Growing up, I can’t really say if I was style-conscious or not. I just tried to copy my dad. We all do, right? Whether he was wearing jeans, a tracksuit, whatever – he was always immaculate. He always had the latest stuff, I don’t know where he got it from… but he had it.
I like how Japanese people dress. I like the vibe, the coolness. Japanese brands always have something you’ve never seen before. I grew up watching Manga and I love the culture, the food.
Maybe for some of my games the beard wasn’t right or the fade wasn’t great. But now when you see players going to a game, it seems like they have a haircut everyday! When they arrive at the game it’s very important for them to make a statement. For us, at the time, not so much.
In the Banlieue [France], we like our hoodies, our tracksuits, our sneakers. We’ve mixed suits with trainers for a very long time – something we’ve been doing in the suburbs forever.
I don’t understand who came up with the ‘rules’. Wear whatever you want to wear, be comfortable in your own skin. People will love it, laugh about it, hate it – but ultimately, do you like it? Sometimes, you need to respect some codes… you’re not going to a wedding in a tracksuit. But other than that, who says you need to dress a certain way?
Timberland Classic 6-Inch Waterproof Boots
Timberland Classic 6-Inch Waterproof Boots
When MTV was big, I listened to hip-hop, so everybody in my 'hood wanted a pair of Timberland [boots]. It was the thing. If you had a pair of Timberlands or a Starter jacket, then you had made it. So, the first paycheck that I had, I went to get a pair.
In 1998, when we won the World Cup, it elevated us [French players] to another level. So, whatever Zizou [Zinedine Zidane] wore, people wanted to wear the same.
I don’t have a stylist. A lot of guys out there have people tell them what to wear, how to wear it, at what time… I don’t want that. My mum used to pick my clothes in the morning. So I couldn’t wait for the day when I could do it myself, alone!
A suit is not always great. For me, on the bench [as a manager], I need to feel comfortable, so I can direct my team. You have a guy like [Jürgen] Klopp, always in tracksuit. That doesn’t change his [managerial] style, make him more or less successful. But when you win, people will say, "he looks nice”
Patek Philippe Nautilus White Gold 5811
Patek Philippe Nautilus White Gold 5811
I like to wear watches that I can wear with everything – tracksuits, suits – that you don’t need to change. You will know what [my watch] is if you know what it is… but you’re not going to know what it is from three blocks away. It’s not, let’s say, in your face.
I always thought that I had to look a certain way on the field – not so much off it. I don’t dress for other people, I dress for myself – and people always used to mention the socks over the knees. I was the first guy to do it in England, but I got it from [Monaco teammate] Sonny Anderson. I just thought it looked cool. Then when I arrived in England, people called me a ballet dancer…
I like Drôle de Monsieur’s ‘Not From Paris Madame’ collection. It’s kind of weird because I’m from the suburbs, and when you grow up, people let you know you’re from the suburbs. So when people say ‘Hey Thierry, you’re from Paris…’, I say ‘No, no, no, I’m not from Paris, madame’. It’s something we people from the suburbs have kept within us.
I always say to people, I like fashion, but I’m not a fashion victim. I know what I like, but I’m not going to buy something because I need to have it for a trend.
