On the Street...Andre Benjamin, Florence
So it was the last day of Pitti, really hot in Florence and after being outside all day shooting the heat was starting to get to me.
All I wanted to do was stop into a few shops on my way back to the hotel and then spend the rest of the night working on images in my air conditioned room.
At around 6:45 I popped into Boggi. The place was about to close and there was only one other guy in the shop.
Now, I had just watched the movie Semi-Pro on the plane on the way over and the guy in the shop looked surprisingly similar to Coffee Black. I didn't think it was him because it was just so out of context. I got up the courage to ask if he was the guy in the movie, and just about the time he said yes I remembered his name (thank God!). Of course I knew all about him, but again because it was so out of context I was blanking.
Anyway, I told him I did a blog called The Sartorialist and now he was all excited because he said that he loved the blog and looks at it often. Now I'm totally blushing - I know a lot of people look at my blog but i never think it is someone like him (or Kanye!) (and by "him" I mean any big star)
So , of course I ask if we can go pop outside and take a fast shot.
We find a great background and the photo above is that moment. Honestly, I had to take a few shots because I was still so psyched that this was happening.
We went back to the store and he ended up buying the blue knit shirt that I recommended (I'm wearing mine in the Style.com video a few post down).
Anyway, that is the back story of this photo.
ps. I will make a prediction now that Semi-Pro will clean up at this years Oscars!!
If you haven't seen it yet RUN to buy the DVD - Will Ferrell Rocks!!
Comments on "On the Street...Andre Benjamin, Florence"
Andre's style is inimitable...very pleased to see him featured here!
well done sir. nice catch on your part. the trousers rock. like zippy lemonade.
Awesome!
Love me sexyyyyyy!
Stylish and cool as always. I have also run into him on the streets and he always has something unique but clean. Thanks Sart.
An incredibly positive force in Hip-Hop. Glad you got the chance to meet him.
I love the yellow pants.
this is absolutely adorable.
the expression, the moment, your excitement.
three stacks' grin made my day :)
I am so glad the rest of the world is realizing that Hip Hop style is more than just over sized sports jerseys and baggy jeans. The spontaneous style of Hip Hop is also reflected in the clothing. Furthermore, Hip Hop was born out of sampling and borrowing to make your own style. The same ethic goes into the clothing. Andre 3000 is apart of my childhood. I grew up on Outkast and saw him grow musically, artistically and stylistically. He is obviously a modern day dandy.
He is THE MAN!
I've loved Andre's style since he recommended men wear red socks in In Style a few years back.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
WOW that is amazing.. see stars are just like us.. they really do read good blogs! Andre looks very fashionable and could really pull of those yellow trousers!
I almost forgot..yes,Will Ferrell rocks!
this guy takes risks and sets trends instead of following them. He has bein at the forefront of eclectic fashion before it was even hip to be different. Kudos for capturing his massive "fabulosity" on your blog.
p.s......this blog is like my daily word. Keep doing what you do because you do it so exceedingly well.
Cheers,
oh, he is SO cute. and such great style. really rocks those yellow pants with the blue converse. great hat. wonderful white shirt. best of all, a beautiful smile. i'm happy!
LOVE Andre! He looks so relaxed and happy, the yellow pants are really working and the hat is awesome. He has a clothing line out, or it's about to be released. Anyway, he's looking super sexy. GREAT pic, Scott. It's amazing that you ran into him, what a coincidence.
Wow, I love Andre! He has such a unique style that always puts a smile on my face. It seems like he really has fun with fashion, which is so much nicer to see than people who take their look so seriously.
And yes, you're so right. Will Ferrell does indeed rock.
And he's wearing his blue converse all stars just like he said he did yesterday on style.com.
i love andre... i'm not always a fan of some of his outfits, but the mere fact that he takes many many fashion "risks" and is comfortable in his own skin to don some of the things he does, makes him a true style icon, imo.
sart.... i had a dream that i was dreaming of you. and you were wearing yellow pants, similar to the one in the picture of andre. then i went to look at the site, and there were the yellow pants. except, maybe in the dream they were blue. not sure.
