Favorite Photographers

May 16, 2013

Harley Builder Kia Karimi in Joe’s Jeans

Last month, we showed you how the lead singer of Seattle band Pickwick gets down (and annoys the neighbors). For our latest Denim Shop video profile, we got our hands dirty in the garage of motorcycle connoisseur Kia Karimi—and road-tested a sturdy pair of Joe’s Jeans.

A former pro fixed-gear bike rider who now builds custom choppers from scratch, Karimi nonchalantly says “I just love two wheels, I guess.” When he’s not wrenching on his latest creation, he works at Seattle’s small-batch, organic bitters company, Scrappy’s Bitters.

Hear about the symbiotic relationship between man and machine in the video above, and check out some outtakes from our shoot below.

SHOP: JOE’S JEANS | ALL MEN’S DENIM

…And watch more Denim Videos here.

[Still photos by Kyle Johnson.]

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May 7, 2013

T by Alexander Wang: Way Beyond Basic

The Alexander Wang five-step plan for fashion-world domination:
1. Move from San Fran to NYC at age 18 to attend the esteemed Parsons school of design.
2. Drop out.
3. Create a killer debut women’s collection that makes boutique buyers salivate and converts the world’s hippest models, actresses and it-girls into steadfast devotees.
4. Win GQ Designer of the Year 2011, promptly upon your first foray into menswear.
5. Get named creative director of illustrious, 99-year-old fashion house Balenciaga.

That last point is a whole other story, so let’s focus on #4. Wang won over GQ with his T by Alexander Wang line of so-called “basics”—T-shirts, tanks and hoodies that, thanks to their meticulously slouchy “anti-fit” and superior fabrication, are in fact anything but basic.

These days, Wang is punctuating those high-end essentials with streamlined statement items, like the black-on-black cotton/leather shirt-jacket hybrid seen in the photos here. (You could call it a basic in the sense that you’ll wear it every day for years to come. As far as street-cred style points, though—it’s pretty exceptional.)

A few more favorites from the T by Alexander Wang collection (click images to shop each piece):

And, for your viewing pleasure, a sampling of the A-list it-girls and -guys Alexander Wang attracts—featuring A$AP Rocky, Azealia Banks and more:

SHOP: T BY ALEXANDER WANG FOR MEN

[Photography: Robin Stein. Styling: Ashley Helvey. Model: Gus Drake.
See more images from this series in our recent Rick Owens post, and on Nordstrom's Tumblr page.]

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April 17, 2013

GQ Spring Trend Report: Sun-Washed Colors

So far in our GQ Spring Trend Report series, we’ve studied up on loafers and jean jackets. This week’s installment introduces a new way to add color to your wardrobe during the warm months ahead. If garish ’90s neons don’t suit you, consider their more civilized cousins—Sun-Washed Colors—and start with tips from GQ Creative Director Jim Moore and Deputy Editor Michael Hainey in the video below:

Now that you know the ropes, check out a few of our favorite examples of sun-washed color below—from blazers to boat shoes and everything in between. Click the images to shop each one, and browse additional options here: MORE SUN-WASHED COLORS

Scotch & Soda: Leather Jacket | Shirt | Jeans

Original Paperbacks Shorts

Junya Watanabe Polo Shirt | Warriors of Radness Shorts | Volcom Woven Shirt

Ted Baker Chinos | Hugo Boss Sportcoat | Sperry Top-Sider Boat Shoes

Further Inspiration: We stumbled across the work of Australian photographer Ward Roberts whilst perusing Tumblr today. Besides provoking an intense urge to get outside, his series of sun-bleached, tropical-sherbet basketball courts creates an instant mood board for combining chalky colors this summer. Click the images to enlarge, and check out more of his work here.

— — —

Look for new GQ Spring Trend Report videos in the weeks to come—
and shop all eight of our GQ-approved trends, from cotton suits to camo, here:
GQ SPRING TREND REPORT

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April 5, 2013

Fade to Black: Rick Owens Spring ’13

Spring is here—and as much as we can appreciate bold color, we know it’s not for everyone. No one understands this better than Rick Owens, the reigning king of avant-garde, neo-ninja streetwear.

We took a trunk-full of his Spring 2013 collection for a test drive through our favorite Seattle neighborhoods, and found out that—despite their somber palette—these pieces are fully warm-weather-compatible. (Think butter-soft lambskin bombers, a feather-weight windbreaker and sweaters in airy Italian wool.)

