16 Fashion Industry Dads on Father’s Day 2020
No one would ever file parenting under "Easy Job,” but 2020 really went ahead and amped it all up. Going in, we were already living in a world with race inequality and injustice, massive wealth disparities, and a meteoric rise in chronic health issues for children—not to mention an overwhelming failure to properly care for our planet. But this year also brought a global health emergency and such inhumane atrocities that the race crisis in the country has reached a fever pitch. Strong parenting has never been more essential. So in honor of Father’s Day this year, BAZAAR.com asked dads in the fashion industry how they are coping with the COVID-19 pandemic and staying home with their children. We also later asked how they are talking to their kids about race in America (a question that should have been in there from the start). We also inquired about what's on their father's day wish list, because we want to keep the good dads happy. Let's face it, solid, nurturing, empathetic, conscious parenting holds some of the greatest power in the world to elicit positive change for the next generation.
Alexi Lubomirski,
photographer
Who are you currently home with?
Wife Giada, @ecoshaker and 2 sons.
What has been the best thing to do with your kids while sheltering in place?
Just being together for as much time as possible.
What has been the best source of entertainment or distraction?
Paper airplanes!
What’s the first thing you’ll do with your children once shelter-in-place is over to celebrate Father’s Day?
Carry on doing the same … being together, hanging out in the garden.
If there’s one message you can give to your children about race and equality in America, what would it be?
When the riots started, we spoke about various sides of the story with our sons. In short, it came down to these three points:
1. Judge people by their actions, not by their skin color, religion, gender, or age.
2. Treat everyone with respect, no matter their skin color, religion, gender, or age.
3. Use your voice to help others and step in when needed.
—
Adonis Basso,
model
Who are you currently home with?
I am currently with my whole family in Toronto. My brothers, sisters, parents, and aunt. And the little Saphir.
What has been the best thing to do with your kid while sheltering in place?
His favorite thing to do is play in the backyard and boss dogs around. We have been doing a few educational activities. He loves to play ball!
What has been the best source of entertainment or distraction?
I've been spending a lot of time on my guitar. Saphir has his too. I wanna be really good by the time he’s old enough to play for real.
What’s the first thing you’ll do with your child once sheltering-in-place is over to celebrate Father’s Day?
Go to the beach! Last time we went, he wasn’t walking yet, and I can’t wait to see him running in the sand. But he’s such a happy baby that every day is Father’s Day with him.
Choose one gift you want for Father’s Day.
For Father’s Day, I don’t necessary want an item. I would get a tattoo of a sapphire stone to represent my son. But jewelry with a sapphire could be nice too!
If there’s one message you can give to your child about race and equality in America, what would it be?
My son, America is yours.
You are native to the land and you are part of its people. You are a bridge between two continents. There will be times when people will try to deny you or try to project their fears onto you but remember your worth.
You are infinite, limitless, and no man can set boundaries to the things you can do. So walk with pride and love, because life is your playground and you belong everywhere.
You are a king.
Never forget it.
—
Dao-Yi Chow,
designer
Who are you currently home with?
I’m home with my wife and my youngest son. My oldest son is 10 minutes away with his mother.
What has been the best thing to do with your kids while sheltering in place?
Just to be able to eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner with them. We are so thankful to have mealtime as a family.
What has been the best source of entertainment or distraction?
We are lucky enough to have food to eat, so we’ve been cooking more often. Eating seems to be the best form of escapism for us.
What’s the first thing you’ll do with your children once sheltering-in-place is over to celebrate Father’s Day?
I’m looking forward to being able to have them together safely by my side.
Choose one gift you want for Father’s Day.
Safety, strength, and hope for my family and friends who are and continue to be directly affected by systemic racism and oppression in the U.S. On a consumer level, the Sergio Tacchini Dallas track jacket. It’s an authentic reproduction of an original jacket popularized by John McEnroe.
How do you talk to your children about race and equality in America?
Often and directly. With my oldest son, I try to listen more than I talk, and subsequently, my youngest son benefits from those discussions. Also, I’m lucky enough to have a strong community of close friends, family, and school faculty members who are present to help with those conversations as well.
—
Joseph Altuzarra,
designer
Who are you currently home with?
I am home with my husband and our daughter, Emma.
What has been the best thing to do with your baby while sheltering in place?
Honestly, everything is so new for her, and just being able to be there for all the milestones—first solid foods, first time in the pool, first time rolling over—is so special.
What has been the best source of entertainment or distraction?
