God zij dank, het is vrijdag: Tommy Driessen

When you see him, your thoughts go in all directions. Is he a model? A dancer? An actor? He is often around all these people; maybe that explains his “cool and collected” appearance. Tommy Driessen is a celebrity stylist and not just any stylist. From Humberto Tan to Yolanda Hadid, passing by Martijn Lakemeier and hopping through Capri, New York, Paris, and Amsterdam enjoying the nice things in life. He always has something on or with him that I immediately want to have, and he is simply one of the nicest people in the business.

Dear Tommy, I always start this column with a number. What number would you give your life at this moment?
At this moment, I would give my life a 7, because there should always be room for development and growth. That may sound a bit heavy, but that's not how I mean it. I always like to look to the future, to the unknown. That makes me curious and excited. I really love adventure, so if I were to give my life a 10 right now, then…

Fashion month has opened and Holland’s Next Topmodel is now on, so it must be crazy at the Driessen household.
You've been in the business for years and exude so much calm. How do you do that?
Haha, I think if people were to shadow my life for a week, they would want to run away very quickly. No day is the same, which makes working so enjoyable. But it can sometimes be a mental and physical challenge. For example, I landed from the States last week at 1 PM and was in a taxi to Hilversum for a live broadcast an hour later. Additionally, it's nice for the people I work with to feel that calm. These people are often so on edge, where nerves can play a big role before they have to perform, present a big show live, or walk a red carpet. It's nice that there is a team around them they can rely on. Furthermore, I think it's in me to radiate that calm. But man, oh man, how many times have I radiated calm with a straight face while a quick change was happening during a live show of the Televizierring. There is panic inside, but then I think: I could act hysterically, but that wouldn't help any of us. Anyway, one way or another, it always turns out fine.

Last week, Amsterdam Fashion Week was on the agenda. Are you going there or are you focusing on the big four (New York, London, Milan, and Paris)?
Nothing is more important than supporting and cheering for our talents, and the fact that we have a renewed AFW is so cool and important, especially for the platform of young talent. I always say: you could also choose not to do it all, but the fact that we do shows what fantastic talent we have around us.

And which of the four do you prefer to visit?
When we talk about the big four, NYC is my go-to city. The mindset, the vibrancy of the city, and the people: you can't make me happier! But I also have so many memories of Milan that can’t be matched: the courtyards of the Italian fashion houses and the delicious nibbles and cocktails. In Paris, I enjoy the tastiest croissants, the most beautiful craftsmanship, and the finesse. And to indulge in my most beloved brand: Yves Saint Laurent for life.

Have you dressed anyone for the coming weeks, and if so, what have you arranged?
I just came out of a hysterical season of Holland’s Next Top Model, spent two lovely weeks in the States, and now there’s actually the start of a jam-packed new TV season ahead. The red carpet season is about to begin, so my focus is now mainly on what’s to be seen on the runway and what translation I can make and take with me to make my clients shine on the carpet.

Who do you think is the best-dressed person on earth celebrity-wise?
Phew, that's difficult!! But I get excited at certain moments when everything aligns. And those are moments like the Oscars/Met Gala when Zendaya shows up or Bella and Gigi who often have everything on point. But also when something is unique, I really admire Lenny Kravitz and his daughter Zoe Kravitz. So unique, so cool. But I was drooling on the floor for Margot Robbie in all her replica Barbie-doll dresses for the promotion of her film. So well thought out! The red carpet in Cannes is also a joy, and I got to sign my name there last year. And it’s often the fashion houses that never disappoint: from Schiaparelli, YSL, and Balmain. But Zendaya remains my favorite! I must say I often covered my mouth in disbelief at seeing yet another amazing outfit from Nicole Kidman during the film festival in Venice.