When the rest of the world is in full bloom, what better way to differentiate yourself than donning all black? (Short of taking Owens’ own advice and shaving off your eyebrows—see rule #1.)

Rick Owens ‘Mollino’ Lambskin Leather Jacket
and ‘Island’ Hooded Merino Wool Sweater

Left: Rick Owens ‘Island’ Crewneck Merino Wool Sweater

Rick Owens ‘Mollino’ Bomber Jacket and Elastic-Waist Drop-Crotch Pants

Rick Owens ‘Sternberg’ Lambskin Leather Bomber Jacket
and ‘Perfecto’ Lambskin Leather Biker Jacket

Rick Owens ‘Perfecto’ Lambskin Leather Biker Jacket,
‘Island’ Merino Wool Cardigan and Elastic-Waist Drop-Crotch Pants

SHOP ALL: RICK OWENS | DESIGNER COLLECTIONS

[Photography: Robin Stein. Styling: Ashley Helvey. Model: Gus Drake.]

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February 5, 2013

Coming Soon: Street Etiquette’s NYFW Photo Journal

There are style blogs—and then there’s Street Etiquette. By weaving a deep-rooted fascination with culture, community, history and humanity through everything they do—from the clothes they wear to the global adventures they undertake—Street Etiquette founders Joshua Kissi and Travis Gumbs transcend run-of-the-mill “What I Wore Today” sites, striving instead to answer a more pressing question: What I Did Today.

That’s why we’re honored and excited to collaborate with these gentlemen and scholars to bring you that rare style spectacle—New York Fashion Week—through Street Etiquette’s eyes. Joshua and Travis will be on the ground in their hometown of NYC, sending us daily dispatches of the people and places that catch their attention; and doing it all with their signature sense of personal style, which ranges from thoughtful tailoring to punk-rock pattern mixing.

Our coverage commences later this week, right here on the Men’s Shop Daily, as well as on our Men’s Shop Instagram feed (@NordstromMen). For now though, scroll down to learn about some of Street Etiquette’s recent projects—and see exactly why we’re looking forward to working with them.

[Above: Travis, left, and Joshua outside The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Photo by Andre Wagner.]

The men of Street Etiquette doing what they do best: Soaking up the scenery of their native NYC.
[First and 3rd photos from the top by Rog Walker, from their recent shoot with
model/shoe designer Armando Cabral; 2nd, 4th and 5th from top were taken at New York Fashion Week a year ago.]

Inspired by the likes of Jean-Michel Basquiat and Peter Tosh, organized by Street Etiquette, and shot by Andre Wagner, CROWNED was a portrait series celebrating personal expression through hair.

Snaps from Street Etiquette’s recent journeys to
Sao Paulo and Itajai, Brazil (top 4-grid), and Luanda, Angola.

Travis sporting one of Street Etiquette’s ‘Black Ivy’ T-shirts (almost sold out)—inspired by their 2010 project with photographer F.E. Castleberry of Unabashedly Prep.

Even before Joshua and Travis shifted their focus from personal style to thought-provoking photo essays, they often based their outfit posts on historical research—mining sources like the Time/Life Archive and The Selvedge Yard for vintage inspiration.

Street Etiquette’s Tumblr feed isn’t just pretty pictures; it’s a digital pipeline of tangible influences, from classic jazz to abstract art.
(Speaking of Tumblr—check out our own Nordstrom inspiration board if you haven’t already.)

Excerpts from Street Etiquette’s Instagram journal.
For more like this, live from New York Fashion Week, stay tuned to
Men’s Shop Daily–and follow @NordstromMen on Instagram.

[Photos courtesy of StreetEtiquette.com, Street Etiquette's Tumblr and Street Etiquette's Instagram.]

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January 29, 2013

Street Style by Karl-Edwin Guerre: Milan

For the final installment in our three-part series with renowned street-style artiste Karl-Edwin Guerre (pronounced ‘Gear’) of Guerreisms.com, his travels lead us to Milan, Italy, where—betwixt runway shows and hearty plates of pasta—he captured stunning imagery of the Men’s Fashion Week set, as well as the city itself. One conclusion that’s impossible not to draw: The world’s best ‘menswear’ isn’t just for men.

Having covered Guerre’s photographic process last time, today we delve into the personal tastes of a man who, one might deduce from his photos alone, appreciates life’s most subtle pleasures. Read on for the conclusion of our Q&A, and catch up on past posts with Guerre here: Packing Tips | Pitti Uomo Street Style

[Shot by Guerre for Esquire.com.
Top image: Esther Quek of The Rake, via Guerreisms.com.]