YES YES YES!!!! I THOUGHT THIS WOULD NEVER BE, BUT WHEN I SAW THAT YOU SHOT KANYE I KEPT HOPE ALIVE. I JUST WANT A MILLION LITTLE SPAWNS OF HIM. HE'S COME ALONG WAY FROM FLANNEL SHIRT WITH FOOTBALL JERSEYS AND SHOULDER PADS. ALWAYS SWITCHING UP HIS STYLE, REMINDS ME S MUCH OF MYSELF. AND ON TOP OF BEING SO DAPPER HE HAS A COOL ASS VIBE. <3
What I like about Andre is that he is not afraid to take fashion risks. I can imagine him wearing plus fours, argyles, and a Scottish tam-o-shanter, and looking quite relaxed in it - chillin'. He (and Fonzworth Bentley, as well) have demonstrated that being a peacock can be quite cool, when it comes naturally. Definitely not a cookie-cutter brother from the wannabe thug monolith. Go ahead with yo' bad self, bro.
Oh gosh, i LOVE Andre....can anyone have a better smile!?! And each outfit he wears is always a memorable one!
Happy and comfortable and beautiful-I love it!
Impeccable style-- If I'm not much mistaken, I've seen him in 5th Ave. in a fabulously dapper army coat. His confidence is radiant.
It's special to read the backstory for a photo like this
I know it takes time to write
Thanks so much for doing it when you can
What a great story! "Big Boi and Dre Present...Outkast" is one of my favorite albums! Coffee Black was my favorite character in that goofy movie. I kept thinking, his voice sounds so good even when he's just talking. ELE!
the back story makes this post twice as good--I hope you'll do more stories like this for all your pictures!
I love the yellow pants.
Even though I'm not a huge fan of Outkast, I do love Andre 300 -- he always manages to look interesting and dapper. Plus, his big smile just adds to how nice this look is.
One of the top ten greatest rappers of all-time.
great story and the man's got style!
"Andre,
Benjamin Andre to be exact.
You hope to meet a gentleman one day
well this is that."-Andre 3000
3000 is a true dandy i'm surprised you just know him from Semi-Pro and that he hasn't shown up on this site sooner.
This is the greatest!
He's a cutie with a style all his own! Definitely an inspiration to lots of young men I know.
One of the most creative musicians in any genre. I've always admired his style and had a mini-crush. Thanks for this!
This just made my day. Really.
I love this cat's style on and off the the microphone and his energy under or away from the spotlight...
and I knew you meant 'any big stars'...
as we ALL know that you have more than welcomed any and all deserving folks from every walk of life...
and thanks!
Ha!...What an amazing story!!! You are the bomb!...So interesting how things work out, this story truly reinforces the magic of fate, and how the sequence of events leads to magical outcomes. For some reason I got a flashback to the story The Alchemist, after seeing the image, and reading the story. You know that you are striking a chord when you touch those you least expect.
Luv, and Admire your eye
Always!!!...
Peace
What a great post Sart, lovely to hear your starstruck excitement! Andre is so cool, dandy and stylish with a sense of humour! Any chance you could snap him every day?
He is also in the very popular band Outcast!
Andre is truly one of the best dressed and talented musician today. I love that he takes risks and embraces bright colours but he always wears the clothes, they never wear him.
Andre is such an awesome guy, and with his snappy dress style, it's not a big surprise that he reads your blog heh :D
You've got some amazing luck as a photographer!
ohhh i love Andre!! the guy has awesome style, a wonderful voice and looks like he'd be so much fun to hang out with!!
im suprised you're suprised that he'd check out your blog...everyone knows you now Sart!!
What a wonderful stroke of luck!
I have always loved Andre's style and this look is like sucking in a throatful of cool air.
Beautiful man, beautiful smile, beautiful style.
Now this is how a gentleman should dress.
Hey ya! LOVE IT!
it's a shame that you know him from semi-pro and not from outkast.
Very well done! I am glade to see him featured here!
Too fab about Andre. I adore him! Also, glad to see we share the same sense of humor. I thought Semi-Pro was absolutely hysterical but alas no one else shares this with me. Glad to see of all people, you do!
I LOVE him! He has one of the most awesome smiles ever!!
~AliciaInAlaska
wow...what a coincidence. I happen to just turn on an Outkast song to have as a sountrack to Sartorialist peering and the face that I see is Andre3000's. Nice... He looks impeccably southern.
growing up in London ....I remember my dad bringing me first YELLOW belt made of foam ...from ITALY..which is where he resides(ed) for past 40 years....and I could tell when I wore it I was the kid on the block that there was something very ITALIAN about me ...I mean i just STOOD OUT....maybe not the way I wanted to ....but I kinda dug it!..so I did not stop ...because the kids around me did not know how to make fun of me ...and while they did not get the idea ...they still kept looking with intrigue!...............
as I look at his guy ...attitude is KEY ...as is with this guy photographed here.
btw ..caught your interview in JULY with men.style.com.......not bad...I loved it ..you always have something meaningful to say when it comes to the subject of fashion ....ALWAYS VERY VERY VALID!
