The fashion world has never lacked perfectly tailored suits. Far rarer, however, is a men’s fashion brand that asks itself which man should actually be wearing its clothes. For the Los Angeles-based label Urbane & Gallant, clothing is just one part of a much broader discussion. Founded by entrepreneur Andrew Park, the brand believes that style and character should evolve alongside the wearer, with the art of tailoring becoming more of an outward expression of purpose than of status.
This philosophy begins with the brand name itself. “Urbane” represents a man who is cultured, curious, and open-minded toward the world around him. “Gallant” describes someone who uses his strength with integrity and courage to serve others. While Andrew Park provides the focused vision behind the company, Design Director Jeffrey Sebelia brings it to life through his designs. Sebelia, best known as the winner of “Project Runway,” is also a musician whose career spans more than 25 years and includes work in haute couture, celebrity styling, and internationally recognized fashion brands. Together, the two have created a label where timeless tailoring and contemporary basics are guided by clear values rather than fleeting trends.
Good looks, good deeds
These values go beyond mere aesthetics. Urbane & Gallant places equal emphasis on responsible craftsmanship, the use of regenerative wool, recycled cashmere, and repurposed textiles, as well as on collaborating with ethically minded manufacturers, including initiatives that provide jobs for survivors of human trafficking. Here, luxury is measured not only by the quality of the finished garment, but also by the people, materials, and principles behind its creation.
Following the brand’s Paris debut, FACES spoke with founder Andrew Park and design director Jeffrey Sebelia about modern masculinity, purpose-driven design, responsible luxury, their creative partnership, and why they believe fashion can be a force for positive change.
FACES: Urbane & Gallant is more than just a brand name; it almost reads like a manifesto. What defines the brand’s DNA?
Andrew Park: Our vision and the way we want to make our mark on the world are inextricably linked to this brand through its name. “Urbane” describes a man who is sophisticated and has a keen sense of what’s happening around the world and the impact he has on it. “Gallant” describes a man who achieves great things but uses his strength and courage for the benefit of others. This is our guiding principle, and we want to inspire men to pursue this vision in their own lives. When men discover how they want to leave their mark, they become extraordinary men who pursue this goal. And more importantly, as they achieve great things, they create a world where people can thrive.
F: Many brands start with silhouettes or trends. With Urbane & Gallant, it seems as though the philosophy came first and the clothing second. Was that intentional?
AP: Yes, definitely. I entered the business world with the understanding that it exists for people, and not the other way around. Similarly, fashion exists for people, and people are defined by the values they live by, which shape their unique identities. Ultimately, we express these values through our aesthetic. Since Urbane & Gallant is rooted in our core values, it embodies a unique identity as a brand, which is then reflected in our looks. This gives our clothing a deeper and more meaningful purpose that attracts people. When people feel drawn to and inspired by it, we are well-equipped to make a positive impact on the world.
Q: Your collections speak a language that blends bespoke tailoring, loungewear, and contemporary basics. Who is the Urbane & Gallant man, and how does he go about his daily life?
AP: The Urban & Gallant Man walks his path in life with determination. He knows how he wants to make a name for himself, and as a leader, he shoulders ever-greater responsibility. His journey is marked by challenges, setbacks, and mistakes, but also by significant successes and learning experiences that have shaped his character, maturity, and wisdom. That’s why his life takes him from the office to the gym, to retreats, and—after an eventful day—back home to rest and recharge for the next day. He has daily commitments and life stages that call for tailored clothing for the office, essentials for travel and socializing, and loungewear for relaxing at home.
Q: Luxury customers are increasingly asking where their clothing comes from, who made it, and under what conditions. How does your brand approach sourcing, production, and ethical manufacturing?
AP: We take a step beyond what we call our “impact chain.” Whenever we’re thinking about a collection or a capsule collection, we take a moment to consider whether we can intentionally weave stories about the impact of materials and/or working conditions into our clothing—in collaboration with the suppliers we already work with. If the collection includes new materials, we research what’s available on the market to incorporate a new story about their impact. We always ensure that we work with manufacturing facilities that meet our quality and ethical standards.
