Broad&Market

Philadelphia! Maybe if you are a 20-something and like to dance, you have seen Fatima here. She is absolutely charming. In fact, the folks over at uwishunu seem to have already interviewed her some time ago for her dance night at the Barbary, Kinky Boots.

“Fatima Adamu. I’m from Nigeria and I’m 26 years old.”

“How would you describe your style?”

“Fun, uhh… colorful…. comfortable. (laughs) I guess I like Audrey Hepburn a lot. I grew up in Nigeria and there’s a lot of African prints type stuff, so it’s a lot of color. So I notice I use a color a lot. I like really severe tailored men’s suits. I’m not wearing any of that stuff today, but I like that stuff as well. A lot of Italian style…”

“Like in a Grace Jones kind of way? Or not that crazy?”

“No, not that crazy. Like when you watch French movies and the way the actresses are dressed, it’s like it’s so kind of effortless but not?”

“Like it’s probably not actually that comfortable, but…”

“Nooo, but, yeah, it’s like, it’s that whole feel. Very European I suppose.”

“Is there anything about Philadelphia fashion that you like or hate, or that you wish people would stop wearing?”

“Umm, I think people wear jeans maybe too much? I think. But at the same time I’ve met people who… I think, actually, one thing I will say I don’t like about Philadelphia fashion - I think people are sometimes afraid to be more creative. I mean, I know a lot of people who are, but I think sometimes cliques form, and then everyone looks the same. If you saw them as an individual, they might look really cool and creative, but then everyone looks like each other.”

“Yeah when they’re with their posse, you’re like ohhh…”

“Yeah exactly! And I’m like, oh, right, you’re all clones of each other, okay.”

“Oh okay, what’s your current obsession, non-fashion related, right now?”

“This Italian musical electronic improv group called Ossatura.”

“What’s their sound like? What do they make you feel like?”

“Like I just wanna draw insanely and dance. Like their music has a lot of textures and shapes, and I just wanna draw it and dance it, and… yeah.”

“Sounds pretty nice. What’s your favorite piece on right now?”

“My watch.”

“Any story behind it?”

“A friend of mine gave it to me as a birthday present, and I love, it’s more of a man’s watch. I love beautiful leather, so even though it’s, well I think about how our ancestors wore animal hyde so - (laughter) Yeah. And I like the combination of metal and leather, wood and metal. So yeah.”

“Cool.”

This is Beth. She came in to Omoi while I was working, and I was really taken with the notion of her specific wardrobe choices compared with her slightly timid demeanor. When I went to take her picture she said that her outfit was really her lazy business casual look and not really ‘her,’ but I still thought it all went well together. I was mostly intrigued by how she seemed to be a fairly private or quiet person in public, and yet her clothes were so vibrant. Her accessories (namely the headphones) seemed to effortlessly pull together an otherwise peculiar outfit. I guess, in short, it said a lot about her, and made her seem like a secretly fun and interesting person. This as opposed to someone who looked neat and yet their clothing failed to say much about them.

” I’m 24, I’m from Pittsburgh.”

“Cool. And how long have you been in Philly?”

“I’ve been here about 8 months.”

“How would you describe Philly’s fashion sense? Is there anything that you like about it or don’t like about it?”

“I like that it has all the indie stores. It has a lot of local designers selling their own stuff out of their stores, and they bring in a lot of stuff from outside too.”

“Is there anything you wish people would stop wearing?”

“Ugg boots. I’m sure everyone who does this says that.”

“Almost everyone.”

“Okay, and leggings as pants.”

“I had that only once before. I’m surprised it hasn’t come up more often. How would you describe your own sense of style - any particular inspiration? OR! Describe your style in three keywords.”

“Okay, let’s see. Hm … European grunge post-punk. Cause I think post-punk is one word.”

“Yeah it is, it’s hyphenated.”

“Yeah exactly.”

“What’s your current obsession that’s not fashion related?”

“Hm. Um, current obsession, let’s see. I’d have to say the band, Robots in Disguise, actually.”

“What a great name. What do they sound like?”

“Guess it’s kind of a Berlin indie rock type deal. Have you heard them? It’s like two chicks… It kinda reminds me of old Cardigans.”

“Oh word. Wow. Are there any other obsessions? You don’t have to have one.”

“I guess trying to finish everything up for my finals.”

“Word. Oh, and what’s your favorite item that you’re wearing right now?”

“The headphones.”

“Yeah. I definitely have seen you at school and been like that girl’s headphones rule…”

My boy Fred started this blog, SHOPtart, about sneakers that I’m rather fond of. It’s just started. Fred is from the Logan area of Philly. We went to high school together. He would be the most likely successor to Broad&Market were something to happen to me. All my girl friends trust him with their shoe purchasing decisions. Marry him. Or just read his blog.