Books have been an incredible source of inspiration for me during this time. I highly recommend Ocean Vuong's On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous and Exhalation by Ted Chiang.
What is the first thing you’ll do once sheltering-in-place is over to celebrate Father’s Day?
Have a playdate with some other dads we know!
Choose one gift you want for Father’s Day.
I would love a new iPhone case, with pictures of Emma and Seth. I love seeing Emma’s face every time I pick up the phone or am answering emails. It’s such a nice reminder of what is important.
If there’s one message you can give to your child about race and equality in America, what would it be?
I will teach according to this quote from Michelle Obama: "Race and racism is a reality that so many of us grow up learning to just deal with. But if we ever hope to move past it, it can’t just be on people of color to deal with it. It’s up to all of us—Black, white, everyone—no matter how well-meaning we think we might be, to do the honest, uncomfortable work of rooting it out."
—
Tyson Beckford,
actor/model
Who are you currently home with?
So currently, I’m home alone in my Miami condo. My son, Jordan, is in L.A. with his mom, April, and we speak often.
What has been the best source of entertainment or distraction?
My main source of entertainment, like the rest of the world, has been Netflix and Prime Video. I also have a nice stack of books I’m reading, such as The Will to Power by Friedrich Nietzsche, The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, Age Is Just a Number by Charles Eugster, The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran, Hurricanes by Rick Ross, SEALs by Mir Bahmanyar with Chris Osman, and The Game by Neil Strauss.
What’s the first thing you’ll do with your child once sheltering-in-place is over to celebrate Father’s Day?
The first thing I’m gonna do when this is over with my son is hit the beach and enjoy a nice beach day of music and waves for Father’s Day.
Choose one gift you want for Father’s Day.
This blue elephant-print polo shirt, because it’s from a timeless collection from RL that will get better over time—and it’s a great color on my skin tone.
If there’s one message you can give to your child about race and equality in America, what would it be?
Stand up and be a voice for all races of humanity.
—
Alan Jouban,
UFC fighter, model
Who are you currently home with?
Me, my wife, son, and bulldog.
What has been the best thing to do with your kid while sheltering in place?
We have done a bit of everything! We all three worked on the house for months, painting cabinets, replacing appliances, new tile and faucets in bathrooms, so on and so on. They helped me with a lot. We got a trampoline and play on there, and even chop wood and roast s’mores over the fire some nights. We trying to mix it up a lot to stay entertained.
What has been the best source of entertainment or distraction?
He gets stuck playing games like Roblox and stuff on the computer, which I don’t mind for a bit. But not for hours. When he gets stuck on that too long, just getting outside and going on a hike or the beach (when they reopened) was the best way for us all to reset and enjoy ourselves.
Choose one gift you want for Father’s Day.
This Coleman two-seater go-kart for [my son and me] to ride around in.
If there’s one message you can give to your child about race and equality in America, what would it be?
I have always preached to my son about standing up for yourself and also for others that need help as well. But now more than ever, I have spoken to him about equality for everyone. Parenting is tricky, because you don’t always have a plan for how to approach certain situations with kids—you also don’t want to put too much in their head that loses the point or stresses them out. Rather, I try to lead by my actions. When he’s curious about something, I explain it to him. But when we give money or food to people in need, he notices. When we open doors for the elderly and stand up against racism, he notices. I know he gets it in his heart!
—
Mariano Vivanco,
photographer
Who are you currently home with?
My husband, Juni, and our 15-month-old son, Henry William.
What has been the best thing to do with your baby while sheltering in place?
Gardening! HW has recently discovered the excitement of the hose and loves watering our flowerbeds. Also, watching him grow during this time has been a real blessing. It feels that as soon as he started walking, three months ago, he just left baby life and stepped into toddler life, overnight!
What has been your best source of entertainment or distraction?
The last few months have been an emotional roller coaster, to say the least, so any kind of entertainment has been very welcomed. Speaking to family and friends has given us enormous joy! In a way, it has defined who we are really close to.
On the TV: Tiger King, Normal People, and Hollywood were highlights, for sure. I also watched the whole series of the Golden Girls from beginning to end. We needed to laugh. The CuriosityStream app for Apple TV has amazing documentaries, which we have really enjoyed
I re-read the Helmut Newton autobiography; he was a legend.
Cooking: banana bread (yes, we succumbed), Filipino adobo chicken and Brazilian
feijão are becoming our staple family recipes, which we love. Although, now I have to work out twice as much!