MEN’S SHOP DAILY: When did you first become interested in personal style? Did you care about clothing as a kid?
GUERRE: “I lived in Haiti from age 10 to 15, and there was a period that I went to a private school where you had to wear a uniform. This was my first experience with a tailor, and while it didn’t mean much at 12, it certainly stayed with me as I approached adulthood. While I was in the states, it was about looking like your peers, and little by little, brands were important. After a brief moment of following the crowd, I realized I wanted to express myself in other ways—and personal style became one of those ways.”

[Shot by Guerre for Esquire.com.]

You’ve said in the past that you don’t follow runway trends too closely—but what emerging themes are you noticing out in the wild?
“Knits are strong. I’m seeing blazers over bubble vests (not for everyone), and big scarfs are also a big trend (blanket-large as opposed to knit long).”

[Shot by Guerre, exclusive to Men's Shop Daily.]

Do you have a favorite photograph of all time? What about it inspires you?
“I try not to have a singular favorite of anything. I may have a favorite at the moment. Great photography evokes emotion, so my favorite (at the time) would be one that evokes an emotion that I’d like to evoke at that moment.”

[Via Guerreisms.com.]

Your current favorite film?
“In the Mood for Love by Wong Kar Wai.”

[Via Guerreisms.com.]

Favorite music?
“Depends on my mood. Sometimes it’s jazz, sometimes classical, sometimes Afro Beat, sometimes ’80s.”

[Shot by Guerre for Esquire.com.]

Favorite food?
“Spicy.”

[Shot by Guerre, exclusive to Men's Shop Daily.]

Favorite era in history?
“The ’70s.”

[Shot by Guerre for Esquire.com.]

Favorite city?
“Culturally: Paris, France…

[Via Guerreisms.com.]

“…For peace of mind: Port-au-Prince…

[Stylist Tina Leung, via Guerreisms.com.]

“…For coziness: Milan, Italy…

[Shot by Guerre, exclusive to Men's Shop Daily.]

“…And for go-getter attitude: New York, USA.”

[Shot by Guerre for Esquire.com.]

An essential part of your morning routine?
“A good tea from Mariage Frères.”

[Shot by Guerre for Esquire.com.]

Your preferred way to unwind?
“A night at home.”

[Shot by Guerre for Esquire.com.]

What are some of your favorite places in Florence and Milan?
“In Florence, I make it a point to try new places each time. So in all honesty, I don’t try to remember places knowing I’ll be trying something new the next time. As cliché as it may seem, one of the things I enjoy is Ponte Vecchio and shopping at the little artisan market.

[Shot by Guerre, exclusive to Men's Shop Daily.]

“…As for Milan, I enjoy Grom for gelato, and I found a great restaurant by way of an Italian friend called Ristorante Da Oscar.”

[Shot by Guerre for Esquire.com.]

What is the general feeling you get from each city—Florence and Milan?
“There’s a certain coziness about both these cities that I like, because of their size and also because Italians have this unique sense of hospitality that would tend to make you feel at home.”

[Sarah Ann Murray of The Rake, via Guerreisms.com.]

Best advice you’ve received, or a quotation that hits home?
“Dreams are for people who sleep, vision for those who strive.”

Adept on either side of the lens.
Karl-Edwin Guerre, photographed by Jason Jean of Citizen Couture.

[All photos, except the last, are by Karl-Edwin Guerre of Guerreisms.com. Photos taken for Esquire.com except where noted otherwise. Individuals pictured do not endorse Nordstrom.]

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January 23, 2013

Street Style by Karl-Edwin Guerre: Pitti Uomo

Following his recent tour de force in Italy, it’s time to check in once again with Karl-Edwin Guerre of Guerreisms.com. Earlier in the month, we brought you his pre-trip packing tips (and offered a sneak peek of his immaculate photography). Today, we’re honored to present the fruits of the first leg of his travels: The best-dressed men of Pitti Uomo in Florence, Italy. Guerre (pronounced ‘Gear’) was kind enough to answer a few questions as well; read on to hear the thought process behind his world-class street-style photography.