CIAO REGAZZI!
&
as always
THXSAR!
andre is gorgeous.
I loved his plaid-vest-suit get ups for his cd/videos/andre3000. I love reading a bit of stories between the images. brings the movement and gets my imagination running about the nature of the picture(s). it becomes alive :)
Haha, what a cool story! Fans meeting fans...
And I love the his blue Converses. Nice touch to an already bright outfit. :3
Un petit air des caraïbes...lovely shine !!
Andre has so much style it's scary. Many people on the blog are based in and around fashion right?
I always love your shots of the non fashion crowd more. More natural and a better self-expression.
That being said I undertsand that Anre has moved into designing now so there goes my theory!
Anyhow great shot and killer trousers. The blog has been on especially good form of late.
oh hey~~~
It's so great you met him! His personality shines through even brighter than his clothes! The smile. swoon.........
Your blog does more than inspire me, it cheers me up!
Thank you.
Sart,
Please can you also add some more girls? Latelly is only men... uff... :)
Nice pic and nice story by the way. I love when you tell the story of the pic...
I big love yellow. And these yellow pants are ace on Andre. What a cool shot.
Sunshine! I think your photo of him really catches that smile and obvious happiness you both shared while taking it.
Andre is always stylish.
* S M I L E * of the day.....
Crisp
Wow really great photo! Everything about it says confidence, fun and sunshine! I am a big fan of both you and your site and Andre. The man's style is captivating and beyond original!
In the morning I always check my emails and then check the sartorialist to start the day on a good note. You really have something special here.
Keep up the great work!
oh what a happy person! Thats so unbelievably cute, the hat the yellow slacks, the tucked-in shirt, ALL of it!
Well done Sartorialist! Your blog is truly a must-visit for anyone interested in fashion. You should be proud.
Great shot of a trend-setter. I love how Andre is a risk-taker. He and Kanye really show that Hip-Hop has something interesting to say to the fashion world.
Take care.
Maame x
HEY YAAAA!
Andre really owns his style. Not many people could wear pants like that and have the focus still be on the person and not the pants! I'm not surprised he reads your blog, as he's a very stylish guys and always looks turned out even when he's going casual. I'm glad you got the chance to meet him!
Great outfit. Timeless. Classic. I am surprised that in comments none of the comments mention the position of his left hand. Love the blue all-stars, maybe it is time I get my own! Jorge from W Palm Beach
how great is that?! perfect timing, perfect pants and perfect smile....nice!
Truly a renaissance man in his own right, Andre 3000 is. Intriguing how with any picture he takes, he seems so at ease and comfortable. Great pants, CTs are a nice touch too. Great straw hat, versatile staple. Great picture, Sart.
His style is so relaxed and comfortable in this photo. It's just perfect. And the yellow is an amazing splash of color. I'm actually wearing yellow pants today and when I saw this post, I smiled. Did Andre mention why he was hanging in Milan?
what i think most people don't realize is that post- biggie, andre' is one of the best 3 rappers of his generation(jay-z and eminem being the others). if you don't know it, i suggest you pick up aquemini. it's a classic and every verse andre' spits on is soooooo inspired. it gives me goosebumps.
Andre 3000 is one of the best rappers to ever do it. Semi Pro is not the best representation of the man's accomplishments. I hope in the future we won't forget Outkast won a grammy for album of the year , Or we wont forget B.O.B and the likes...
Glad he made it on here, Kanye isnt the only Dapper Rapper
Everyone is wearing Chucks!! They'll never die, I sort of love it.
He is the coolest dresser EVER, I always love him!
have to comment again today. love him love him love him. love his style, his energy. glad you ran into him.
Awesome...you continue to amaze me first Kanye and now Andre 3000...just when I thought it could not get any better...bravo my friend..You are really making me happy I took the time to meet you when you were in DC. I wasn't a huge fan at the time, but I am in your pocket now!
Andre's style makes my heart go pitter patter.
This just makes my heart happy :)
Andre is really hot. Great look, great pants and super sexy forearms!
wow, he is SOO HOT!!!
I love Andre-- joie de vivre personafide! aside from his smashing style, his beautiful smile makes ME smile.
The guy can wear your grandmother's old hair turban and start a trend.
THAT's style and brio.
Andre really is truly a fashion 'Outkast' in the most positive of ways. He does his own thing and proves what many of us have known all along: When it comes to the elements of style, no one does it better than the Hip Hop Nation!
