Knowing who you are as a person and embracing your lifestyle are two traits that are essential when it comes to dressing well. Of course, things like what you wear, how you wear it, and how it fits must be considered when determining a personβs place on the best-dressed scale, but truly understanding yourself and expressing it through your attire guarantees you a spot at the top of the list.
Annually, we gather our resources to determine the metro Detroiters who stand out sartorially. We found that this yearβs honorees β in addition to meeting all the criteria β also had another characteristic in common: knowing thyself.
βStop, take time for yourself, breathe, and be clear about who you are and what you want,β one honoree told us. βEmbrace your unique fashion journey, as each outfit tells a chapter of your story,β said another.
Our list represents styles from the conservative-with-a-twist to the bold and flashy. Each honoree is confident in wearing clothes that perfectly express who they are β loud and proud or with soft, simple elegance.
We bring to you ΒιΆΉ·¬ΊΕ Detroitβs 2023 Best Dressed list, photographed at the stately Book Tower in downtown Detroit.
Patricia Blake | Annie Kordas |Tracy Walker III | Michael J. Morse | Fabiola Masserant | Joelle Aoun Abood | Farrah Davidson | Brandon Hudson | Mark Stewart
Patricia Blake: Owner and designer for Blake Interiors
Describe your fashion style.
Classic elegance.
Where are your favorite places to shop?
, [Marcus], and , as well as and for tall pants. Itβs a challenge getting pants long enough. Online I like , , , and .
Who are your favorite designers?
, , and . I also love everything . Chanel bags are the most beautiful bags ever and retain their value.
Describe one of your most memorable outfits.
Probably a red Ralph Lauren Collection cashmere tank with a long matching silk skirt that bustled up the back.
Who is your fashion hero/inspiration?
I canβt say I really have a fashion hero, but I do love the classic look of Grace Kelly.
What is your best fashion advice?
Always flatter your figure first, and then go with the trends second. Invest in better clothing that is well tailored to your figure. And you can never go wrong with a classic white blouse.
Annie Kordas: Owner and principal designer at
Describe your fashion style.
I love to create a good balance with my looks. I try to stand out just enough but never take things too far. If Iβm wearing a statement dress or skirt, I like to simplify my accessories. A simple black dress can come to life with an amazing belt, great jewelry, and beautiful shoes. I like to play with masculine and feminine β the juxtaposition of a floral shirt with stylish tennis shoes instead of the expected stiletto. Ultimately, sophistication is the goal. But I never want to blend in with the crowd necessarily.
Where are your favorite places to shop?
I love to visit . Michelle [Beaudette-Grates], the owner, has an amazing eye. I also love in Grosse Pointe. My friend Katie [Taylor] owns the boutique, and her style is spot on.
Who are your favorite designers?
I love , , . is my favorite denim brand. And dresses always fit like a glove and are so flattering.
When and why did dressing well become important to you?
I have always been drawn to high-end, well-made clothing β timeless pieces that you could never get rid of and would be relevant for years and years. I treat my clothing like my interiors: a great balance of sophistication and flash. Classic with a hint of the unexpected.
Describe one of your most memorable outfits.
In 2022, I wore a i dress to the Detroit Design Awards. This strapless dress is half red with the Scottish [royal banner] and half white with black sketches of European monuments. Itβs a very memorable dress. I keep it in my closet but canβt ever wear it again since I was photographed all night in it. Unexpectedly, that evening I was awarded the coveted Brian Killian Rising Star Award for interior design. I gave a speech to the entire metro Detroit design community. Looking back, Iβm so happy I chose such an incredible dress for what I didnβt know would be one of the most special moments of my career. I received countless compliments on the dress. It was kismet.
Who is your fashion hero/inspiration?
