NYC Street Style According to GQ’s Ben Ferrari – Original Style Never Sleeps
It’s true that the whole street style scene has become pretty cluttered lately. Everyone with a camera is trying to get a piece of the action, but as it is in any lane – there are always masters, and then there are apprentices and fakers too. Ben Ferrari is one of the masters in the game. He cut his photography teeth at Style.com and Men.style.com before becoming a regular fixture at GQ.com.
He has a really unique eye for Men’s style and really capturing those individuals that put themselves together in an authentic manner. He had lots of wisdom to share and we were really eager to listen.
You’re best known for Ben Ferrari’s New York Street Style on GQ – how did you get this dope project?
Well, I had been contributing to Style.com and Men.style.com for several years shooting stores, women on the street, and portraits. Then Men.style.com turned in GQ.com, so I had a relationship with the photography editors there. Then last summer I was asked to cover street style during NYFW, but not at the shows, like the style that was going on elsewhere in the city. When I submitted the images the site editors thought it could be something that was recurring every other week and Ben Ferrari’s New York Street Style was born.
In your eyes, what are the key elements of authentic street style?
It all comes down to confidence and dressing for your body type. I think people know when their style is on or if they are wearing a costume or something that isn’t representative of who they really are, because it feels right. When your outside matches your inside and you feel good walking down the street, I’d say that is authentic style. It should radiate from the inside out.
Marcus Troy: The Lifestyle Influencer Shares Branding Gems For Days …
Marcus Troy is one of those rare individuals – a tastemaker, influencer, early adopter and a teacher all rolled into one. If there was a school of branding, being fresh and knowing about dope things in any genre of lifestyle culture, he’d most likely be the valedictorian. The BLVRS team spoke with the Montreal-based trendsetter last week to discuss how he became a highly sought brand expert and creator of innovative online experiences for major brands everywhere. Check it all out below.
How long has MarcusTroy.com been around? …
I first started out doing an online magazine called What’s Really Good with a partner of mine in 2004 – and as my taste and interests grew I wanted to create another digital platform about things I was passionate about and not have to dabble in the new format of blogs. Marcus Troy is a platform for me to share the things I’m passionate about and things that inspire me. I started that in 2008
Gaining Traction and The Initial Grind …
Honestly, it never really was an initial grind for me. We were early adopters and the new kids on the block before Hypebeast, High Snobiety and SlamXHype when we first started off in 2004. They adopted the format of updating every two minutes or so – we were more like an online newsletter. I had traction already so the natural progression was to have my own domain.
When I started Marcustroy.com, there weren’t a lot of sites who branded their sites as their name – but that’s what I really wanted to do and put myself out there. I learned that a little bit from Perez Hilton and I wanted to position myself to be as a future influencer.
BLVRS MUSE: Venezuelan Leading Man – Edgar Ramirez
Every month, the creative team at BLVRS is going to hit you with collage inspirations of men and women who we think embody the Bolivares aesthetic and lifestyle.
The first man we’re profiling is the 35-yr-old Venezuelan actor, Edgar Ramirez. This guy just oozes swag, confidence and personality. Whether he’s playing a hired hood in Domino, a Teflon assassin in The Bourne Ultimatum, Read more
Sarah McColgan Is a Visual Super Heroine – An Interview with one of NYC’s Most Original Photographers
Originally from New Jersey, Sarah McColgan has been able to hold her own in the NYC photography talent pool with a style that’s gritty and raw yet refined and so sublime. Her work has been featured in magazines like Zink, Marie Claire, The Source, Metro Pop and more. The BLVRS team recently sat down with her for a no-frills interview about her career trajectory, her technique and skill and what it takes to be successful in the city that never sleeps. Read below:
Did you always know you wanted a career in the Arts?
Oddly enough I wanted to be an Architect. My Dad is a builder, and he would bring blueprints home from work. When I was very young, I had a drafting table in my room and would draw plans for all different types of imaginary spaces. I also went through a cartooning phase, and kept piles of sketchbooks. Then around 16 I took a graphic design course which introduced me to the darkroom process and black + white photography, and I haven’t looked back since.
Being originally from New Jersey, was it tough to break into the music/fashion photography scene in NYC?
I got my first photography job at as a freelancer for a daily newspaper in New Jersey in 1999. I would cover events, sports, concerts. This is where I got my confidence as a photographer. I was 19 years old being pushed around by 40+ male photojournalists who took their work very seriously. Those guys taught me a lot. This was when digital photography was just emerging, and I was given a company camera, one of Nikon’s first DSLR cameras. At the time I was going to SVA learning traditional darkroom processes, digital technology was not being taught in school yet. I was able to get the best of both worlds. When 9/11 happened I covered it for the newspaper since I was living in the city, and The Source Magazine picked up the images. After that they started hiring me for assignments and that was my break into editorial work.
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Accessorize Like A Man: Q&A with Miami-based, Brazilian Jewelry designer Luis Morais
These days, it’s so common to see even the most straight-laced guys tricking their outfits out with all types of bracelets, necklaces, beads, charms, rosaries – so on and so forth. Don’t get us wrong, adding a choice piece of jewelry definitely adds to the flavor of an outfit, but honestly, when does it all become too much? And when does that line get crossed?
