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InStyle
May 2005 (June 2005 in Germany)
Man of Style: Michael Vartan of Alias
By Rhonda Richford
US scans provided by Souris. Transcript & German scans by Lugia.
Though Michael Vartan has played opposite some of the most glamorous leading ladies in Hollywood (Drew Barrymoore in Never Been Kissed, Jennifer Garner in Alias), only one female has had an impact on his wardrobe--his chocolate Lab, Millie. "I'm having a suit made to match the color of her coat," he jokes (we think). Though his new romantic comedy, Monster-in-Law, pairs him with Jennifer Lopez, the French-born Vartan, 36, remains unaffected: "I'm not a very frantic person--that's because I grew up in a very simple place." Besides, he has always got someone at his Hollywood Hills home to keep his ego in check. "It's Millie's house," he says. "I just live there."
You grew up in France. How did that influence your style?
I grew up in a village with 300 people, and style didn't exist. In the summers we'd work in the fields; you're not concerned about what your T-shirt's label says when you're laying irrigation pipe. But if you went to the village dance, everyone had that one Lacoste shirt you would put on with a pair of cheap khaki pants and the fanciest shoes you could muster up. I left when I was 18.
What did you think about the U.S. then?
My mom lived here and my dad lived in France--I came to the U.S. every summer and Christmas. So it was never a culture shock. But living here was like, "Wow, miniskirts!" That was not bad at all.
How would you contrast French and American style?
Parisians dress more conservatively, and they're more label conscious. L.A. is cool; you can wear whatever you want. I love that. I can walk into Le Dôme restaurant in my Mets T-shirt and jeans and no one bats an eyelash.
Do you consider yourself an Angeleno now?
Without a doubt. I think New York is the greatest city in the world, and Paris is the most beautiful. But L.A. is a vibrant town with a lot of new ideas.
Would you define your style as "laid back"?
Well, I don't agree that "clothes make the man." It's the way you wear something. You can be cool wearing sweats and tennis shoes or a suit and tie.
Any favorite designers?
Paul Smith. Armani's great; Hugo Boss. I like the classic look. I've been lucky enough to have a few Gucci suits flown my way. I'd wear suits a lot more if I didn't have to wear them for work [on Alias].
Any style icons?
Not really. Brad Pitt can wear a Caltrans [California Department of Transportation] jumpsuit and still look cool. I'm friends with Hank Azaria; his closet looks like Barneys--all the suits lined up. I tried to separate my shirts from my pants; that was as far as I made it.
What do you think of jewelry on men?
It goes back to individuality. I hate gold. I'm sort of a sterling-silver guy. It's a lot less expensive, which is a good thing. I'm not cheap, but ...
You don't have a lot of bling?
I'm not a bling-bling guy; I can't pull it off. I just look like an idiot.
So what was your biggest splurge?
Well, I splurged on a BMW 540 before I even got a job, thanks to my manager, Stephen, who said don't worry about it. I hardly had any money and bought a $60,000 car. It was like Vegas, baby--take all your savings and play it on black. Or red. Yeah, do it. Thank God it all worked out.
What's sexy on women?
Ultimately, what's sexy is how they wear something--not what it is--and how comfortable they are in it.
So back to your Mets T-shirt. What's the story there?
I have Mets stuff all over the house--pennants, T-shirts, hats. I thought, Oh, I'm gonna have a total Mets house! But then I thought, Dude, you're 36 years old--relax.
And the biggest life lesson you've learned in those 36 years?
You have to learn to go with what you are. I wish I were a character actor. Of course, if I played hockey without a mask, I could become one.
© InStyle 2005
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