What’s the first thing you’ll do with your child once sheltering-in-place is over to celebrate Father’s Day?
A road trip to the beach or English countryside for sure.
Choose one gift you want for Father’s Day.
We love the idea of father-and-son gardening kits, Cuckooland has a cool one, too.
But because I would rather give than receive—some cool baby clothes that we really love are Baby Mori and Leah and Rae.
If there’s one message you can give to your child about race and equality in America, what would it be?
We would like to raise Henry the way we were brought up. No matter what race, creed, or social standing, we are all equals in this world. In light of the horrific events happening to African-Americans in the USA, and natives and indigenous people all around the world, Juni and I will educate Henry to always seek out fairness and equality every single day of his life.
—
Matthew Noszka
actor/model
Who are you currently home with?
I’m with my girlfriend, Inanna; her parents; and our mini-poodle, Cooper.
What has been the best source of entertainment or distraction?
Love Netflix but big on home improvements and also reading about real estate. Have a home improvement Instagram page for all my DIY projects, @NoszkasDIY.
Choose one gift you want for Father’s Day.
Would love a Recaro baby seat.
If there’s one message you can give to your child about race and equality in America, what would it be?
It couldn’t be put into one message. It’s about being consistent as a parent to showing the reality of racial inequality in the world. Integration at a young age is very important. I grew up in a very diverse neighborhood and am very grateful for that. Sports was also a great avenue to learn about life and the differences in the world around us. So to sum it up. As my children grow, I will always express the importance of knowing we are all one race. The human race. No matter our race, religion, or gender preference.
—
Tony Ward
model
Who are you currently home with?
Aurelius and Angela.
What has been the best thing to do with your kid while sheltering in place?
Helping out with homeschooling :), which, honestly, had been taxing and trying, to say the least!
What has been the best source of entertainment or distraction?
Books, bike rides, and family runs along the river.
What’s the first thing you’ll do with your child once sheltering-in-place is over to celebrate Father’s Day?
Father’s Day is every day, so being together is always a blessing, and being able to travel will be nice. Planning trips with grandparents is at the top of the agenda.
Choose one gift you want for Father’s Day.
A TARDIS. And if that’s not available, a new tennis racket to help me best my eight-year-old son.
If there’s one message you can give to your child about race and equality in America, what would it be?
We’re not in a race … but the human one!
—
Max Rogers,
model
Who are you currently home with?
With my wife, Kimberly; daughters, Willow, 5, and Maple, 2; and my son, Senna, who is 7 months. We also have our dog, Ty, with us.
What has been the best thing to do with your kids while sheltering in place?
Despite the incredibly difficult circumstances, I am hopeful that we will look back at this time and miss so much about it, not least the time with our family when normally my wife and I would be traveling so much for work. The shining light is homeschooling my eldest girl and being astonished at how smart she is and how good she is at learning. This is something we would have found out from a teacher or report card rather than ever been able to experience firsthand.
We also do movie nights as the sun goes down on the weekends. We are rewatching the '80s classics, reliving our childhood with our kids.
What has been the best source of entertainment or distraction?
Tiger King took care of the first couple of weeks, Schitt's Creek is helping a lot now, but our house is built around dance and fitness, and we've been filming Instagram Live classes at 12:30 p.m. every day. It's the routine of that and the kids' schooling, which is the biggest help to distract from the uncertainty.
What’s the first thing you’ll do with your children once this time is over to celebrate Father’s Day?
That list is long!! We can’t wait to eat at a restaurant, see family and friends, and we promised the girls we would take them on a boat this summer. We will probably attempt to do that all before lunch on day one!
Choose one gift you want for Father’s Day.
I honestly don’t want for much; however, it’s about this time every summer when I make an attempt to re-create the Jude Law look from Ripley. So a version of that wardrobe would be well received. Mainly because I’ve never quite been able to nail the look myself!
Failing that, I’m a softy when it comes to anything my kids take the time to make or draw for me.
If there’s one message you can give to your children about race and equality in America, what would it be?
We have explained that at the moment, life is not fair for some people, and that it is up to all of us to make it fair in every way and every chance we have.
We view these early messages as the first of many building blocks of knowledge that will help them shape a philosophy of equality and a deep understanding of how and why we have ended up in such an imbalanced world.
—
Luis Ocasio,
model
Who are you currently home with?
Currently, I’m home with my wife and my parents at their farm.
What has been the best thing to do with your kid while sheltering in place?
