Unhooked dives right into the sexy underworld of Roman Sipe, stylist, designer and founder of MENAGERIÉ Intimates AND the new creative director of men’s for Cosabella – also, he’s ridiculously good-looking!
Read on for the full reveal! Roman’s personal style, some trade secrets and, most importantly, take notes—this gender-bending man is influencing your closet and you don’t even know it yet.
Describe your style in 3 words.
Romantic, Androgynous, and Sultry
Who are your style icons?
There are many icons whose style/styling I admire… From music artists like Prince and Rihanna; stylists like Camilla Nickerson and Edward Enninful; and Instagram pages I love, like @FritzVon and @TanayaHenry. All of whom I admire and draw plenty of inspiration from… But ultimately, I AM MY OWN STYLE ICON.
What’s your wardrobe MVP?
“A NASTY HEEL.” Most of the time in boot form. When I’m not in some sort of heel or platform I just don’t feel like myself.
What is Roman’s life philosophy?
From my grandmother:
“Be the reason someone smiles”
From my high school Principal:
“Make it a great day, or not. The Choice is yours.”
From my favorite high school teacher:
“Why leave for tomorrow what can be done today?”
From my aunt:
“A closed mouth won’t get fed.”
Lastly, and probably my favorite, from my dad:
“It’s your story, you can tell it however you want.”
What’s the one thing you would never wear?
I don’t think I’ll ever say NEVER again. I mean, I once said I would NEVER wear Crocs. Yet here I am answering these questions in my Bretman Rock Platform Crocs (home and garden use ONLY).
We’d love to know who Roman Sipe was in 2012 and now in 2022 – what was your background and your trajectory?
In 2012 I officially left New York City for Los Angeles. I lived in NYC for 5 years prior to this move and this is where my fashion career began. I worked in Model Development at one of New York’s top male agencies. It was at the agency where I was quickly introduced to the world of fashion and got my first taste of working as a stylist. I loved styling and started assisting a celebrity stylist part-time. After I graduated college in 2011, with a bachelor’s in finance, I decided it was time for me to head west and grow my styling career.
MENAGERIÉ Intimates are the perfect indulgence for confident men to embrace their private sensuality. Masculine shapes, including classic hip briefs & boxer shorts, offer the perfect blend of Yin & Yang. More daring clients will opt for OUR favorite wide band thongs & jocks to join the exclusive society of metrosexual MENAGERIÉ men!
Christoper St. James, Owner of Luxe Lingerie, Beverly Hills
In LA, I spent a few years freelance styling which granted me the opportunity to compete in the stylist competition show “The Next Style Star.” Ultimately winning, I decided I wanted to start my own brand. I took my winnings and began developing MENAGERIÉ. I balanced my career as a stylist and my brand for a few years but eventually I decided I needed to focus on one. While I loved styling, MENAGERIÉ gave me a chance to put all the knowledge and skills I learned working in the fashion industry to use. I took a leap of faith by focusing on MENAGERIÉ, and it was the best decision I could have made.
Where are you living now?
In Sept 2021 I was given the opportunity to meet with a production company in Italy and to make a long story short… I never left. Currently, I’m living between a small town in Italy called Fabiano, where my brand is produced; Rome, where I have my design studio and showroom and, when in the States, its NYC for work, or Pennsylvania to see my family.
…ultimately, I AM MY OWN STYLE ICON.
Roman Sipes, founder, MenageriÉ Intimates
Why did you decide to design intimates?
Working as a stylist I’ve made many friends who were designers; but I noticed those that were really excelling were the ones that were creating something unique. In deciding I was ready to pursue design, I knew I needed to create something that was niche and special. I decided that I would start in my own closet when looking for ideas. What was missing? Was there anything I didn’t currently own that I wanted?”
And what was your revelation?
I ended up in my underwear drawer, and realized it was the one area of my closet that didn’t represent me or my style. However, I had an unopened package that contained one pair of black Calvin Klein silk knit boxer briefs. I had been saving these for so long that I forgot about them. I put them on right away, and after prancing around in them, I sat down and just started Googling. I first typed ‘men’s silk underwear’ in the search bar, and after scrolling through two or three pages, I came across a pair of lace underwear for men. I then searched ‘men’s lace underwear.’ Page by page, I looked for a lace pair of underwear that I might actually consider purchasing but found nothing.”
What was the result of your product research journey?
I went on to search ‘men’s lace lingerie,’ and there they were. Versace’s fall 2013 collection included one pair of lace boxer briefs that were everything I imagined. Unable to find the Versace underwear anywhere online, I soon realized they weren’t put into production in lace, only mesh. I moved on to see who was focusing on men’s lingerie and noticed no one was taking that leap in the way I envisioned it should be done. I wanted to develop a concept that wasn’t heavily explored, and lingerie for men was it. That’s when I decided to create MENAGERIÉ.
As a designer, what have you learned from being a stylist?
