Mr Cox steals title of World's Most Beautiful Shaper.
Two years ago, I wrote a story called The Most Beautiful Shaper in the World. I commented, “He is still the most fantastic looking man I have ever seen and what sleepless nights he caused me!”
Back then, there was no delicacy to his exceptionally virile merchandise. He was as blood ripe as they come. The women, including my girlfriend, maybe my girlfriend most of all, had to be treated for spells of dizziness. Worse, his surfboards were addictive and try as I did, I couldn’t be indifferent to his skills
Today, however, the crown of Most Beautiful Shaper in the World, held for twenty five years in Coolangatta, Queensland, has now shifted to Palm Beach in Sydney.
Spell, broken.
Today, the online clothing emporium, Mr Porter, famous for its one-thousand dollar t-shirts and surf trunks that cost seven hundred and fifty dollars, anointed Hayden Cox, who is thirty-five, as the game’s best-dressed and, well, just look at the photos, its most handsome shaper.
From the story:
“When I go out, I love these Alexander Wang trousers. I dress them up or wear them with an oversized Rick Owens tee with a really relaxed fit. Owens’ style and aesthetic are amazing. He kind of coasts in his own little lane. And he does really cool furniture, too. As for these red Givenchy shoes – everyone has to have a few statement pieces, right?
“Style in the surf community here is still very natural. People wear what they feel comfortable in. I’ve always been a monochrome kind of guy, ever since my mum once bought me, my dad and my brother matching fluoro wetsuits. This Saint Laurent black tee has a thick neckline, it’s really durable and is something I can wear a million times that keeps getting better with age. I’m a big fan of NikeLabs. Shoe designers influence me because I can relate a sneaker’s structure and form to shaping boards. I always look at the fabrics because there are a fair few similarities.”
“I’m a morning person. I always head down at sunrise for a surf. Salt water is the best wake-up call, but it can be a little cold before the heat of the day, so I make sure I have something warm to throw on before and after, like this soft Haider Ackermann jumper. I do tend to wear a lot of black – black tees, black shorts, black caps. My personal style and design aesthetic are pretty monochromatic, too. I like clean lines.”
“In the factory, I get messy, dirty, dusty, waxy, salty, sandy, you name it. So typically, I won’t wear anything that I don’t want to ruin. Cut-offs like these Vetements x Reebok are almost a board short style. I’ve worn flip-flops before, but it never ends well. I always end up dropping something on my foot. So a pair of boots like these Valentinos are an essential. They’re robust but lightweight and super wearable.”
“When I’m in the shop in Mona Vale [a few beaches south of Palm Beach] chatting with customers, I’ll wear something a bit smarter but still casual, like my favourite Balenciaga sweatpants. Jewellery wise, apart from my wedding ring, I wear this bracelet. It’s basically a U-bolt that you’d put on a trailer, beautifully created by Miansai. It’s industrial and a cool take on tradesmen’s masculinity.”
Now, right about now, it’d be easy to become very insolent.
But wouldn’t you like to be this man?
A domicile near the beach, tawny skin, a robust haircut, the recipient of beautiful expensive clothing, and whatever you think of the Hypto, the maker of damn good, rideable surfboards.
Read Making Waves with Mr Hayden Cox here.