Literally, the best thing during this period of time is seeing my daughter growing every single day without having to travel or missing any day without her. But to be precise, watching her standing up by herself—OMG, that was such an amazing moment. Feeding her with fruits and vegetables is another of the best things, because she waits for that moment and gets so excited about it. Inventing funny things to do like getting a seat pad and converting it to a drift “car” is being the remarkable part of the quarantine, and the pool that she is addicted to.
What has been the best source of entertainment or distraction?
Definitely the best distraction including entertainment is being at the farm, because there’s so much to do and play with, and the pool! I get to take her to see the animals, so she can get familiar with my childhood and enjoy the beauty of life. Personally, I’ve been doing a lot of sports like dirt biking, kitesurfing, and running to keep my mind in peace. Funny fact, we haven’t watched TV, because the Wi-Fi is really bad!
What’s the first thing you’ll do with your child once sheltering-in-place
is over to celebrate Father’s Day?
Well, this is a bit of a mixed-feelings answer, because my daughter hasn’t met her maternal grandfather. And I wanted to travel to Brazil to celebrate Father’s day with my father-in-law, but I know it is just a dream and will take longer than I expected. But the first thing I’ll do is a churrasco, the typical Brazilian BBQ with a pool, since she loves the water.
Choose one gift you want for Father’s Day.
If there’s one message you can give to your child about race and equality in America, what would it be?
Maria,
I want to talk to you about something, and what I'm gonna say to you may sound weird. In our home, not just me, your mom, your grandparents, uncles, aunts, but the extension of our home to our community, we relate to one another for each other’s value as a human being. Nonetheless, this country was built on the idea that people whose skin happens to be Black were not considered human.
When you go to school, to the park with your friends, or even visit a friend’s house, you’ll probably be treated equally just because you happen to be light skinned. Nonetheless, if because of genetic reasons, you would’ve been born Black as your mom, some people might constantly question your right to live. Now, I know what you're gonna say, “But Papãe, I’m not white.” And you’re right, you are racially mixed. But remember when I said that in this country, people whose skin happens to be Black may have their very humanity questioned? Well, that means that in your everyday life, people are going to pay more attention to your whiteness than to your blackness.
From this day, I want you to think about the experiences that may affect you differently than your peers and always think about what white privilege has afforded you. I want you to be empathic and listen, be there for and help your community, and teach others what we in our home already know: Our relation to one another is only measured by what’s in our hearts.
—
Clayton Hunter,
model
Who are you currently home with?
I’m currently home with my wife, Elise, and my 16-month-old daughter, Solah, every day, and my 11-year-old son, Reid. Reid is with us on Wednesday to Friday and every other weekend. Reid is my son from my ex-wife.
What has been the best thing to do with your kids while sheltering in place?
We do a bit of everything, but with Solah, we put a little inflatable pool in our backyard and she loves it. Reid loves going to Fort Greene Park on great days, and we do the stairs, ride bikes, but he usually rides his skateboard while socially distancing.
What has been the best source of entertainment or distraction?
For my wife and I, it’s been exercising and finding interesting shows and movies to watch. These things for us are reserved for weekends or whenever we can squeeze it in. I, on the other hand, have been diving headfirst into cuisine and exploring recipes outside of my comfort zone. Also, I have been pushing the limits of my baking. Of course, activities around the house have been filling my days up as well. For instance, today I replaced a glass outdoor tabletop with wood, as well as replacing the wood on my grill.
What’s the first thing you’ll do with your children once sheltering-in-place is over to celebrate Father’s Day?
The first thing I will do with Reid for Father’s Day is go get a game of basketball at the pier. With Solah, continue doing what we do, everything that we have been doing. But most of all for Father’s Day, I will be grateful that I have the love of my wife and children and my health. I will also be grateful that in spite of everything negative that has happened, this too is coming to an end.
Choose one gift you want for Father’s Day.
I’m not a big gift receiver, as I get much more pleasure from giving. But if I could ask for anything, I think it would be a food processor.
If there’s one message you can give to your children about race and equality in America, what would it be?
There is only one race, the HUMAN RACE. Therefore, shouldn’t we all be treated equally? I think so … RACISM IS UNJUST.
—
Cory Bond,
model
Who are you currently home with?
I’m home in Tennessee with my daughter, Brooklyn, and my wife, Bekah. We have been staying safe and quarantined with models Mini Andén and Taber Schroeder, and their child, Felix. We have been social distancing together and staying sane. Also sometimes day drinking.
What has been the best thing to do with your kid while sheltering in place?
