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Meet Connor Rickman (@thedukeofslc), a film director and menswear enthusiast from Salt Lake City, Utah.
Give us a short introduction about yourself.
My name is Connor Rickman, and I live in Salt Lake City, Utah. I work for an entertainment payroll company and am also an MBA student at Duke University.
How do you define your style?
My style is always easy-going yet intentional at all levels of formality. Whether I’m dressing down or dressing up, I always want to look put together, approachable, comfortable, with just a little something extra compared to the average person wherever I happen to be.
What does it mean for you to be a Modern Gentleman?
A modern gentleman is always learning, whether about the world around him, or about himself. A modern gentleman is always giving what he can to improve the lives of others without neglecting his own needs. Finally, a modern gentleman is always striving for self-improvement despite knowing he will never be perfect.
When it comes to style, where do you mostly get your inspiration from?
I absolutely love the innovation and creativity coming from “Honorary Texan” Philip Gregard (@philipgregard), and I’ve stolen more than a few ideas from him. I’m also very impressed with the social media presence of Alfargo’s Marketplace, which showcases a diverse range of styles that all feel very harmonious. Jason Sandagon behind Mad King George Tailors constantly changes my perceptions of what tailored clothing can be, and Laura Arnold’s recent marketing work with the new J Press Pennant label has given me new appreciation for Ivy Style.
What’s your personal style signifier?
Subtle hints at the railroads of the American West, most notably my great grandfather’s Bulova Accutron Railroad watch that my father gave me when I got accepted to Business School. I’m the first of my family in 4 generations to not work as a railroader, but I can now share a small piece of the heritage. I also worked with my graphic designer friend Bob Robinson to make some wool ballcaps that say “SLC” (for Salt Lake City) where the “L” is shaped like a railroad spike.
What are your favorite wardrobe essentials?
I rely heavily on the “Holy Trinity” of casual trousers: jeans, fatigues, and khakis. I like to wear them with Rancourt shoes, striped athletic socks, an interesting belt, an OCBD, and a neckerchief/bandana. I riff on this style with Hollywood trousers or wide-legged chinos and knit t-shirts or rugby shirts. If it’s cold I’ll add a shetland sweater. I don’t often wear sportcoats, but when I do I prefer either solid navy or dark brown checks cut in a Florentine style.
What are your main passions and how do you cultivate them?
I started working in Hollywood because I loved cinema and wanted to make films, but filmmaking requires a lot of work to finish a project to an acceptable standard. I finished my first feature film in 2022 and definitely want to make another, but in the meantime I’ve begun to make small videos about creative people working in menswear. I call it “Sartorial Cinema” and my most recent video was with Travis of Collaro Co. in Singapore. I’m just preparing for the release of the first video in November, which can be found on Instagram @sartorialcinema.
What does your ideal Sunday look like?
Being in the US I can wake up early and watch an F1 race given the time difference. Then I’ll attend a circuit training class at the gym and get a cold coffee on the way home. After taking a shower and getting dressed, I’ll have breakfast and either go on a long walk while catching up on podcasts, or work on my personal creative projects like “Sartorial Cinema.” In the evenings I like to go to a Vietnamese bar that serves Pho only on Sunday nights as a way of seeing off the weekend.
Describe an interesting trip you have taken and tell us what’s the next destination on your bucket list.
Vietnam is my favorite international destination. I’ve been twice: once to Saigon and Hoi An, and again to Hanoi. The food is amazing, the people are friendly, and the landscapes are beautiful. There’s a sense of optimism and placemaking that I imagine feels a lot like Japan or Korea before their respective economic booms, which is a fun feeling to share.
Next for me is definitely Portugal and Madeira. I absolutely loved Spain when my wife and I visited several years ago, so I’m curious to explore more of Iberia. As someone who travels mostly for food, I’m told I won’t be disappointed.
Tell us what can never be missing in your liquor cabinet.
My favorite spirit is a Barrel Aged Gin from Beehive Distilling: a local business. It makes a great alternative to bourbon in an Old Fashioned and also gives more complexity to a Negroni.
What are your three favorite books?
“Revelation Space” by Alastair Reynolds, “Snow Crash” by Neal Stephenson, and “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” by Stieg Larsson.
What are your three favorite movies?
I love paranoid thrillers like Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Conversation”, John Frankenheimer’s “Ronin”, and Anton Corbijn’s “The American”.
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