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The man made the clothes
an interview with Joseph Abboud
by Cathy Olofson
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 As a teenager growing up in Boston, Joseph Abboud seemed destined to become a designer. He was a clothes hound, voted best dressed in high school, and worked at the ultra-chic Louis Boston boutique. But for Abboud, the son of working-class Lebanese-American parents, working in fashion retail was also nothing more than a means to an end: money to help support his family, and to pay his college tuition. When he launched his own menswear label in 1987-- with its softer cuts, natural colors and rich, lush fabrics-- many say he started a revolution in the way men dress.
He has made quite sure that the revolution has been a lucrative and sustainable one. In the last 11 years, his business has expanded to include women's wear, eyewear, home fashions, and other lines. And despite winning acclaim from his peers (he's won virtually every fashion award possible), he seems slightly uncomfortable in his industry, wary of but gracious about the press and competitors. In the following interview, Joseph Abboud talks about his relationship with his mentors, balancing business and creativity, and how inspiration can strike at any time. Even when you're watching football....
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Joseph's humble beginnings
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Joseph Abboud
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