By J.P. Anderson By J.P. Anderson | September 18, 2024 | People, Lifestyle, Feature, Features, Featured,
These Chicago gents have style in spades. A closer look reveals the personalities behind all that panache.
Nick Roy
With his eponymous new athleisure brand The Nick Roy Collection, the designer is aiming to impress his fashion clients with his clothing as much as he wows Fortune 500 companies with his magic skills.
Sleight of hand is second nature to West Loop resident Nick Roy (nickroy.com), a dedicated magician since the age of eight and continues to pursue his mastery of the craft as a sought-after performer by celebrities and Fortune 500 companies. The Connecticut native and self-described dreamer is also a passionate clothing designer and has spent the past five years building athleisure e-commerce brand The Nick Roy Collection. Having just opened a new brick-and-mortar showroom for custom clothing in Fulton Market, the lifelong entrepreneur talks style heroes, his perfect day and what he plans to be doing in 10 years.
I would describe my style as timelessly eccentric, tastefully refined and distinctively different.
The best advice I ever got was to get back on the horse as soon as possible when you get knocked off.
If I wasn’t in my current career, I’d probably be in Hollywood pursuing acting.
My motto is follow your intuition.
My style hero is undoubtedly Dapper Dan.
My perfect day would be to wake up, breathe, meditate, dream, visualize, believe, create, smile, laugh, love, be kind, pray and give thanks, and get a good night’s rest.
In 10 years, I hope I sell my businesses, move to Costa Rica, and build a retreat center.
If there were 26 hours in a day, I would make more music.
My favorite part of my job is getting to express my creativity.
Amhad Freeman
Zegna, Boss and Theory are among the labels favored by recent Chicago transplant Freeman, whose goals this year include designing a Windy City brownstone.
Interior designer Amhad Freeman (amhadfreeman.com) moved from Nashville to Chicago in 2021, and the Uptown resident has hit the ground running in his quest to build Amhad Freeman Interiors into a powerhouse studio, with projects in both cities (including three new construction homes in Nashville and a downtown Chicago studio reno) keeping him busy. One of Freeman’s personal signatures? His decidedly put-together style—understated, well-tailored and sophisticated—which matches his design aesthetic to a T. As Freeman, whose accolades include having recently been named one of the top 50 Black interior designers in the U.S., embraces the new season, he reveals some of the philosophies both stylistic and personal to keep him driven and following his dreams.
If I could turn back time, I would tell myself to chase my dreams, not the money.
The best advice I ever got was “Keep things simple.”
If I wasn’t in my current career, I would go into real estate.
My motto is ask for what you want.
The first item of clothing I bought for myself was a white polo from Ralph Lauren.
If there were 26 hours in a day, I would take more long walks. It’s where I make all my decisions.
My most beloved possession is my home. It’s my sanctuary.
My fashion splurge is jewelry from David Yurman.
I am happiest when I’m having drinks and dinner with friends.
Felipe Ospina
Ospina’s greatest achievement? “Moving to the U.S. alone and being where I am by working hard and surrounding myself with great people—and having my partner Michelle in my life.”
Staying on top of Chicago’s culinary scene is a primary passion for Sysco Corporation business developer and industry veteran Felipe Ospina (felipeospina.com), who has led dozens of Windy City restaurant openings in the course of his career. Born in Bogota, Columbia, Ospina is as much known for his dapper style (you’ll rarely catch him not sporting a jaunty hat) as his dedication to elevating Chicago hospitality. particularly the profile of Colombian food. Recently named culinary advisor for RAICES at the International Latino Cultural Center, the River West resident and avid marathoner shares with CS some of his personal passions.
I would describe my style as effortlessly cool and a little adventurous, with attention to detail on the accessories.
The best advice I ever got was “Put your head down, grind and good things will come your way.”
If I wasn’t in my current career, I would be a pro soccer player.
I want my legacy to be that I’m remembered as someone who brought joy and inspiration to others, whether through my work, personal relationships, or acts of kindness.
My style heroes are Donnie Madia of One Off Hospitality and Dani Alonso of Bonhomme Hospitality.
My three grooming essentials are Kiehl’s eye cream and face SPF 30, and Le Labo oils.
My fashion splurge is hats—I have over 300 of them.
Kurt Seidensticker
“My health and the ability to manifest” are Seidensticker’s most beloved possessions, says the globe-trotting entrepreneur.
Some kids dream of growing up to be an astronaut; Kurt Seidensticker ended up teaching astronauts how to fly the space shuttle. And NASA was just the start for the Wheaton native and part-time River North resident, who splits his time between Chicago and L.A. He then founded and led popular collagen supplement Vital Proteins through its acquisition by Nestle Health Sciences, and now he’s focused on Starshot Ventures Launch Pad (starshotventureslaunchpad.com), a just-launched incubator firm for consumer wellness products. Another of Seidensticker’s passions? Fashion, as he attended the Tom Ford fashion show in Milan last fall and has become one of the house’s top clients. As the globe-trotting entrepreneur plans his next moves, he chats with CS about his style, his motto and what makes him tick.
I would describe my style as sophisticated, luxurious and bold.
The best advice I ever got was “Know your worth.”
My motto is “Progress over perfection.”
My style hero is James Bond, specifically his transitioning from formal wear to casual attire.
My perfect day is a sunrise hike, morning workout, sauna cold plunge, solid work sessions, dinner with good friends, get to sleep early and repeat.
My greatest achievement is building Vital Proteins together with family and friends.
My favorite part of my job is innovating wellness products to inspire people to live their best lives.
Stillness is my idea of perfect happiness.
Photography by: Nick Roy photo BY KAMIL SURMA; Amhad Freeman PHOTO BY SAM PHEN; Felipe Ospina PHOTO BY RYAN BESHEL; Kurt Seidensticker PHOTO BY MARIO PINTA