I wrote and trashed the draft for this post three times in two months. Seriously.
I was about to write a post on what I don’t like about (most of) “fashion week” street style photography nowadays. I was about to complain and criticize.
And maybe that’s why I was never convinced of what I wrote: I realized that I prefer to talk about the things I LIKE.
Maybe with a little bit of irony, for sure, but still I have more fun in telling you what I love instead of what I hate.
So which characteristics make the good street style for Al?
1) Personality and individuality
I love when personality shines through an outfit. It’s like having the feeling of how much fun this person had in putting that stuff together. And this doesn’t mean looking like a parrot to attract photographers, quite the opposite actually. It means that your clothes REALLY reflect who you are and what is your style. It’s something I’ve always admired in people ever since I was a kid, I’ve always noticed them and admired them in the streets, or at school, or in any other situation of life.
2) Simplicity, but with a statement
It might seem a contradiction in terms but there are hundreds of girls out there that are able to wear just a black t-shirt and jeans in such a stylish, signature way that almost moves me to tears. No, seriously. Very often it’s details the make the difference: the haircut, the way they chose some bangles, a lipstick, a pair of glasses…
3) Fun
I also like crazy-dressed people, but just when I realize that it’s because this is who they are, that they have deeply subscribed to a style that represents them (and again, not because it’s fashion week). Japanese people always give me a lot of satisfaction with this :D
4) Self-consciousness
My mother taught me that you don’t wear something if it looks bad on you, even if it’s super trendy. I deeply admire people that know their flaws and strengths, who know their bodies and dress accordingly. They are, most of the times, the most stunning. You don’t need to be beautiful, or super thin: if you know what suits you you will always shine.
5) Accessories
I love a good accessory of course!! I’m crazy for bags and jewelry, mainly. It doesn’t need to be a designer piece, or the latest IT bag, but it has to be great. And unique. I firmly believe that an accessory can definitely make an outfit.
6) Elegance
For me it’s the way you wear something, not what you actually wear. It’s the attitude let’s say, the ability to know when less is more and more is not too much. It’s the most difficult thing to learn in fashion I think (and I don’t know if I will ever get there!)
7) Color combinations
If you can combine colors in a great way I’m sold. Period. (crazy or basic way, doesn’t matter, both will do). It’s probably due to the fact that I’m an illustrator: bad combinations really HURT my eyes, while good combinations for me are a real pleasure. And a big style win.
8) A nice attitude
This is mainly by my point of view as a photographer. Especially during fashion week you know that you’re going to be photographed. So can you just be nice when I ask you for a photo, pretty please? A smile or a pinch of kindness don’t cost anything. And will make both of us feel good.
9) Japanese street style
As you know, I’m a Japan freak. I grew up with massive doses of images, films and media in general from the Land of the Raising Sun. Actually my first street style media were the magazine FRUiTS first, when I was around 11-12 years old (I used to order it from my local newspaper store, at the hurtful price of three of my weekly allowances, and the guy at the store used to look at me like I was ordering roasted aliens for breakfast) and Style Arena online afterwards.
Now I think they have a very special and interesting style, they can mix simplicity, modernity and creativity in a unique way, they have it in their DNA. Very often they also re-elaborate the elements from their tradition in an amazing way. That’s why very often they’re the subjects of my photos.
(No n. 10°. I know that a list in 10 points was aesthetically better but I really couldn’t find one ;p)
The photo of this post represents pretty much what I mean.She is so simple but she’s “telling” you something, don’t you think? It’s my super duper favorite photo from all the ones I took this March at Paris fashion week.
And what do you like from street style? I’m really curious to know!
Oh and what are your favorite street style blogs?
I fell in love again with The Sartorialist because he went back to the street: much less of fancy fashion magazine editors and much more of real and unique people, with a real and unique style.
Oh and of course Garance Doré, she has a very particular eye and photography style. For accessories I like the good old Tommy Ton and Street FSN (his photos for Grazia.it during fashion week are very good), even if I have to admit that they’re a bit too much on the luxury/famous people side.
I like many more of course, but do you have some more to suggest me?
Kisses
Al
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