Calvin WalkerWhen you hear the phrase ‘classical music,’ what comes to mind? Handel. Bach. Vivaldi if you’re feeling spicy. What else do they have in common? They’re dead white men from the Baroque era who loved a good wig. Their fashion sense was just as flamboyant. Think: luxurious fabrics, baggy breeches, and jackets with wide, flared sleeves. Despite this visual extravagance, most of the composers from that time period would blend together if put in a police lineup.
Given this genre’s propensity for churning out brilliant artists who often remain somewhat faceless, it’s refreshing when a composer breaks through. Now, I’ll give props to Ludovico Einaudi, the Italian pianist and composer. With facial hair and a wide-brimmed hat, he looks like a well-connected Hollywood executive who retired at the height of the pandemic and now surfs everyday at the crack of dawn.
He still doesn’t hold a candle to Max Richter.
With his emotionally contemplative style, Richter has composed scores for TV shows (remember the haunting theme song for HBO’s The Leftovers?) and movies alike. In September, he’ll release In A Landscape, his ninth studio album. There’s even an upcoming world tour already selling out venues. Without a doubt, his complex music has made Richter one of the best post-minimalist composers of this generation. His ability to make understated fits look sublime is equally impressive.
“I like things that are beautifully put together but have a simplicity about them,” Richter said in an interview with AnOther Magazine when asked to describe his personal style.
He does, in fact, take a more simplistic approach to dressing but that doesn’t mean he loses any impact. As he gears up for his album release and a world tour—doesn’t that just read as so rock & roll?—now is the perfect time to unpack why Max Richter is officially the most stylish composer of all time.
We can ease our way in with Richter’s turtleneck game. From the cover of Perfect Magazine to his performance at the Bluedot Festival with the likes of Tilda Swinton, Richter makes the turtleneck seem fresh and exotic. It’s not that he does anything particularly revolutionary with it, either. He often pairs his turtlenecks with a pair of dark denim or a suit. But Richter has an ease about him. It helps him discards any stuffiness associated with this article of clothing with little effort.
In fact, Richter has shown he knows how to take the most ‘basic’ of items to engineer the perfect ‘casual yet elevated’ look. He still loves a denim jacket but, over the years, he’s balanced his personal style with current trends. Trousers that breathe. Blazers with a bit more volume. He even has his own In A Landscape merchandise including an embroidered tee with a dropped shoulder. By leaning into these slightly exaggerated silhouettes, it’s almost like he’s giving a nod to the dramatic attire of Vivaldi’s era.
Now, Max Richter doesn’t often veer from his unofficial sartorial rules. You’ll generally see him in a quiet color palette (ie: whites, blacks, grays, blues). Patterns aren’t really his thing, either. He doesn’t need them! The fit of his pieces are always on point and, as anyone knows, fit can make or break an entire look. And while it would be amazing to say Richter has always been fresh to death, he’s had some help along the way. One of those major players just happens to be Kim Jones, Dior Men’s creative director.
“For me, Max is the greatest living composer, but also a modern composer,” Jones said in an interview with WWD. “His music evokes so many emotions and is such a brilliant soundtrack to my life and my work.”
Teams at various luxury fashion brands clearly feel the same. Richter’s music has been used to soundtrack an assortment of runway collections. But it’s his close relationship with Jones which stands out the most. Richter’s repeatedly provided the music for Dior Men’s runway shows. He also makes an appearance at many of the brand’s events. Naturally, he gets outfitted in pieces from their collections and looks just as at ease as he does in a denim jacket.
Richter might not have ever anticipated becoming a style icon. I doubt most composers do. But as his music continues to move people, the effortless way he wears clothing is revolutionizing the perception of what a classical musician could look like. Take that, Vivaldi.
