Street photography and street style–is it dead?

Tom Albo argues over at Esquire that what passes for street style these days is too self conscious and preening to mean anything. The case can be made that the current crop of street style camera jockeys are fashion photographers more than documentarians of “what’s really going on,” but the case that true street style is ever truly “effortlessly cool” is specious. But, as Heisenberg might wonder, were he a Styleforum member, can you observe street fashion without affecting it? Albo defines real street style thusly: “a tough bag, good sunglasses, and solid footwear that helps you dodge the various slow and crazy people in the way… as effortlessly cool as Debbie Harry in the morning.”

Really, this is an excuse to post interviews with two of New York’s most celebrated street photographers–Bruce Davidson (his Brooklyn Gang series documented a group of poor, shiftless teens who happen to look cool as hell) and Ricky Powell (a hobbyist who was in the right place at the right time to catch the rise of NY hip hop on film)–excerpted from Cheryl Dunn’s in-progress documentary, Everybody Street (how meta). There may be a chasm between what these guys (street photographers) do and what The Sartorialist or Bill Cunningham (street style photographers) do, but does that mean “street style” is dead?

More street style from the Grungy Gentleman.

Styleforum did not send any contributors to Milan this season.  Fortunately Jace, a.k.a. Grungy Gentleman, agreed to pick up the slack.  More instagrammatic style via Grungy.

Robert Rabensteiner at Carven.

Monitaly.

 

Rocking out with @SebastianSauve at Ami

Milan Vukmirovic, again. This man is my idol. Can I get a #mostdope from the congregation?

@Sartorialist doing work backstage at @CoSTUMENATIONAL in a super-cool camo jacket

Just another day at the office @CoSTUMENATIONAL

 

Shoot legends on my iPhone yo.

 


 

Grungy Gentleman’s Milan street style.

Styleforum did not send any contributors to Milan this season.  Fortunately Jace, a.k.a. Grungy Gentleman, agreed to pick up the slack.  More to come from Paris as well.

If you look up the word impeccable in the dictionary, this is what you find @NickWooster

 

 

Mario Boglioli at his presentation (great guy)

Complete honor getting to know one of my idols this week. Milan Vukmirovic in shearling and a white tee.

 

Grungy Gentleman’s Pitti street style.

Styleforum did not bring a dedicated street fashion photographer along to Pitti (although I think we were alone in that–the place was bristling with $1000 lenses). Fortunately Jace, a.k.a. Grungy Gentleman, agreed to pick up the slack. Pitti is the peacock enclosure at the #menswear zoo, but Jace picked out subjects that are celebrated as much for their work as their personal style quirks.

Lino is sooo good, it’s unfair!


Josh Peskowitz always comes correct. Down vest over a DB blazer? Yes please!

FASHION FACT: The fellas behind the camera really bring it. Nam shut it down with this pink camo jacket.

Let the brain trust behind Isaia teach you how to appropriately rock a DB suit.

Menswear is all about subtle detail. My boy from Amsterdam, Cees Prins looks murderous (in a good way) with those yellow buttons.

Team Details always lookin’ sharp. Eugene Tong and Matthew Marden know the menswear game inside and out. And it shows!

The ever so dapper, Bruce Pask. Have admired this gentleman for years. His content is fantastic.