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The offspring of famous parents often struggle with beating their own path. As the son of presenter Zoe Ball and DJ Norman Cook AKA Fatboy Slim, Woody Cook would be forgiven for lingering in the long shadows cast by his parents.
Not so. The 21-year-old Cook has already established himself as a talented DJ in his own right, and his fanbase has only grown through his garrulous presence on social media and pioneering sense of style.
“Working in the entertainment sector, work feels like play – so that’s how I dress,” says Cook. A mantra to live by: work hard, look good but, most importantly, ensure you’re having fun.
On expressing the self through style
Your body’s your advertising board, you’ve got to express a bit of yourself – usually it comes through a loud shirt or weird trousers! For conversation, makes you stand out in a crowd, and expresses a bit of me.
On his dress sense
Working in the entertainment sector, work feels like play – so that’s how I dress. All I need is some happy music: put on a Hawaiian vinyl, put on a Hawaiian shirt. For a lot of people, feeling comfortable in their clothes might be to fit in. Mine would be the opposite. I feel like if I'm not wearing something that screams something, I don't feel as confident.
On Ted Baker
Ted Baker draws a good line for me, which is between smart and more out there. Even when I'm trying to be more smart, I still want to cross the boundaries. I'm not very good at the fancy things: fancy dinners, fancy suits. I use the fork with the wrong hand or whatever. Ted Baker lets me express myself while being smart.
On his relationship with his father, Norman Cook [aka Fatboy Slim]
There’s that expression: whatever you do, you become your parents. In a lot of ways, I’m very similar to my dad. The shirts, the career, being quite weird in general. It’s healthy.
On his wardrobe essentials
If I had to pick three items of clothing that’s essentially to get right, I’d say shirt, shoes and round your neck. Shirt, you need something that expresses you. Shoes, your outfit is never done without shoes – unless you're barefoot you’re gonna be wearing them every day! And I always have something around my neck, it just sets you apart and makes every outfit pop!
On his love of music
I love music. For me, DJing is a way I can express myself through music. I've always been a storyteller. To carve out my own little version of reality through music? It's brilliant!
On Norman's style
Me and my dad don't see eye to eye on style. I like big socks, he likes ankle socks. I will never wear ankle socks! I see him at home wearing slippers, making puzzles. Everyone else sees him on stage dancing around. Even when he dances, he dances like a dad!
On his special chain
For my 18th birthday, he got me a chain. He said it's only for special occasions but I haven't taken it off since. For me, it was a cool thing – like, you're a man now! It was my coming of age, my bar mitzvah, my trial.
