Once upon a time, in what feels like a previous fashion lifetime, I served as Editor-in-Chief of a fashion magazine. That job involved many glamorous duties: attending shows, producing fashion shoots, and mostly, begging luxury brands for money. It also taught me one enduring truth: style has very little to do with how much money someone spends, and everything to do with how well someone understands themselves.
A truly stylish person projects their personality outward. Clothing, jewellery and watches are simply the tools. The result should feel natural, flattering and unmistakably theirs: the visual equivalent of a firm handshake and a good sense of humour. Of course, brands and money can help. A well-cut jacket rarely hurts anyone. But style itself cannot be bought. It appears when someone is willing to dress in a way that reflects who they are, rather than who a shop window suggests they should be.
The most interesting dressers are rarely the most predictable ones. They are the people unafraid of colour, texture, unusual tailoring or the occasional piece that makes you wonder, briefly, whether they dressed in the dark… until you realise they absolutely meant to do that. Vienna, a city that manages to balance “Wiener” peculiarity with a healthy dose of eccentricity, is full of such individuals. Some lean into classic refinement, others into modern flair and yet others, into a large dose of sex appeal.
The following list celebrates those people: Vienna’s best dressed. Not because they follow trends, but because they ignore them with remarkable confidence.
Some men wear suits. Reza Akhavan inhabits them.
His aesthetic can best be described as Italian chic meets real estate tycoon — a combination that works remarkably well when executed with the kind of confidence and precision Reza brings to it. Tailoring is the foundation of his wardrobe, and almost everything he wears is bespoke.
He is particularly known for his double-breasted, pinstriped suits, which he carries with the kind of effortless authority that makes the look feel less like fashion and more like a personal signature. Add to that impeccably crafted loafers in some of the world’s most exotic leathers and a rotation of truly beautiful watches, and the picture becomes clear: refinement is very much the point.
But what makes Reza interesting is that his elegance never becomes rigid. He is not afraid to have fun with fashion. I have personally seen him in very short silk Gucci monogram shorts paired with a matching silk shirt. A look that would terrify most men, yet somehow felt entirely natural on him.
The overall effect is one of cultivated ease. Reza doesn’t simply dress well he radiates a kind of polished confidence that makes everything he wears appear inevitable.
Style, it seems, also runs in the family. His son Adrian recently launched a sunglass brand, See True Glasses: proof that the Akhavan appreciation for aesthetics is clearly hereditary.
Image: ©LuizaLiamtiugina
In my humble opinion, Sylvie Utidjan is Vienna’s best dressed woman. Full stop.
There are stylish people, and then there are people for whom style seems to run quite literally through their veins. Sylvie belongs firmly in the latter category. She is a regular presence on the front rows of shows such as Schiaparelli. Not as someone chasing fashion, but as someone who naturally belongs in that world.
Her aesthetic can best be described as Victoria Beckham-esque: polished, precise and impeccably tailored. Sylvie understands the quiet power of a perfect fit. Wide-legged trousers that fall exactly as they should, beautifully cut dresses, sharp silhouettes and an effortless sense of proportion define her wardrobe.
Unlike many devotees of minimalist tailoring, however, she does not shy away from colour. When she chooses to introduce it, she does so with the same confidence and elegance that defines the rest of her look. In the image above, she wears a leather Magda Butrym top, Phoebe Philo spiral skirt, McQueen heels and a Balenciaga bag.
The result is a style that feels elegant, cool, chic and deeply sophisticated. The kind of dressing that never appears forced or trend-driven. It simply looks right.
And while I may be somewhat obsessed with Sylvie as a style icon, the real reason she stands out is something less visible: she is not only impeccably dressed, but also an exceptionally kind person: a combination that, in fashion as in life, is always the most elegant of all.
Image: ©FedeGuendel
Most people know Nuriel Molcho as part of the NENI gastronomy dynasty. I, however, like to think of him first as the son of one of the most charismatic men alive: Sammy Molcho, the legendary pantomime artist whose presence, talent and unmistakable elegance have made him an icon in his own right. Fortunately, Nuriel seems to have inherited not only the creative spirit but also the sense of style.
Beyond gastronomy, he is also the founder and designer behind Nomade Moderne, his own line of handcrafted hats. These pieces have become a signature element of his wardrobe, perfectly matched to his outfits with the ease of someone who understands that accessories are often what truly complete a look.
