HubThreads: Celebrating Boston Street Style

Photo by Diana Levine

Critics say this city has no style. We’re here to prove them wrong. Welcome to HubThreads, where we chat with the most stylish people we find out and about in Boston. Think you or someone you know has the best street style? Let us know.

KIN

My middle name is my Chinese name and I go by that.

Tell me more about what you do, because you have a unique profession.  I’m a style coach, so I try to give men the tools they need to express themselves visually and put their best foot forward. But then, I’m also a professional fighter.

How did you get into the fighting? I’ve been doing martial arts since I was a little kid. When I was maybe 17 or 18, I wanted to try fighting, but I was also overweight – I used to be 50 pounds heavier! I went to a gym and they were like lose 30 pounds and we’ll talk. I lost the weight, and then I lost my first match. But I did another and another and I started putting together a good streak and eventually became the number one amateur in my weight class in New England. I went pro and became the number one pro in my weight class in New England. But I lost my last fight two years ago to someone I had already beaten, who got me on the rematch, and then I had a series of knee injuries. So I haven’t fought in two years, but I have one coming up!

Oh my gosh, how do you feel? I feel good, ready to go.

You look like you’re in incredible shape. I feel like what really gives me that look is the tailoring of my clothes.

How did you get into the styling consulting? Most fighters at a local level don’t make enough money. I had a fight on tv and was only paid $5000. So if you can only fight a couple of times a year, that’s not going to work. A lot of fighters are also personal trainers, and that’s what I was doing, but I found that doing what I love as a job, just becomes a job. I started to resent the time I spent training in the gym. I knew I needed to got out of it or I wouldn’t want to compete anymore. The only other skill that I had was dressing well.

Not everyone has that skill. I think it’s more societal. Women are encouraged to let their style flourish, but guys are asked why they care so much. I think it’s been brainwashed out of us dudes, but I think every guy wants to look good. I also think I can relate to people who have fit challenges because I’m an athletic guy, but I’m also as a short guy, so nothing ever fits off of the rack.

How would you describe your style? Classic menswear with some modern swagger. The classics are classic for a reason, but you’ve got to keep it rolling with the times. I try to have the playfulness and the flair that 2018 has, but pair it with trousers and a blazer. Just because you’re wearing a blazer, doesn’t mean that you have to look like grandpa.

Do you wear a suit everyday? I hardly ever wear a full suit, because most times, it can be a little off putting or give someone the wrong message. I like to wear a blazer and trousers as much as I can.