[Members of 'The Coal Project' by Art Comes First, shot by Guerre for Esquire.com.
Top image: via Guerreisms.com]

MEN’S SHOP DAILY: When is the first time you remember picking up a camera?
GUERRE: “The first time I picked up a camera with the intention of doing something serious was when I wanted to write a book. I remember looking for a photographer to capture scenes for me, but I soon learned that no one shares your passion when it’s your project. So I was forced to try to do it myself.”

[Nick Wooster. Shot by Guerre for Esquire.com.]

How did your interest in photography progress from there?
“After realizing I could capture a photo (not very well), I simply put the camera away. It wasn’t my passion, so I moved on to other things. A few years later I saw images of street style on a web publication and felt that I could contribute and bring something fresh to that scene. At the time there were only a small handful of sites geared toward street style.”

[Shot by Guerre for Esquire.com.]

Was there a turning point when you realized you might do this as a career?
“I started street style when it wasn’t about money. Maybe one or two people were making money from it, but it certainly wasn’t what led me to photography. At some point, a publication in Toronto gave me a chance to showcase my work, and little by little other publications became receptive. Is it my career? I’ll simply say I have been fortunate to make some money from street style. I’m an artist, do artists have careers?”

[Via Guerreisms.com.]

How has your photographic career evolved since then?
“My photography has evolved as I have as a person. Once I found what I liked to shoot, I focused on it, and decided to stay true to it even if that wasn’t the norm. I started to focus on details when 95% were shooting full-body shots.”

[Shot by Guerre for Esquire.com.]

Could you briefly explain the meaning and concept of ‘Guerreisms’ for readers?
“Consider Guerreisms as the theory/study of a constructive antagonism as pertaining to style. Guerreisms is about the details, the little things—especially those that tend to be contradictory—that, combined well, make the big things. It’s about knowing when to use imperfections and turning that into the perfect painting.”

[Shot by Guerre for Esquire.com.]

What, to you, are elements of a truly great photograph?
“Any element that evokes emotion is great—be it in photography, theatre, life.”

[The inimitable Bruce Pask—Men's Fashion Director at T Magazine and frequent contributor to our Men's Shop catalogs. Shot by Guerre for Esquire.com.]

Who are your favorite photographers (from any era), and why?
“I really enjoy Jamel Shabazz. He captured hip-hop at the beginning, when no one else did. To me, his street style is timeless. You won’t find shots like his anywhere; now that’s an icon.”

[Shot by Guerre for Esquire.com.]

Your own personal style (though far from boring) has a timeless feel to it. What ‘style icons’ inspire you, from any era—and why?
“I’d like to believe that I’m not inspired by the way a person dresses. Dressing is a personal thing (at least it should be), so inspiration should come from within. In terms of liking someone’s style, I really like Miles Davis – he had style behind the trumpet and in his dress. Frank Sinatra exemplified cool. And I liked the progression of Andre ’3000′ Benjamin. These three men have styles that seem to mirror their personas—or at least the little I know of their personas.”

[Via Guerreisms.com.]

You must have to react very quickly to photograph someone on the street. How do you make that determination—to shoot or not to shoot?
“If I look twice, it’s a go. If I look just once, I let it go by. While you have to be quick, I’ve trained my eye to see the details. I see the details, actually, before I see the whole outfit.”

[Shot by Guerre for Esquire.com.]

How do your interests in photography and style relate? Is one primary, or fuels the other, or are they inextricable?
“Style is not one-dimensional. It encompasses everything one does—how you walk, speak, dress, work. I had elements of style long before photography was a thought, but since it’s something I do, it’s natural that my style is reflected in it.”

[Via Guerreisms.com.]

What’s a specific item or general idea you’d like to see more men incorporate into their appearance?
“This is hard to answer. I don’t think there’s one thing all men should do or follow. We are all different in terms of personality, and it’s important that that’s reflected in style. If everyone wore a suit, I’d long to see many in jeans. At the end of the day, all I know is that I always enjoy seeing the chap who exudes his true personality.”

The man, the myth, the street-style visionary.
Karl-Edwin Guerre, photographed by Jason Jean of Citizen Couture.

[All photos, except the last, are by Karl-Edwin Guerre of Guerreisms.com. Photos taken for Esquire.com except where noted otherwise. Individuals pictured do not endorse Nordstrom.]

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January 8, 2013

Packing for Pitti with Karl-Edwin Guerre

With the elite menswear trade show Pitti Uomo commencing today in Florence, Italy, there’s little doubt the internet will soon be rife with sprezz-laden street-style shots of the world’s best-dressed gents.

