In the Closet: Walter Fralix
Photo by Christopher Leaman
While most people post about where they are and what they ate, Walter Fralix’s Facebook page is stockpiled with links to high-fashion collections that seem to bounce between the classic and the avant-garde. Though he’s been in a wheelchair since he was a kid, his sophisticated tastes make him a kind of fashion chameleon with a wardrobe replete with the perfect look for just about any occasion – a day of sailing, an afternoon at the beach or even a quick trip to Reykjavik, one of this worldly Gayborhood denizen’s favorite destinations.
HOME: Gayborhood.
PROFESSION: Architectural consultant.
AGE: 36.
HOMETOWN: Walterboro, S.C. “I’ve lived in Philly for 10 years now.”
STYLE INSPIRATION: “My dad. He was the original honey badger. Not that he has a style I want to emulate, but he gave me the ability to go a bit out of my sartorial comfort zone. That’s how I discovered my love of boldly colored shoes.”
FAVORITE SUMMER LOOK: “This will be my first summer at the beach full time, so I see a lot of rolled-up jeans with boat shoes, an unlined jacket that looks better wrinkled (who wants to iron when there are cocktails to be had?) and some not-so-deep V-necks. Stop buying all your tees at American Apparel, guys!”
MUST-HAVE ACCESSORY: “Hands down, a tan. It’s the cheapest, most flattering thing a person can have.”
MOST INTERESTING ACCESSORY: “I have a dog collar that I wear as a bracelet.”
CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT: A cap. “There are always days when all I want to do is head out to meet friends for a cocktail and not worry about what my hair is doing. My current favorite is a modern take on a flat cap designed by Rike Feurstein out of Berlin.”
FAVORITE DESIGNER: Raf Simons. “The man is not afraid of color, and he’s been doing interesting silhouettes for men.”
SHOE COUNT: 40.
SUNGLASSES COUNT: 13.
MOST WANTED ITEM: “There’s a turquoise leather sleeveless T-shirt in Raf Simons’s spring-summer collection that is making me very happy that I’m not a member of PETA.”
MOST SURPRISING ITEM: A pair of sheer leggings. “It was part of a Halloween costume from a few years back, and for some reason, I keep them thinking I’ll wear them out again. Here’s hoping I never get that opportunity.”
BIGGEST FASHION REGRET: “The outfit I wore a couple of years ago for Valentine’s Day: red patent-leather ankle boots, red skinny jeans, a red oxford and a black vest. Never will I do a themed outfit again, and—as you can guess—I was single at that time.”
For more from the summer issue of G Philly, pick up a magazine at your favorite LGBT-friendly destination, or sign up online for a free subscription.