One of my dearest friends, Alexa Baxt, studied fashion and spent many years in Los Angeles in the styling industry β television, film, runway, and editorial. Her style has always been ahead of her time. I love Kelly Wearstlerβs style. Itβs so playful and daring. And in my 20s, I really was inspired by Patricia Fields, the wardrobe stylist for Sex and the City. She gave a whole new meaning to my Manolos and really set the bar high with her edgy, fashion-forward looks.
What is your best fashion advice?
My best advice is to invest in quality pieces and continue to build a fabulous wardrobe for all seasons. I love a good splurge. And never neglect your handbags.
Tracy Walker III: Safety for the Detroit Lions
Describe your fashion style.
My style is flashy and flamboyant. I like dressing up my outfits with bold diamond jewelry andΜύfine watches.
Who are your favorite designers?
and .
When and why did dressing well become important to you?
When I was a kid, I always had a unique style and swag. I know Iβve always been different.
Describe one of your most memorable outfits. The first time I could afford to dress in head-to-toe Versace.
Who is your fashion hero/inspiration?
My dad, Tracy Walker II.
What is your best fashion advice?
Just be you. Everyone is different and has their own unique taste. Donβt worry about what others think, and be happy.
What is your best fashion advice?
Just be you. Everyone is different and has their own unique taste. Donβt worry about what others think, andΜύbe happy.
Michael J. Morse: Attorney and founder of the
Describe your fashion style.
As a lawyer with a diverse wardrobe, I find that combining a relaxed jacket with a wool trouser effortlessly balances dressy and casual elements. I prefer softer-shoulder jackets, as they convey a laid-back vibe. I love colors and patterns in my clothes. I prefer sport coats and pants so I can mix and match outfits. I have had my dress clothes made for me for about the last 20 years, and there is no going back. The feel of putting on a custom shirt or coat or suit is like no other. Josh Gold [of in Royal Oak] is starting to experiment with different buttons on the shirts and making dressing up fun again.
Where are your favorite places to shop?
To curate my wardrobe, I frequently visit Joshua Gold, as well as and . These stores offer a wide range of options that align with my style preferences.
Who are your favorite designers?
I particularly admire , , , and .
When and why did dressing well become important to you?
My father was a lawyer, and I remember him getting dressed up every day for the office and court. He loved his clothes, and I remember him always asking me to feel the fabric. He loved soft fabrics like microsuedes, which I think were popular in the β70s.
Who is your fashion hero/inspiration?
I learned about pocket squares from the amazing creative force behind my TV commercials, Ross Lerner of . Heβs been shoving pocket squares in my coats for over 10 years now. I feel naked without one. Ross is a great dresser, and he would take me into Carl Sterr in Birmingham in the early days, and I always loved how Carl dressed.
What is your best fashion advice?
My fashion advice is simple: I wonβt buy something that I canβt see myself wearing often. It must fit perfectly. I donβt just buy to buy. I only own pieces that I love and look forward to putting on.
Fabiola Masserant:
Describe your fashion style.
Style is the union of our taste, values, and personality. Within this realm of thinking, I recognize myself as dramatic/urban with a classic and creative edge. I like to convey seriousness, modernity, credibility, and originality. I love mixing pieces with elegant and sophisticated, exaggerated touches with a theatrical and modern style, but always creating fun and drama. I have a striking personality, and I donβt stick to trends.
Where are your favorite places to shop, and who are your favorite designers?
I love small boutiques and different designers. I can call myself a βfashion hunter,β always trying to make my purchases strategically and with a starting point: my closet. When I need something in a specific moment, I look for it on online websites like , , , or . I also know the great value of a vintage piece. I can buy anything at . I get beautiful jewelry from a. My favorite brand/ designer is this store from Brazil called .
When and why did dressing well become important to you?
I have always been passionate about the fashion world. I am No. 4 in a house of six girls and one boy. My sisters and I were always borrowing clothes from each other and giving our pieces new functions and meanings. Being a Black girl growing up in a small town in southeastern Brazil was not an easy task. You need to be always impeccable and in the most subtle and discreet way possible to feel like you belong to that society. I started to feel the importance of investing in self-knowledge, having my style clear to me, and understand that I donβt have to βblend in.β
Describe one of your most memorable outfits.
