WHAT’S TRENDING
WITH COREY STOKES
As 2021 comes to a close, the time has come for us to prepare ourselves — and our wardrobes — for a new year. With this in mind, we turned to the fashion director of Highsnobiety, Corey Stokes, to share his highly-coveted, fashion-forward insights with us in an exclusive interview covering all things trends from this last year and what’s to come in 2022.
Corey Stokes takes a selfie with the Hermès Pegase Pop Herbag.
For our ninth and final Style Assembly feature of the year, we knew we had to tap an expert on all things trends. As the fashion director of Highsnobiety and stylist to the stars, Corey Stokes is certainly that expert. From menswear to womenswear, luxury accessories, and everything in between, Corey is well-versed and more importantly, well-dressed. Thankfully, he agreed to curate the ultimate lineup of his Rebag favorites — just in time for the new year — and advise us on what’s trending in 2022, his favorite fashion moments from 2021, and much more.
“I believe a big trend next year will be an emphasis on tailoring.”
Tell us a bit about your beginnings in the fashion industry
Corey: I started as an intern at Marc Ecko’s Complex magazine. It was a dream publication because it was one of the few that didn’t hold the pretentious tone of most fashion/lifestyle magazines. As a kid from Flint, Michigan who had a big interest in fashion, it was hard to relate to most publications but Complex felt like home. From there I went in-house at a fashion brand, building their e-commerce department. During that time I learned a lot regarding how a fashion brand really runs as a business. I believe between those two first jobs in the industry has really molded my interests for democratizing the industry and making it a safe space for everyone.
As fashion director at Highsnobiety, you are in charge of a lot of what will eventually be trending for the masses. What do you predict will be the biggest trends of the next year and why?
Corey: I believe a big trend next year will be an emphasis on tailoring. The traditional wool fabric will be replaced with other iterations that lean on both comfort and the utilitarian trend. I think we’re all excited about the world opening back up and people want to wear their nice clothes but they also don’t want to have to sacrifice comfort.
What was the best bag of 2021?
Corey: [The] ERL Shearling Tote because it’s not practical at all, but still so fab and eye-catching.
What do you think will be 2022’s biggest It bag?
Corey: Raul [Lopez], of New York-based label Luar, released the Ana bag on its recent runway and I love it. The price point is great and Raul has built such a great community of industry heavyweights that we’ve already started to see the bag everywhere.
What is one thing you recommend everyone invest in this upcoming year?
Corey: I think men specifically should invest in a good work/day bag because we’ve seen a huge uptake on men wearing bags in their everyday lives but not investing in the same way women do with their handbags. And I think we all should invest in cryptocurrency.
Corey Stokes clutches a Louis Vuitton Soft Trunk bag.
“Men specifically should invest
in a good work/day bag.”
“The LV soft trunk was always my favorite bag from the late Virgil Abloh’s time at the storied house. He was always finding ways to reinvent classics from the brand.”
What was your favorite fashion moment of 2021?
Corey: Irina Shayk for the cover of Highsnobiety ?
What was your most memorable look to style in 2021?
Corey: Irina Shayk for Highsnobiety HIGHStyle
Do you remember your first luxury investment? If so, what was it and why did you invest in it?
Corey: It was a pebbled leather 31 Hour bag from Phillip Lim 3.1. I was a huge fan of the brand and it seemed like an easy unisex option that wasn’t as loud or recognizable as any of the other designer bags people were wearing.
What is your favorite piece in your closet at the moment?
Corey: My Marni slides in basically every colorway
Your collection of Rebag accessories for the new year is incredible. Can you share your top four favorite pieces from the collection and why you chose them?
- The Hermes Pegase Pop Herbag Zip Toile is such a chic version for a guy.
- The LV soft trunk was always my favorite bag from the late Virgil Abloh’s time at the storied house. He was always finding ways to reinvent classics from the brand and this was such a no-fuss option for someone who just needs to have something small on their body.
- The Chanel shearling tote is something I envision carrying to the grocery store of the flower market.
- The Van Cleef cufflinks speak to the classic menswear aesthetic that I find myself falling into sometimes. I think it reminds me of my earlier years in the industry.
