On the Street....The Architecture Student, NYC

The Sartorialist for Burberry's Art of the Trench

New York

London

Toronto

On the Street....Rodeo Style, Las Vegas

If you've read some of my interviews lately for the promotion of my book, it seems everyone wants to know what I never shoot.

My answer is almost always cowboy boots. I don't know why, I just never see them done in a cool way (and maybe I saw them done in too many bad ways when I was growing up in Indiana).

However, in those same interviews I also say that what I am always looking for is something done in a way I haven't seen before, i.e. a color combo, pattern mix.

So, this weekend while I was in Vegas to celebrate my Mom's birthday (Happy Birthday Mom!!) a rodeo broke out.

My sister, who is a part-time cowgirl, pointed out the cowboy boots on one of the bull riders. He was wearing typical boots, but he had wrapped the ankles with a leather strap so they would stay on while he was riding the bull.

Well, that opened the floodgates. Everywhere I looked I saw such cool cowboy style. Notice the guy below with his pressed and creased jeans. My sister pointed out that if he was from Texas his shirt would have been more starched.

For the next three hours Garance and I filled card after card with cowboy cool.

In those same recent interviews I mentioned that in the next year I want to add more "national costume" photos from exotic locations like Peru or India. What I realized while I was shooting is that "The Cowboy" would have to be one of America's most important national costumes.

Bruce Weber has always championed the idea of backyard photography, and this is my first attempt at sharing an even wider world of style with you.

The Sartorialist for Burberry's Art of the Trench

London

Recently I had a chance to work on a great project for Burberry.

Over a several month period I was to shoot 100 different people wearing a Burberry trench or Burberry outerwear.

So, during my trips to Venice or Berlin or Toronto I was constantly looking for subjects while still doing my "regular" job for the blog and GQ.

The results of this project were unveiled today at Burberry's new website Art of the Trench.

It is a great site that celebrates the heritage and history of the Burberry trench.

I have to admit that this project is probably my favorite collaboration that I have done with any big brand. I was quite flattered by the total freedom and support I was given by the Burberry team. I know how closely they guard their creative output, so to have such freedom was very liberating. Actually, the only thing they kept requesting was more diversity of the subjects, which I was more than happy to try and find.

Here are just a few of my favorite shots from this project.

Berlin

New York City

On the Street....Laurel, NYC

On the Street....Garance at Work, NYC

On the Street....The Tiniest Tie Clip, NYC

On the Street....Lush Lips, Milano

Style Profile...Amir Toos, NYC

Style icons?

David Bowie, Dennis Hopper & Fred Astaire

Personal style quirk?
Always leave room for assumption!

Also, my accessories - I have my signature pieces made for me, and wear them all at the same time or not at all. If I have a business meeting I may not wear any accessories other than overstated cuff links. Any accessory must be a focal point, and really say something.

Favorite designers
Lanvin, Ralph Lauren & Dries Van Noten

Most cherished item?
My vanilla colored vintage motorcycle jacket.

The first thing I look at in another Sartorialist's outfit...
How he or she has worked with the proportions.

Proportion for me...

Is playing with positive and negative. I combine really skinny with big, or short with long. No matter what proportion I am playing with there is always a juxtaposition of the two halves. The pieces have to complement each other, otherwise you look like you are wearing part of someone else's outfit.

I always break this fashion rule…
Wearing loose fitting DB jackets unbuttoned.

I never break this fashion rule.
I never skip the belt (I am obsessed with them)!

Never caught wearing?
Dress shirt with a tie, without a jacket, in public.

Most underrated item in menswear/womenswear?
The perfect scarf. For a man or woman an ascot (or silk scarf) if styled properly can be the sexiest part of an outfit. For me scarves are essential whether they are knitted in the winter, or lighter in the summer - they create an interesting concept.

Favorite stores?
Bergdorf Goodman & 10 Corso Como.

Favorite vacation spot?
The coast of Maine. When I am there I don't remember that I live in NYC. It is so tranquil and totally different from my daily life in New York.

Favorite place to search for inspiration?
Manhattan Public Library

Best stylish movies?
Michelangelo Antonioni's “Blow Up,” John Schlesinger’s “Darling”

Currently reading?
Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse

Interview by Tracy Rosenbaum

On the Street....Friends, Paris