? Yes. Reginald Ferguson [00:03:37]: Right. Right. And I'm not dropping the name yet, gonna drop it eventually for the listeners, do a little surprise. At that time that you were a co founder, and you were just a few blocks away from where we are now Alex Musika [00:03:49]: For sure. Reginald Ferguson [00:03:51]: I was on the precipice of launching my brand. Alex Musika [00:03:55]: Gotcha. Reginald Ferguson [00:03:57]: And I was a real estate broker at that time, a residential real estate broker. Hence, the reason why I was downstairs in this building Mhmm. Taking my classes to then take my license on William Street and pass, first time. Alex Musika [00:04:09]: First time. Okay. Reginald Ferguson [00:04:10]: 1st time. Absolutely. Alex Musika [00:04:11]: Great. Reginald Ferguson [00:04:11]: So honors NYU Stern. Alex Musika [00:04:13]: There you go. Reginald Ferguson [00:04:14]: So Let them know. Aleks Musika [00:04:16]: It is Reginald Ferguson [00:04:16]: what it is, whatever it's worth. So I know my grandparents are happy rest in peace. So That's awesome. I was getting ready to launch my men's fashion consultancy. K. And I worked for Carol Williams. Right. And Well known. Reginald Ferguson [00:04:34]: Well known. Well known. Not in New York City, in the rest of the country. Okay. That was the that was the first Keller Williams New York City office that was on Sixth Avenue Gotcha. In the forties, 44th. You remember every date Alex Musika [00:04:49]: and every year. I'm pretty good at it. Yeah. People say that. 94. Reginald Ferguson [00:04:52]: Yeah. I'm yeah. Aleks Musika [00:04:53]: I'm pretty good. Alex Musika [00:04:53]: December 3rd. Yeah. Reginald Ferguson [00:04:54]: I'm I was at the garden. I'm that guy. Yeah. I'm that guy. Alright. Yeah. My family was like, how do you I'm like, I don't know. I just Yeah. Reginald Ferguson [00:05:01]: I remember. So I was launching my brand, and my coworkers, brokers, agents were models. Okay. You and your cofounder helped me out, and I wore one of your suits as I hosted the, runway show Alex Musika [00:05:24]: to launch my brand. Reginald Ferguson [00:05:24]: Did you get Alex Musika [00:05:25]: any compliments? Of course. There we go. Yeah. So it worked out. And Which piece was it? What color? Reginald Ferguson [00:05:32]: Gray. Charcoal gray. Remind me let's exchange emails. Remind me and I'll send you I have a photo of me and my aunt. I brought my aunt to the show. Alex Musika [00:05:40]: You text me too. I'm not really good at email. Alright. Reginald Ferguson [00:05:42]: Well, then you have to give me a number. So so, yeah. I, but funny thing about that suit, Aleks Musika [00:05:49]: you know You did the Alex Musika [00:05:49]: same haircut back then? No. See, that's what's throwing me off. Reginald Ferguson [00:05:52]: Well, you didn't have the same haircut back then either. Alex Musika [00:05:54]: I mean, it's changed. Reginald Ferguson [00:05:55]: It's changed a few times. Yeah. Like, come on, bro. I'm ready to buzz it off, so Alex Musika [00:05:58]: I'll change it. Reginald Ferguson [00:05:58]: I'm ready to buzz it off too. I don't know why I do it at the end of the summer. I don't Alex Musika [00:06:02]: like, I should've do it early in the summer, but I ended up doing usually do it at the end of the summer. Reginald Ferguson [00:06:06]: Well, this is COVID here for me. This is the 3rd time I've done it like this. Alex Musika [00:06:10]: Yeah. Reginald Ferguson [00:06:11]: People love it. And every time someone gives me a compliment it's like a state of execution for another month. Right. Alex Musika [00:06:16]: I'm like, Reginald Ferguson [00:06:16]: I can't cut this. Exactly. They're like, oh, it's so nice. It's so cool. It's so I'm like, alright. Alright. Alright. Alright. Reginald Ferguson [00:06:22]: Okay. Alex Musika [00:06:23]: He gave me he gave me a week. Reginald Ferguson [00:06:24]: Yeah. Yeah. I said week. I think September. I think September cut it. And the good news, as you know it grows back if you like me. Yeah, that's true. That's true. Reginald Ferguson [00:06:32]: Yeah. Yeah, but when I met you, you had a different hairstyle, so you can't bring that on. Alex Musika [00:06:35]: Alright, Reginald Ferguson [00:06:35]: alright. So in addition to me rocking your suit, we had your whole team, Jesse, Aaron. Alex Musika [00:06:46]: Right, Aaron, yeah. Reginald Ferguson [00:06:47]: Yeah. We had a whole setup, and would you just Alex Musika [00:06:51]: And maybe Zaire was there too. Reginald Ferguson [00:06:52]: I don't remember him because I would've I don't know, I thought it would've registered. I wasn't sure. Maybe Yeah. He's a stud, that's why he's here. Alright. I'm sure. But But he started as an intern. Okay. Reginald Ferguson [00:07:03]: But you, yeah, we had a whole setup for you for people to look at your gear. Yeah. So, and, yeah. We said what's up? We shook hands, and then you hand with your co founder, you hand delivered the stuff, the whole team. There we go. Yeah. So Alex Musika [00:07:18]: Good memory. No. It's it's it will come back to me. Reginald Ferguson [00:07:21]: Nah, it won't. Alex Musika [00:07:21]: If I see a picture, I'll be like, guys. See a picture, I'll remember. I'm a picture. That's how my memory works. The pictures. Reginald Ferguson [00:07:28]: Well, what's really great is since we know that now. Alex Musika [00:07:31]: I'm sure I'll remember the exact suit and what fabric it was too. Reginald Ferguson [00:07:34]: Okay. Yeah. It was dope. The thing about that, I realized I didn't finish that part of the story, totally a sample size. Yeah. Yeah. You like it. Yeah. Reginald Ferguson [00:07:43]: But I'm not a sample size. Alex Musika [00:07:45]: Yeah. Well, you're Reginald Ferguson [00:07:46]: similar to Alex Musika [00:07:46]: ours. Still, I sold a similar sample size. Reginald Ferguson [00:07:49]: I remember I was in your dressing room and Jesse was like, hey, what's going on? I was like, I can't breathe. You're gonna have to let all this out. Alex Musika [00:07:58]: Well, there's enough seam allowance in our stuff Reginald Ferguson [00:08:00]: to do that. Yes. It totally was. In these days. Yeah. Yeah. Oh my god, but Alex Musika [00:08:03]: it was I had extra for that. Reginald Ferguson [00:08:05]: I was dying in there. He was like, what's the problem? I'm like, I can't I can't get help, help. So It happens, man. It happens. So that's how we met each other. Cool. So I think more than once I think it's important for us to talk about the transition. Alex Musika [00:08:24]: Okay. Reginald Ferguson [00:08:25]: Because to me, now since you know that, and now let's make it not a surprise for the listeners, before Musica, Alex was the co founder of Musica Foot Air. Alex Musika [00:08:36]: Right. Reginald Ferguson [00:08:36]: Right. And that's how we that's how we met. Alex Musika [00:08:40]: Yeah. Reginald Ferguson [00:08:40]: And I can tell you right now to me, correct me if I'm wrong, I see a change, I see a evolution in what you did then and what you're doing now. Alex Musika [00:08:50]: Oh, yeah. For sure. I mean, you gotta evolve or evaporate. Reginald Ferguson [00:08:53]: Yeah. Alex Musika [00:08:54]: And and and, you know, I started out in the suiting business at Tom Ford. So Yes. The main goal for me was not just suiting. And so since then have been evolving into all kinds of categories. Reginald Ferguson [00:09:08]: So let's talk about that. Let's take it back. Right. So you were at Tom Ford made to measure Right. Down in Dade, down in Miami. Alex Musika [00:09:15]: Right. Reginald Ferguson [00:09:16]: Right. Alex Musika [00:09:16]: Right. Reginald Ferguson [00:09:17]: And how long were you with them, and how long were you in Miami overall? Because I I wanna reference Miami later too because it's Alex Musika [00:09:23]: Yeah. 5 years I was in Miami. I worked for Tom Ford for about 2 years. Reginald Ferguson [00:09:28]: Okay. Yeah. What'd you learn? Alex Musika [00:09:31]: I didn't know what I wanted to do until I walked into Tom Ford. That's the story I tell often, but, I had a teaching degree. I went to Miami and realized how much teachers make in Miami. And I'm like, I'm not gonna be a teacher. So I kinda got sucked back into retail, pain