Orville ‘Tony Krash’ Lewis Campari Pop Style

Most Stylish Male 2017 Winner Menswear and Womenwear Designer

What’s your order at the bar?

Campari and Ting.

Did you know you had the Campari Pop Style Most Stylish Male title when you sized up your competition at the finals?

It was an awesome experience, and I knew I had it in the bag. At the first show in Kingston, where I came second based on crowd votes, I wasn’t sure if my fashion was what everyone really likes. But I knew I always had it in me to be a winner.

When did the interest in fashion design start?

I have always been creating opportunities to put money in my pocket and dabbling in different things since I stopped at a high school education. But I believe the interest in fashion started during my years at Bridgeport High when I would do sketches here and there. It went on the back-burner for quite some time. My mother was always sewing; she is a teacher by profession. There was always a machine in the house. I used to mess around it, but nothing serious. I used to do carpentry and masonry on several construction sites, but when one of the projects finished in 2003, I had to plan my next move. I think I woke up one morning and said, why not get started in the fashion business now? I used the money I had earned and invested in a domestic industrial Singer machine and domestic surger.

So, at that point did you already have a client base?

No, I was mostly sewing for myself. But a friend of mine, Orane Gibson, who I’m so sorry passed a few years ago, was impressed with what I would design and wear and he actually turned out to be my first client. He brought fabric to me and asked me to create a shirt for him. He had confidence in my abilities and said he really liked my style and saw the potential in me.

Is there a style inspiration?

There’s never really been someone, quite honestly. I have always been trying to do me. Only recently I have started referring to all these social media outlets like Facebook and Instagram and following and paying attention to others’ styles. But I was always a fan of GQ and Harper’s Bazaar magazines so I would draw inspiration there.

And now, post-social media baptism, who’s in your admiration society?

I have to credit local menswear designer Phillip ‘Balla Shawn’ Reid, who is a personal friend of mine. When I was ready to go, he gave me garment construction tips and how to do cuts. I also recently discovered a designer, Henry Coffie, on Instagram. I really like how he puts his wardrobe together. He uses paisley and embossed print.

Which male trend should be permanently retired?

Baggy clothing! Tailored is the way.

Three essential things every man should have in his wardrobe are…

Fitted shirt and pants. Definitely, accessories…I’m into leather bags now. And a good pair of Oxford loafers.

How would you label the Tony Krash aesthetic?

Sophistication.

How did the wardrobe concept for the Pop Style finale originate?

I knew I had to take it to them, coming back as a ‘wild card’ contestant. I wanted to leave no stone unturned, so I was floating around different stores. It took me a week to find the right fabric. I wasn’t going to leave room for any error.

You’ve taken the $250,000 prize. What’s next?

I will definitely continue working for my customers who have helped me stay on track over the past couple years. I do a lot of work for persons within the dancehall fraternity who promote and attend shows, and I’ve also dressed brides and grooms. Currently, I am working on doing the staff wardobe for Buzzers Sports and Arcade Lounge in Portmore.

What’s your character flaw?

Impatience.

The last book I read was…

48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene. It teaches how, in everyday life, to be attuned to trangressions and have moral observations.

If you were a fabric, what would you be?

Silk, because I’m smooth!