The Love Portfolio: Michael Fisher + Michael Maccari

Photography by Roger Erickson. Michael Fisher (left) and Michael Maccari.

Michael Fisher, Stylist, The Wall Group
There was this strip bar downtown, the Pussycat Lounge. I was there with friends, and Michael was on a date he didn't quite know was a date. We locked eyes. My first thought was Italian stud. I went over, and his friend asked how old I was, because I was 29 and Michael was 11 years older. I was a little drunk and swung around and said, "Why, you wanna have a threesome?" That was the end of that friend. So then we made out for a while and left the club.

He had reservations because I was much younger. He didn't want to relive his 30s. But now it's been 14 years. We're not married. We got engaged early on, like everyone did when it became official in New York. I had my grandfather's ring refurbished and was going to give it to him for Christmas, but then I was like, Why am I sitting on this fucking ring? So I proposed to him in Paris on Valentine's Day. He got a little mad I did it first. He has this tough exterior, but he's such a softy.

Sex is great on the weekends, hotel sex is better, Monday-night sex is eh. You have this other, more intense intimacy, which is about knowing someone so thoroughly. We like to hang out. We like to work together. Since he's been appointed creative director, I've styled every show. He's the only guy with whom I've felt I could be myself.

Michael Maccari, Creative Director, Perry Ellis
That first night was fun, and the next day we were still super into each other. He was supposed to move to London, so I wasn't expecting much. Then his job fell through, and it was like, "Now we have to deal with this."

He surprised me with his proposal -- I was supposed to do it. I was older, the daddy. Everyone was running to the altar and getting married like lunatics. People get married and have kids, but I think there's got to be another way: our way, through the middle.

I kind of pushed him into styling. He'd stay over at my apartment and the next day grab my clothes and put them together in a completely different way. I sat back and said, "What about styling?" We work together on shows and campaigns. I think in the beginning everyone thought that'd be a problem, but it's pretty seamless.

He's very much a gentleman. I've always said his mother raised him right. He gets up, pulls the chair out, holds the door. He'll do it for me, but I appreciate it most when he does it for other people. I'll immediately think, I should have done that.

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