José Alberto Uclés & Tom Noll
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Copa: Where are you both from?
Alberto: From San Pedro Sula in Honduras. Came to the US to go to Goshen College (Goshen, Indiana). Tom: Somerset, Ohio. Copa: When did you eventually become residents of the Washington, DC area?
Alberto: Over 40 years ago I came to DC to do an internship at the Organization of American States and to go to American University. Tom: 40 years, to set up a clinic for a close friend. 
Photo by @KapturedbyKasper
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Honduras
Honduras Flag
Ohio Flag
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Copa: How would you describe your distinctive 'style?'
Tom: Whimsical, artsy, creative and a little showy with a Steam Punk flair. Alberto, knowing more about what type of event we are going to – selects the basic jacket and myself as the stylist of the pair, I take it from there to create unique and eye catching coordinated (not matchy matchy) attire ensembles for the occasion. “The joy of dressing is an art, for all to enjoy.” We both used to model in our youth and were lucky to have been at and survived the famed Studio 54!
Alberto: As a pair/couple we want to honor our hosts, event, the artmakers or art supporters for their creative energy by making the effort to “dress for the occasion” and bring a smile to people- it is worth the effort! I like an elegant, sometimes extravagant artsy avantgarde look with unique fabrics and accessories that we have collected for almost two decades. Why fit the mold – “Why not be a Peacock in flock of birds”
Tom: Whimsical, artsy, creative and a little showy with a Steam Punk flair. Alberto, knowing more about what type of event we are going to – selects the basic jacket and myself as the stylist of the pair, I take it from there to create unique and eye catching coordinated (not matchy matchy) attire ensembles for the occasion. “The joy of dressing is an art, for all to enjoy.” We both used to model in our youth and were lucky to have been at and survived the famed Studio 54!
Alberto: As a pair/couple we want to honor our hosts, event, the artmakers or art supporters for their creative energy by making the effort to “dress for the occasion” and bring a smile to people- it is worth the effort! I like an elegant, sometimes extravagant artsy avantgarde look with unique fabrics and accessories that we have collected for almost two decades. Why fit the mold – “Why not be a Peacock in flock of birds”
Copa: At what time and place did you meet each other?
Alberto: We met at a fundraiser for the Washington Ballet in Georgetown 18 years ago and married August 19, 2013, when President Obama signed into law that Federal Employees could marry their same sex-partners.
Tom: It is so funny now to think, I was put off by how cocky and confident he was. But we chatted and found common ground.
Alberto: I just thought he was a nice looking tall glass of cool water.
Alberto: We met at a fundraiser for the Washington Ballet in Georgetown 18 years ago and married August 19, 2013, when President Obama signed into law that Federal Employees could marry their same sex-partners.
Tom: It is so funny now to think, I was put off by how cocky and confident he was. But we chatted and found common ground.
Alberto: I just thought he was a nice looking tall glass of cool water.
Copa: It appears that when you attend various events in the area you both bring in a fabulous flair. Is it magic or just plain great personalities?
Tom: Alberto & I love life, art, the wonder of it all and the uplifting energy it brings. Alberto is a “people person” and a connector of people.
Alberto: Wow! Fun interesting question. People who meet us or follow us on Social Media, say they find us authentic, warm, happy, focused, empathetic, caring and always accessible. We believe that in the harsh world that we live in sometimes, the arts, culture, and fashion uplifts us all. So, we need to bring magic and whimsy. We always see the glass as ‘half-full’ of excitement and creativity.
Tom: Alberto & I love life, art, the wonder of it all and the uplifting energy it brings. Alberto is a “people person” and a connector of people.
Alberto: Wow! Fun interesting question. People who meet us or follow us on Social Media, say they find us authentic, warm, happy, focused, empathetic, caring and always accessible. We believe that in the harsh world that we live in sometimes, the arts, culture, and fashion uplifts us all. So, we need to bring magic and whimsy. We always see the glass as ‘half-full’ of excitement and creativity.
Copa: How did you acquire the title of the "Artsy Fashion Peacocks?"
