Splash of yellow

Citizen alert!

I had the pleasure of meeting up with Jason of Citizen Couture last week during my quick jaunt to NYC. Here is a quick taste of his work. Check out his blog.

Deirdre in print: NYC

Deirdre is a Bostonian doing an internship in NYC. It was so surprising to run into her in the city. I forgot how vivacious she is.

Umm, so I usually post the cross streets for my pictures, but in this case, I was lost trying to get to Brooklyn...This one might be on Sullivan Street.

Erna in color

Erna and I met at La Columbe Torrefaction in TriBeCa this past weekend (if you’re a coffee lover, this is the place for you!). We talked, I admired her dress and bidded my time until I could take her picture. Later that morning, I asked her about her style. Apparently she’s not a print person, but she did comment that she’d like to wear bright prints like my vivid flower print Isaac Mizhrahi for Target dress. I'm very liberal when it comes to prints, but Erna, she uses them in moderation; and more as details (e.g. as accessories, as the lining of shoes or a jacket).

In looking at these pictures of Ms. Erna-fabulous (the white was taken in BOS and the azure blue in NYC), I try to imagine her in prints, and when I do, I just wrinkle my nose. Somehow prints on her (especially loud ones) just wouldn't fit. Loud prints would detract from her external and inner beauty. Erna is a solid color girl who enjoys bright colors. She has that quiet elegance that confidence and that smile that needs no distraction. She just needs to be herself to shine.

As trite and sophomoric as it sounds, it's true. When it comes to style, don’t wear what you THINK you should wear, don't be the person you THINK you should be. DO YOU, BABY, because in the end that’s what’s going to make you stand out. Wear the clothes, don't let the clothes wear you.

I love New York!

The majority of the Haitian Diaspora is found in NYC, Boston, Miami, Montreal and Paris. I asked my mom once why the fam chose Boston. She responded: Your uncle R and aunt B were living here. So there you go, folks.

We could have settled in NYC, in Miami or in Paris! If we settled in Canada, I would be saying PROcess and instead of process. I could have had zee best accent francais or I coulda been a New Yorkah.

Keeping this in mind, whenever I’m in the NYC, as I was this past weekend, I imagine what life could have been like. I imagine that I would always have fresh cut flowers in my pre-war apartment. I would be a fierce(r) dresser. I would wear outfits such as the one below to take the subway…though the woman in this picture is obviously not a local.

I would not have to consult a compass to know which way is North, South, East, West. I would not have to walk 6 blocks in the wrong direction before having to double back to where I’m supposed to be going. I would have an awesome collection of high heels that would not be mangled by the cobblestone streets of BOS. My nails would always be on point, because there are inexpensive mani-pedis to be had in NYC…Oh, the possibilities!

Of course, as I write this, I’m thinking of my home in BOS, of my flower garden and of trips to the Cape and Maine on a whim. I like being a Bostonian…even if I can’t do a decent Bahston accent.

Sunday in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

The Bergdorf Men...54th Street between 5 and 6th

Took this picture a while ago, but thought I would share the group shot. These guys are all stylists at Bergdorf Goodman. Digging the shoes.

Olliver...Midtown

Adrian..still on Broadway (in the seventies...I think), NYC

Turns out Adrian's necklace and bracelet are Greek rosaries. Adrian's t-shirt is from American Apparel (he admits to be an AA addict); his jeans are from Guess.

Morgan on Broadway, NYC

Top, Urban Outfitters; bag, Century 21; belt, her mom's; shorts, from a long, long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...

Pedro in Midtown, NY

Suit, Gucci; shirt and tie, Georgio Armani; Belt, Brioni; shoes, Prada. Don't forget that you can click on the picture for a close-up.

Rob on 55th and 5th Ave, NYC

Rob is wearing Domenico Vacca.

A short story part 2

Vest and shirt - H&M
Shorts - LF Stores
Sandals - Steve Madden
Purse - Lord and Taylor

Shorts and tunic from Zara.

Beatrice...Thompson Street, NYC

The skirt is from Club Monaco, a few seasons ago.
Shirt from Fruit of the Loom.
Belt from a street vendor.