So last Tuesday was Spring Fling on Temple’s campus. It was sort of a madhouse, being that it was incredibly nice outside, and no one seemed to be in class. I thought, holy hell, I better find someone to take a picture of in this huge crowd. I wandered around enough and spotted this guy standing on the steps outside of the Chop Shop and was sort of dumbfounded. Like, too good to be true. Too sharp, too sophisticated looking, and slightly more elegant than the typical student’s wardrobe allows. As it turns out, my suspicion that this kid was not from around here proved correct.

“My name is Jason Burke, but I’m better known as SoHo B.”

“How do you spell it?”

“S-o-h-o … b. Soho’s a part of Manhattan in New York City, and it’s a very fashionable part of New York, and I’m there quite often, so they deemed me Soho-b.”

“Where are you from?”

“I’m from Brooklyn, New York. I travel a lot, so like, I’m just out here for the festivities, for the day.”

“So do you live in Philly, do you come here often?”

“Well I come here quite often. My good friend, YSL-L, Ellington, he goes to school here at Temple, and a good friend of mine, Kayla (sp?), she goes to school here at Temple. So I’m out here quite often.”

“I guess well, in your brief time here, what do you notice about Philadelphia style that you wish was better, or that they don’t do where you’re from …”

“Well, I notice it’s quite unique, but some of it is relative to where I’m from and some of it is new to me. I’d say, like, the long beard [note: he made a Philly beard gesture here], that’s a new style to me. It was nice to see. I’ve seen a couple of lines that are from places that I’m from familiar with, like Stussy. I’ve seen a Stussy wave tee, which I think was like the best Stussy tee ever. I own two pairs of it. Uhh, I’ve seen a couple of Michael Jordan sneakers out here, and those are very nice. Overall, I think it’s quite moderate, you know. A lot of people, they don’t really go as hard as, like, what I’m used to, as like in Soho or 5th Ave in New York. But, I mean, it’s not bad. It’s just maybe they need some more direction or they need to read LNF.”

“Yeah. Oh nice, word. How would you describe your style?”

“I feel like my style is inspired by so many things, like today I could be wearing an oxford and a bow tie, which I like to do, or, like tomorrow you can find me in like a white v-neck t-shirt and some Nudie denims, and some Jordans, preferably the number threes.”

“Aw, sorry I’m not up on it.”

“That’s all right.”

“Cool. What’s your current obsession, non-fashion related?”

“All right. Non-fashion related, my current obsession… would be women and dinner. Like dining at nice restaurants, and, uh, women. That’s my current obsession. Fashion-wise, I would say my current obsession is Marc Jacobs.”

“Any particular reason for Marc Jacobs?”

“Well, I just like his line. It’s playful but serious, and it’s definitely wearable. He has everyday clothes, and he has clothes for events, like the oxford I’m wearing right now is a Marc Jacobs oxford. I mixed it with a Marc Jacobs belt, a Marc Jacobs overnight bag, and uh, a Marc Jacobs pocket watch. And I spliced it quite well with the Banana Republic chino pants, and the Dior Homme shades.”

“Word. Oh, and what’s your blog called?

“The blog is called L&F. It stands for life and its complications, and fashion and its simplicity.”

So what are your thoughts on this recurring trend? A good number of people on the blog aren’t from Philly, and are just here for college. What does that say about our native city’s sense of style? I still just can’t quite put my thumb on it.

Here’s a shameless plug in the downtime between a new post and … the lack thereof:

I have a new blog. Sort of. Click on the link and you’ll see what I mean. I quit my old job and started working at Omoi, a boutique at 16th and Pine. Maybe this name rings a bell? I profiled the store a little while ago. Turns out that owner, Liz, needed someone to manage the store’s websites. We sell stuff like this:

I fully encourage you, dear reader, to visit us. Open 11-7 every day except Mondays! We have all the fresh, limited, only-retailer-in-the-US goods. Plus, it’s been really difficult finding people for the site in my spare time. :/ My own fault, but I can’t stress enough how limiting a student’s schedule can be. Seriously, stop by.

This is Max. Max is another one of those people with a really consistent style, that maybe you have to see often enough to appreciate. I do happen to see him pretty often, on Temple’s campus and down around Center City. There’s something about guys that wear wristwatches with analog faces and leather bands. And a dandy shade of pink. It speaks to some old-fashioned, baseball playing kind of time… Does anyone else feel that way? It could just be me.

