What's My Logo: Bernard Henri Lévy On His Signature Suits And Unbuttoned Shirts

Bernard-Henri Lévy is one of France's leading philosophers and one of the most esteemed and best-selling writers in Europe. Lévy's thirty books, which include cultural commentary, novels and journalism, have continued to stir up such excitement that The Guardian recently noted he is "accorded the kind of adulation in France that most countries reserve for their rock stars." And, indeed, Lévy looks like something of a rock star with his signature dark suits and unbuttoned down-to-there white shirts. Lévy answered my questions about his logo with typical existential flair:

How long have you had your logo of a white unbuttoned shirt with a dark suit and no tie?

Always. Since Always.

How did it start?

Always, I say. Therefore no beginning. By definition, no beginning.

How has it evolved over time?

It has not evolved. I believe that time stands still.

What statement does your look make about you and your work?

This logo is the simplest it can be. Don't you think? I don't understand why it poses a problem. I do not even comprehend why it is being commented on. And I do not see what it says, at a profound level, about me.

Has anyone ever made a negative comment to you about your signature look?

All the time.

Do you wear dark suits and white shirts when you are not working or making personal appearances?

Of course.

Has your logo changed or altered with different jobs you have held?

I've never had a "job."

Who are your style icons?

Jean-Paul Sartre, Ernest Hemingway, Fernando Pessoa.

Do you think personal style is a professional asset?

No.

Besides creating a visual brand identity with your clothes, what are some of your signature style traits?

My signature is my style. Like all writers.

Comments

[johnmorgan]

I saw Bernard-Henri Levy when he spoke at Powell's Books in Portland, Oregon, a year or more ago, promoting his book, "American Vertigo." He was a very interesting speaker, and I enjoyed his talk, but I didn't notice what he wore and I don't much care either.

[dora rice]

women are wearing their dresses almost down to their belly button or their rump. So what is so unusual about him wearing his shirt open, I always wear my white shirt blouses like that. Besides Besides not all women can wear a low cut dress, not all men can wear an unbuttoned down there shirt. What can I say he is sexy, dressing like a bourgeoisie

[andrushka]

I am not a great fan of BHL, but honestly all those questions about his outfit are really ridiculous, as if that were SOOOOOOO important.
The important thing is what he has to say about Sarkozy, and there he's getting it right

[SURRYMARK]

I think that Francoise has it right, and nothing righter than her last paragraph. Or did we miss the spoof?

[francoise]

BHL belongs to the caviar left : a very wealthy guy, who advocates for sharing with the poors.

But it seems to me that he doesn't share much.

He wrote a book, American Vertigo, supposedly to explain what America has become.

It's a collection of personal stories about all the great and famous people who begged him to visit them.

Also I don't really believe that once he started to chat with a cop met at a street corner and the cop told him his opinion about Alexis De Tocqueville.

BHL is a cocky guy. Although I don't like him, I think that however, there could have been something more interesting to write about him than his clothes which nobody cares about, and rightfully so.

[Dehrenstein]

I liked Arielle Dombasle better with her old nose.