As a stylist attention to detail is necessary, YOU SEE EVERYTHING! Every loose thread, every wrinkle, every stain. I used to think I was too much of a perfectionist. However, as a designer and specifically having a luxury brand I am thankful for this eye.
I took a leap of faith by focusing on MENAGERIÉ, and it was the best decision I could have made.
Roman Sipes, founder of MENAGERIÉ Intimates
What was your first fashion memory?
One of my earliest/favorite fashion memories was Fall 2011 when I was “babysitting” one of the younger male models from the agency. His first show of the season was Rad Hourani, and up to this moment I had never seen a fashion show in real life. Backstage, I witnessed the beautiful chaos of putting on a show and it was all so magical. On top of all this, Rad sent male models down the runway in heels! Something I’ve NEVER seen before.
What inspired you to design a lace collection of intimates for men?
You know that expression ‘Create the things you wish existed’? Well, I wanted that lace underwear from Versace’s collection. I specifically wanted a lace underwear that didn’t completely expose my private area… And ultimately, I wanted lace EVERYTHING, Lace shirts, Lace Robes, Lace Pants. So, I created it.
Tell us about the label’s name “MENAGERIÉ” and what it means to you.
After 4 months of developing the brand, I’d compiled a list of the most horrible names you could imagine and was really struggling with finding a name. I randomly came up with “MENAGERIÉ” while watching Aladdin. There is a scene where Iago the parrot was pretending to be Jasmine. Aladdin asks jasmine where she is and Iago replies (in Jasmine’s Voice) “Out in the menagerie.” I was like, “wait what??” Looked up the word, loved it, added an accent over the ‘e’ and the rest is history. Now MENAGERIÉ simply means Men’s Lingerie.
Why did you choose to produce your garments in Italy?
Honestly, I feel like the universe guided me to Italy. I’ve always had an appreciation for the Italian luxury brands like Valentino and Ferragamo. However, it took me coming here to really understand why Italy has been renowned for its high-quality craftsmanship, sharp tailoring, and luxury designs. In my experience, Italians care about what they are producing and prefer quality over quantity.
You found a big difference between the quality of the Italian products over USA made goods?
Yes. I also realized, like myself, Italians are obsessed with details. Developing my brand in LA, I became accustomed to letting little defects slide and accepting that everything wasn’t ever going to be perfect. However, my first Italian samples were just that… PERFECT! I realized then that there is no other place MENAGERIÉ could be produced.
We know European men are much more open to sexy men’s intimates. Do you believe that heterosexual American men are ready for lace underwear?
I would ask, “Is America ready to release its heteronormative beliefs and stereotypes?” But to answer the question, I know that there are heterosexual American men out there that are ready for lace underwear. Many have been waiting for it. I’ve been selling to heterosexuals from the time I started the brand. However, based on a few emails I’ve received, I do understand that many aren’t openly sharing their experience because it’s still taboo.
In addition to your online business, which boutiques stock your brand.
MENAGERIÉ is currently sold at the following US boutiques: Birdies in Kansas – Journelle in NYC – Luxe Lingerie in Beverly Hills – Shag in Brooklyn.
Besides the USA, are you selling “MENAGERIÉ” in other countries?
We recently picked up our first European Account ZouZou in Rome, Italy. However, MENAGERIÉ has been selling internationally from the beginning. Currently our top international sales come from the UK, Germany, Russia, and Canada.
Can you tell us the names of a few celebrities who wear “MENAGERIÉ”?
Over the years celebrity placement played a major part in the growth of MENAGERIÉ. Our most popular celebrity placements are Sam Smith and Lil Nas X. However, MENAGERIE has also been featured on artists like Adam Lambert & Brian May of Queen, Daddy Yankee, Maluma & Ricky Martin. We have also had some female supporters as well like Ariana Grande, Lizzo and Wendy Williams.
Will your collection always be black – or are there other colors in the works?
Early 2023 we will be releasing our first official color way. I took some time but my Italian production team, Collezioni, and I developed a beautiful red that just screams LUXURY in its hue. Just in time for the Chinese New Year and of course Valentine’s Day.
We realize that “MENAGERIÉ” is a luxury brand, but isn’t there price resistance for men’s underwear?
At MENAGERIÉ we are introducing men to what I consider a “New Luxury”. However, I haven’t noticed much price resistance and I think our branding plays a major part in that. I believe our customers recognize the quality and craftmanship of our garments and have an overall appreciation for Luxury.
Where do you envision the brand to be in 5- or 10-years’ time?
We are continuously moving towards making MENAGERIÉ a more diverse, more inclusive brand in its product offering. In 5 years, I see MENAGERIÉ being the “go to” brand for every man’s lingerie needs. I would like to expand into the world of Beauty and Grooming as well as sexual wellness. Ultimately opening “MENAGERIE INTIMATES”, a place where men can embrace the luxury of adding beautiful intimates to their wardrobe as women have done for ages. With MENAGERIÉ as the house brand, our exclusive intimates boutique would offer a curated selection of other top men’s lingerie brands.
Read next: England’s last remaining lace maker…