A photo shoot I had to produce when I was a student of fashion design in Brazil. The model was me, and the theme was African fashion. I had never used so many colors together before; I was scared to death of using colors. How good I felt in those clothes! I felt alive!
Who is your fashion hero/inspiration?
All the women around me who are self-confident and dress as themselves inspire me. I am inspired by Tracee Ellis Rossβ fashion style. She can be funny, dramatic, approachable, but serious when it comes to her serious things. I like women like that, who arenβt afraid to be themselves.
What is your best fashion advice?
Stop, take time for yourself, breathe, and be clear about who you are and what you want. Have a dream. Dreams are our fuel. The fashion world is not futile β take it seriously; clothing plays a very meaningful role regarding your identity. Donβt compare yourself with strangers; be yourself. Wear colors through the winter. Colors can change our mood.
: Director of minimally invasive surgery and robotic surgery at Henry Ford Healthβs Department of Womenβs Health
Describe your fashion style.
Cultivating a strong body and a healthy mind is a daily commitment of mine; I think itβs easier to look nice in clothes when you feel happy and healthy. As a surgeon, wife, and mother of two beautiful children, when I shop, I prioritize comfort, confidence, elegance, and authenticity.
Where are your favorite places to shop?
I prioritize quality over quantity in my wardrobe. I donβt like to accumulate too many clothes. I usually shop online, as it is more efficient β it takes me as long to find a dress online as it does to locate my car in a mall parking lot.
Who are your favorite designers?
They vary by season and collection. I also hold a special place for local boutiques and emerging talents.
When and why did dressing well become important to you?
Among the many values instilled in me early on by my parents was the importance of working diligently with a purpose and dressing confidently.
Describe one of your most memorable outfits.
As I reflect on my career as a female physician, one piece of attire stands out: the hospital patient gown. It symbolizes vulnerability and humility. When I wore it as a patient, I experienced a role reversal that profoundly impacted my perspective as a physician. Though challenging, this experience enriched my practice, fostering a deeper sense of empathy and understanding, further reinforcing the importance of patient-centered care in my profession.
Who is your fashion hero/inspiration?
While I admire many individuals for their style, my true inspiration comes from women that embrace their own unique beauty and strength. Every woman has a unique story and therefore a unique style.
What is your best fashion advice?
A genuine smile and a compassionate, loving attitude are the most captivating accessories you can wear. As a passionate womenβs health advocate, I believe true beauty shines when a woman feels empowered with her health and life choices. Living a healthy life aligned with our own inner values and purpose is where our beauty truly emanates.
Farrah Davidson: Dentist and co-owner of , creative director and founder ofΜύΜύblog and website
Describe your fashion style.
Bold, effortless, elevated, and polished with accessories that always make a statement.
Where are your favorite places to shop, and who are your favorite designers?
, , , , and .
When and why did dressing well become important to you?
Dressing well for me started at the age of 4 when my mother gifted my older sister and me with our first Barbie dolls, sparking our love for fashion and creativity. My Barbie birthday cake that year was adorned with an evening gown, a creation that I had a hand in designing. This childhood fascination evolved into a family tradition where my three daughters share the same passion for both fashion and Barbie dolls, so much that we bought them stock in Mattel. As a fashionable mom of four, Iβve found a way to turn my passion into a full-blown fashion adventure. I have created a blog where I share my most iconic looks blending my personal style with the magic of motherhood and my audience gets a front-row seat to my fashion escapades.
Describe one of your most memorable outfits.