What’s funny is the response he gave when I stopped him for his picture: “Am I stylish enough?” I’ve gotten that question quite a few times from people on the blog. What’s stylish???

“I’m twenty years old. I’m from South Philadelphia.”

“How do you describe your style? Or your what influences it?”

“I’m afraid of clothing stores. So, usually clothing is given to me by people. I wear that. I wear what people give me, usually.”

“Like anything or…?”

“Yeah, pretty much anything, I kinda like accept donations year round. Yeah I get really nervous when I go into clothing stores for some reason, so I have to get in and get out as fast as possible. And nothing ever fits me cause I’m like 5′6″ and… zero pounds. So I can never find clothes that fit me.”

“Yeah, you know… That’s such a problem. If you’re not a dude that wants to wear cargo shorts, you have no other options. There are no good shorts for any… I dunno.”

“I bought these pants though. These pants I went to a clothing store and bought.”

“Is there any way that Philadelphians dress that you love or hate, or wish they would do more or less of?”

“I really hate Uggs. I hate Uggs and I hate Crocs.”

“Why?”

“Well, Uggs kinda look like weird camel humps, and Crocs are like hospital shoes or something to me? I think Mario Batali is the only one who can pull that look off.”

“Who’s that guy?”

“He’s a big Italian chef.”

“Right! Right!”

“That guy’s a genius, he’s the best chef alive. So he can wear whatever he wants and get away with it. But everybody else, I’m tired of the Uggs and the Crocs.”

“Could it just be college campuses?”

“I don’t know, I don’t really hang out on campus that much.”

(brief hating from me on Penn girls wearing Uggs - sorry ya’ll)

“What’s your current obsession?”

“What, like music or like a band or?”

“Whatever you’ve spent a lot of time on recently.”

“Uh, I really like Harry Potter a lot. I kinda got in that game late, but I’m on number five right now and I really enjoy it.”

“Is that the first fantasy magical type book series that you’ve ever read?”

“It’s the only book series I think I’ve ever read. I dunno, I don’t really get attached to series. I like just individual books.”

“So no like, Lord of the Rings, Dragonlance…”

“I read The Hobbit. I don’t know what Dragonlance is.”

“Oh that’s some super nerdy stuff…”

“I dunno, I’m into a lot of that stuff. Never heard of that one. And I like Make A Rising also. They’re a friggan awesome band. They’re from West Philly.”

“What’s their sound?”

“Kinda like, weird prog stuff, but with a lot of melodies, like a lot of pretty melodies. Kinda like Beach Boys-y almost?”

“Hmm!!”

“What’s your favorite article of clothing or accessory that you have on?”

“Uh, I really like my purple cardigan. My friend Joe found that for me. And it was like three dollars. We were in a clothing store, which almost never happens to me. I was with my friend Joe, I was like I can’t find anything. And he’s like, check this thing out. And I was like hey you’re right! And I got that. And I really like it.”

I really liked his blazer-complimenting his shoes

“My name’s Patrick David. I’m 24. I’m from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.”

“Where in Philly do you live and how do you like it?”

“I live 25 minutes north of Philly in Langhorne, and I enjoy it. I’m more of a country boy, so it’s nice to come into the city and still be able to do the city thing and go home.”

“How would you describe your sense of style?”

“I like old, rootsy culture, and I do like high-end, fun fashion kind of stuff. But it’s mostly old, rootsy Americana kind of stuff.”

“Is there anything about Philadelphians and their fashion that you wish you would see more or less of?”

“Umm, I think everybody stays pretty tight to the trends. Like the American Apparel trend, the hipster’s trend, you know. Urban Outfitters, stuff like that. I don’t think people really like, go really out there, you know what I mean? Like, get anything new and be creative and on their own… I don’t think you see a whole lot of that.”

“I’m starting to wonder if there’s even a need to… But that’s like a loaded question. Everyone I interview says that.”

“Everyone says that say thing?”

“Everyone says that same thing, that everyone dresses the same in Philly.”

“It’s like there’s the uh, high end, like business, like Brooks Brothers, but you know when it just comes down to hipsters, everybody just dresses the same. Sneaker hipster. American Apparel Urban Outfitters hipster…”

“Yeah, the many genres of hipster…”

“Yeah, you don’t see a lot of very unique styles.”

“I’ll agree. Or whatever. Uh what’s your favorite piece that you’re wearing right now?”

“I really like this rosary that I got at a thrift store, or actually an antique store in Gettysburg. I got it at this antique store and I thought it was really, really beautiful. I didn’t know that wearing the rosary is offensive to Catholics… But I view it as a symbol of sacrifice, and the piece is beautiful … And then also, my friend Jason just made me this necklace with the leather…”

“Is that all knotted? Oh hey!”