His personal style can best be described as nomadic. It draws heavily on his ethnic roots and heritage, resulting in a wardrobe filled with natural fabrics, particularly linen, and silhouettes that feel relaxed yet intentional. His most recognisable staple is undoubtedly the harem pant, worn in various materials and colours, a piece so closely associated with him that it has practically become part of his visual identity.
In the image above, he wears trousers by Haider Ackermann paired with a shirt by Hannibal, along with the famous Husar boots by Ludwig Reiter. The same distinctive boots that made their cinematic debut in Inglourious Basterds, bringing the Austrian heritage shoemaker international recognition.
For those wishing to emulate Nuriel’s eclectic aesthetic, two Vienna addresses are worth noting: The Treasury, which offers an excellent selection of Japanese pieces alongside European designers, and Backyard Archive, a treasure trove for collectors of Haider Ackermann runway pieces.
Like the best personal styles, Nuriel’s wardrobe feels less like a curated outfit and more like a lived-in philosophy: relaxed, cultured and unmistakably individual.
Image: ©NurielMolcho
Some people acquire style over time. Others seem to grow up surrounded by it. Xenia Rybina belongs very much to the latter category.
Raised in an international environment and educated at the Vienna International School, she moves effortlessly between cultures and cities. Her life unfolds between Paris, Moscow and Vienna, a triangle of influences that subtly shapes the way she dresses.
Her aesthetic reflects this blend beautifully. There is something distinctly Slavic in her look: a certain richness, femininity and presence that brings to mind the elegance of a Russian doll. Yet this is softened by an unmistakable bohemian ease: flowing silhouettes, relaxed textures and a sense of spontaneity that keeps everything from feeling overly formal.
The result is a style that could best be described as Russian Doll meets Boho chic. Decorative yet relaxed, feminine yet cosmopolitan.
Her favourite brands are also far from obvious. Instead of the usual luxury suspects, she gravitates toward labels that feel like well-kept secrets, ahough I managed to uncover a few of them: Marina Eerrie, Sorella Era, Daniil Antsiferov and Nensi Dojaka. They perfectly reflect her taste for fashion that is distinctive, slightly under the radar and intellectually interesting.
Xenia also has a particular fondness for archival fashion. She collects pieces — often vintage — with the eye of someone who understands that great style is rarely about what is new, but about what is timeless.
It is the kind of aesthetic that only really works when it feels authentic. On Xenia, it does.
Image: ©XeniaRybina
Love her or hate her, one thing is undeniable: Angelika Rosam knows how to dress.
As the publisher behind Falstaff, one of Austria’s most successful lifestyle publications, she occupies a position that naturally comes with a certain public presence and she uses it well, to dress the part. Tall, slim and with the confidence that comes from both success and experience, Angelika happens to be the kind of person designers secretly hope will wear their clothes: the perfect clothes hanger.
And yes, she also has the means to indulge a serious fashion habit. In her case, money appears to have bought not just clothes, but very good taste. Though admittedly we may never know what her wardrobe would look like if she weren’t one of the country’s most successful publishers.
What makes her style interesting is its range. Angelika has the legs for a short skirt and is not remotely shy about showing them and why should she be? At the same time, she can move effortlessly between an elegant dress, a sharp pant suit, or a leather look with equal conviction.
There is also something else worth noting: she is a living example of someone who seems to be aging backwards and upwards. Angelika Rosam seems to improve with every passing year and her style evolves right along with her.
If Austria had an official ambassador to the world of luxury brands, Caroline van Kelst would be an obvious candidate and she certainly dresses the part.
Working in PR for some of the most prestigious names in the industry means she lives in close proximity to fashion, and her wardrobe reflects that with effortless precision. Her look is polished but never stiff. Elegant dresses — often by Petar Petrov — form a cornerstone of her wardrobe, frequently paired with exquisite pieces from Schullin Wien Fine Jewellery. The combination signals refinement and confidence without feeling overly deliberate.
Of course, great tailoring helps, but Caroline also happens to have what fashion editors politely refer to as “excellent proportions”: a fantastic figure and legs that make a strong case for beautifully cut dresses.
Another signature element is her perfectly coiffured short hair — a style so sharp and recognisable it has become part of her visual identity. Kris Jenner, respectfully, can take a hike.
The overall effect is unmistakable: elegant yet cool, polished yet relaxed. Caroline’s style quietly communicates wealth and taste, but crucially never drifts into the territory of being dull: a balance many try to achieve, and very few actually manage.
Some designers begin their careers in ateliers in Paris or Milan. Brandan Josh began in a tiny bedroom in Austria, with a sewing machine, a pile of used garments and a very clear vision.
