Philadelphia Street Style: Briana, Sydenham St

I found Briana out shooting pictures for her photography class, some assignment about contrasts between light and dark, a fitting theme, perhaps, for someone whose skin tone is about as contrasted from the shade of her clothing as possible. I wanted to shoot these "old school" street style, in front of a wall, without all the distractions of the city to confuse the eye. Old school street style treats its subjects like specimens, individual samples removed from their native habitat. I like the stark simplicity of the style. I like its pretense of realism. And yet that realism, in practice, seems to mean something like one-step removed. You know nothing of the context in which these pictures were shot. You know nothing about who the people depicted in them are. There is, quite literally, a wall between you and the surrounding scene.

Briana is wearing a leotard by American Apparel, a dress from Urban Outfitters (her friend's, not hers), boots she picked up in Italy, and a necklace from Afghanistan, which she also picked up in Italy. 

Philadelphia Street Style: Nijiah, Sansom St

Nijiah is another person I caught coming out of an American Apparel interview. Her American flag tank top is Forever 21. Her cut offs are Lucky Brand. Her scarf is "from a regular hair store." Her tights are American Apparel. And her shoes are Doctor Martens.

Philadelphia Street Style: Bobbie Jo, Walnut St

I caught Bobbie Jo coming out of an open interview at American Apparel. There were all sorts of cool people waiting in line, resumes in hand. But I didn't have the heart to pull them out of line for pictures. Who wants their photo taken when waiting to be interviewed? But after an interview? Well, that's another story. That's confirmation. So I waited down the block for interviewees to come by.   

Bobbie Jo's top is American Apparel, naturally. The thing she's wearing over it (jacket, robe, whatever you call it) is Forever 21. As for the bag? "I have no idea," she says.

Philadelphia Street Style: V, Walnut St

V, you may have guessed, is a fan of Billionaire Boys' Club. Her beanie and her T-shirt are both from that brand, the streetwear clothing line of producer/hip hop artist/clothing designer/ubiquitous global presence Pharrell Williams. 

Philadelphia Street Style: Skillit, South St

Me: Do you mind if I use your first name on the blog?

Him: It doesn't matter. People will just look at it and say, "Hey, that's Skillit!"

Philadelphia Street Style: Lyrical, Sydenham St

I've never seen anyone wear their lipstick divided into two halves in this way, and I don't know what I think of it in a kind of pure aesthetic sense. But then there's no such thing as pure aesthetic sense anyway. So why not take a risk and do something different?

Philadelphia Street Style: Jody and Kiwi Olive Wilhelmina Harker Cousteau, Off South St

Yes, that's his dog's real name, a hodgepodge of literary and pop cultural references. And yes, those are shoes, though they remind me more of a gorilla's hands. They are made of kangaroo leather. They facilitate a more "natural" walk.

Philadelphia Street Style: Shanda, Off South St

Notice the same mysterious dude in these shots as was in the shots of Michaela, posted two days ago. I like that he invades these shots with his uncomfortable, spectral presence, an unintended participant in my street style project. I also like Shanda's urban warrior style sensibility, edgy and unkempt, but meticulously put together. The fact, by the way, that these shots take place in the same alleyway as those of Michaela, should clue you in to the circumstances under which these shots were taken. Michaela and Shanda were part of a group of three. The final member of their group will be featured on Friday, same alleyway, same mysterious dude.

Philadelphia Street Style: Michaela, Off South St

Philadelphia Street Style: Denise, Chancellor St

Denise was late for work when I stopped her but posed for me anyway. She's head to toe in Urban Outfitters. I'm liking the floral on floral. It's a combination I haven't seen before.