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You know what they say: good fencers make good neighbors…. A Brit by birth, Miles shares our love of an immaculately tailored topcoat and newsboy hat but is equally at home in a gent’s off-duty gear (hoodies and trainers) for forays around his Chelsea stomping grounds. A longtime friend of the brand — he wore Todd Snyder to attend the Met Gala in 2017 — Miles has an eclectic signature style we’ve always admired. We caught up with the sport and style star downtown at Miss Lily’s just days after the U.S. Men’s Foil team’s historic win at the 2019 FIE World Championships to talk swords, suits and the importance of shaping a legacy.
TODD SNYDER:
Did you always know you wanted to become a fencer?
MILES CHAMLEY-WATSON:
I moved from London to America when I was ten years old and was that pain-in-the-butt kid who always had to stay after school. I had to pick an extracurricular activity, so I tried fencing and fell in love immediately. Picking up the foil felt natural. If I hadn’t gotten in trouble I wouldn’t be here.
TS:
You’re a terrific champion of the sport of fencing today. What do you enjoy most about it?
MCW:
The intimacy of it, the one on one combat where it’s just you and the opponent — that has always really spoken to me. You put the mask on, you become a different person. You realize it’s just you and the opponent — and your coaches, of course. So much is about the power of the weapon, the feeling of picking up that foil.
TS:
I’m quite intrigued by the uniform and the equipment as well — the technicality of it.
MCW:
Fencing is one of the oldest sports there is, but in the olden days it was a lot less safe. People died. Now they’ve changed the materials so they have more strength and can withstand greater force and more newtons. I love the new materials, the slickness of it. I love the mask. I was the first American to ever have an American flag on their mask. Fencing is such a fresh, sexy sport and it works so well with fashion. Dior has been inspired by it, and more companies are getting into it. A lot of style inspiration can come from fencing, and I love being part of that.
TS:
You’ve walked the runway and you’ve sat front row. Tell me more about your love of fashion. Where did it come from?
MCW:
Since I was a little kid I had a passion for it. I didn’t even think anything of it — it just made me happy. Now I think, “Look good, play good.” Right now I’m working on changing up the fencing uniform because it’s one of the only sports where the uniform hasn’t really evolved much. I can’t say much about it yet but there’s lots of potential. I’m lucky the fashion world has really been embracing me, and I want to bridge a gap that’s never been bridged before.
TS:
When you’re out of your uniform you’ve got a really unique, eclectic sense of style. How would you describe it?
MCW:
I call it luxury sportswear with a British twist. No, I just made that up! My style is quite versatile, a lot of mixing high-end and streetwear. I love suits and super high-end tailoring, and I love newsboy hats — I’m still a good London boy. I love plaid. I’m also a big hoodie person and love a good pair of trainers. Those are my essentials. I just really love fashion.
TS:
You also make a statement with your tattoos, which are incredible.
MCW:
I have a lot of tattoos — tattoos of people who inspire me, from all walks of life. Bob Marley. Muhammad Ali, Evel Knievel. I’m a massive Bruce Lee fan and have him on my leg. People who were larger than just their sport. They’ve made me who I am.
TS:
What is a typical day like for you?
MCW:
I wake up at 7am an go to the gym until around 9am. Then on to fencing for about 6 hours — training, meetings, sponsorship stuff. My days are busy but I love it. Right now there are a lot of opportunities, and it’s exciting. That’s also the beauty of fencing — there are always so many things that can happen, and you need to just be ready for them.
TS:
You and I both really like that kind of energy, which is really the energy of New York.
MCW:
I love being here in New York. I was born in London, and New York made me. I never forget my roots in London, but being able to represent America in the Olympics is amazing. It’s really cool to see both sides of the sword, so to speak. I think that’s one of the reasons we hit it off right away, this love of British culture and American heritage.
TS:
You’re just back from Budapest, where the U.S. Men’s Foil team cinched the 2019 World Championship. Congratulations, buddy. What do you take with you on the road to stay focused and at the top of your game?
MCW:
A good hoodie is my number one. A great duffel bag. Headphones. Essential oils — the one I’m using now has lavender, citrus, rosemary. My nutritionist gave it to me for energy. I love essential oils.
TS:
What’s coming up next for you?
MCW:
Well, I’m working on my foundation [the Miles Chamley-Watson Foundation], building a couple of business projects, working with Nike and Red Bull. Training really hard, having a great time and hoping we make the 2020 Olympics. I’m trying to live by my motto, #CreateaLegacyNotaMoment. I’m enjoying the journey and embracing everything. It’s a long year ahead, but right now I feel incredible.