Brandan’s original goal was beautifully simple: to become the kind of creative hero he admired growing up. Instead of starting from scratch, he chose upcycling as his medium, giving discarded garments a second life and transforming them into something entirely new. What started as experimentation quickly turned into obsession, as he steadily refined his sewing skills and developed a recognisable visual style language.
His style draws heavily from childhood cartoons and anime: from Pokémon to Yu-Gi-Oh. Influences that appear not only his clothing, but also in the way he presents them. Brandan’s image editing is deliberately outlandish and playful, echoing the exaggerated visual worlds that inspired him in the first place. The result is a universe that feels part animation, part dystopian fashion fantasy. Stylistically, the closest reference point might be Mad Max: rugged, inventive, slightly anarchic and built from pieces that appear to have lived several lives already.
Brandan is also one half of a very stylish power couple. His girlfriend, Nati Lika, is the make-up artist responsible for Nina Chuba’s famously fierce beauty looks, making them, collectively, a formidable creative duo.
Image: ©SimonRajchl
If Tbilisi is the new Paris and Georgian influence on high fashion has become impossible to ignore since Demna Gvasalia, then Nina Goguadze Zayed proves one thing above all: style is not a question of budget, but of attitude. It should also be mentioned, that she is the ex-wife of stylist Sammy Zayed, which undoubtedly, helps.
Educated in Milan and Florence, she carries the precision of Italian design tradition with effortless ease. One might almost assume she were the daughter of Miuccia Prada — were it not for the simultaneously poetic, slightly intellectual coolness that unmistakably recalls Dries Van Noten (whom she is wearing as one of her favorite designers, in the image on the left).
It is as if Miuccia were the mother and Dries the father of this aesthetic: Italian clarity and Belgian poetry, gently held together with a whisper of Parisian spirit. The entire composition is crowned and subtly sharpened by carefully selected vintage accessories that give her look depth and individuality.
Nothing about Nina’s style feels calculated. Everything simply falls into place. Unpretentious, yet completely self-assured.
Frankly, she ought to be a personal stylist. A fashion consultant. Or perhaps the founder of her own label. Until then, she remains one of those rare figures who doesn’t need trends to become a reference point.
Image: ©NinaGoguadze
Remember that iconic Balenciaga show where the models marched through a snowstorm, looking slightly apocalyptic, slightly rebellious and entirely fabulous? That aesthetic — dramatic, modern and a little bit chaotic in the best possible way — is probably the closest visual reference for Sarah Bzoch.
Sarah is a make-up artist by profession, which immediately explains a great deal. Creativity is literally her daily business, and it shows in the way she approaches fashion. Her style resists neat categorisation, which is usually the most reliable sign that someone actually has one.
The easiest way to describe her look is as a modern, eclectic mix that borrows from several worlds at once. There is a touch of grunge and punk attitude, a dash of K-pop energy, and occasionally something that feels as if it wandered straight out of Sailor Moon… though filtered through a very grown-up, fashion-forward lens.
The result is playful, slightly rebellious and unmistakably contemporary. Sarah dresses with the confidence of someone who understands that fashion should never be too safe.
Her favourite brands reflect this perfectly: Balenciaga, Vetements, Gucci, Jacquemus and Otto Linger. The latter a label very much worth googling, if only to understand the sort of fashion universe Sarah moves in.
In a city often associated with classical elegance, Sarah brings something refreshing: a dose of modern, slightly subversive cool.
Image: ©SarahBzoch
When styling is your profession, good taste is not optional. It is the job description. Fortunately for Vienna, Julia Eisenburger possesses it in abundance.
As a stylist, Julia quite literally makes a living out of understanding what works, what doesn’t, and why. In fact, her influence runs through this list in more ways than one: she is also responsible for dressing two of the men featured here. Consider her the quiet architect behind several of Vienna’s most well-dressed figures.
But Julia’s look is more layered than a simple tailoring story. It can best be described as a fascinating mix of Bohemian chic à la Jane Birkin and Italian industrial clarity. It appears effortless, natural and yet very consciously composed.
The Jane Birkin-inspired bohemian element reveals itself through relaxed silhouettes, natural materials and a certain nonchalance, as if everything simply fell together by accident. At the same time, an Italian industrial aesthetic cuts through this softness: clean lines, structured elements and an urban precision reminiscent of Milanese design tradition.