This column is called Thank God It’s Friday, but you actually don’t work from Monday to Friday and certainly not from 9:00 to 17:00. How do you still build in a moment of rest here and there?
Look, I work seven days a week and sometimes I wish a day had 48 hours, because sometimes you really think: are we going to do this? Last week I shot nine episodes of The Floor in Belgium while simultaneously doing a live show in the studio next door. And then Italy is on the phone to receive the returns from HNTM, and there are still six fittings for BN’ers who need to make an appearance on the carpet. Then you think: yes, we are going to do this! My moment of rest is my trainer Virgil (wakeupwithvirgil). I work out with him every morning, preferably before 9 AM. He is a champion in boxing and I really wanted to challenge myself. He is also a champion at putting me on that terrible cardio bike, which has a sticker on it saying “The bike loves you.” But I must say: I do hate him, but I love him. And that really helps, that routine and balance, to feel good and also enjoy. My little moment of happiness is taking Charlie, my dog, out in the morning. We usually walk to Coffee District on Willemsparkweg, where she gets a cookie and I get a delicious cup of coffee. The city wakes up, music on, and let the day begin!

Okay Tommy, back to this column. It’s Friday, 5 PM. Where are you, what are you doing, and is there something in your glass?
On a “good” Friday, if I don’t have to work or have recordings, I have a negroni on the table and a nibble that they do very well in Capri. Pre-drinks at the Quisisana with a delicious nibble and then sitting on the terrace watching people stroll by. But back to that Friday in Amsterdam, I like to go to Hotel De L’Europe to kick off my weekend there.

What does the upcoming Tommy weekend look like? I assume there is no such thing as an average Tommy weekend.
No, that's right, actually every weekend is different and I am actually always working. But if a Saturday comes along, I go get fresh flowers, make our house cozy, and if we don’t have friends over for pre-drinks, I like to hang out with my best friends at Toscanini (Italian) in the Jordaan, where everyone always comes in and our group keeps getting bigger.

Suppose earthly matters like time difference, flight shame, money, and travel time didn’t exist. What would your ideal weekend look like? Starting in Capri and then via New York to Paris?
Okay, I would start in the summer because summers in Europe are the best! Italy to begin with: from Capri to Puglia we would travel to the most beautiful islands in Greece, to greet Saint-Tropez and Cannes, and end the summer in Ibiza. I enjoy these summers the most because our friends fly in from the States and elsewhere for a few days. Those weeks are magical to spend together in that way. Then I would give my life a 10+, because those moments are gold and last so short. So we would do all this on Saturday and then my Sunday would start in November, because then my favorite holiday season begins, around Thanksgiving in NYC. That’s a joy, to see that city transformed with the most spectacular displays, the Salvation Army bell ringing. Then I would swap that negroni for a dirty martini to warm up by the fire in the Polo Bar. Watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade, then skating at Bryant Park, doing Christmas shopping in Manhattan. And I must give them credit: they know how to do Christmas. To then fly to Boston, where the whole family comes together to make home-cooked meals and traditions, decorate gingerbread houses, you name it!

What do you like to read, listen to, watch, and eat on the weekend?
I enjoy life stories and documentaries. There’s a beautiful docu about Ralph Lauren on HBO, about how he started with his ties in Bloomingdale’s. I always find it inspiring to see where someone comes from and how they have been able to achieve success. But that ranges from top athletes to fashion designers and sometimes also the tragedy that comes with it. Or put on Luther Vandross, Sinatra, or Leon Bridges, light the fireplace, pour a good glass of red wine, and I’m a happy person.

And where do you shop, Tommy? What is the best city to shop in according to Tommy Driessen?
The best city to shop for me goes from Paris to NYC, but where I shop is really everywhere! Online, but I get the best tank tops at a military surplus store in Amsterdam. Vintage clothing stores are my favorite. The craftsmanship and history of those pieces are often unparalleled. I often try to incorporate those pieces into styling or create a renewed design by hand for the carpet.

Does Sunday have a different vibe than Saturday for you?
Yes, Sunday is actually staying in bed in the morning with coffee, reading the news, music on, breakfast, and usually I leave in the afternoon for the studio for recordings. Saturday is nice to go to the market in the Jordaan, have lunch with friends, and hang out until dinner.

What’s on your list of “I must and want to go to” restaurants? What does the coming week look like for you?
Next week I start with the press shoot for season 2 of “Maxima”. Then Renze starts daily, I take the train to Paris for Fashion Week, and I will begin preparations for the Televizierring.

Instagram @tommydriessen