Jeffrey Sebelia: To be precise: Our shirts are made by survivors of human trafficking at a factory in Cambodia. Agape International Mission rescues women from human trafficking, provides them with shelter, counseling, and work at the factory so that the women have a source of income. The fabric for our suits is made from regenerative wool, which supports the regeneration of New Zealand’s grasslands. The yarn for our sweaters is Eco-Cashmere, a new yarn spun in Italy from recycled cashmere scraps. Our T-shirt jerseys and loungewear are made exclusively in Los Angeles from recycled fabric rolls that were previously considered waste in larger-scale productions.
F: Fabrics seem to be at the heart of your creative process. What materials define Urbane & Gallant, and what qualities are essential when selecting fabrics?
JS: Yes, for me, the fabric determines the silhouette. There are physical laws, limitations, and even specifications for textiles, which I find fascinating as a designer. Either I look for a fabric with a specific drape or shape in mind, or I design a silhouette by letting the fabric’s “wishes” guide me. With our suits, I knew I wanted something that maintained a masculine structure while also telling a classic story—something with a touch of tradition that I could tailor in a modern way.
F: Jeffrey, you brought decades of experience in haute couture, celebrity styling, and global brands to the table, while Andrew contributed the entrepreneurial and goal-oriented vision behind the company. How did this partnership come about, and when did you realize that you were both working on the same story from different perspectives?
JS: I was introduced to Andrew by an acquaintance who was familiar with his vision and also knew me well, since we had already worked together on several projects. But it wasn’t until I spoke with Andrew and heard his vision that I knew we were truly on the same wavelength. Over the course of my 26-year career in the fashion industry, it has become increasingly important to me to work with people who have a vision that goes beyond the mere desire to produce clothing. Knowing that Andrew would be a partner whose primary concern is improving the world—and who focuses on improving society through men’s responsibility—was an exciting prospect. I have a 21-year-old son. It is my deepest wish to inspire him to become a good, steadfast, successful, and inspiring man. I felt that this venture was perfectly aligned with that goal.
F: Paris was the first European stop for Urbane & Gallant. What were your first impressions of the city, its men’s fashion scene, and the conversations surrounding the collection?
JS: My impression of the current state of men’s fashion is that it lacks a genuine vision of masculinity. It seems to me that this trend is already emerging, as we’re currently seeing a revival of men’s fashion in women’s fashion, with traditional and vintage silhouettes, workwear, and classic tailoring dominating the trends. I think this is a good start, but the change must go beyond simply adopting silhouettes. I hope it’s time for all of us to start embracing masculinity as the positive force it represents in the universe.
F: Urbane & Gallant was founded as a men’s fashion brand, but today many women draw inspiration from men’s fashion and oversized silhouettes. Can you imagine a Imagine a future in which the Urbane & Gallant universe expands into women’s fashion or perhaps takes a gender-neutral approach to styling?
AP: As the brand grows, we can certainly see ourselves expanding into women’s fashion, but for now we’re focusing on men’s fashion.
JS: I don’t know if the term “gender-fluid” is the right way to describe what’s happening right now. I see women wearing men’s clothing the way Coco Chanel originally envisioned it—as a way to embody the masculine. There’s nothing fluid about that. I believe that true beauty lies in dichotomy, tension, and polarity. To label all energy as equal is to miss the meaning of those energies and their purpose.
Q: If you could describe the future of Urbane & Gallant in just three words, what do you think people should associate with the brand ten years from now?
AP: A transformative fashion brand. I envision Urbane & Gallant transforming the business world, the fashion industry, and the lives of the people we employ and collaborate with. Business has the power to shape culture and—when led well—can guide the world toward human flourishing. We strive to leave this kind of mark on the world: inspiring, fundamental, transformative.
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Photos: ©Urbane & Gallant
Creative & Production Direction: Lizbeth Espinoza (@lizbethspinoza)
Photography: Myko (@myko.paris)
Photography: Rosanne Ahyi
