Tailor made
Hospitality maverick Jai Shaun White lets his ‘fits do the talking
By Stacey Gualandi / Photo by Louiie Victa
“If you saw my closet in my crib ... ,” jokes Jai Shaun White. “My closet’s full, to the point where I had to get clothes racks and put stuff in the other room.” As the director of nightlife business development for Wynn and Encore and co-founder of AYYA Hospitality (Pine Bistro, IVI Performance, Siempre J.B. and more), White wears many hats and a suit for every occasion.
“Going from a gala to a wedding to the Kentucky Derby, that’s three different styles of suits, right? So, that’s three different ways you can express yourself,” admits White.
When this fabulously fit fashion legend (with a 33-inch waist) looks in the mirror, he sees a well-tailored gentleman inspired by James Bond, with a side of Andre 3000.
“When I go [to the tailor], I say, ‘gimme the James Bond,’” says White. “I like a Euro cut at the bottom. I like to wear [my suits] like a glove.”
His love of Las Vegas’ STITCHED landed him a partnership with the men’s designer, now eight years running. But for leisure, he opts for brands like Kith and Scotch & Soda.
‘If I’m going to something that [Kith founder Ronnie Fieg] is putting on, I can be a little more swaggy with it,” he says. “I don’t have to wear a suit, but I can wear a one-piece kit and a pair of white shell toes and still look classic, like, ‘He knows what he’s doing.’”
What do you say to someone who is “trying too hard”? Don’t try to emulate what you see other people do. You gotta know your lanes and what looks good on you. But it’s also cool to push it a little bit.
Did you ever think you would become a style expert? You’d be surprised how many athletes don’t have a suit. There are a lot of guys I’ve helped get their first suit, [and] it’s a gratifying experience to show ‘em the levels you can do and how detailed you can get.
How many sneakers do you own? Four thousand pairs. I have a closet for those, too.
Follow these three Cs
Carrie Carter Cooper is a fashion fairy godmother
By Stacey Gualandi / Photo by Jerry Metellus
Carrie Carter Cooper is helping make dreams come true—so say the up-and-coming Las Vegas designers she has taken under her wing(s). As the mastermind of BESTAgency—a one-stop agency for models, entertainment, decor and event planning and the Las Vegas Fashion Council (LVFC), a non-profit organization, Cooper is on a runway all her own.
Her first foray into fashion was at 15 years old, when she enrolled in a Barbizon Modeling School. “I came from humble beginnings so I curated my own outfits,” Cooper says. “I recall receiving compliments, on what I was able to put together at a fraction of the cost of what was in magazines.”
International runway modeling helped hone her now classic style sense. But she isn’t averse to wearing jeans and t-shirts every day. “I want to look good but I have to be comfortable, no matter if I am in an evening gown or my fitness attire,” Cooper says.
The main interests of this former model, Vegas showgirl and Mrs. Nevada, as well as on stage assistant to magician David Copperfield, are fashion, philanthropy and fiscal growth. “LVFC raises funds for scholarships for emerging designers and students,” Cooper says. “LVFC provides me the opportunity to give back to a city that I love and has embraced me.” Looking (fashion) forward, Cooper announced the first Vegas Fashion Week® coming in November. lasvegasfashioncouncil.com
Who is your dream guest for Vegas Fashion Week in November?
[New York Fashion Week creator] Fern Mallis.
What advice do you have for fashion wannabes?
Focus on designing what you love, be kind and be mindful of what you’re posting on social media.
What clothing trend do you see on the horizon?
Pieces with more movement, timeless and comfortable. I have to be comfortable.