for me. And then I got asked, you know, by someone who was setting up the Tom Ford shop. They came into the store I was working, so would you be interested for working working with Tom Ford? And I said, sure. Like not knowing what I was gonna into, but as soon as I walked in Tom Ford, I knew what I was I wanted to do. Alex Musika [00:10:05]: I was, like, alright. This is what I wanted to do. Reginald Ferguson [00:10:07]: And what was this? Alex Musika [00:10:09]: Like that level of high fashion, like that elite level of construction, patterns, and colors, and it just, like, it was like an all moment for me. Mhmm. Again, in my life, I didn't know what I wanted to do, and I I by trauma, I was always attracted to fashion, so it kinda just naturally here I am. Reginald Ferguson [00:10:32]: So you go into the store, literally, and you're like, this is what I wanna do. Mhmm. For the 2 years you were there, what were you thinking? It's not just one thing, but what were the manifold of things that you learned that eventually led you to go on your own? Well, first Alex Musika [00:10:51]: and foremost, I I learned how to handle, like, I wouldn't say elite, but like that level of of clientele, And what they're looking for and how to treat them. You can't treat them like you're working at, you know, any sort like H and M or whatever. It's a whole different kind of clientele, and how to cater to them, how to talk to them, how to get on their schedules. So that I think that's a key part I learned there. I also learned luxury fabrics, luxury construction because I work right next to, and and I had great mentors too, guys who worked for Zenia for years. You know, those guys you see in the stores, there are some legends there with with great talents on communicating with people and also elaborating why the luxury product's worth it. And the the tools they gave me, not only were teaching me about these fabrics and this construction, but also how to, again, handle these clients with different personalities. So I was next door to Steph Ranaricci, Brioni, and Zenya. Reginald Ferguson [00:11:53]: So Were you guys on Lincoln Road? Alex Musika [00:11:55]: No. We were inside of Bell Harbor. Reginald Ferguson [00:11:56]: And it Alex Musika [00:11:56]: it was the only shop, Tom Ford only had shop in shops in Neiman Marcus. Reginald Ferguson [00:12:00]: Oh, okay. Alex Musika [00:12:01]: At that point, I don't know where they are, what they do now. Reginald Ferguson [00:12:03]: Right. Alex Musika [00:12:03]: But Reginald Ferguson [00:12:06]: You mentioned clientele. Why do you think a luxury clientele is so distinctly different than, like you said, someone going down the block here at H and M who wants to get a shirt? Alex Musika [00:12:17]: I mean, historically, at this price point, you have to assume and know if they can afford our product, they have a lot of money. That being said, most of these people don't have time because, you know, they're uber successful. They have 2 to 3 assistants, or they're just completely busy at all at all times. So you have to you have to make things attractable with them for a shorter period of time, get them excited to be able to sell them anything. Mhmm. And you can't mess up because they've had systems, and they wouldn't be where they were if they had people working for them or that provide services with them that weren't, you know, on it on everything. Mhmm. When it comes down to delivery and communication and a product they love at the end. Reginald Ferguson [00:13:03]: In order to communicate that effectively, how much of the communication is literally 1 to 1 versus you and maybe delegating your team to communicate to the client? Alex Musika [00:13:17]: So I've learned also that I can't do all the communicating. So my my job is to get them excited to to to get them designs that fit their lifestyle, fit their personality, get them to sign on that dotted line, make sure all the measurements are correct and get that in. I used to also, which I'm terrible at, is communicating, oh, this is getting delivered this Aleks Musika [00:13:35]: time, or Alex Musika [00:13:36]: this is your this is your, UPS number. This is this got delayed, but this will be delivered after in the second package. Like, not my forte. Reginald Ferguson [00:13:45]: Right. Alex Musika [00:13:46]: My forte is, again, designing for the individual. So, now we have someone on our team doing all those kind of communications past that. And also following up with in the industry we work in and the way I work is, to keep things fresh, to keep things different, There's no particular vendor or fabric vendor. People are like, oh, we use Zenya fabrics or we use, Scabal fabrics. It's whatever, like, I'm interested in that season. So that's the fabric vendor we use or, you know, we use street fabrics in New York City where they get fabrics from all over the world. But that being said, there's always fabrics that are out, or there's fabrics that, get delayed in shipping, and that's stuff that I delegate now Mhmm. To make sure the client is informed and know things are delayed or we need to sub something out. Reginald Ferguson [00:14:38]: So when we talk about this luxury clientele, we're talking about athletes. Right. We're talking about celebrities. Alex Musika [00:14:47]: Talking about real estate agents too. Yes. Reginald Ferguson [00:14:50]: Not this one when I was there. Yeah. No. No. I even went to your sample, Sam. I was like, alright. Peace. Okay. Reginald Ferguson [00:14:58]: Take it easy, guys. Alex Musika [00:15:00]: You and me both. Yeah. I can't afford myself. Reginald Ferguson [00:15:04]: I was like, this is quite nice. Alex Musika [00:15:06]: Yeah. Reginald Ferguson [00:15:06]: Okay. Bye. Alex Musika [00:15:07]: Right. Reginald Ferguson [00:15:08]: The one sample sale you had. You're like, come back. I was like Alright. Oh, Oh, no. Alex Musika [00:15:16]: Yeah. But, Reginald Ferguson [00:15:17]: but it was dope stuff. It was it was totally dope stuff. But I think also, and this is to me an interesting conversation I think to have, we were talking before the interview about how these individuals this is not what they do. They are interested in fashion, but let's say they're not students of fashion. They're not students of the game. Right? Alex Musika [00:15:39]: Of course. Reginald Ferguson [00:15:39]: So they don't also, to your point, they don't have the time even. Right? No. I have a semblance of an idea. Please do this. Yeah. Please quickly understand me. Get my shorthand and and and make this happen. Alex Musika [00:15:53]: Yeah. And that's what I that's and I'm not not to interrupt you, but No. No. That's what I feel like and when you're designing for somebody, you have to quickly, especially again with our clientele that we're talking about, quickly understand them, quickly where they quickly understand where they go, quickly understand what they wanna look like. Some guys don't even wanna look too flashy. Some guys have had clients say I look too good honestly in this. Like, I don't wanna wear this. They wanna keep a low profile. Alex Musika [00:16:16]: So you really have to Reginald Ferguson [00:16:17]: I think there are 2 poles. I've been as I you know, you talked about evolution. Right? When I teed that up for you. I know even for myself and what I'm doing, I realize now you either wanna stand out or you wanna blend in. Yeah. Both are good. Both are effective. But it's funny, like, sometimes it's it's it's funny that sometimes when I'm looking at your stuff now and I'm like, everything to me is quite bold. Alex Musika [00:16:46]: Yeah. Reginald Ferguson [00:16:47]: And, you know, it just seems like pedal to the metal. Alex Musika [00:16:49]: Well, it's like for me, I'm a true Gemini too. So you have this clientele Oh, I Reginald Ferguson [00:16:54]: didn't know you're a Gemini. Yeah. Oh, God. Alex Musika [00:16:56]: I mean, I don't believe in the whole thing, but Reginald Ferguson [00:16:59]: like I believe in Alex Musika [00:16:59]: it a little bit. I believe like I'm a Gemini, like so I wanna sometimes, like, wanna wear something clean and fresh and classic. Reginald Ferguson [00:17:07]: Right. Alex Musika [00:17:07]: But then you also catch