Vertigo

Magazine- GQ Style

Photographer- Phil Poynter

Stylist- David Bradshaw
Stylist Assistant- Alejandro Lopez

Models- Blake Kutcha at DNA, Brandon at NYM, Sean Harju at Major, Rob at VNY NY, Ben Hill at Wilhelmina

My first shoot assisting David Bradshaw editor at GQ Style (UK). It was amazing to shoot at the Four Seasons restaurant; the architecture was so cool and with the clothes it had the classy 40's feel when everyone would dress up to go out to the movies or to a restuarant. Between you and I all the bow ties were tied by yours truly.

Save The Date

Top Shop is about to invade the streets of NYC. Finally, the store will open this Thursday, April 2nd! They carry men's too, their TopMan line is awesome.

Fashion Fast

A friend and fellow blogger is documenting her experience of abstaining from shopping for a year. You can read it at TheFashionFast.blogspost.com. If that's not amazing imagine doing it while working at Conde Nast. In case you don't know Conde Nast is the publishing company for such high-end magazines like Vogue, GQ, Glamour, Vanity Fair and many more. Let's just say that going to the cafeteria is like a fashion show in its own right. She's hit the 8 month mark and I wish her luck on her quest!

Black & White Cool

Magazine- GQ Style
Photographer- Guzman
Stylist- Jo Levin

Here is another shoot I assisted Jo on, this time for the bi-annual magazine GQ Style (UK). This shoot was on location throughout Brooklyn. If it wasn't for this shoot I would've never been to these places and seen the old Puerto Rican and Jewish neighborhoods. The crew was great and the models were hilarious. It was awesome!

Behind the scenes~
Madeline Kragh at IMG

Callum Turner at Red ( He's hilarious)
Zach Ferry at Wilhelmina

Tyler Riggs at Red

Oliver Cheshire at Select

Meet and Greet...Marysol Ortiz Fashion Stylist

-Where did you go to school? I went to the high school of Fashion Industries in NYC. a specialized school for design and fashion merchandising. I studied fashion design and pattern making. I decided to skip college, I was so thirsty to be working and "in the field" already!!!
-How did you get started in the fashion industry?After High school I worked at the Juiliard school costume department. There I learned about costume design, getting the attitude and feel right for a character, which has later helped out my styling when it has come to defining a brand and who their customer is or simply helping to develop an bring out ones own "sense of style". From there I met a stylist who introduced to me to the world and the different outlets of "Styling" I assisted for years before making the jump to lead stylist learning all the tricks of the trade along the way.
-What keeps you motivated? Work itself keeps me motivated. I am truly blessed to be one of those people who loves to go to work in the morning. When my creativity is in full swing and outfits come out exactly how I want it, hair and makeup is on point, the model is into it and the photographer is able to capture moments that make all of our talents shine.... that's what keeps me going!!! Its like all the ingredients to a perfect meal. We each bring our own "flavor" and it comes out Delicious!!!!!!For personal clients, when they feel Great about how they look I know I have accomplished my goal... that's also incredible motivation for me. you can dress someone to the nines head to toe but if they don't feel confident or comfortable about what they are wearing; that insecurity shows more than anything... Wear the clothes don't let them wear you, words to live by.
What inspires you? Fashion wise my first inspiration was my aunt in the 80s with her fabulous furs and Chloe sunglasses.(her personal initials on the leans) and my cousin who went to private school and mixed the upper east side with that Bronx hip hop girl style and a little bit of downtown punk... she was my idol...I think its where I get my mix and match style from...Currently I'm inspired by the creative people I am surrounded by... my best friend is a true inspiration. Shes helped me to express myself and realize that my eye for fashion and "what looks good" is truly a talent and it should be used to its full capacity. I admire Do'ers... Diane Von Furstenburg has got to be the epitome of a do'er.. shes all woman and has built and maintained her brand for so long...also for as young as they are the Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen have become inspirations to me. They love fashion and art so much they have immersed themselves completely in that world. constantly learning about and appreciating the great minds of designers and artists. I love the way they have translated all of that into their lines and way of dressing.
-What is your favorite store? I don't have a favorite store. I don't think I ever have. I like to pick a little something from here and there. It ranges from the sneaker spots in Harlem to the vintage shops in l.e.s...
-How would you describe your personal style? Hmmmm, my personal style... it definitely CAN'T be described in one word. I love to mix and match brands and even styles... tastefully of course... take the Bronx B girl, add some upper east side chic, mix it with a downtown funky vibe, a little earth mama hippie and a tad of 70s glam (think Halston feathery hair and glossy lips) Mix all that up and you will get ME...
You can see a sample of her work at fordartists.com

As seen on The Sartorialist

I love when you see something and think, "wait, I have those items...why didn't I think of putting them together like that?"

If "street-style" blogs are useful right now, in this difficult economic time, then it is because they highlight simple little styling tricks that can inspire us to see the wardrobe we already own in a new way.
-The Sartorialist

(I am fascinated by how people relate to clothes and make it theirs. That's why I love his blog).

Les 100 Choses

The 100 Things To Know When You Are A Man. French GQ had this supplement along with their March Issue.According to them, one of those things a man should know is how to skip a stone on water and also the importance of knowing which correspondence to write by hand. Of course, there are some fashion tips like not stuffing pants in to your boots ( I highly agree) and to wear your jacket this summer Italian style, that I have my doubts will go well in some parts of the city. Use your best judgement.

Fashion+Art

This is a great example when art and fashion unite to make something beautiful and impactful. Top- artwork by Roe Ethridge, Bottom- Borge Jensen

Spring/Summer 2009 Collections

Magazine- GQ UK

Photographer- Guzman

Stylist- Jo Levin
Stylist Assistant- Alejandro Lopez

Models in story- Bastiaan ; Graham at Request. Ricardo, Chris andAndre at Ford. Sean, Nate and Blaine at Major. Ryan &; Justin at Wilhelmina. Alan, Callum, Chris, Reid, Salieu, Sasha, Trent, Stan and Dominique at Red. Gordon at NY Models.

Here it is, one of the largest spreads I've worked on thus far. I assisted Jo on the Spring/Summer 09 collections shoot. This is just a few of the pictures in the story, the rest can be found on the March issue. I was there for the casting, fittings, and the shoot. It was loads of fun to meet and work with all those models! In total there were 20 models in the fashion spread. It didn't feel like a long day at all.

London Calling

On my last trip to London I learned about a store form the family at H&M. COS is for a more clean and streamlined but yet fashionably sensitive male and female customer. Most of the color palette this season consisted of neutrals with a few oranges and coral colors to spice it up. It is a little pricier than H&M but the quality is a lot better, you can tell as you touch the fabrics. The one pictured here is on Regents St. across the street from the first Banana Republic in London.

Just around the corner from COS you can find Liberty. This store is featured in all the tourist books and with good reason. It resembles Barneys but there is a lot more of a variety in merchandise. The men's department has a wide selection of designers and there is a bar on the same level. Once you start venturing around the rest of the store you will find an awesome stationary section along with a fabric department. I saw the chicest ladies there crocheting I thought I walked in to a photo shoot. On one of the exits of the store they even have a flower shop. With its Tudor style exterior and melange of style indoors its a place to go see and probably find some amazing new must-have.


This place is a must see while at London the interior is beautiful. They've done a great job at mixing the original design and integrating a modern flair.

Inspirations

girl, J.Crew Fall 2005 ( I know, I'm an image pack rat); boy, Rugby Fall 2008