For our brand new GERMAN ISSUE, we hooked up with Spanish laser/technology company Jeanologia and asked five German personalities to send us their very own artworks to be lasered on a personal denim jacket, kindly provided by Levi's. One of them was Emre Can. Although he is on the verge of becoming a football superstar, the midfielder for Liverpool FC and the german national team, stays down to earth. Probably because he never forgets about his roots coming from a working-class background in Frankfurt. We shot Can in his self-creation and spoke to him about his fashion no-gos, social media habits, and which of his co-players has the coolest tattoos.
How important is it nowadays for famous athletes to kind of stage themselves when it comes to their look and style?
Stage themselves? Hmm, that strikes me as the wrong words. In my opinion, you should capture other people’s attention through your achievements and be respected for them. Dressing well isn’t really an achievement in my view. Many people don’t like fashion at all or simply have completely different tastes. But that doesn’t make them automatically less interesting as people. I personally like fashion a lot and love to dress stylishly. But I don’t stage myself. I am simply me, and part of that is that I like to choose my own styles.
In times of social media and permanent observation by others, do you think more about what you wear off the field?
Good question. You know, what is funny is: I am still young after all and for me social media has always been a part of life. I grew up with Facebook, etc., and I have no idea if I would be different without social media. I simply like to dress well and it's fun for me when I see that other people like my outfits. But that’s not why I do it. I am me, and I realized early in my career that you are successful when you are true to yourself. Anyone who likes me: super. If someone doesn’t like me that’s fair enough too. But I don’t wear clothes specifically to suit certain people and their opinion. I stand for my looks and am used to being in the public eye.
I personally like fashion a lot and love to dress stylishly. But I don’t stage myself. I am simply me, and part of that is that I like to choose my own styles.
What are the typical stereotypes and clichés regarding footballers and their look? Is it the same in England as in Germany?
We players are mostly still very young, have well-trained bodies thanks to our job, travel a great deal, are in the public eye and try to project a good image. That people like that also enjoy looking good in their clothes is normal, wouldn't you think? And as a footballer you also get into contact with many well-known people: Rappers, designers, actors, etc. These are all people who are creative and value their appearance and fashion highly. At some point you start to get interested, too, and start to think about your outfit. I find that people in England, especially in London and the large cities, are very well dressed. They dress creatively, stylishly and to some extent are also more daring than in Germany. I like that and think it’s great to see the different cultural influences. It is less a matter of labels and really more about style.
What other footballers have great style?
I like David Beckham’s style! He has become a real man and I like the fact that he is often very sporty and elegant all at the same time. He really can wear anything.
What footballer has the coolest tattoos?
Loris Karius has really awesome tattoos.
Do you consider yourself a style role model?
That’s for other people to decide. I'm happy when I receive compliments for my style. But in the final analysis the compliments for my performance on the football field are significantly more important! That is my job and I want play well to make people happy. I bear a certain responsibility for that.
Do you work with stylists and if so for which occasions?
No, I put clothes on that please me. Of course, for photo shoots and official club engagements we sometimes have stylists. But those aren't my own clothes I wear then.
I don’t pay much attention to the price of clothes, but my most expensive piece was a jacket for €1,000. But to me price is not a measure of quality. Some things look fantastic and cost under €100.
Other football players such as Ibrahimovic have launched their own fashion collections. Would that be an option for you too, and what would it look like (casual, elegant, ...)?
Of course, definitely! But what I would consider the most exciting for a start would be to make a capsule collection with a cool label and then take that experience to launch my own label one day. The way things are now it would be urban chic. But in two years perhaps I will see it quite differently. I believe that fashion grows with you. But I am definitely interested.
Do you talk about fashion with other players?
That depends on the player. With some it’s genuinely impossible to talk about fashion (laughs). The only thing you can be sure of: If I'm wearing the opposite of what they like–I'm on safe ground. But seriously: Of course we talk about things like that sometimes. But mostly we talk about other things such as sports, music and so on.
What sources do you use to inform yourself about fashion trends?
I am very active on Instagram and sometimes read GQ and such. In my opinion it’s still one of the best men’s fashion magazines.
What brand was your first pair of jeans?
It was certainly not an established label. I come from a very humble background. A typical working-class family. I reckon my first jeans were from the flea market.
What’s the most expensive piece in your closet?
I don’t pay much attention to the price of clothes, but my most expensive piece was a jacket for €1,000. But to me price is not a measure of quality. Some things look fantastic and cost under €100.
We players are mostly still very young, have well-trained bodies thanks to our job, travel a great deal, are in the public eye and try to project a good image. That people like that also enjoy looking good in their clothes is normal, wouldn't you think?
...and what’s the cheapest?
I have a lot of T-shirts that cost just €15. Why should I put on an act? I grew up without much money and am used to improvising and combining. And a T-shirt for €15 can look just as good as one for €100. By the way, that’s also true the other way round. A shirt for €300 can look like crap and be stupidly cut.
What fashion purchase do you regret?
Plenty. Some things I have never even worn... I give these away or donate them.
What’s your favorite piece of clothing in your closet?
I have a pair of black pants that I love more than everything else. I don’t even know the brand, but for some reason I always like to put them on.
What would you never ever wear?
Neon-colored pants.
Fashion shopping: online or in a store, and why?
I find it’s a lot more fun to shop in a store. It isn’t always easy for me because by now a lot of people recognize me and this makes relaxed shopping difficult. But I like it when you can feel the fabric, see yourself in the mirror and check the fit, try combinations and so on.
Is there something like a typical “Frankfurt style” and what does it look like?
Yes, there is. Loose jeans, Reebok Classics, tight shirt, a baseball cap, but that isn’t me (smiles).
What are your fashion sins from the past?
There are lots of them. When I look at pictures from the past I always think: “Mom, Dad, are you serious?! You let me go out like that?!” Fortunately, I was always a good footballer. Otherwise I would certainly have been mobbed in those days (laughs).
I find it’s a lot more fun to shop in a store. It isn’t always easy for me because by now a lot of people recognize me and this makes relaxed shopping difficult.
Will you change and play for Juve?
I can’t talk about anything to do with sport.
…and now some “either or” questions:
Rolex or Apple Watch?
Rolex.
Supreme or Louis Vuitton?
Supreme.
DSquared2 or Margiela?
DSquared2.
Sneakers or handmade made-to-measure leather brogues?
Sneakers.
Backpack or weekender?
Weekender bag.
Beanie or baseball cap?
Baseball cap.
Bomber or blazer?
Blazer.
In terms of hair-do: Netzer or Breitner?
[Emre] Can.
Who is prettier: Beckham or Ronaldo?
Beckhaldo.
For shopping: London or Liverpool?
London.
