Craig-Brandon Stephenson, 33, brings his visual arts talent to all of his jobs, from wardrobe stylist at Jordanos to promotions manager and creative director of Marigny Dance Club, which was voted Best Gay/Lesbian Club by Creative Loafing, and Best Dance Club by Charlotte Magazine's 2011 Best of the Best Awards.

Stephenson grew up in Ellicott City, Md., and attended high school at the Baltimore School of the Arts. "If you are an artist, you put your hands to anything and apply art, whether it is decorating a club or styling an event or merchandising a wall," he says.

Stephenson moved to Charlotte with his family when he was 20.

"It was the artist in me wanting to reinvent," he says. "I think Charlotte is just starting to hit its stride, culturally."

Q. Were your parents stylish?

No. They are both beautiful and feisty and vibrant, and they both look about 10 years younger than they are. They have a zest for life, but they do not have an eye for fashion.

Q. What's the first piece of clothing you bought with your own money?

Probably my 10-holed oxblood Doc Martens boots in 1995.

Q. How do you approach choosing your clothes in the morning?

If I feel like a rock 'n' roll star, then I'm dressing rock 'n' roll. If I'm feeling old-timey I'll pull out my vintage elements and infuse a 1950s layer to it. I allow the elements in my feeling to guide my style of the day.

Q. What designers do you admire?

I love Alexander McQueen for his artistry and vision. I love Alexander Wang for his simplistic style, very chic. I think I love Valentino for his elegance. I like Gaultier because he is a renegade, and because he does his own thing. I wish there were more options in men's design. When it translates from the runway to the shelves men are very limited. I think the future is androgynous clothing for everyone.

Q. Describe your look in three words.

Adventurous, spontaneous, diverse.

Q. Where do you shop in Charlotte?

I get my face products at Jeffre Scott. I get a lot of my clothes from Jordanos. I love vintage shopping at Hong Kong, Value Village, and I love out of town excursions.

Q. Where do you shop out of town?

Asheville and Savannah ... I love finding little gems, little diamonds in the rough. I love discovering one-off pieces, or pieces just for me.

Q. Tell me your best find.

It was in Madrid, Spain. I was there to celebrate my 33rd birthday. We went to an art gallery in a neighborhood called La Latina, and they had a free thrift store. I found a great cut-off T-shirt with a big bull on it, and it has all this Spanish writing on it. It's white, and it has an art deco design on it that looks like Miró.

Q. What piece of clothing will you never give away?

My off-white mohair BCBG overcoat. It's gorgeous. It was when they made a men's collection. It's a magical jacket. I can wear it any time it is 55 and below.

Q. What brand of jeans fits you best?

I'll try anything, as long as it looks good on my booty. I like jeans that are flattering to my figure, and I'm a thinner guy. I like AG, I'm wearing Kentucky Denim today. Mondo Jeans look good on me.

Q. What is a must in your workout?

I don't work out. I've been blessed with a high metabolism and a thin figure. I do portion control and I try to eat healthy. I love pizza.

Q. Where's your favorite pizza in Charlotte?

Riccio's in Touchstone Shopping Center and Intermezzo in Plaza Midwood.