/
1x
Advertisement
Proudly Canadian, obsessively Toronto. Subscribe to Toronto Life!
Style

Toronto’s Best Dressed: Creative free-spirit Ryan Esquivel

A design specialist falls for conspicuous couture

Copy link
Standing outside the Aga Khan museum, Esquivel is wearing an Astrid Anderson lace panel sweatshirt, KTZ socks, Doc Marten combat boots and a vintage skirt.
Standing outside the Aga Khan museum, Esquivel is wearing an Astrid Anderson lace panel sweatshirt, KTZ socks, Doc Marten combat boots and a vintage skirt. Photograph by Vanessa Heins

Ryan Esquivel is equally at home wearing a vintage silk robe or a leather collar. “No stuffy suits or uncomfortable shoes for me!” he says. The greatest perk of working as a freelance design specialist and lead creative at Hook, a boutique design firm, is getting to wear whatever the hell you want.

Esquivel has a deep respect for style originals like Grace Jones and Kanye West, and is conspicuous for his wildly eclectic approach to style: some days he’s ultra-casual in a Hawaiian shirt and jean shorts; other days he’s full-on Marc Jacobs in a mesh tank top and pleated skirt. “I’ve had times when I’ve really turned some heads,” he says, laughing.

Most of his statement pieces come from hunting the racks at his favourite west-end vintage shops, like 96 Tears on Roncesvalles or Chosen on Dundas West. Whether it’s a fur coat or soccer shorts, there’s nothing this fashion rebel won’t wear.

Current Obsessions

Sunglasses
“For me they’re the cherry on top of any great look. This season, I’m wearing the Saint Laurent Kurt Cobain style.” $504. Ysl.com.

Black and/or White sneakers
“Right now my summer shoe is an all-white Nike Cortez. I’m into the classics.” $100. Nike.com.

Sycomore by Chanel
“You want to make a lasting impression? Everyone will remember if you smell great.” $320. Chanel, 131 Bloor St. W.

Facials
“Nothing makes me feel better than going to Jeena Park at Porcelain Room and getting a facial.” From $75. 577 Queen St. W., 3rd flr.

More of Toronto’s Best-Dressed People

Toronto’s Best Dressed: Trish, Mac & Matty Matheson, the ultimate nonconformists
Style

Toronto’s Best Dressed: Trish, Mac & Matty Matheson, the ultimate nonconformists

Queen West's cutest trio

NEVER MISS A TORONTO LIFE STORY

Sign up for This City, our free newsletter about everything that matters right now in Toronto politics, sports, business, culture, society and more.

By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.
You may unsubscribe at any time.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Isabel Slone is a fashion and culture journalist living in Toronto. She writes for Toronto Life, the New York Times, the Guardian, the Wall Street Journal, Architectural Digest and more. She has a master’s degree in journalism from Columbia Journalism School.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Big Stories

Inside the Latest Issue

The June issue of Toronto Life features our annual ranking of the best new restaurants. Plus, our obsessive coverage of everything that matters now in the city.