Friends of Cad: Christiaan Choy
We spent the day with our friend Christiaan Choy, one of New York City’s trusted life-stylists, known for his thoughtful wardrobe transformations and close working relationships across the creative community. The morning began in the Floral District, where Christiaan’s careful eye settled on a bouquet that complemented his design vision, deep purples wrapped in kraft paper, chosen with care.
From there, we walked through the Design District to source interiors and furnishings for another client. Throughout the day, Christiaan seamlessly handled a range of styling requests, from menswear details to spatial considerations, always with quiet focus, clarity and humour.
He wore a bespoke Cad & The Dandy suit, tailored and understated, paired with a personal leopard print shirt and a bespoke Florentine tote bag. The outfit remained a consistent part of the day’s rhythm, balancing classic structure with individual expression. Whether selecting flowers or reviewing textures and fabrics, his wardrobe felt less like a statement and more like a steady extension of his work.
This wasn’t just a day of styling. It offered a clear look into Christiaan’s process, where every choice, from fabric swatches to floral tones contributes to a coherent and personal vision.
Enjoy the conversation.
Q: Between your work in fashion and interiors, which one’s your favourite and how do you juggle them?
A: I love all of it, but interiors win out. It’s methodical, more deliberate, less chaotic and the final result tends to stick around longer.
I run my week on a 3/3 schedule: three days for fashion projects, three for interiors. It keeps me focused, compartmentalised, and productive.
Q: When a high-profile client’s having a moment, how do you stay calm?
A: I haven’t had anyone totally spiral, but when a client’s feeling insecure or stuck, I give them space, even if that means wrapping early or rescheduling. I’ll reintroduce the original ideas with fresh tweaks and most times, it clicks.
Q: Ever made a creative decision that felt weird at first but ended up ahead of the curve?
A: All the time. Trends hit and I’ve already worn or done the thing years before. It felt right at the time, just maybe not to everyone else. I’ve always moved a bit ahead of the moment.
Q: What’s a surprising skill that turned out to be a secret weapon?
A: Disarming people. I never clocked it until adulthood, but I can work with folks others call “impossible.” It’s part instinct, part empathy.
Q: What’s your go-to reset when life gets noisy?
A: Meditation. Movement. Silence. I wake up naturally around 5am, make espresso and sit in bed with my thoughts for a while, sometimes meditating, sometimes just letting my mind drift. Then I work out. Whether it’s 20 minutes or an hour, it centres me for the day.
Q: Is there a client habit that really pushes your buttons?
A: When they ask, “Are you sure?” Usually it’s less about the idea and more about their discomfort with change. If you’ve hired me, you’ve got to trust me, or else you’ve paid for safe, and that’s not what I do.
Q: Ever gotten a truly wild request you couldn’t help but laugh at?
A: Not wild, but some late-night clients have invited me to stay over. I draw the line there. Sure, I’ve seen you in your underwear, but you’re not seeing my morning hair.
Q: Have you ever walked away from a project on principle?
A: Definitely. I’ve fired two clients I realised weren’t the right fit. No regrets.
Q: What music brings you back to yourself?
A: Forget solfeggio frequencies (lol). For me, voices like Billie Eilish, Miley Cyrus, Orville Peck, and Father John Misty literally soothe my nervous system. We’re all Wednesday’s children and maybe that woeful sound is my comfort zone. My friends say I love sad music, and honestly? They’re not wrong.
Q: What’s your favourite way to spend an unapologetic afternoon?
A: Long lunch at Frenchette in Tribeca. Great food, carefree vibes, beautiful architecture, plus the people-watching? Motivational. It’s my $80 escape fantasy.
Q: Is there a season that brings out your creative side?
A: Fall, always. Cool air, cozy mornings, espresso in bed. I sleep better, dream bigger, and get to think in layers, cashmere, coats, textures I love. It’s my season.
Q: What mantra has actually stuck with you?
A: “Shop as you are.” I saw it hanging in a mall as a teen, and it hit deep. I buy things that feel authentically me and I help clients do the same. I don’t push my taste onto others; I elevate theirs. That approach has kept me grounded through all the change.
Thank you, Christiaan. It’s been an absolute pleasure to spend the day with you.
