19. Taeste Buddies: Somsack Sikhounmuong
On niche French cashmere, DIY ceramics, and designing for Alex Mill
Welcome back to a new edition of Taeste Buddies, hot off the virtual press just for you. This week, prepare yourself to indulge in the thoughts and tastes of Somsack Sikhounmuong, creative director of Alex Mill and editor of his own newsletter somSTACK (smash that subscribe button for some unique recs!). An alum of J.Crew and Madewell, Somsack has been subliminally steering your style for years. I’m personally a huge fan of Alex Mill and wear at least one piece from the brand weekly if not daily (the button-downs and sweaters are particular faves). But, he not only has great taste in fashion, it just so happens his thoughts on architecture and food are equally profound. You’re in for a treat, so I hope you enjoy the ride.
Aemilia: Where do you think your taste comes from?
Somsack: 30%: My family, specifically my grandma, mom and my sister.
25%: Growing up in Oshawa, Ontario - a small blue-collar town - forced me to rely heavily on my curiosity and imagination for things I didn't have but wanted-such as art, fashion, and travel.
20%: 1990s Vogues and World of Interiors. The worlds I visited via these two magazines were truly inspiring. You got to see what was out in the world and what you liked and disliked. (I recommend checking out the issue on Brice Marden's house in World of Interiors). [Aemilia’s note: I found some images of his home here, here, and here for your enjoyment, but suggest you also google his other homes because wow.]
15%: NYC in the early 2000s. It's when I met my college friends at Parsons. There's nothing like being around creative and interesting people with varied POVs to help you carve out your own.
10%: I leave open for new surprises and cool people to enter my life.
Can you share an outfit that represents your style?
I've gotten to the age where I want everything to be as uncomplicated as possible, especially getting dressed. This explains why I'm a shirt and jeans kind of guy.
How do you define taste? What makes "good" taste?
This is hard to answer! To me, taste in its simplest form is your POV; it's what you like and dislike, what you gravitate towards, and vice versa. What makes the taste good? It's what makes something interesting. I love it when someone's taste is unexpected and surprising. Is there a level of friction between a person's choices? And I especially love it when their taste challenges any of my preconceived views.
What was the last great thing you purchased?
I was in Paris last week, so choosing just one is tough. Still, it's a tie between my Casey Casey men's chinos (I love the wash, fabric, and the little buckle in the back) and two cashmere sweaters from Charvet, even though my sister technically asked me to pick them up for her, I still consider them my purchase [Note: found a few here, shop while you can!]. The brand is discontinuing them because the original yarn supplier is going out of business and Charvet has yet to find a new comparable supplier. I just love that strategy - no compromises.
What was the last great thing you made?
First would be my berry incense holders that I made to give away as a gift at a recent Alex Mill dinner (I do ceramics on the side - check out @somthings2021). They are pretty time-consuming, and making them is an opportunity to use my hands for something other than scrolling on my phone.
The second thing I made was a Happy Mother's Day Zoom call to my mom, who's currently traveling in Thailand. Once a year, I get to call my mom and have the call be just about her and nothing else.
What interests or inspires you about fashion?
The constant influx of all things cool, strange, and beautiful. These things often change how I see things, whether that beautiful entity is an object or a person. It's that constant influx that really energizes me.
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This example is not fashion in the literal sense, but I remember seeing one of Frank Lloyd Wright's corner windows [see image six in the slideshow at Fallingwater and thinking, "WOW!". It was so beautiful and clever that I left on the highest of highs, which I'm still on today ten years later.
Does your work at Alex Mill reflect or affect the way you approach getting dressed or do they feel independent?
It, without a doubt, reflects. I'd describe my personal style and how I approach every decision I make when designing at Alex Mill in the same way: uncomplicated, familiar, and always considered.
What’s the most recent inspiration pic you took?
A photo I took at the Pompidou Center of the Brancusi show. I'm a fan of Brancusi and pretty familiar with Brancusi's work, but on this trip I was really surprised by what the pieces were stacked on top of: the combinations of wood, marble and cement were really inspiring.
Outside of fashion, what is something that inspires or excites you?
I've been doing ceramics for the past three years. I work out of a shared studio near my place in Long Island City. It's an opportunity to be creative in a different way and use different creative muscles. Each week, I get the chance to do something totally unrelated to clothing, and that's been a lot of fun.
What’s something unexpected you have really good taste in?
Hmmmm…. Tattoos, authentic Thai food joints, and coats (so I've been told).
What’s most precious to you?
I'm a huge fan of New Order, and I had been searching for this tee for years, so when I found it in a vintage store about ten years ago, I nearly passed out.
Can you share a few recommendations?
1. A Danish meal: Mangia in Copenhagen. I was just there a week ago for Alex Mill, and our friends Amalie and Cecile Moosgaard recommended Mangia. The food was so simply and beautifully prepared but in a non-precious way. Everything was delicious, but I was partial to the Polenta with Seppia.
2. For style underfoot: Kat and Maouche rugs. They have the coolest rugs. I find myself scrolling through their Instagram feed at least once a week, sometimes to buy a rug, even though I have no more floor space in my apt, or to look and be inspired by all the beautiful color combos.
3. If you need new ink: @______mr.blue_______. My favorite tattoo guy. I find his work to be so charming, and I love that he doesn't do any color.