LOVE Andre 3000. He always looks phenomenal and it seems so natural.
Gah, I wish my boyfriend would dress like him!!
I love Andre! His look always seems to maximize what is going on around him and here he is wearing the perfect outfit for Florence.
Hi Andre! (Since he'll be reading this blog.) Stick around!
I love that his street style is as witty as his performing style. Andre Benjamin deserves to be a regular on your blog. . . please arrange to spontaneously bump into him more often!
i can't even believe your luck. i dream of seeing him on the street.
and his style blows me away.
oh i just love andre, he is so cute and adoarable. you have no idea how happy i was to see him on your page! he is one of my favourite artists ever. i love his music, his style and he seems like such a genuine & cool guy. i love how he is standing in the picture, and that smile! great photo sartorialist!
I suggest that you run out and rent Idlewild, Mr Sart. Fun and fabulous costumes worn by Outkast that are right up your alley. Good work with the photo, I would have had monster camera shake.
I think this is one of the best shots I've ever seen of Andre. The romantic background, his sunny outfit, his super sunny smile. (sigh) He's dreamy.
And thanks for the story! What a thrill!
The same shot used for his top ten essentials. Andre 3000, is the man. Looking forward to that B. Bixley line, i know that is going to be hot. The Sartorialist, You are the Man also. Always jonny on the spot with the pictures. Every one is a star when you take the flix.
Andre has great style, but more importantly he has an awesome smile! Love him. Really like that watch he is sporting...
Andre makes me happy to be alive. He's got great style, and I especially love the contrast between the yellow pants and blue Chucks. For some reason that yellow/blue combination always has such a nautical/seaside vibe to it. Not sure why, maybe it's merely a personal perception. The hat, the bikes leaning in the background and the narrow alleyway behind him finish the shot perfectly.
i am in love with him- so happy to see him on your blog.
great style "find", sart! ... but you are kidding about semi-pro at the oscar's right? ooo that just inspired me ... you should have awards voted by your readers! fun!
i love andre; he's my favorite male fashion icon of today... i don't know if this has been posted yet so im sorry if i'm being repetitive, but he's actually coming out with his own clothing line. i read an article about it a couple of months ago. it seems really cool and innovative. heres the link: http://nymag.com/fashion/08/spring/44214/
what a warm smile!
now this man is pure style all the time .I love the way he wears his clothing he owns them.Absolutely one of the most stylish people in the entertainment/fashion industry. Love him
MR.3000! I love that guy
Ahhh -- and do I notice him wearing his shirt tale out while tucking in the front? ala sartorialist?
you've got to have a certain confidence to pull off this look. He looks great.
Andre always looks dapper, and he works the casual "day off" clothes just as nicely as fancy duds for award shows. Great find, Sart!
P.S. I just thought I'd mention that it really doesn't surprise me that he read The Sartorialist, not one little bit.
Andre just has so much style. I love this image. Thank you.
I love this guy. His outfits always make me smile.
I have loved this man since Southerplayalistic. Over the years his style has evolved and changed and I am so happy to witness every transformation. His smile is and always has been electric and this is a great photo capturing his magnetic presence. Kudos to you both.
Could be in Cuba, Baía de São Salvador, Southern Europe or NYC, of course.
Oh, I love him! He's always so well put together in a way that looks effortless.
I have always enjoy Andre's sense of style which he wears with such confidence. He's creative and imaginative when it comes to fashion. Great picture and his smiles compliments the outfit
Thanks for the story, Sat. as usual keep doing what you do best!
Check out Andre:http://men.style.com/fashion/10_essentials/080408
I love Andre and I almost always love his look, but those trousers are a bit too loose for me. The color is nice, and I love the rest of the outfit, but they're just too baggy for my tastes.
Andre is sublime.Now you gotta get your Outcast on.
Loved to see Andre here! His clothes put a smile on my face, even when they're a bit "dramatic", they're so optimistic.
CarolCorr*
Andre definitely is creative be it in music, movies or FASHION!
Heeey yaaa! Andre always looks awesome. His smile is his best accessory.
Andre is the most. I just love a man who loves clothes!
Absolutely awesome! I love him and I love the yellow trouser, very Italian style! I wish I had bumped into him. p.s. Do you ever come to ROme?
can you say....Juan Valdez goes to Holland?
He is a star! Rent the OUTKAST videos dvd and watch a style transformation...
just looking at him makes me smile :0)
Everything about this made me smile. I love that for a random encounter in Italy, he still looks so...Andre. Style - love it.
