.JPG)
For Keith Powers, attending NYFW isn’t just about getting dressed up and looking good for photographs; the actor views the week-long fashion experience as a vessel to connect with the culture and express himself authentically.
“I dress to express, not impress, and that was the best fashion advice I’ve ever received,” Powers tells Teen Vogue while getting ready to attend the Tommy Hilfiger spring-summer 2025 show, where everyone — from Outer Banks stars Madelyn Cline, Madison Bailey, and Jonathan Daviss to BLACKPINK's Jisoo and Stray Kids' Lee Know and Felix — congregated. “I remember hearing it long ago, and it made so much sense," he continues. "Just dress to express yourself and don't try to impress people. Do what you feel is dope and what makes you feel good. Even people that dress a little wacky, I still think that’s fire because that’s them.”
But even dressing to express yourself involves some prep. The first part of Powers's getting ready process always starts with a shower, flossing, and washing his face; immediately after comes grooming. For the Tommy show, the star's groomer laid out a few products on a vanity to prep his skin, which included a Balmain Paris curl cream, Sebastian Shaper hair spray, and a few cosmetics for light touchups using an Hourglass concealer and a setting powder from Fashion Fair.
As important as the product selection, it's the music for Powers. “I like listening to old R&B while getting ready,” he shares of his usual playlist mix. “I definitely like having some Avant on, and recently, I’ve been vibing out to Dominic Fike’s 14 Minutes album.”
After hair and makeup are complete, we step out to let Powers get dressed and then come back in to see him in a head-to-toe Tommy look, which includes a fitted black and white V-neck sweater paired with baggy plaid trousers and polished loafers.
“For the look, I wanted it to be simple but still feel really classic and Tommy," Powers explains. “When I met with the team at their offices, they had a similar kind of vibe that I wanted to go with. I love the pants they picked out for me. I really just wanted that signature Tommy Hilfiger vibe with the knitwear. It’s like that luxurious prep look.”
Powers’s relationship with the legacy fashion brand has come a long way. His first encounter with Tommy Hilfiger was when he booked a modeling job for a news segment when he was 19. “I booked the job to walk for his new collection, which was airing on the news, and I met him backstage. Fast forward so many years, and now I get to attend the show as a guest; it feels so surreal,” he says.
While NYFW only happens twice a year, fashion is a constant for Powers. For his own personal style, the UGLIES actor likes to combine comfort and style while taking cues from Hip-Hop culture.
“I would say hip-hop in general and Black culture greatly inspire my style," Powers explains. "As I've gotten older and have traveled around the world, I’ve also taken in inspo from all those places — what you see out there and how they put stuff together and how they wear their clothes. Even [in] New York. I’m from California, so when I come out here, I feel like people here just dress so tight and put a bunch of stuff together that just works so well.”
Story Credits
- Talent: Keith Powers
- Photography: Jeannette Williams
- Production: Perrin Johnson, William Camp