We reached out to Luis Morais, a well-respected designer whose superb pieces are carried at finer stores (Neimans, Bergdorf, Colette) to get his take on this issue. Check out the piece below:
Luis, as a well-respected designer, what’s the general approach you take when designing jewelry for men and where do you pull most of your inspirations from?
Thank you for the respect. My approach is always to make you look effortlessly stylish. Inspirations come from all places and people – it all depends on what lights my eyes up.
How and why do you feel accessories can amplify a man’s style?
They add personality to a man and that is what style is.
Welcome To BOLIVARES: A Visual Introduction
BOLIVARES: A VISUAL INTRO from Lucho on Vimeo.
Bolivares is a NYC brand through and through. From the borough of Queens to the whole wide world. This is what we’re about. You are officially invited to a new, authentic and progressive movement of art, style, independence and exclusivity. Check the video above.
You are all welcome!
Interview with Photographer Aram Bedrossian; A Discourse on Art, Chance & Creativity
At Blvrs.com, one thing you’ll see a lot of is a slew of interesting profiles on artistic, creative and passionate individuals. Aram Bedrossian is one of those individuals. The San Francisco born, NYC dweller is a master photographer and videographer with a unique and bold aesthetic. He’s also the go-to visual man for music Renaissance man Ryan Leslie – that fact alone should let you know that this man is truly talented. Read below:
Your name has a regal sound to it – what’s your ethnicity?
My name is Armenian, which is my father’s ethnicity, and my mom is Chinese.
You grew up and attended the University in San Francisco – how did you make the move to NYC?
Ryan Leslie and Evan Rogers brought me out here. They offered me a full time position as videographer, director, and editor. I owe a huge part of my professional life to those men.
What lured you into the world of photography and videography – is it just something you’ve always loved?
I never EVER had the desire of becoming a photographer or a director. However, my internship under music video Taj Stansberry in the summer of 2009 changed everything.
Over the course of the summer I grew more and more captivated with the art of directing and cinematography. Taj’s ability to capture extraordinary beauty in the most “normal” and sometimes grungy environments was mesmerizing. He saw the world through a unique lens, one in which every detail mattered. From the way the sunlight hit the Los Angeles asphalt to the roar of the 405 freeway, EVERYTHING was a story worth telling if told correctly.
Taj romanticized life and exaggerated beauty and I instantly realized my desire to do the same.
Art Of A Knit: The Key Elements of a Bolivares Garment
So what really goes into making the perfect knit?
Does it involve traveling the world to find the best yarns? Are there special dyes and mills that need to be used? What about the designers – do they need to go to school for years and years to master the weaving and cutting of wool and cashmere, tons of experience mastering the perfect fit.
Let’s admit it, you can put on a sweater/cardigan and know right away whether it’s a bootleg piece that will fall apart in a month or you can try one on and know it’s a quality object of beauty.
From the point of view of Bolivares designer, Lucho Bolivar – these are the most important factors that go into making the perfect knitwear garment:
Fit:
Lucho: With me, fit revolves around the occasion the wearer is going to be in. A more occasional setting might call for a skinnier, more streamlined fit. But on a Saturday afternoon when you’re just heading out to brunch with your girl, you might want a real comfortable, loose-fitting sweater to pair with your sweatpants and sneakers. So you’ll certainly see different silhouettes from Bolivares.
So Who Is The Bolivares Man? Read Below and Find Out…
The BLVRS Man is a lone wolf of sorts. This is not to say he doesn’t treasure his family, closest friends or enjoy good company. It’s just that he’s always had an independent streak and a penchant for taking the road less traveled. He’s never been the one to thump on his chest and bellow out to the world that he’s a rebel or a renegade. No, never that. The BLVRS man is one of quiet strength and resolve, with a will and persistence that never ebbs, falters or waivers.
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Anatomy Of A Knit: A Q&A with Bolivares Founder/Designer, Lucho A. Bolivar
1) First off Lucho, you’re a fan of many different lanes of fashion and style – why is knitwear so special to you?
Knitwear to me is the most comfortable article of clothing I can find – especially when it comes to day to day wear. I travel a lot and I’m constantly on the go, and to me comfort and quality are what I seek most in clothing. I feel it’s also the one element of clothing you can play with in different ways and truly stand apart from the pack. You can play with different color yarns, different weaves and textures and come up with something fresh and new. It’s what I naturally gravitate to.
2) Growing up, was there a special knitwear item in your closet you absolutely loved or a certain designer sweater you wanted that was totally out of your price-range?
When I was growing up, I noticed that those who wore knitwear and/or fresh outerwear were the ones I looked up to the most. I still feel that knitwear, due to the time involved in making an actual piece, maintains a higher perceived value over other articles of clothing.
When I was younger I was always saving to buy that new Polo sweater – whether it was the one with the USA flag, U.S.A initials or the Polo Bear insignia. It was the exclamation point in your attire.
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