Jun 10
A Fashion Icon Throws Down a (Haute Couture) Gauntlet, and Vance Responds with Ominous Tweet
Kilian Melloy READ TIME: 2 MIN.
Menswear maven Derek Guy (a.k.a. Menswear Guy) came out as undocumented in a social media post in response to troops moving in on Los Angeles, and the vice president – whose style choices Guy critiqued – seemed to suggest retaliation was possible.
The Daily Beast reported that J.D. Vance "is threatening to deport the fashion guru who went viral for criticizing his suits as 'too small' and his ties for not matching the occasion" after right-wing trolls magnified the online admission that Guy, who was born in Canada, came to the United States as an infant.
"My family escaped Vietnam after the Tet Offensive and went through an arduous journey that eventually landed them in the Canada," Guy recounted in his post. "When work fell through, my dad was offered to work with his sister in the United States, so he went, as our family needed money. He ended up staying in the US longer than he was supposed to – not knowing immigration laws – and asked my mom to come be with him. Of course, she went and carried me over the border while I was still a baby."
Guy went on to add that "since I came here without legal documentation, I eventually fell into the category of being an undocumented immigrant. Yet, I've been in the United States since I was a baby. My identity and roots are very much based in this country, no different from anyone else."
The fashion guru went on to state, "I think the ICE sweeps are inhumane. I support and admire the protestors who are putting their bodies on the line for non-violent resistance. Ultimately, I think we need to solve this issue on a systemic level."
"It's unreasonable to me to expect that the government will deport some 10-20 million people. Even deporting 1 million will cause an insane amount of chaos, not to mention an incredible amount of wasteful government spending. The militarization of law enforcement is over the top and only escalate the situation."
The Beast relayed that "right-wing accounts and Vance quickly seized on" Guy's story, with one X user reposting Guy's tweet and directing it to Vance's attention. The vice president responded in a way that can only be described as on-brand for today's GOP.
The writeup noted that it's unclear whether or not Vance's response was intended to be measured or off-the-cuff, but Guy showed his own sense of humor in turn.
Guy's well-trimmed wit was on display as he playfully engaged with trolls who hastened to pour out threats and racist bile. Among the comments Guy's exchange with Vance drew were messages of support.
Many of the messages also agreed with Guy on Vance's sartorial taste. The Beast noted that "Guy posted in July that Vance's jackets 'don't hug him very well.' He compared photos of Vance in a jacket with those of Chinese leader Xi Jinping, whom he noted has jackets that are 'properly seated on his neck.'"
"The critiques only got harsher from there." That said, though, they also served as teachable moments for the fashion clueless.
Kilian Melloy serves as EDGE Media Network's Associate Arts Editor and Staff Contributor. His professional memberships include the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association, the Boston Online Film Critics Association, The Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association, and the Boston Theater Critics Association's Elliot Norton Awards Committee.