me, like, in a bell bottom pant and a swaggy silk shirt. You know what I mean? With my chains on or whatever it may be. That's that's me. And that's our clientele too, which is good. You know, I'm able to feed our clientele. I've attracted a clientele like that, which is from little Uzi to Reginald Ferguson [00:17:22]: Yeah. Alex Musika [00:17:23]: To midtown banker. You know what I mean? Reginald Ferguson [00:17:25]: So That's essentially what I wrote. I mean Yeah. Yeah. I mean So, Alex Musika [00:17:28]: like, you can have the most like, this this is not this is not a dig at all because they're great at what to do. You can have, like, a stiff, you know, hedge fund guy in here, but, like, he wants to be clean and and buttoned up. And the craziest he's gone is a cashmere t shirt on a weekend with some with some, you know, linen pants. And I gotta understand that. Reginald Ferguson [00:17:47]: Do you if you look at the range of your clientele now. Right? And when again, we're really talking about a echelon. Yeah. Unscientifically, how many people are leaning towards the bold versus the middle of the road or conservative? Alex Musika [00:18:02]: Yeah. I think we we went from, like, a few years ago and the people leaning in the bold now and the people, like, it's so crazy fashion right now out there. It's so oversaturated with, like, just bizarre stuff that's going on in my opinion that, like, peep there's now there's a there's a certain amount of people don't know what to wear just because of what they're seeing and then what they what they see themselves are, like, there's absolutely no way I'd wear that or how can I pair a rock t shirt with, you know, pipe pants and rips all over them? I don't know. And it's just so I feel like the fashion game right now is so convoluted when where they usually get their fashion from, which is celebrities Reginald Ferguson [00:18:41]: and and athletes. And Instagram Yeah. And Pinterest Right. Which is so different than when we were coming up Aleks Musika [00:18:46]: Mhmm. Reginald Ferguson [00:18:46]: In which it was looking at your friends. Yeah. Looking at TV. Aleks Musika [00:18:51]: Yeah. Reginald Ferguson [00:18:51]: Maybe looking at a movie, and then ultimately looking at a magazine. Alex Musika [00:18:55]: Of course. Yeah. Reginald Ferguson [00:18:57]: So how do you how do you articulate who you are now as a brand to attract the clientele that you have? Alex Musika [00:19:06]: How do I it's hard to say. I don't know because, again, my fashion changes on a whim when it comes down to yeah. To what I wear. So, I guess, strategically, I'm hoping that I I'm still able to attract both sides of the the spectrum when it comes to what I'm wearing. And I don't always do it the best way. Like, I start on Instagram, but I hate Instagram. Aleks Musika [00:19:38]: Like, I Alex Musika [00:19:39]: fucking hate I hate taking pictures. I hate doing stuff like that. But I I have to, and I have to do more of it. It's it's the play. Yeah. I'm, you know, I'm either doing it balls of Reginald Ferguson [00:19:50]: the wall or not doing it at all. Alex Musika [00:19:51]: I'm, like, hiding. But again, that's just, like, my personality Reginald Ferguson [00:19:54]: where I'm working on something I'm working on something big that, like, Alex Musika [00:19:57]: I can't wait to release. But, yeah. I don't know if I answered your question, but Reginald Ferguson [00:20:02]: Yeah. We'll probably have to revisit it. I'm gonna do that right now. So what what I've seen in my research, here are some terms that you've used. Future classics. Mhmm. Wanna wanna take a swing at that? Future classics. I don't know what I was talking about at Alex Musika [00:20:21]: the point the point, but I do feel like there's there's stuff that I could have designed for a client that they can still wear today, whether it be 10 years ago. They can still get it off. And that's what you want. Right? Right. Reginald Ferguson [00:20:33]: I mean, that's how I feel about clients. Alex Musika [00:20:36]: Yeah. I forget exactly what I was elaborating on at that point at that time I said future classics. Okay. That's something that that comes to mind. Reginald Ferguson [00:20:43]: Okay. Here's another one that you had. Let's see if you remember where you were at this time. Okay. Luxury made to be lived in. Alex Musika [00:20:50]: Yeah. So a lot of times and this happens to me. I'll buy 2 pairs of shoes and and never wear 1. Just because I don't wanna use because I don't wanna mess Reginald Ferguson [00:20:58]: them up. You know what Alex Musika [00:20:59]: I mean? Like, also people that wear the they they spend all this money on clothes and they don't wanna mess these clothes up. But, my thing is like the way I fit you, you should be able to move in your clothes. You should be able to wear them. So Yes. This is luxury you should wear. And these the products we make and the construction we make, it's at the highest level. So don't don't be afraid to to wear these things. Don't be afraid to go out dancing these things. Alex Musika [00:21:24]: Don't be afraid to go crazy at a wedding. Like Yeah. These things are made for you. It's in the the arm hole's in the right spot. The canvas is the more you wear it, it's gonna fit you. The more Reginald Ferguson [00:21:34]: it fits your butt. Right. Exactly. Alex Musika [00:21:35]: So this is not, you know, some bullshit, like, glued, stuff or a few stuff that we make in in anything. In in any part of what we do, you know. I make stuff that is reliable. And hey, if it every once in a while some things do rip, but I'll take care of you and we'll fix it. But luxury made to be wearing it. Wear it. Yeah. You know? Reginald Ferguson [00:21:56]: No. I agree. I mean So Aleks Musika [00:21:57]: it don't they're not museum Alex Musika [00:21:58]: Don't don't don't wear your your sneakers just because you don't wanna wear your nice shoes because you don't wanna mess them up, you know? Reginald Ferguson [00:22:03]: They're made they're made to be worn. Yeah. They're not museum pieces. No. No. However, you have an item that is in some type of museum. Alex Musika [00:22:12]: Oh, I do. Yeah. That was probably the cool one of the coolest things. Reginald Ferguson [00:22:15]: Alright. So let's talk about this. Ladies and gentlemen, he has a suit. Alex Musika [00:22:19]: There's a statue of me and, you're talking about the statue. Right? Reginald Ferguson [00:22:22]: I'm talking about the Madame Tussauds. Alex Musika [00:22:24]: I'm just kidding. Yeah. Reginald Ferguson [00:22:25]: Yeah. I was like, I don't know. I'm like, I'm not I'm not you know, well, okay. I'm this is what? You can follow-up with that. I was like Now, Alex Musika [00:22:33]: yeah, the Madame Tussaud thing was really cool. So And because it was such an iconic moment, like that. Reginald Ferguson [00:22:38]: Well let's elaborate, and the only reason why I'm stepping over you is because we're not making it clear Yeah. About the context. Alex Musika [00:22:44]: Yeah. Reginald Ferguson [00:22:45]: So he has a piece of Madame Tussauds, It is of Jack Harlow. Right. Jack Harlow has one of his suits on in Madame Tussauds. Your fashion is there for forever for posterity. Yeah. Now do your thing. Alex Musika [00:23:01]: Okay. So I mean, having it there is really cool. Don't get me wrong. Reginald Ferguson [00:23:06]: I can see it on here. Alex Musika [00:23:08]: But, like, the whole lead up to that was just crazy the way Alright. We got it done. Reginald Ferguson [00:23:11]: Break it down. Alex Musika [00:23:12]: Yeah. We made a suit, like, last minute for Jack Harlow. Reginald Ferguson [00:23:15]: Who's one of your clients, obviously? Alex Musika [00:23:16]: Right. Through a stylist. And, that being said, with anything we do, I could put I can be super excited about, like, a very intricate design that we do that's, you know, not traditional at all. That's gonna a spotlight piece. The client could pay for it, and then seconds, you know, everything leading up to it, it can never happen. They may not wear it, or they may not go to the event or something like that. So some of these things you're like, alright. We're gonna make this, and I have no expectations anymore with