We have been working on the farm, doing fencing work, and growing a garden. We hatched out some baby chickens and are watching them grow up. Also, we have been developing a new property for Mini and Taber as well. The kids are loving being in the countryside. They play together and ride their four-wheelers. The adults are riding dirt bikes for fun!
What has been the best source of entertainment or distraction?
We don’t watch too much TV, but when I need a break, I’ve been known to put YouTube Kids on my phone and hand it over to Brooklyn.
What’s the first thing you’ll do with your child once sheltering-in-place is over to celebrate Father’s Day?
Well, Brooklyn has been asking to go to the beach again, so most likely, we will find a nice place to go and stay for a week and enjoy some sunshine. I could use that as well, because I don’t think I’ve ever been this pale.
Choose one gift you want for Father’s Day.
I would like more of my favorite cologne, Tom Ford’s Ombré Leather, because I get so many compliments on the fragrance when I’m wearing it.
If there’s one message you can give to your child about race and equality in America, what would it be?
I’d say a wise man named Martin Luther King Jr. once said this: “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”
Character is the best way to see who a person actually is and how they treat other people.
I would add this as well. We go by the Golden Rule, which states, “Do unto others as you would have them do onto you.”
—
Bernard Fouquet,
designer and model
Who are you currently home with?
I am currently home with my daughter, Anouk.
What has been the best thing to do with your kid while sheltering in place?
As a matter of fact, we had a good time together, cooking, talking a lot, laughing. And the eight weeks went by easy.
What has been the best source of entertainment or distraction?
We watched Netflix series, movies, shooting pics to post on Instagram, reading books too.
What’s the first thing you’ll do with your children once sheltering-in-place is over to celebrate Father’s Day?
I think we will do a FaceTime all together, because they are all in so many different places, from America to France to India, so it won’t be easy to celebrate together. But FaceTime can be the solution.
Choose one gift you want for Father’s Day.
Beautiful pajamas from Budd shirtmaker in England—to get ready for the next lockdown, and being more comfortable next time, maybe.
If there’s one message you can give to your children about race and equality in America, what would it be?
I always have said to my children, when we are born we are all the same, human beings. And along life, despite colors and religions, let people free to think and act the way they want. Don’t judge and respect others like you would like others do the same to you, because we are all equal.
—
Alex Fine,
celebrity trainer
Who are you currently home with?
I’m home with my two beautiful girls, Cassie and my daughter Frankie. Also a 120-pound Rottweiler named Waffles.
What has been the best thing to do with your kid while sheltering in place?
Well, my daughter is five months old, so she’s loving us being home; all the attention is on her. She loves when we dance or being in our home gym with music playing.
What has been the best source of entertainment or distraction?
So a couple things. I bought a dirt bike, so I can learn how to wheelie. I also bought a bow and arrow, pottery wheel, and a Bob Ross art kit, where my wife and I compete for the best painting every week. Once this is all over, I would love to take her to Disneyland or to her grandparents homes in Ohio and Connecticut.
Choose one gift you want for Father’s Day.
I want all the apparel from almost home. It’s the coolest workout gear I’ve seen in a while with custom air forces.
If there’s one message you can give to your child about race and equality in America, what would it be?
Man, that’s so tough, because there’s so many things I will tell my daughter about race and equality in America. I would love to go in deep on this, because this is such an important topic, but if I had to choose, the main message I would teach her is love and to treat everyone how she would want to be treated with respect and kindness.
Funny enough, we teach our children the Golden Rule, to treat others how you would want to be treated, but as adults, we often break that rule.
Will Chalker,
model
Who are you currently home with?
I’m at home with my wife, Chloe, and my three sons, Arthur, Ray, and Ivor.
What has been the best thing to do with your kids while sheltering in place?
Messing around in the garden/yard with the family when the sun is shining, playing soccer, growing strawberries, things like that. When the weather is bad, watching movies and listening to music.
What has been the best source of entertainment or distraction?
Quiz nights on Zoom with family and friends. TV shows like Ozark and Space Force, and the kids love watching the movie Smallfoot.
What’s the first thing you’ll do with your children once sheltering-in-place
is over to celebrate Father’s Day?
Go to our favorite sushi restaurant and visit grandparents.
Choose one gift you want for Father’s Day.
I love this shower gel by Saunders & Long called The Long Weekender. It smells great, and I use it as a shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and for shaving. So it means when I’m on the road for work, I have less stuff to carry in my wash bag.
—
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