Alberto: We have been called many things, “the artsy guys,” “the glitter gents,” but what has stuck more after New York Times, photographer, and writer Billy Cunningham, wrote a fab column on May 2016, about men “Peacocking” – dressing glamorous again with flair to attend events in NYC. We met this humble, shy talented gentleman at the Smithsonian Museum of History in 2011 when his first documentary was shown, - he liked what we were wearing and called us Peacocks. So, some friends started calling us “Peacocks” and due to our involvement with art, fashion, cultural, diplomatic, or philanthropic events – some started using the combo of “Artsy Fashion Peacocks;” and it took off and we did our Instagram account under that name and now we go to events, and people ask us – “Are you the Artsy Fashion Peacocks?” 
Copa: What does the future hold in the wonderful world of Alberto and Tom?
Alberto & Tom: We have been blessed and are grateful for the wondrous opportunities this great DMV Metro Area has given us and for the amazingly eclectic, talented, and kind community of creators & supportive organizations and media that we are able to embrace and support as friends. If we may dream, as a true social media influencer in the future, we would love to be able to promote worthy products in the media (if Iris Apfel can at 102 – we have some time), be able to have a “Savvy Fashion Adventures with the Artsy Fashion Peacocks” TV segment. To be able to continue advocating for a myriad of artsy, fashionable, and philanthropic causes and bringing positive energy where we go and encouraging others to express themselves thru their own fashion & style. |
Copa: Did you wish to become true social media influencers or things just happen to work out that way?
Tom: No, we did not start thinking of it that way, we are both busy with our jobs and artsy pursuits. I am an artist, designer/decorator and children’s book author. It just sort of happened, as people would see us everywhere. Especially, after Alberto stepped down a year ago after 10 years from his Mayoral appointment as Commissioner at the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities; as we would attend all sorts of great art, theatre, cultural, musical events, people would approach us for advice, questions, or help. But Alberto is the best writer and fair reviewer you want for your events. Alberto: Ha, Ha, - Not really, as between my fulfilling and full-time job at the US DOT’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration – as their Hispanic Public Affairs Spokesperson and Affairs Specialist, and helping some arts organizations, I did not have the time, but one thing led to another and even after leaving the DCCAH, invites just kept pouring in and asks for advice. But we are honored and thrilled that we help and advocate for so many diverse, talented and creative forces in our great DMV area. 
Copa: Who are the 3 main people of all time who have made a great influence on your lives?
Alberto: My Italian maternal grandmother Emma Pizzati, for showing me style, kindness and love of the arts, Designers Oscar de la Renta & Ralph Lauren (for their class & style) and Bob Mackie & Terry Mugler (for their whimsy and sexy fashions) Tom: Iris Apfel – 102 year-old fun, bold & colorful NYC fashionista icon, NYTimes photographer Billy Cunningham (predicted fun trends and fashions) and writer Oscar Wilde (his style and biting social commentary) Copa: About the popular/fabled “Peacock Walk-In Closet”
Alberto & Tom: Their artsy town house is considered by many like a museum/a cabinet of curiosities – as it does truly combine their eclectic art collections (about 60% is from local artists), joie de vivre and love for visual, performing arts and fashion. Even a serene Buddha patio with over 80 Buddhas of all sizes and types. But the main attraction of their home - that everyone wants to experience since its unveiling at the end of 2019 - is their one-of-a-kind Peacock Walk-In Closet, designed by Tom himself designed and built with Interior Designer Chad Alan. Their 12 x 14 “boutique-style” space is a meticulously curated and organized collection of unique clothes and accessories that upholds their belief that fashion is a creative art form. It expresses their individuality and trendsetting attitude. To this date they have collected 400 jackets/suits, tons of colorful shirts, vests, accessories, and 100+ evening shoes in rich patterns, brocades, and fabrics from all around the world. They are not label snobs and being expert & budget conscious shoppers, they find elements for their ensembles off the rack everywhere, online and on trips. Some sparkly favorites are from local designers Larius Jackson (Why Not Boutique), Ean Williams, and their signature unique handcrafted jewelry broaches and pins are from their good friend, sister and local creative designer Mindy Lam |
"The Peacock Closet"
