Passion Series: Donnell Baldwin, former Deputy Style Editor for MR. PORTER and Author of GROOMS
"He had a cool, calming confidence about him that I have aspired to have since very early on."
When this man walks in the room you can not help but notice his style. It is no wonder why he was the former Deputy Styling Editor for MR. PORTER and the former Menswear Styling Manager at Ralph Lauren. At Mr. Porter was where I first met Donell. At the time I was managing one of the customer service teams for MR. P, and that was how our paths crossed. We wanted to collaborate and understand each other's roles to see how we could leverage each other to make our teams better at what they did.
As we slowly became friends, I found out that he and his wife Courtney had just published a book for Grooms on how to dress for their big day (Get your copy HERE.) If you think about it, that was a genius idea. The wedding day is always usually reserved for the bride, and the grooms are left with your neighborhood tuxedo rental shop. Rarely does the groom walk out of a tuxedo rental shop properly fitted for their big day. The Baldwins solved a problem, and solved it so effortlessly stylish.
Up until our Passion Series shoot, my fondest moment of Donnell was when we worked a Mr. Porter x GQ pop up shop event in the West Village of NYC. It was a great day of men’s style, dapperness, and coffee. When I found out I was going back to the East Coast to meet my new niece, I immediately thought of Donnell for my Passion Series. Shot him a text, gave him the premise of the series, set a date, and boom, the rest was history.
We met in Soho to shoot, and it was there that he told me that he picked that location, because it was where he used to go to get inspired. After photographing Mr. Baldwin, and spending some time with him and Courtney, I was inspired. I hope now that who ever is reading this is inspired by his passion.
Follow Donnell’s journey below:
Website: http://www.mrbaldwinstyle.com/
Instagram: @Mr_Baldwinstyle
Images by Mark Mendoza - Who is Mr. Baldwin?
Donnell Baldwin - I am many things, man. If I had to sum it all up, I am a kind-hearted guy who has a passion for fashion and styling to help people achieve their best self. For me, it's far deeper than surface level. It's a form of expression - an artform. Getting people to see the way they dress as art is a very special process for me. I love training and developing someone's eye to see the endless potential in themselves or a project / photoshoot.
I am the Chief Stylist for MR BALDWIN STYLE - a company I co-own with my wife Courtney who runs the business and production side of our business.
IbMM - How did you become so passionate about fashion?
DB - My passion for style and fashion came when I was young. I remember admiring my grandfather (aka PawPaw) and his effortless style. He just knew how to dress. Whether he was heading out for groceries, mowing the lawn or on his way to a special event... he was ALWAYS dressed and ready. He had a cool, calming confidence about him that I have aspired to have since very early on.
I was becoming a pretty stylish kid when it was time for me to get a job around 16 years old. My PawPaw along with my mother recommended that I work at the local department store instead one of the fast food chains that all of my friends were working at. My PawPaw would stop by on my shift and adjust my tie and drop gems on me regularly - often complimenting my suit choices. I just remember knowing that I always needed to be on point just in case my grandfather stopped by, lol.
I would also tear magazine ads out and save them to study - lighting, style, modeling, location, and of course the style. By the time I got to college I started duplicating the looks that I saw in advertisements.
IbMM - How do you want people to feel about your style and how you style?
DB - My style is very mood-driven. I kind of go off of a feeling in the morning (am I a cowboy today, rock star, business man, etc... lol). I don't like being in a box at all; so my style is not committed to looking a certain way - whatever feels right in the moment is what I do.
As a stylist, I had to divorce myself from the opinions of others. People will like what you've done, love your work, and your personal style, and some others will hate it with strong disdain. It's a form of expression and if you feel like wearing a look that makes you feel confident, sexy, empowered, comfortable, etc... then you've done your job. To answer your question, of course I want my work to resonate with others but even it it never does... as long as I've poured my heart into it and given my best effort, It will be favorable.
IbMM - What kept you motivated during the hard times?
DB - God has always kept me motivated during the hard times and boy have there been a plenty to reference.
I am not one who is preachy and wears my religion on my sleeve. However, I am very motivated by love and kindness and I believe that is the essence of who God is to me.
IbMM - What’s one piece of advice you would give to anyone who may want to pursue a similar path?
DB - You have to be persistent. Many people reach out to me and the first thing I ask to see is their website. If you don't have a website, then I'll ask for your instagram. If you don't have an instagram or an online presence that showcases your work I change the direction of the conversation and begin to encourage the person to "just do it" and "get started." Eliminating the excuses are what separate the dreamers from doers.
IbMM - If you could tell your 18 year old self anything, What would it be?
DB - Follow your dreams. At 18, I wanted to be an artist, model, singer and on-air personality. I would have told myself to pursue it and make no excuses.
IbMM - Who are your inspirations?
DB - My inspirations are most definitely varied. I was initially inspired by my grandfather. Style-wise, I am intrigued by Lenny Kravitz, Johnny Depp and Andre 3000 - literally the most organic, naturally stylish people on this earth currently. I am very inspired by anything from the 70s - borderline obsessed haha!
"You have to be persistent."
IbMM - Do you have a favorite quote?
DB - YES! Years ago, I would watch the REV's HOUSE show and I remember him telling his sons to "Do your best and forget the rest." That stuck with me and I will never forget this quote.
If you've done your VERY best in life or put forth your best effort, what else is there for you to give? What else is there to worry about? Keep moving forward and learn for mistakes, but you MUST keep moving.
IbMM - Oh! Don't you have a book out? Tell us how that came about.
DB - Yes, I do. The name of my book is GROOMS: A Professional Stylist's Guide to Wedding Day Apparel for Every Budget (AKA. GROOMS.) It is a go-to manual for the modern groom to know how to dress appropriately for his wedding day. It was entirely shot and produced in New York (Manhattan and the Hamptons) and has caught the attention of Amazon, WWD, Esquire, Essence, Refinery 29, Brides and the list goes on! My wife Courtney and I are so blessed to have written this together.
What brought this idea to mind was actually pretty organic. I had proposed and we were starting to plan for our wedding. Because I am a menswear stylist, it was quite easy for me to know exactly what to wear for my big day. I began to wonder what other guys do or use as resources for securing their look for their weddings. The majority of brides secure their look and then there are number of fittings that subsequently occur to ensure that she looks impeccable. That is not the case when you talk to MOST groooms. It's normally "which company are you renting your tuxedo from?" Some guys dont even know that they can buy a tuxedo for virtually the same price as renting. You might have to invest a little bit more if you're getting it tailored (recommended) and if you have a generous budget, consider a bespoke process which a usually expensive but your look will fit like none other!
It is sad to see a bride look amazing and then pan over to the groom and see him look sloppy and disheveled. That is why we're here - to make sure the groom is the perfect match (style-wise) for his mate.
IbMM - What has been your biggest accomplishment thus far?
DB - I would say that my biggest accomplishment to date has been marrying the woman of my dreams. She is exactly what I prayed for and more. Together we made BOTH of our dreams come true - running and owning a successful business as well as producing, styling and writing a book!
Thanks for taking time to do this Donnell! It was and always will be a pleasure!
