Feature Talent: Asante Madrigal
Photographer @watsonvisuals_
Editor: @ouchmagazineny
Your style feels intentional rather than trend-driven. When did fashion stop being just clothing and start becoming a language for how you want to be read?
I've always loved fashion. Covering pop culture for so many years, I was constantly inspired by people like Colman Domingo, and Zendaya. Watching the way they used fashion to tell a story made me realize clothing could be so much more than just something you wear. I think the biggest change happened when I finally had the confidence and the team to bring my own ideas to life. That's when fashion stopped being about just looking good and started becoming a way to express who I am. Now, every look is an opportunity to communicate my creativity, my personality, and where I am in my journey without having to say a word. More than anything, I hope people see my style and feel inspired to wear what makes them feel confident and authentically themselves.
You move between Oscars red carpets, global press tours, and fashion events like the Mini Met Gala. How do you mentally shift between those different “versions” of yourself when getting dressed?
Honestly, I don't think I become a different version of myself. The goal is always to show up as me. What changes is the context. Every event has its own history, its own audience, and its own dress code, so I always do my research and think about what feels appropriate for that moment. Then I ask, 'How do I make this feel like me?’ Whether it's the Oscars, a global press tour, or hopefully one day the Met Gala, I want my look to respect the event while still showing my personality. As long as I feel confident and authentic, I know I'm wearing the right thing.
As a queer man of Black and Mexican heritage, how do your identities inform the way you approach menswear today?
Being queer, Black, and Mexican has taught me that identity isn't one-dimensional, and I think my style reflects that. I'm not afraid of bright colors, sparkle, makeup, or mixing different influences with streetwear. I don't feel like menswear has to stay inside one box. I just want to wear what makes me feel confident and authentic, and for me, that’s the best way to represent every part of who I am.
Photographer Roberto Hambal
Modern menswear is in a constant state of evolution, tailoring, silhouettes, gender expression. What does “modern masculinity” look like through your lens right now?
For me, modern masculinity is just being yourself. I don't think there's one right way to be a man anymore. If you want to wear makeup, wear makeup. If you want to wear a skirt or a crop top, do it. If you want to wear a classic suit, that's great too. I think it's less about following rules and more about feeling confident in what you're wearing. That’s what masculinity looks like through my lens, having the freedom to express yourself without worrying about fitting into someone else's definition.
You’re known for a consistently polished, tailored aesthetic. What does “ease” look like within structure for you, how do you keep refinement from feeling rigid?
I love structure because it gives you a great foundation, but I don't think it has to feel restrictive. That's where the fun comes in. Whether it's a pop of color, an unexpected silhouette, or a dramatic train, I like taking something classic and giving it a little personality. To me, that's what keeps a tailored look feeling fresh instead of stiff. If I feel confident and like myself in it, then I know we've found the right balance.