anything. Alex Musika [00:23:46]: So this is one of the ones that just exploded, like, you know not only did he wear it, but he wore a Churchill Downs. He shot a music video of Drake. Reginald Ferguson [00:23:53]: Oh the Drake? Alex Musika [00:23:54]: Yeah. That was the suit? That was the suit he wore. Reginald Ferguson [00:23:56]: You did not realize that. Suit. They carried him like through the dirt, so he's getting his suit dirty, Alex Musika [00:24:01]: his shoes dirty. But the cool thing is, like, it's just monumental in the fact that nobody's ever even he's from Kentucky. Yeah. Reginald Ferguson [00:24:06]: He's from Louisville. Alex Musika [00:24:07]: Right? So, like, every just thing everything lined up to that, and then the crescendo was it was in the museum. But, nobody ever shot a music video at Churchill Downs, and he did it live during the event. I know. Reginald Ferguson [00:24:18]: I didn't look live. I was like With Drake. Alex Musika [00:24:20]: Yeah. I'm like, alright. This thing keeps going. Reginald Ferguson [00:24:23]: So so then so then Madison Madison, like, Trussell called Alex Musika [00:24:26]: us, so like, hey, how much is that suit? We want it we want it for, him and the Wow. Reginald Ferguson [00:24:32]: So they were willing to purchase it. Alex Musika [00:24:34]: They bought rebought it, bought another one, and boom. Now it's in there. Reginald Ferguson [00:24:39]: How'd that make you feel? Alex Musika [00:24:41]: It was dope. Because I I mean, again, like, there's there's there's a lot of those projects you don't see that that should have been, like, something like that event. Not that it should have been in a wax figure on a wax figure, but there should be more highlights. But again, in this game, like, things change last minute. Reginald Ferguson [00:24:56]: Right. Alex Musika [00:24:58]: And I'm still an up and coming designer going against, like, Giants and stealing clients against Giants, like, houses that have been for around forever, and their marketing money is insane, and they make it harder and harder to compete with them. You know, we went from my motto was like never let anybody borrow anything to like, now your brands paying people to wear stuff. Reginald Ferguson [00:25:24]: So I'm Alex Musika [00:25:24]: not gonna say the client, but, I'm not gonna say the brand, but this client came in and spent $20,000, had a big award things, set up, gonna wear all the pieces, like, 3 different events for this this weekend, a weekend event. And, last minute, you know, I'm working with the stylist for for for this thing. And, whatever. We we like I said, they got all the clothes. And then some things are not in control of me or the stylist, or even even the client. Some people over top like PR is like, you know what? We're getting paid this amount of money last second to wear this brand. Let's do it. Reginald Ferguson [00:26:03]: Yeah. Alex Musika [00:26:03]: You know? They wrote him a check, and he wore, you know, that brand the whole weekend. Reginald Ferguson [00:26:09]: Alright. That's all Alex Musika [00:26:10]: I wrote. All I'm saying is there's a lot of these things that should happen that don't. So it's cool to see something like that just keep going and going on. Reginald Ferguson [00:26:16]: Right. The pop Alex Musika [00:26:17]: off. Yeah. Reginald Ferguson [00:26:18]: Yeah. Is there a distinction? I wanna try to have 3 lanes here. You may say it's it's amorphous. Is there a distinction between a athlete as a client, a celebrity as a client, and let's say, you know, a Fortune 100 Master of the Universe as a client. Alex Musika [00:26:37]: Yeah. I mean, everybody has their different personalities. It's really just about the personality. Distinction in in fashion wise or like Reginald Ferguson [00:26:44]: Any way you wanna slice Aleks Musika [00:26:45]: it. Yeah. Alex Musika [00:26:45]: The way I look at it is like just going back to what we talked about before, like, everybody has a different personality. You gotta be able to I come from a big family. I got 4 brothers, a lot of cousins, grew up around a lot of people, so luckily I was able to learn how to read a room, read a client, read their tendencies and and what they want. But there's very wild real estate agents, and then Reginald Ferguson [00:27:08]: there's very What? No. I'm just saying, Alex Musika [00:27:11]: like, because they're one of our client, and then there's very wild athletes. There's very stern athletes that that don't have much personality at all and, you know, want very basic clean stuff. But you just you do really have to dial into especially when you're designed specifically for a person, dial into their personality immediately and quickly. Reginald Ferguson [00:27:28]: How are you able to do it so quickly? Let's say, for example, are the majority of your interactions with your clients face to face? Are they virtual? Alex Musika [00:27:36]: I'll do research too. I'll be I'll see what they're capable of and see where I can push the envelope. So for instance, there's clients where, like, I don't think they're they're living up to their fashion, like, ability. Reginald Ferguson [00:27:48]: Oh. To where where I Alex Musika [00:27:49]: get them in here and I and, I want a navy or a black suit. Okay? I'll give you that, but I'm gonna also talk you into something a little bit more flashy. By the by the 3rd time I'm meeting with them, their 3rd order, they're ordering what they want. They're they've now been educated, and they're telling me what they want, and they're wearing funner stuff. And, but I'll do a lot of research on them. I'll go and look at old pictures of them. I'll go and, obviously, again, see where the places they're seen at, where they like to go a lot. Stalk them for Reginald Ferguson [00:28:21]: a little bit, and then when they're in Alex Musika [00:28:22]: here when they're in there, I then I gotta get what their I gotta see how their personal personality is also, you know, in person. Reginald Ferguson [00:28:30]: Right. Alex Musika [00:28:31]: So do my homework and then on the spot go for it. Reginald Ferguson [00:28:34]: I, I appreciate research. I totally totally understand. Alex Musika [00:28:38]: I see that. Reginald Ferguson [00:28:39]: Got to. Hey. Yeah. Alex Musika [00:28:40]: Of course. Reginald Ferguson [00:28:40]: I can't waste your time because that would waste my time. Right. I didn't realize this. Stylist. Do you have a lot of interactions with stylist in order? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Reginald Ferguson [00:28:54]: Can you elaborate on that? Alex Musika [00:28:55]: Yeah. I mean, sometimes the only way to get to a client is Aleks Musika [00:28:57]: just through Alex Musika [00:28:57]: their style. Reginald Ferguson [00:28:57]: That's what it sounds like. Right. Right. Alex Musika [00:28:59]: More and more stylists these days. Some are better than others, but, yeah. I work a lot with stylists. Mhmm. And and in turn, you gotta they're they're a vein of of their clients. So you also have to do the same thing with you. You treat them the same way you treat your client because, sometimes in occasions, you don't deal with the client. You deal with them. Reginald Ferguson [00:29:19]: Yeah. That makes sense. You have Alex Musika [00:29:20]: to learn the client through them. So Yeah. Wow. And I'll have to also that's a little bit harder because when I don't get my hands on a client, that's my biggest thing, an attribute I feel like is once I get my hand on my client, I I get the measurements I need. Also for things I wanna sell in the future, I'll take extra measurements for, and I'll know in different lengths for different kind of silhouettes. But, the real trick is sometimes I have to use, intuition when here's a client. Yeah. I want these sketches of designs you made for my client after I sit down with the with the stylist, and here's here's the measurements. Alex Musika [00:29:59]: I'm like, who took these measurements? Like, you know, are these skin measurements? How much allowance is it? Let me see them in this piece, but I gotta It's like a puzzle at that point where I gotta put it. And then I make my own adjustments on top every single time. I'll change their