Origin of Style

Windows

2007-11-27T08:37:00.000-08:00

Giving Props to the Window Dressers @ Housing Works on 23rd Street, NYC:

Revolutionist in Pakistan

2007-11-08T12:58:00.000-08:00

We found it striking when Buddhist monks marched in saffron hued droves throughout Mayanmar (Burma) in protest. It was a sight we found beautiful and inspiring, a group of people that have renounced the daily drama so many feed off of, taking it to the streets (sometimes barefoot) in the name of justice. And it looked hot! But at the same time we realised, their clothing wasn’t necessarily a choice. Forgive us if we are being ignorant, or naive or just plain wrong, but we imagine a Buddhist monks’ closet to look more like a linen closet rather than a boutique.

The recent protests by lawyers fitted in suits and ties in Pakistan really had us thinking though. Was it pre-meditated to wear a suit, like the protesters that orchestrated wearing all black in support of the Jena 6 recently? Or are they just so used to wearing a suit that they didn’t give it much thought. And if it was something coordinated by leaders of the protest, did they feel that their dress would impact how the world saw them and their cause? Media outlets all over the world couldn’t seem to mention the protests without noting the attire of the lawyers.

Washington Post Staff Writer, Philip Kennicott wrote:
“Men in suits don't throw things. If they confront police, they do it politely, in letters, in words spoken softly, reasonably, between reasonable men. Brooks Brothers doesn't tailor the revolution.”

We would put our bets on the leaders (the beautiful Bhutto being one of them), being media savvy enough to know that how they presented themselves and handled their opposition would aid turning the world either for or against them.

Perhaps by wearing western suits and speaking to reporters without needing a translator the people of the world’s superpowers would not immediately cast their cries aside as a foreign problem. Just maybe the other side of the globe would see that they are a more similar than dissimilar. And if that is the case, then maybe a Pakistani problem is a US problem. And maybe imagining how one would feel if the US constitution were stripped away wouldn’t be so foreign.

Marley Dude

2007-11-08T12:08:00.000-08:00

In case you were wondering, you’re looking at it. The
next trend. No nonsense denim. Yep, three hundred
dollar “luxury” jeans are about to go the way of the
real estate market, friends. Looks similar to
Kilungee’s, the forward thinker from Brooklyn who taps
Bob Marley as his biggest influence, will be back like
black. Especially worn like this, relaxed and
unconcerned about the denim matching perfectly like we
did in the past. Oh, and the answer to the other
thing you were wondering about? He’s been growing the
beard for 4 years. He says, it “suits his inner self.”
The photo doesn't do it much justice, but it definitely suits
his outer self too.

Painting Street Style

2007-11-07T03:11:00.000-08:00

This painting entitled Street, Dresden by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner is currently on view at MOMA. We just had to bring it Origin of Style. This is what the museum has said about it:

"The street—Dresden's fashionable Königstrasse—is crowded, even claustrophobically so, yet everyone seems alone. The women at the right, one clutching her purse, the other her skirt, are holding themselves in, and their faces are expressionless, almost masklike. A little girl is dwarfed by her hat, one in a network of eddying, whorling shapes that entwine and enmesh the human figures."

"Street, Dresden is a bold expression of the intensity, dissonance, and anxiety of the modern city. Kirchner later wrote, "The more I mixed with people the more I felt my loneliness."

The Museum of Modern Art, MoMA Highlights, New York: The Museum of Modern Art, revised 2004, originally published 1999, p. 60

{AfroBettye}

2007-11-06T01:52:00.000-08:00

“I start my day off with people magazine every day,” confesses Sassy when asked what magazines she reads. I’m obsessed with [reading] everything. I know it sounds pathetic because I’m supposed to be a writer; I should be reading bell hooks or something important.” But don’t merely write this New York transplant off as a sciolist. Sassy is a poet pursuing her master’s, that loves Bettye Davis and 50’s movies. She classifies her style as “the Bettey Davis: afrocentric approach, whatever that means.” With its shapes and creeks of color, we think this outfit is quite poetic.

Stand- out style in 30 min or less...

2007-10-28T05:11:00.000-07:00

Like a moth to a flame, we picked Issa and Karla out of a uneventful 14th street crowd. With the Rainbow Bright clashes and even the monochromatic black they were a welcomed sight for bored eyes. We caught the duo in the middle of running "illicit illegal errands for a friend’s birthday" and running to a show. But they were able to chat just long enough to tell us that if they could afford it they would sport Marc Jacobs and Betsey Johnson along with their usual thrift store finds. If they could steal anyone's style without getting arrested it would be singer Jenny Lewis' (Karla) and actress Allison Lohman's (Issa). And like a piping hot pizza or a no bake cheesecake it only takes them 30 minutes to look like they don't care what you think they look like. Perhaps we could all learn a thing or two from those sweet, no fuss cheesecakes.

