{Get it Shorty}

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}

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}

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

tierra cuba

Father, Son, Father, Son







Boys and Slingshots

{Bueno Stylista Social Club}

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

Coronel Juan Del Gado

1868-1898

revolutionist in cuba no.7 & no.8

Bien Cuba



Socialismo por Siempre

revolutionist in cuba no.6

Tenemos y Tendremos
Socialismo

revolutionist in cuba no.5

Viva La Solidaridad Entre Los Pueblos Del Mundo

revolutionist in cuba no.4

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

-Jose Marti

revolutionist in cuba no.3

"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

Hoy Mas Que Nunca...

Revolucion!

revolutionist in cuba no.1

Amo Esta Cuba

Too cool for cool

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...

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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}

“ 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?

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

{Whatever was lying next to my bed}

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

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}

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

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