measurements. They don't know it, but I do. Right. Yeah. Reginald Ferguson [00:30:14]: Woah. Yeah. That sounds like a Alex Musika [00:30:16]: It's wild. Reginald Ferguson [00:30:17]: Yeah. Yeah. That's, that's difficult. Alex Musika [00:30:19]: Thank God. Up until now, there hasn't been anything that, you know, I can remember recently through a situation like that that was, like, oh, this fits too. This is way too short. Reginald Ferguson [00:30:28]: Right. Right. Alex Musika [00:30:28]: What's going on? I mean, I could always go back and be, like, hey, this is the measurement you gave me, but Reginald Ferguson [00:30:34]: Right. No. But that's that's not that's not gonna pass. Right? Aleks Musika [00:30:37]: No. That's not Reginald Ferguson [00:30:37]: It's not gonna pass. Alex Musika [00:30:38]: See them again. Reginald Ferguson [00:30:40]: How would you divide your your lines, your categories? I mean, we still have classic menswear behind me and and on the other side of the showroom. But then, also, I'm looking here, you know, we have sportswear. Alex Musika [00:30:56]: Right. Reginald Ferguson [00:30:58]: You know, obviously, you'll have formal. Aleks Musika [00:31:01]: Mhmm. Reginald Ferguson [00:31:02]: I've seen a lot of crazy tuxedos we've done. Yeah. The belted joints Alex Musika [00:31:06]: Right. Reginald Ferguson [00:31:06]: To me. First time I ever saw that was Brioni Okay. From my history Gotcha. Aleks Musika [00:31:11]: Of Reginald Ferguson [00:31:11]: seeing a belted a belted tux jacket. Alex Musika [00:31:13]: Yeah. We do we do a tie one and we do it, like, our own kind of own design that nobody else does, which is a belted button one. Reginald Ferguson [00:31:21]: You wanna wanna describe that a little bit better? Alex Musika [00:31:24]: Well, I just saw a lot of like, and I'm all about no red tape and suiting, but if for me, it just has to make sense. So I saw a lot of different belted versions. I was like, I gotta make my own. I gotta make it look make sense. So I just designed my own, and it's done well for our clients. Mhmm. It's a double breasted belt. The belt the finishing button is on the belt, so it wraps Reginald Ferguson [00:31:43]: around. What? Alex Musika [00:31:44]: Yeah. Oh. Aleks Musika [00:31:45]: I can Alex Musika [00:31:46]: show you it. Yeah. I'm sure I got a few around here. Reginald Ferguson [00:31:48]: Alright. Well, yeah, I would like to see that app. Yeah. That's interesting. Explain to me this patch pipe pocket that you're doing now on some of your jackets. Alex Musika [00:31:58]: Yeah. Again, I get bored sometimes and and, like, you know, I'll do a double patch pipe pocket and it is one right there. Quadruple patch pipe pocket, but with double pick stitch. You know, I don't get too crazy where it doesn't make sense visually, but I don't know. I just out of nowhere kinda like just sketched it up and went with it. And it's been my go to from me personally. Reginald Ferguson [00:32:21]: I've been seeing Yeah. I saw it a lot. Alex Musika [00:32:22]: I'm always a big patch pocket fan because to me, you can always little fashion tip here. You can always dress down. Even if it's a gray suit, a business suit. I'll try to throw a patch pocket on it because they can then a guy in midtown can then throw in some jeans and a white shirt and go out for dinner afterwards and not look like he's wearing a suit jacket, which with traditional pipe I meant, flap pockets. So, but there is, you know, if you have a fun pattern on top of it, it really doesn't matter because it's fun enough. But I'm just saying Reginald Ferguson [00:32:53]: I know. Alex Musika [00:32:53]: Generally, I so patch pocket, I got a Reginald Ferguson [00:32:57]: little bored of it. Alex Musika [00:32:57]: So I started switching on the patch pocket a little bit different. That that's the evolution of the patch, the patch pipe pocket. Reginald Ferguson [00:33:04]: Okay. For those who are just listening and not seeing, Alex knows I have a gray windowpane suit on Aleks Musika [00:33:11]: Yeah. Reginald Ferguson [00:33:12]: With a, with a flat pocket. Alex Musika [00:33:15]: Yeah. May change in the future when he's making his Reginald Ferguson [00:33:17]: excuse me. I did not say I didn't have suits with patch pockets. Alex Musika [00:33:21]: I'm sure you do. Reginald Ferguson [00:33:22]: I got I got I got a range. Alex Musika [00:33:24]: Oh, informal, I do traditionally stick to unless it's a really fashion forward piece, which I have thrown on some different pockets on it. But, traditionally, for formal, I do like a pipe pocket. Reginald Ferguson [00:33:35]: I wanna go back a little bit to Tom Ford and then fast forward to today. I believe, from what you quickly said about your experience there, that what you're trying to do here now is is not just a luxury brand, but it's a lifestyle brand. Would that be accurate? Alex Musika [00:33:51]: Yeah. Yeah. That's that's the end goal. Reginald Ferguson [00:33:53]: Okay. Alex Musika [00:33:55]: Lifestyle brand. I mean, Tom Ford did it best. I feel like most recently when when he evolved into what he's built and then retired is, you know, he started with with with gold, which is, like, luxury men's suiting, but his fragrances are what he sells. Like, it's where he makes money and he's he's doing everything now, or he's not anymore, but his brand is doing everything now. From freaking boxers to tuxedos, so that's where we're trying to get. Reginald Ferguson [00:34:28]: How does Mhmm. Aleks Musika [00:34:29]: Go on. Reginald Ferguson [00:34:29]: You can't Alex Musika [00:34:29]: really to me, suiting is, you know, I would like at some point to get off off the rack suiting. But off the rack suiting is just not it for me. You know, I feel like it never really fits the bill for about 80% of people. Reginald Ferguson [00:34:41]: And you literally mean the fit? Alex Musika [00:34:42]: The fit. Yeah. You just can't get things right. You don't get them the way you want. It doesn't look right. So the suiting part I think will always be hands on for this brand. But I do think down the line, the goal is to have items that you can go grab a medium off the rack and wear it, when it comes down to, like, bomber jackets or a balloon jackets or shirts and boxers or whatever it may be. The money makers. Alex Musika [00:35:07]: Right. Reginald Ferguson [00:35:08]: How do you You mentioned this earlier. How do you compete against a Tom Ford, a purple label, Polo Ralph Lauren? Alex Musika [00:35:20]: Yeah. I mean, I gotta attract attract them visually. Everybody's stimulated so much these days with everything visually out there in social media. So I gotta attract them visually to to have something different that they that they don't offer. And, maybe that's the only way I can compete with them. Mhmm. Because at a certain level, yeah, there's you can say my construction is better than Tom Ford. You can argue that, but that's not why they're gonna they're gonna come here. Reginald Ferguson [00:35:47]: They wanna look great. The the bottom line is Alex Musika [00:35:49]: they wanna look great, and they want something different. So that's what I try to do is give them give them something different than what those other brands are offering. Reginald Ferguson [00:35:57]: Has all how much of your clientele is through referral? Meaning, you transition from one brand to another. Right? You went from being a co founder to, you know, sole founder creative director. I believe that you probably brought some of that clientele, but then you had to build upon the clientele. Alex Musika [00:36:20]: Of course. Yeah. Reginald Ferguson [00:36:20]: Yeah. So and like you said, you hate social media Aleks Musika [00:36:24]: Yeah. Reginald Ferguson [00:36:24]: But you have to do it. It's a necessary evil. I totally understand that. How has the clientele been built? How would you say? Alex Musika [00:36:33]: You you can't build a clientele through one avenue. So I can't just rely on 1, which is referrals. I can't rely on just outreach. I can't rely on just it's just one of those things that's an it's it's an evolving door. Like, I can't, rely rely on old clients either that were, you know, my best clients. So, referrals is a big part of it. I can't