{Never Let The Empire State Building Outshine You}

2007-09-28T04:53:00.000-07:00

This dashing young sir is called by the name of Terry Wynn the Second. During an event at the penthouse loft of the Soho Grand we caught Sir Terry looking like a G for gentleman, doing the things that dashing men like himself do: basking in the city lit glow of a rooftop balcony, witty conversation, and beautiful people. Terry says he always tries to keep the atmosphere of his scheduled appearances in mind when getting dressed. "I knew I'd be standing on a balcony in New York for which the shirt, tie, jacket combo would be perfect. You never want to wear something that looks great on you but is terrible for the setting. What's the use of a Dior chinchilla in the Hamptons during the summer?" To that we say touché Terry, and we're sure his style mentors Beau Brummel, Sammy Davis Jr., Gordon Parks and David Bowie would agree.

{City Beach Boys}

2007-09-04T20:41:00.000-07:00

Mauricio and Khole wearing black to the beach. Mauricio and Khole wearing denim to the beach. Mauricio and Khole wearing black denim to the beach.
Sound Impractical? Hear these Brooklyn boys out first.
As Mauricio rationalizes of his Paul Morrisey-influenced style, “I’m always in all black. It’s the easiest thing to wear around the city.” As for Khole, the sunglasses are vintage Balenciaga and “the headband is just to keep the hair out of my eyes.” So there is a reason for their stylishness...Very practical.

{Get it Shorty}

2007-08-29T08:59:00.000-07:00

Shorts similar to these used to be reserved for Luke or 69 Boyz music videos. And maybe Richard Simmons work out tapes. But when we noticed Brianna at a summer fiesta in Brooklyn, the Daisy Dukes weren't the first thing that grabbed our attention. The fact that she was able to pull off such short shorts without putting us off is what struck us. After talking to Brianna about her style we think we've figured out the formula. For starters she told us that she declared early on that for Summer ‘07 shorts would be her summer staple. Then she waxed stylish about how she "absolutely loves Valentino", and "old Hollywood" mavens like Dorothy Dandridge and Audrey Hepburn. And we got it! Three parts classic and distinctive + One part fun and sexy = 100% fierce, and flirty.

{Style Swap}

2007-08-24T10:07:00.000-07:00

Meet Pamela and Jennifer. They are sisters from Paris. They admire the styles of Lou Doillon, Kirsten Dunst, and Chris Martin from Cold Play to name a few. Usually Pam dresses a la Jen (more classically) and Jen dresses a la Pam (more funky). On their last day in New York they decided to switch styles. Its cool ladies, laissez les bon temps roulez, what happens in the States stays in the States!

{fall out girls}

2007-08-13T08:41:00.000-07:00

Mari Ann, Tiara, and Emily are summer camp volunteers. And this is what they wear to camp. That's because they work at the Willie Mae Rock Camp for girls. WMRC is this really rad (yes, we said rad) day camp for girls created to teach music, foster self-confidence, and encourage them to give a middle finger to the status quo. Pretty much the same thing we try to do at Origin of Style, minus the music lessons. After catching up on your Origin posts you should definitely check out their site at http://www.williemaerockcamp.org/.

tierra cuba 2

2007-08-04T12:21:00.000-07:00

tierra cuba

2007-08-03T07:27:00.000-07:00

Father, Son, Father, Son

Boys and Slingshots

{Bueno Stylista Social Club}

2007-08-01T06:27:00.000-07:00

rev·o·lu·tion·ar·y adj
1. relating to or involving a political or social revolution
2. causing, supporting, or advocating revolution
3. so new and different as to cause a major change in something

n
somebody committed to a political or social revolution.
Also called revolutionist

Encarta® World English Dictionary

Martin and Malcolm wore suits. Che and Fidel rocked fatigues. What does a present day revolutionary dress like? We're kicking off the first part of our series on rebel wear while on location in Cuba. We snapped some volunteers and activists making their contribution towards a better world while in the country of old school cars and new school governing (Free health care anyone?). And there wasn’t a single pair of Birkenstocks in the crowd (not even the hot new shiny black ones). We think even making small change adds up to a lotta sense. Get in where you fit in.

revolutionist in cuba no.9

2007-08-01T06:23:00.000-07:00

Coronel Juan Del Gado

1868-1898

revolutionist in cuba no.7 & no.8

2007-08-01T06:20:00.000-07:00

Bien Cuba

Socialismo por Siempre

revolutionist in cuba no.6

2007-08-01T03:07:00.000-07:00

Tenemos y Tendremos
Socialismo

revolutionist in cuba no.5

2007-08-01T03:02:00.000-07:00

Viva La Solidaridad Entre Los Pueblos Del Mundo

revolutionist in cuba no.4

2007-08-01T02:59:00.001-07:00

Quien se levanta hoy con Cuba, Se levanta para los todos tiempos!