The result is an intriguing contrast between relaxed bohème and a precise, almost architectural sense of form. It is a style that feels effortless, cultivated and decidedly sophisticated. A balance of Parisian bohemia, Italian design awareness and urban cool. With, it must be said, just the faintest touch of mafia.
Image: ©JuliaEisenburger
Through her Instagram page Karolina’s Fairy Tale, she documents a life that feels exactly as advertised: glamorous, sparkling and unapologetically luxurious. The modern version of someone who understands that fashion should be fun, a little theatrical, and ideally accompanied by very good champagne.
Her style sits firmly in the realm of high glamour and sex appeal. Think sexy silhouettes and radiant colours. Everything is expensive, yes. But more importantly, worn with confidence and joy. She dresses like someone who knows that life is, at least partly, a stage and she has no intention of blending into the background.
In the photograph accompanying this piece, she wears a striking full look by Schiaparelli, paired with a Richard Mille watch, Cartier jewellery and Saint Laurent earrings. A combination that perfectly captures her signature blend of bold glamour and unapologetic luxury.
And while handbags, diamonds and couture certainly play their role, her most charming accessory is undoubtedly her husband, who appears happily cast as the prince in Karolina’s very stylish fairy tale.
Image: ©IrinaShianova
David Worthmann
David Worthmann belongs to that rare breed of entrepreneur who wears success with remarkable ease. Confident in his presence, precise in the details and consistently very well dressed.
His talent lies less in grand gestures and more in instinct: recognising ideas, spotting opportunities and supporting start-ups at exactly the right moment. The industries themselves are almost secondary. What matters is his intuition: the ability to sense potential before it becomes obvious to everyone else.
His approach to fashion follows a similarly clear philosophy. Worthmann gravitates toward monochrome looks that feel calm, controlled and meticulously considered. His wardrobe is reduced, elegant and quietly confident — the sort of style that doesn’t need to shout to be noticed.
Rather than relying on predictable business formulas, he prefers subtle reinterpretations of classic tailoring. Suits are often paired with an open shirt or a fine rollneck, creating a look that feels modern without trying too hard. Footwear follows the same philosophy: from sharp Chelsea boots to the occasional velvet loafer.
The overall impression is one of cultivated restraint — proof that true style often lies not in excess, but in knowing exactly when to stop.
Image: ©DavidWorthmann
Elisabeth Gürtler
Every great city has a grand dame — and in Vienna, that role is very comfortably occupied by Elisabeth Gürtler.
As the managing director of the legendary Hotel Sacher, she presides over one of the city’s most iconic institutions with the same elegance and quiet authority that defines her personal style. If fashion had diplomatic ranks, Elisabeth would undoubtedly hold the title of ambassador for classic Viennese refinement.
Her wardrobe is a masterclass in understated elegance. Modest silhouettes, beautifully tailored pieces and a confident use of colour define her look. Elisabeth dresses with the certainty of someone who understands that true elegance whispers rather than shouts.
She is also frequently seen wearing traditional Austrian Tracht, a nod to heritage that feels entirely natural on her. In her hands, these national garments become part of a polished and dignified personal uniform.
Her dedication to her own fashion sense is absolute. When I once asked her to appear on a magazine cover, she agreed on one condition: she would style herself. No stylists, no interference. The request was not diva behaviour. It was simply the confidence of someone who knows exactly who she is and how she wishes to present herself.
The result is a style that feels almost regal in its consistency. If the Queen of England had been born on the Ringstrasse and raised on Sachertorte, she might have dressed very much like Elisabeth Gürtler.
Some people have great wardrobes. Ivana Essl has something even better: the kind of face and presence that would make almost anything look good. Quite possibly even a bin bag, if we are being honest.
Fortunately, she rarely has to test that theory. As a model and regular presence at international fashion weeks, Ivana moves comfortably within the world of high fashion, and her wardrobe reflects that proximity. Her style sits firmly in the realm of sexy and unapologetically luxurious, with a particular fondness for Schiaparelli and a handbag collection that appears to have a very healthy relationship with Hermès.
One could speculate, entirely hypothetically, of course, that the scale of her wardrobe and her enthusiasm for Hermès bags might test the financial resilience of even the most committed husband (wink, wink). But frankly, when it looks this good, it becomes difficult to argue with the investment.
Ivana’s aesthetic is bold, glamorous and unmistakably expensive. She dresses with the confidence of someone who knows exactly how fashion works and how to make it work for her.
But the real secret to her style is something no brand can sell: her face card. And in Ivana’s case, it never declines.