give you a percentage off the top of my head, but, the cir I believe that circles are much tighter at this price point, but also much more profound in a sense where, in these circles, someone's word is like a fact in a sense. Like, yeah, they're tried and trued. Alex Musika [00:37:13]: You can go there, and you can get he can make you look great. Where, like, you know, had other clients, like, in other circles that are much broader and at different price points, you know, there's really no there's really no loyalty and, these guys trust each other, I think, at this price point more. Mhmm. So usually when you get a referral, it's it's pretty much a home run, you know. I just gotta perform to keep them. Reginald Ferguson [00:37:40]: Speaking of performance, you're from Coatesville? Alex Musika [00:37:44]: My dad's from Coatesville. Reginald Ferguson [00:37:45]: Are you considered also from Coatesville or from Philly? Alex Musika [00:37:48]: Got Some Coatesville blood in me. Reginald Ferguson [00:37:49]: Yeah. Alright. Alright. Alex Musika [00:37:51]: Yep. Steel mill blood in me. Reginald Ferguson [00:37:53]: Alright. Well, the reason I'm bringing that up, you did a tuxedo for AI. Right. Allen Iverson. Right. Who it appears to be your hero, definitely has been a hero of mine even though Yeah. I'm from New York and I'm a Knicks fan. Alex Musika [00:38:10]: Yeah. I mean, you grew up in different eras. He's my god and Reginald Ferguson [00:38:13]: Yeah. I could tell. Sports. Yeah. That's Yeah. Alex Musika [00:38:15]: He was all over my walls when I was younger, and he's now now my my son found a couple posters at his grandmother's house. Now they're on his wall. That's cool. So it's mad cool for that to happen. And he's just a guy, like, just transcended the basketball in my opinion. Reginald Ferguson [00:38:32]: Absolutely. In the Alex Musika [00:38:32]: way he played, not only that, in the way he carried himself. I think he just one of those 3 guys ever in basketball that kinda just changed the game or in sports. Reginald Ferguson [00:38:41]: He was a coach he was a cultural force. I did a episode about him when I first started my pod because, you know, relatedly, I totally rocked with Alex Musika [00:38:51]: And undeniably authentic too, which is Absolutely. So hard to do these days. So, like, it's just, like, he kinda just started that wave of, like, yo, I don't care what then, like, for me, the next person in that that vein was, like, Conor McGregor. It's, like, I'm just gonna do whatever I want. I don't care what people think. Mhmm. But, like, those 2 guys from me are, you know, 2 of my favorite celebrities. Reginald Ferguson [00:39:14]: So how did this fitting AI for Tuxedo Aleks Musika [00:39:19]: So it's Alex Musika [00:39:19]: actually through a a friend of mine from we grew up together. He has his own brand too. He didn't he couldn't make, peace and time and ask if I could help out. So it was kind of a little collaboration. Oh, so He he had the connection to him. He's, like, yo, AI wants can you help me out with this AI beast? I'm, like, let's do it. Aleks Musika [00:39:34]: He's, like, Alex Musika [00:39:34]: yeah. AI, the only Reginald Ferguson [00:39:36]: thing I do Aleks Musika [00:39:36]: is, like, Reginald Ferguson [00:39:37]: throw a wall. Anybody else? No. No. I'm just kidding. I would help him out. Aleks Musika [00:39:40]: But No. Reginald Ferguson [00:39:40]: I know what you mean. But Aleks Musika [00:39:41]: you were Reginald Ferguson [00:39:41]: you were a hamster. Alex Musika [00:39:42]: Yeah. So we had a piece quickly made and got embroidered and stuff, and he wore a d one of Reginald Ferguson [00:39:47]: the Yeah. D Wade's. Yeah. A d Wade's. Alex Musika [00:39:49]: Yeah. Which is which Marquette in his day was one of my favorite players too. Reginald Ferguson [00:39:54]: Oh, okay. Okay. Aleks Musika [00:39:55]: Yeah. Alex Musika [00:39:55]: So So But, yeah, it was cool. I mean, I don't really think about these things, but when we talk about them, like, wow, AI actually had a piece from our brand. Reginald Ferguson [00:40:05]: That's pretty cool. Alex Musika [00:40:06]: Which is kinda cool. Reginald Ferguson [00:40:07]: It's pretty cool. I mean, you're a you're a Philly guy. Yeah. This is a that's a full circle. Alex Musika [00:40:11]: Yeah. He's he's the man. Reginald Ferguson [00:40:13]: He is the man. I totally we have that in common. That could be a separate interview. There's no question. We'll talk Alex Musika [00:40:18]: sports one day. Yeah. My other guy was we're talking about is Randall Cunningham from back in the day. Reginald Ferguson [00:40:24]: Oh. Woah. Like, he was Alex Musika [00:40:25]: just, like, so much swag, like Woah. The big visor. Wow. Crazy. Reginald Ferguson [00:40:31]: That's crazy. Alex Musika [00:40:31]: Long and lanky. Reginald Ferguson [00:40:32]: My cousin would be into this. Alex Musika [00:40:33]: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Just awesome awesome era of sports and Reginald Ferguson [00:40:37]: He was way ahead of his time. Yeah. So I could go Alex Musika [00:40:40]: on for days about that era, but we'll stop. Reginald Ferguson [00:40:45]: So let me see. You've now explained your, I do this sometimes, I do this sometimes because you're a Gemini. So I'm totally I'm totally gonna accept that. Alex Musika [00:40:57]: Okay. Reginald Ferguson [00:40:59]: Yeah. I totally understand that now. For your sportswear, and to me this is obvious, but I just want you to confirm it. I totally see a Miami vibe. Alex Musika [00:41:13]: Yeah. I I always, like, I'm a huge fan of the cartel kind of Miami Vice. They've always been like a thing for me. Reginald Ferguson [00:41:23]: A touchdown? Yeah. Like Well, I love Miami Vice. That's one Aleks Musika [00:41:26]: of my favorite shows. Alex Musika [00:41:26]: Yeah. The Nintendo era, like, that kind of stuff. Like, that kinda just, like, in your face kinda, like, silky, like, luxury. So, it's always just been a thing for me. And, being in Miami just was just I was still probably would've done the same thing. Mhmm. And still had this kinda, like, part of my brand, but I'm sure it helped being in Miami and seeing it firsthand. Yeah. Reginald Ferguson [00:41:48]: I think it's obvious. It's so Right. I mean, some of this stuff definitely harkens back to Versace. Alex Musika [00:41:54]: Right. Exactly. Yeah. Reginald Ferguson [00:41:55]: Yeah. There's no I Alex Musika [00:41:56]: wear prints all day. I don't care. Reginald Ferguson [00:41:57]: Okay. Alex Musika [00:41:57]: Up and down. But, yeah. It's it's probably it's a huge part of the brand and and things I design. I'm never afraid with prints or or silks. Reginald Ferguson [00:42:10]: How do you think clients feel about prints and silks? Alex Musika [00:42:13]: Yeah. It depends. You know, I gotta offer it to the right person. I'm not gonna show it. I'm not even gonna show it to certain clients. Aleks Musika [00:42:18]: Sure. You know Alex Musika [00:42:19]: what I mean? I don't wanna scare them and be like, what the hell is this? It's like but there's guys like I know, I'm like, dude, this would be great for you. Like, just just based on the personality Reginald Ferguson [00:42:29]: and who they are. Yeah. So Matching. Alex Musika [00:42:31]: Yeah. Matching with them. And so when they're in here, you know, like we talked about before, I gotta know quickly what they may or may not like. And also, you get a vibe off something you show them, you know, the way they they look at it or their facial expression. So Yeah. Reginald Ferguson [00:42:43]: Yeah. You have to like you said, you have to read the person. You have to read the room. Alex Musika [00:42:47]: Right. Reginald Ferguson [00:42:47]: So that totally Aleks Musika [00:42:49]: Yeah. Reginald Ferguson [00:42:49]: That totally makes sense to me. Alex Musika [00:42:51]: We did actually did a show, in Miami at the SLS. Reginald Ferguson [00:42:56]: SLS? Which I used Alex Musika [00:42:57]: to sneak into when I was in Miami, and then I ended up having a show there. So it was cool. Reginald Ferguson [00:43:00]: Full circle. Alex Musika [00:43:01]: Yeah. Full circle. Reginald Ferguson [00:43:01]: That is really cool. Alex Musika [00:43:02]: I mean, at some point, I got to know the door guy, but so I can't say I snuck in all the time, but, yeah. So we did the whole Miami Vice Reginald Ferguson [00:43:11]: Oh, I got it. Alex Musika [00:43:13]: Invitation and everything. Reginald Ferguson [00:43:14]: Oh, really? Okay. I was gonna say I saw the video on the website, and I was like, oh, total South Beach SLS. I was like Aleks Musika [00:43:20]: Right. Reginald Ferguson [00:43:21]: Oh my god. Alex Musika [00:43:21]: Yeah. It was cool. So, but yeah. Reginald Ferguson [00:43:25]: That's cool. Alright. What has been and I know you're about anonymity. What has been the best experience you've had with a client? And, you know, one that stands out. Obviously, you can't truly have one, but what was one you would just like? Kinda like how you react with the AI. Like, this is my hero. I can't believe I even did this. What was the situation that's made you go, I can't believe I'm here? Alex Musika [00:43:52]: I hate not to answer your question, but there's not to me, my favorite parts about what I do is putting on something and seeing their face, their reaction. So that, like, that's the highlight or the text I get afterwards from someone I send something to, like, oh, this is amazing. I love it. Like, those those those hit the highest points, like, in the highest I feel or the best I feel is when I'm able to obtain those situations. When I'm here on a fitting and I see it in person or someone sends me a text, like, saying how much they love the product or because it just never gets old. You know, you can do these things I I do think that probably, to answer your question more directly, we've already talked about it, but the Jack Harler thing was probably the coolest thing, I guess Mhmm. In my mind. But those text messages and those fittings where you you see people's face and and you make them happy wearing your product, there's nothing nothing beats that. Alex Musika [00:44:45]: So whenever that happens, I don't care if it's Joe Schmo, and nobody knows who he is. Right. But he's able to wear a product, and he says, I'm telling you, it's the same way no matter who it is. Reginald Ferguson [00:44:54]: What has been, like, one of the worst interactions you had with a client that was just, like, prima donna and just, like, I don't understand. But what I'm trying my best here. Alex Musika [00:45:04]: Right. So this is kind of a funny story, and it's like, at this point, like, I noted again, deal with different personalities and like, so I kinda go into like a mute not like a like an even kill mood where like no matter what they can say, I have to deal with it. You know, like it's not gonna make me upset. Reginald Ferguson [00:45:28]: Right. I'm gonna Alex Musika [00:45:28]: take care of them as a client. Right? But one time we had a client of mine. He's a doctor and he sent me a picture of his suit after he went to a wedding. And there was like, wear and tear everywhere on it. Like as if he like got in a bar fight or something. So he's telling me, man, I can't believe these these pants came, ripped here and you know, you can see the stitching come off of the sleeve here or something like that. I'm like I'm like I'm sorry, but I was I was really blunt. Like usually I'll be like alright we'll fix it. Alex Musika [00:46:00]: Don't worry about like dude what were you doing? Right. You wanna be real with me? Right. Like any he broke down. He's like yeah I was I was breakdancing at the part at the wedding all that kind of stuff. So like he, like, kinda came at me like he was mad at first, and I was like, there's just no way. Reginald Ferguson [00:46:14]: Like, I know how these things matter. Right? There's no way. This is not a one off. There's something just went haywire. Alex Musika [00:46:19]: Absolutely not. But, like, I could've handled a different way, and I could've it could've been a really bad situation. But, that was probably the most obvious, like, there's just crazy situation where I'm like, dude, there's no way that you didn't, like, just have an absolutely wild night in this in this suit. So that that was probably one that stuck out to me. Reginald Ferguson [00:46:40]: Okay. Here's the thing that I think you're gonna be surprised, but maybe you're not surprised. I would be really remiss, particularly in light of how we met. I've always wanted to know this. Alex Musika [00:46:51]: K. Reginald Ferguson [00:46:52]: So I'm gonna hit you with it. Alex Musika [00:46:54]: Hit me. Reginald Ferguson [00:46:55]: I met you in 2017. Alex Musika [00:46:57]: Okay. Reginald Ferguson [00:46:58]: And you are cofounder of this brand, Luzica Ferrer. Alex Musika [00:47:02]: Yeah. Reginald Ferguson [00:47:03]: And you were at the zeitgeist. You know that. Alex Musika [00:47:06]: Yeah. Of course. You were Yeah. Yeah. Reginald Ferguson [00:47:09]: I see this Times article, you know, I'm getting ready to meet with you guys, and I'm like, those are the guys from the paper. What the Alex Musika [00:47:16]: Right. Reginald Ferguson [00:47:16]: And then you 2 were so cool to me, like, hey, what's up? What's up? Alex Musika [00:47:19]: Hey. Yeah. Alright. Reginald Ferguson [00:47:20]: You know? And like I said, when you hand when you and the team hand delivered all the stuff Right. Like that was I was blown away. Alex Musika [00:47:27]: Right. Reginald Ferguson [00:47:28]: Right? Yeah. Just I was really impressed. Of course. I fell in love with what you guys were putting together and your ethos. Right? And then it blew up. Alex Musika [00:47:42]: Yeah. I mean, everything from the outside in on anything is really not what's going on. Sure. And partnerships in anywhere, whether it be a marriage or a business partnership, is always not always not a great thing in certain situations. So, you have the idea and good intentions going into something, but certain things don't work out between individuals. And, for me also, I just wanted to go and do a different thing too. Reginald Ferguson [00:48:11]: Like, Alex Musika [00:48:12]: I thought, especially at the point where we separated was where, like, around the pandemic era. Aleks Musika [00:48:18]: Mhmm. Alex Musika [00:48:18]: I mean, before before pandemic era, everybody's wearing suits and wearing nice clothes and and wearing even their casual clothes are nice, or they're worried about what they're gonna wear. We went through a period of time, right in the beer right at that era and going into that era where people weren't wearing suits as much, so it wasn't so I knew I had to evolve too as a as a designer as well. There's different things that I wanted to do. So, yeah, so we went our our different ways, and here we are now. Reginald Ferguson [00:48:49]: How did that feel when you broke up? Alex Musika [00:48:53]: How did it feel? I can't, like, pinpoint any particular emotion I have, but I think everything works out for the best. It was a learning situation, I think, for us both and for us all, and everybody in the company. So, but I'm glad where I'm at and what what I'm doing personally. Aleks Musika [00:49:19]: Mhmm. Alex Musika [00:49:21]: But the game's fashion changes so quickly. And, again, we were going to a point where no matter what we were doing, it could have been the zeitgeist, a suiting, or the the next up and coming suiting, but I think that changed, and and I I think fashions changed since then. Reginald Ferguson [00:49:33]: It did change quickly Yeah. In retrospect, if you think about that. Aleks Musika [00:49:34]: What the pandemic did to people and what people are wearing Reginald Ferguson [00:49:34]: again, If you Alex Musika [00:49:35]: think about that what the pandemic did to people and what people are wearing again, they're still I feel like 40% of the people that are lost are not wearing anything nicer than they did before. Reginald Ferguson [00:49:45]: I agree. Alex Musika [00:49:46]: So the change had to be made. Reginald Ferguson [00:49:50]: No regrets? Alex Musika [00:49:51]: No. No. I don't regret anything. And I wouldn't change anything either. Anything in my life because I believe in the ripple effect. You know, I wouldn't have the exact kids I have right now if if I went out one door and out the other. I truly believe