Engineer-turned-magician, Mahommed Moorad, has realised a dream with the making of his own TV show – which sees him travel the country taking magic into the lives of celebs and ordinary folk alike.
He doesn’t pull any rabbits out of hats or flowers from his sleeve, but has rather tapped into the allure and amusement of contemporary illusionists and street magicians such as David Copperfield and David Blaine.
Often appearing in a tuxedo on the South African entertainment circuit, he’s been dubbed the James Bond of magic.
His immaculate, formal sense of style is amplified on the silver screen and Mo shared some insights on how he has mastered his look. “When I decided to follow my passion and enter this industry, I made a conscious effort to dress the part. For example, I went to London looking for the perfect shirt on Jermyn Street. The neck, arm and chest size had to be right. I’ve travelled the world, fitting wherever I go and cherry picking the brands and looks that I’ve found suit me best.”
Mo is surely a perfectionist, as pedantic in fashion as he is with everything else.
Unlike many men, he knows what he likes and what works, among them are pocket squares, loafers in the summer, TM Lewin and Bagozza.
He has amassed a wealth of branded menswear, but all fit neatly into the image he has packaged for himself.
“It wasn’t always that way. When I was at university I couldn’t tell you what my favourite beverage was. I had to take the time to know myself. Something inside me shifted when I made that intention.”
An intuitive, perfectionist and surely one of the best-dressed men on South African tv, Mo shares some of his fashion style secrets with us:
Tips
* Own at least one good suit. Opt for a classic, single-breasted style and ensure it’s bespoke. Fit is king, so tailor your suit to fit like a glove. Not too tight, but avoid excess fabric because it will absolutely kill your look.
* My wardrobe essential for the modern man is a crisp white shirt that fits well. My personal favourite: the non-crease, fully-fitted John Francomb brand, manufactured by TM Lewin. I have multiple white shirts in single and double-cuff variants. Rotating these shirts gives them a longer lifespan.
* Know your tailor. The sleeves of your suit jacket should show one inch of your shirt cuff and the shoulders should never hang over. The length, too, should be in proportion to the rest of your body.
* Never allow your shirt collar to overlap your jacket collar. Wear sturdy metal collar pins, left, to keep your shirt collar in place.
* You can say so much with a pocket square. Wear it straight or with a point to add a touch of panache. Accessories such as the first pair of cufflinks I ever bought and wore to my sister’s wedding are special to me, and this year it’s been all about lapel flowers. Just remember never to wear them all at once. Keep it slick and simple.
* Get into summer with shades and summer hats. The classic black Ray Ban Wayfarer works well with almost all outfits and is worn by many style icons internationally.
Catch Magic with Mo, Saturday, on SABC3, at 7pm.
Find him on the web: www.momagic.co.za
Twitter and Facebook: MoMagic
Instagram: MoMagicSA
Youtube: MoMagicSouth Africa