Andre is a champ. Ya gotta love his style.
i love that andre 3000 (one of my style role modelings) is highlighted here, in florence no less wearing yellow trousers shopping. huh what? I LOVE HIM
i love that andre 3000 is highlighted here. he's one of my style role models. even more so now that i know he shops in florence, while wearing yellow trousers
I have always loved his style. He's had it right from the start.
I met Andre on the rental-car shuttle-bus at DFW, of all places. He was in Dallas meeting with Neiman Marcus to discuss his Benjamin Bixby line. I was impressed with what a genuine, cool guy he is. No pretense at all, and very knowledgeable in regard to the apparel biz. To say he has great style is stating the painfully obvious. I wish him much success. I love strolling down the stairs at Bergdorf and seeing that great image of him and remembering our chance encounter.
Two points....
1. This is a beautiful shot. I love how his hot yellow pants work with the background colors. And such a smile!
2. I love that you can admire high fashion and Will Ferrell in the same post. It reminds me of an article in the LAT that said the concepts of "high" and "low" art are fading (thank goodness)
Well done! What a cute story. It's especially funny that you were star struck, while he is clearly a fan of you!! I would be so star struck if I ever crossed your path, you're a big celebrity too!
I am a big fan of his. It's not easy to stand out sometimes and I love that he does his own thing.
How random that you bumped into him in Florence!
Great photo.
He is probably the only person in the world who could pull those pants off. Fantastic photo.
What an amazing coincidence!
LOVE Andre Benjamin, his style is immaculate. All the time(when we see him haha). Coolest post.
This is my second favorite men's shot (after the blue suit in June).
Very colorful, fun, practical, and good-looking.
I would wear that exact look.
Ain't nobody dope as him he's dressed so fresh so clean--
So fresh and so clean, clean!
Great work. It's awesomely refreshing to see black male style reflected on your blog.
Excellent shot. Thank you for sharing so many black male style pictures. You are doing our culture a great service!
That is so random - and so cool! I love Andre! Its obvious too, that he genuinely loves fashion.
What a great chance meeting!
How can you NOT love this man?
WOW!
Not only is he fly,
He is also considered to be argueably hip hop's best lyricist. (I mean real hip hop not the mass produced junk that radio and TV forces down our throats)
True artist in his music and his dress!
It the collision of my two most favorite style touch stones... Andre on the sartorialist..
How the hell do you bump into André 3000 in Florence....so lucky!
That's funny to see Andre here, because I am in Florence and Andre met one of my friends from Polimoda. Well, they actually met twice this year already. New York and Florence...what a coincident.
Like his style...especially the hat and his Chuck's.
Yay! I love this.
Andre Benjamin has long been a stylish fellow to notice...somehow he crosses the fashion sense of Gene Kelly and Sly Stone without mocking or mimicking either...his music is fantastic and original and so is his sense of himself and his style...congrats on you two happening upon this moment...good luck and keep up the great work to both of you!
i love andre 3000!
he is always so effortlessly cool in his own way
Andre 3000! I love Semi-Pro! I watched it 5 times and couldn't get enough!
And this look- I love it. Classy yet unique.
Andre is my man. Humor, taste, class.
Ya' know. Semi-pro was singularly one of the worst movies I've ever seen. It would have been greatly improved by the inclusion of zombies. Sadly it doesn't shock me that anyone would utter the words Oscar and Semi-pro in the same sentence. Sad.
he looks like summer i think!!
i was sitting outside, having aperitivo and saw this guy walking down the street, looking totally at ease and i thought wau! that would be a perfect sart- shot... and there you go!
He's just a beautiful man with great style. Love that you ran into him in such a random spot. Photos are so much better with a story like that. Touching and honest...I think we're all just a little bit jealous!
I guess his outfit says it all.. love it!
I was bursting at the seems when I saw André up on your blog when it was first posted but.. don't laugh.. I've just worked out how to post a comment!
He's such a classy act ~ I especially love the personality he's added by wearing converse :)
very few could do it and i have to say, i think that he is the leader of that pack. That smile could make anything work. I think people underestimate the power of a really wonderful smile.
That's so cool that he was familiar with your blog! Wow. And those are some bold pants. Haha.
haha bold jeans indeed!
i just love how the shoes goes with the yellow pants.
ahhh yes...bingo.
what a perfect picture that combines the personality of Andre and Florence itself! muybien!
That's Seven Benjamin's father! Its cool he's into fashion but he should be into his son more. Andre would rather spend money and time in Italy than be a full time father to his son? I hope he realizes that all that glistens ain't gold. He is a good rapper and has great style. I guess we all need work in this life.