that. Reginald Ferguson [00:50:04]: Okay. Alex Musika [00:50:05]: So like, I wouldn't change nothing. And it goes back to what's the most important to me, which is my family, my kids, my wife. So I definitely wouldn't change anything. Reginald Ferguson [00:50:20]: Okay. Lightning round. Why is fashion important? Alex Musika [00:50:29]: I think it speaks to who you are. Fashion I I believe in first impression and the way you carry yourself and the way you put yourself together. That's how your house is and that's how your your car is. So, like, that's what it looks like inside. So, like, I think, you know, if you're wearing a dirty t shirt and and some shoes, like, you got a bunch of McDonald's cups in your car too. So it's like, I just feel like fashion is very important how you present yourself and what you wanna be perceived as. So and first impression is the most important thing, especially if you're trying to get things done in this world. Reginald Ferguson [00:51:01]: I agree. What difference has fashion made in your life? Alex Musika [00:51:07]: I can make this a longer answer if you want. Reginald Ferguson [00:51:09]: It's up to you. Alex Musika [00:51:10]: It's, Reginald Ferguson [00:51:10]: It's your nipple. Alex Musika [00:51:12]: Yeah. Fashion is is obviously what I do, besides the family part, which is a separate part of my life, but it's the most important thing that I do in my life. And it's always been at the forefront of what I do because, again, to go back, I had 4 brothers. My mom made me wear hand me downs, and that's where I got I think everybody a lot of people who go into certain things, they do it because some sort of tragic event. Reginald Ferguson [00:51:36]: You said trauma earlier, and I let that go. Alex Musika [00:51:38]: To me, it's like trauma that forced me into, like, the skill set I have now. It was it was just it's a natural skill set that I had to fend for myself at at a young age to to wear what I wanted to wear cause I wasn't gonna wear my brother's stuff from, like, my oldest brother is, like, mad older than me, so it's like I'm not wearing his clothes. Like, I one day my mom gave me I wore one of his shirts at school. Some kid made fun of me. We got in a fight at school. My mom said, so why'd you get in a fight? I said, could you maybe wear this shirt? Reginald Ferguson [00:52:10]: And I said, I'm never wearing my brother's clothes again. She said, alright. Then go Alex Musika [00:52:13]: buy your own clothes. So I found ways to do that, and it's always been an obsession for me to buy my own clothes and my own shoes. Reginald Ferguson [00:52:20]: I respect the the white bucks with the Virbim sole. Alex Musika [00:52:24]: Thank you. I'm I'm big on white shoes. Reginald Ferguson [00:52:25]: Oh, I know. Yeah. Yeah. The spirit of my late grandfather's looking down smiling. Alex Musika [00:52:29]: There you go. Reginald Ferguson [00:52:30]: So, yeah. That total Miami. Yeah. I have I I had and have family in Broward and in Dade. Alex Musika [00:52:37]: So You Reginald Ferguson [00:52:38]: know what it's like? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Alex Musika [00:52:40]: I'll never shy away from a light or a white loafer. Reginald Ferguson [00:52:43]: Yeah. No. I respect the sneakers. Absolutely. Alex Musika [00:52:46]: But also goes back to my sneaker days. Like, I've always been a big, like, white sneaker person and a big, like, sneaker head back in the day. Not anymore. But, like that getting a clean sneaker for me when I was younger was like nothing like it. Like a white sneaker. So Yeah. It kinda kinda evolved into what I do now. It's it's a part of what I do. Alex Musika [00:53:03]: So a whiter loafer is always fresh for me. Reginald Ferguson [00:53:07]: Yeah. I totally. I get it. Yeah. I totally get it. What's the top fashion tip you would give the everyday man to look his best? Alex Musika [00:53:18]: Whatever whatever you put on that feels right is is what's best, in my opinion. Aleks Musika [00:53:22]: Mhmm. Alex Musika [00:53:23]: There's there's so many different people out there. You can't just say one thing, like, this is the suit you wear and the suit you need, or this is the shirt shirt you need, or this is what you need to look good. If you're searching for something and trying out different things, when you put whatever feels right, don't try to be like somebody else. Whatever feels right on you, you may be striving for something. You may go in a fitting room and try on, you know, 10 different outfits that you saw somebody wear, at a designer you like. But, like, you'll know when you put it on whether it's you or not. Reginald Ferguson [00:53:51]: Yep. Alex Musika [00:53:52]: So I think that's the biggest biggest thing. Don't try to be somebody else because it's just not gonna come off right. Reginald Ferguson [00:53:57]: Totally agree. Alex Musika [00:53:58]: So, yeah, be yourself. Try it on. And if it feels right, that's you. Reginald Ferguson [00:54:03]: Last question I asked of all my guests, what is the term always be fly mean to you? Alex Musika [00:54:12]: Always be fly? Yep. Aleks Musika [00:54:13]: I Alex Musika [00:54:13]: think it speaks for itself. No matter what you do. Make sure you could be caught at the supermarket looking crazy. Reginald Ferguson [00:54:20]: Right. Alex Musika [00:54:21]: It's happened to me before, but, Sorry Reginald Ferguson [00:54:23]: to hear that. Alex Musika [00:54:23]: Yeah. But you gotta be reminded in that, but, yeah, always dress your best. Again, the first impression is everything. You never know who you're gonna meet. Funny story about that is, I'm having a garage sale at my house. And, what the heck is the guy's name? We may have to edit this out. Or wait. Gary v. Alex Musika [00:54:45]: Okay. Gary v walks up my Oh, Reginald Ferguson [00:54:46]: my God. This is crazy. I just sent the book to one of my interns. Alex Musika [00:54:49]: Yeah, man. He walked up into my driveway. I'm like, dude, what the hell you doing here? He's like, he's classic Gary v being funny. He's like, it's a garage sale. I'm at Reginald Ferguson [00:55:00]: a garage sale. And I'm like, you're right. You are at Alex Musika [00:55:03]: a garage sale. So we had Reginald Ferguson [00:55:04]: a good laugh, and I introduced myself, and, hey, Alex Musika [00:55:06]: you just never know who you're gonna run into. Like, if I So, I know I was at my garage garage sale, and I'm selling stuff, like, with my wife and my kids, but, like, I could run into him at at the wine store or at a cigar shop. I got to get a McBee fly, so I can, you know, introduce myself properly and get him as a client. But Yeah. Yeah. We exchange information, and I've talked to him since, so it's cool. Reginald Ferguson [00:55:29]: Oh, okay. Alex Musika [00:55:30]: One day, maybe he'll be wearing this wearing our stuff. Reginald Ferguson [00:55:32]: Man, fingers crossed. Yeah. I mean, you you Alex Musika [00:55:36]: I'll get your book signed for you. Reginald Ferguson [00:55:40]: Alex, I really appreciate the time. We've been trying to do this for a minute, and, I'm totally glad I could bust on you that you didn't know who I was. Alex Musika [00:55:49]: Yeah. Well, I hope you can't bust on me now after this. I know I'll never forget now. Reginald Ferguson [00:55:55]: Thank you, man. Alex Musika [00:55:55]: Thank you. Appreciate you, man. Reginald Ferguson [00:55:57]: Thanks for coming. Bye. So hopefully you learned a lot about luxury men's clothing. It takes a lot of experience to develop a brand. Learning from others, having a previous brand. By the way, have you ever met someone who had a suit in Madame Tussauds? It's pretty cool. You can find Alex Musica on Instagram at Alex Musica and the brand Musica New York on Instagram at Musica. Aleks Musika [00:56:27]: If you Reginald Ferguson [00:56:27]: wanna level up your luxury menswear game, then make it happen. Take initiative and become fashion confident in 30 days. All you have to do is email me at reg@nyfashiongeek.com for a consultation. Well, that's a wrap. To my team of interns past and present who have helped make the Fashion Geek podcast what it is today, Aleks Musika [00:56:51]: I Reginald Ferguson [00:56:51]: thank you. Always be fly.