Luckily, one needn’t look further than this very site to spot the cream of the crop. We’re honored and privileged to have one of the best international correspondents we could ask for, Karl-Edwin Guerre of Guerreisms.com, on deck to send back snapshots of everything that catches his refined eye in Florence this week—as well as at Milan Fashion Week later this month.

Known simply as Guerre (pronounced ‘Gear’) to those who know him, this world traveler and pro photographer is a man of timeless taste. Intentionally impervious to fluctuating trends du jour, he prefers to shop for fabric and have custom clothing made to spec. His worst vice? A sip of port and top-shelf chocolate after each major accomplishment (which we’ll point out, if he won’t, are numerous). His best advice for fellow gentlemen? The simple things: Master the omelet, buy an antique, vacation solo.

In other words, Guerre’s personal mantra, ‘The art of details,’ applies to all aspects of life—from what he wears, to how he shoots, to how he prepares for a stylish business trip to Italy. Below, Guerre shares his thoughts on packing well while traveling abroad:

“Packing is one of those things that can be tedious when getting ready to travel. It’s about getting everything needed while still minimizing the load. There remain a few constants on every trip regardless of the city: For starters, I take two bags—my carry-on and a bag that gets checked in.

“Among my favorite items and must-haves that reside in my carry-on: A fountain pen, a Moleskine or other journal, a good book (I refuse to do e-books), quality sunglasses, my watch case from Quood, and a sentimental watch. The computer and camera accessories are always near, as are a bag of (plantain) chips and—being an East Flatbush, Brooklyn boy—a few photos that remind me that there’s nothing better than what awaits me at home (when not traveling with me).”

“The suitcase carries the expected: The clothing, cologne, and The Art of Shaving items. An evening suit is a must, and this trip, I’m packing some colorful laces for my favorite boots and wingtips.

“How do I pack? Efficiently. It’s all about the right pieces, blazers folded well, and camera always handy.”

Regards,
Guerre

As much as we’ve said about Mr. Guerre, his work really speaks for itself. Here’s a taste of what you can expect from Pitti and Milan in the weeks to come, courtesy of Guerre’s past work at Guerreisms.com. (Click each image to enlarge):

[Portrait of Guerre by Elisabetta Marzetti of The Chic Beat. Read her Q&A with Guerre here. Quotes and all other photos by Karl-Edwin Guerre of Guerreisms.com. Individuals featured do not endorse Nordstrom.]

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November 22, 2012

The Men Behind Our Gift Guide: Gabe Johnson

For our new Gifts with Personality gift guide, we invited The Selby to photograph some of our most inspiring fellow Seattleites. Our fourth and final male personality builds connections by defying convention—a true ‘Maverick.’

“We’ve created a community here. This is a place where people can take themselves a little less seriously, and inject some wonder and curiosity back into their lives.”
—Gabe Johnson, curator at Horses Cut Shop Event Space, Seattle, Washington.

We see Gabe as a cultural instigator who embodies the write-your-own-rules, frontier attitude that still exists in the west. He has a knack for bringing people together for offbeat exploration and unconventional fun. Seattle’s Fremont neighborhood (nicknamed ‘The Center of the Universe’ by its residents) makes a fittingly quirky home for Gabe’s gathering place, Horses Cut Shop.

[Update: Horses Cut Shop is on the move. Check back with their official website to find out what's next for the home of 'Genuine American Riffraff.']

All photographs by The Selby.

Watch more ‘Gifts with Personality’ video portraits.

Start Shopping:
Gifts for the Maverick in your life | All Gifts

…or Read More:
- The Innovator, artist Preston Singletary
- The Independent, chef Cormac Mahoney
- The Modernist, librarian Marcellus Turner
- Head over to our women’s blog, The Thread,
to meet our female Gift Personalities.

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November 21, 2012

The Men Behind Our Gift Guide: Preston Singletary

For our new Gifts with Personality gift guide, we invited The Selby to photograph some of our most inspiring fellow Seattleites. Today, we get to know an artist who’s a true ‘Innovator.’

“I feel blessed to have a career as an artist. All of my work is based on my Alaskan Native ancestry. The art that I do today gives me a sense of purpose because it’s all part of a continuum.”
—Preston Singletary, Artist, Seattle, Washington

Preston is literally able to bend the elements to his will, forging delicately powerful art from glass and fire. Yet, as fascinating as his work is to look at, it’s the centuries-old stories the pieces tell that make them truly one-of-a-kind.