There are many, but I recently went to the Jonas Brothers concert in Detroit: The night was amazing. Our seats were incredible, and I made sure to bring out the rocker vibes. I think the best part of my outfit was that I pulled it together at the last minute. The Prada top had been sitting in my closet for months. I paired it with a leather moto skirt (one of my most worn wardrobe staples), layered over a black bandeau top and accessorized with a Prada purse and some fun jewelry.
Who is your fashion hero/inspiration?
Blake Lively. I loved her iconic looks as Serena van der Woodsen on Gossip Girl, and as a fellow mom of four, I just love her glamorous yet grounded style and how she famously does not enlist the help of a stylist.
What is your best fashion advice?
Fashion is an ever-evolving art form that goes beyond what you wear. Embrace your unique fashion journey, as each outfit tells a chapter of your story. Confidently express your individuality and let your wardrobe become the canvas for stories, memories, and endless fun.
Brandon Hudson: Anchor/reporter at Fox 2 Detroit
Describe your fashion style.
European, slim fit, color coordinated, eye-catching colors that pop. I like to mix unusual colors and bring them together with accessories. I enjoy playing with tie, pocket square, lapel flower, and vest combinations. And of course, more pops of color with the socks.
Where are your favorite places to shop, and who are your favorite designers?
, , , .
When and why did dressing well become important to you?
It was during my first job in Alabama. Funny story: One day, I wore a puke-green tie with a floral print. I thought I looked great! The next day, our meteorologist (a good friend) put two ties, which he bought, on my desk with a note that said βNever wear that green tie again!β Iβve learned what you wear shares a part of your personality and makes a statement without using words.
Describe one of your most memorable outfits.
Itβs a tie between a red seersucker blazer with navy pants and a navy self-tie bowtie, and wearing a Philly skyline engraved wooden bowtie for my wedding. All the groomsmen had skyline engraved wooden bowties of the city they lived in at the time.
Who is your fashion hero/inspiration?
Larry Alebiosu [from Fashion International], Keith Jones [Philadelphia news anchor], and Gus Johnson [Fox Sports play-by-play commentator].
What is your best fashion advice?
Wear what makes you comfortable but donβt get content. Just like in life, try to take risks and get out of your zone. If it doesnβt work, keep trying until you find what does.
Mark Stewart: Chief operating officer of
Describe your fashion style.
Itβs a little bit of everything β sometimes a lot of everything β from eclectic chic to a little haute couture to retro. I just like to combine and wear whatever I feel like wearing that day. I do love shiny pieces of clothes. My husband, Tony, calls it the βMarkiki style.β
Where are your favorite places to shop?
I really love [in Birmingham]. Jenny [Ouliguian, owner and buyer] really understands my style. She goes to market with her clients in mind. I love shopping for different pieces when Iβm in different cities, [finding] unique pieces and putting them together into fun outfits.
Who are your favorite designers?
, , and (not always an easy find when youβre 6 feet, 3 inches and my size). Iβve been really getting into shoes β they are different and allow you to create your own style.
Describe one of your most memorable outfits.
I wore it for my 50th birthday: the Alexander McQueen butterfly suit. I loved that suit too much. Maybe I wore it a little too much. Maybe itβs a little tight today.
Who is your fashion hero/inspiration?
My husband, Antonio Gamez Galaz β the true fashion guru of the Stewart-Gamez home. Also, Alexander McQueen, Gianni Versace, and American fine jeweler .
What is your best fashion advice?
You can have so much fun with fashion. Be unique; find your own style. You donβt need to break your bank. I love to mix new and vintage to create my own fashion style. I like to mix and match pieces. No boring suits. I am not afraid of going a little bright and shiny and wearing it with pride and confidence. Confidence is huge because if you donβt feel comfortable wearing something, itβs going to show and the outfit will outshine you. I think we are living in times [when] people are having a little more fun with clothes and itβs not just reserved for women. Men can rock wear more than just a black or blue suit.
This story is from the November 2023Μύissue of ΒιΆΉ·¬ΊΕ Detroit magazine. Read more in our digital edition.
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