-Jose Marti

revolutionist in cuba no.3

2007-08-01T02:56:00.000-07:00

"La pobreza pasa
lo que no pasa es la
deshonra que con preleslo
de la probeza suelen echar
los hombres sobre si"

- Jose Marti

revolutionist in cuba no.2

2007-08-01T02:55:00.000-07:00

Hoy Mas Que Nunca...

Revolucion!

revolutionist in cuba no.1

2007-07-31T18:27:00.000-07:00

Amo Esta Cuba

Too cool for cool

2007-07-06T07:21:00.000-07:00

Tamara and Pete. Uncategorically cool. We saw them and thought...Brady Bunch? Not really. Hipster? Not really. The scarf, the Obama button. They are definitely styled but nothing we can peg. We love it. Easy and Colorful. Loose and Kempt. Tamara partnered her Betsey Johnson shorts with whatever was clean and Pete just threw his Bob Dylan 1994 World Tour Concert tee on with whatever...

?????????????????????????????

2007-06-25T11:00:00.000-07:00

Question: We did our research, and the Bible says “Don’t be concerned with the outward beauty that depends on fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes.” (1Peter 3:3) Many spiritual practices other than Christianity charge followers to downplay worldly things as well. What do you think? Is it sacrilegious to put on your Sunday Best and go to church?

{Style gods}

2007-06-25T10:43:00.000-07:00

“ Come as you are.” A mantra of both God and Kurt Cobain. We caught David (left) and Roger (right) post- church/pre- brunch and what they “are” is stylish. Though they’re rockin’ labels like Dsquared and Yves Saint Laurent, their outfits are more of a casual reflection of the season instead of a gaudy reflection of labels. They told us among their personal style icons are, “Tom Ford and Ryan Seacrest, and themselves (me and him) of course.” Of course! Sometimes you gotta sing your own praises . Can we get an Amen?

2007-06-23T20:19:00.000-07:00

"Style is an expression of individualism mixed with charisma."- John Fairchild

{Whatever was lying next to my bed}

2007-06-19T13:06:00.000-07:00

We didn’t think Zoë picked up cues from any of the shops in the Upper West Side neighborhood we caught her traipsing around in. And we were right. When asked what her inspiration was for this outfit she said, “I just kinda put on whatever was lying next to my bed.” Included in that pile is the vest she’s rockin’ which she’s had since she was “like six.” It all makes for a really personalized style in our opinion. The kind you can’t find pre-packaged in any store.

style: the unilanguage

2007-06-14T10:46:00.000-07:00

Ryoto was the picture of calm in a mid-Manhattan rush hour mad dash. Hailing from Japan, he interrupted his sightseeing just long enough to translate his style to us. What’s Japanese for laid- back funk? He said he's into Indochina and Gucci right now. We think it works as a contrast of old and new i.e., the shirt he’s rockin’ from Osaka and his sunglasses from Gucci.

{Today I felt like Uuuuugggh}

2007-06-13T11:39:00.000-07:00

We stopped Oroma (left) and Vicky (right) while frolicking around the streets of Brooklyn because of the apparent ease in which they were able to pull off such a polished laissez-faire look. Though their color palates are muted, they are still in stark contrast to the colorful boho-chic (sometimes clichéd) look that often defines Brooklyn and was definitely in effect on this particular weekend afternoon. When asked what it was that informed their fashion decision, they both credited their mood. What mood was that? “Uuuuugggh,” according to Vicky.

Darwinian Style Study

2007-05-28T14:14:00.000-07:00

If what you wear is a statement, this aims to observe a dialogue. It is to serve as a record of the message one intends to convey through dress, and that message as it is perceived by others. Here the duality of rugged and street, sexy and slutty, chic and sheepish is examined.

This study also attempts to journal the idiosyncrasies of fashion movements as they transition into either monuments or relics. The evolution of jeans from work pants made from tent canvas to the ubiquitous display of ($200 a pop) hip they are today. The journey of sneakers from gyms and courts to never worn, limited edition collector’s items. Who started putting pennies in loafers? Wearing baseball caps backwards?

There is wearing an article, or there is rockin’ it. And then there is Origin of Style simply trying to capture glimpses of both.

Style began way before clothes were labeled and humans became branded. Before we paid for advertisers to pay magazines to tell us what we must have. Hopefully this will serve as a reminder that style’s origin can be found where it still lies today, in you. -fs