“Yeah, the leather bands with, I dunno, a dragon claw.”

“Maybe it’s an eagle claw. Well, it does look like it should be holding an orb.”

“Yeah. But uh, it’d be a tough call between the rosary or the necklace, or my ring. I dunno, I think with fashion you don’t really have to do a whole lot to do something different, you can just get one or two pieces that really stand out.”

“What’s your current obsession, not fashion related, anything.”

“I would say my friends’ music, that my friends’ create. Just everything behind it, the creative side and the fact that my friends are very talented musicians.”

“How would you describe their sound to a stranger?”

“A lot of it is just kind of like Philadelphian punk with a little twist of like glam rock, and then others are like IDM, very minimal, dancey, kinda techno-ish. And others are like some really good folk artists. You know, banjo, twang, stuff like that. So, a good little mixture. Can I add on to some of the other questions?”

“Sure.”

“I don’t feel like I’m doing anything different or anything new, cause pretty much all my ideas are old, and stuff that’s put together… I really like Native American, Civil War, Americana …Well being from a small town like Gettysburg and living in and working in and around Philadelphia, it’s weird. I feel like I’m in between different cultures. I don’t feel like I’m a city kid, I’m definitely a country kid at heart, but I can dress the part and pretend, you know, working at American Apparel. But yah, I definitely inspired by like a lot of the old, like Civil War reenacters that I saw growing up in my hometown.”

“Oh wow! Right!”

“I like that kind of look, and then that goes into like the whole rootsy aspect. But then that also goes, like global, like I like…old looks. I kind of like doing something new with that. And then another inspiration is how I look at life as being something magical. So I enjoy having that little twist in that traditional look, kind of trying to create my own style. Or not my own style, but…”

“Uhh, trying to express yourself.”

“Yeah. In between those two ideas, or realms, or … I dunno, I just thought it was something I should add. And the whole thing about being from the country in the city. And when I go back to Gettysburg, I’m definitely a city boy, but when I’m in the city, I feel like I’m a country boy. I just don’t feel like I fit in here.”

Poor sweet Patrick. Who could tell he doesn’t “fit in” here? For some reason, though, I’m reminded of Gambit from X-MEN and how he just can’t go back to New Orleans.

“What’s your name?”

“Kait. I am twenty years old. I’m originally from South Jersey.”

“Where do you live now in Philly?”

“I don’t even know, cause I’m on the border of Center City and South Philly. I guess I’m in Center City.”

“I think South Street is its own thing.”

“Yeah I live on South Street, if you want to stalk me.” [Do not do that.]

“How would you describe your sense of style?”

“Umm, I try not to follow any trends. I like comfortable … I dunno, this is really hard!”

“How about if you describe it in three or four words.”

“I like comfortable, European-ish stuff. I dunno. I really like British fashion, stuff like that.”

“Are there any specific sources of inspiration?”

“You know, actually there’s this one photographer I’m into - this sounds really weird. There’s this one photographer named Ernest J. Bellocq. He was a photographer in New Orleans a really long time ago and he photographed prostitutes like in the, I think it was 1920s or something? It sounds really weird, but his photographs inspire me.”

“Like classy old prostitutes?”

“Yeah, it sounds weird. I like darker, kind of um, I dunno. Classical looking things.”

“I think I get you.”

“Do you know what I mean?”

“Yeah. It’s like a classy, refined type of look, but not high-society classy …”

“Exactly. Like my room is decorated with weird little statue things, and I have kind of old-looking mirrors with filigree. I like stuff like that. I like quirky glasses. And I like boots. I don’t own any sneakers. That is one fact about me.”

“Nice.”

“I love dresses too. I try to wear a lot of dresses … And I don’t cut my hair. I’m really bad at answering your questions.”

“Oh whatever, it’s okay. How do you feel about Philly and what people wear? What do you wish they would wear more or less of?”

“I’m tired of plaids, obviously. Like seeing every guy with plaid and beards. I dunno, I’m so tired of that. You know what I mean? Cause it makes everybody look the same. Also, I want people to wear whatever they want to wear. I don’t want to see people wearing the same thing all the time. Especially on Temple’s campus. It’s like a mix of plaid and beards, and girls with Uggs. And sweatpants. It’s very … nobody is that unique around here and it would be nice to see more people like …”

“Yeah, what’s interesting is that Penn’s campus seems to be even worse. It’s all girls with long, beautiful hair and North Face …”

“Oh, what those little jackets with the … ?”

“With the little zippies. That’s all it is. Well, as far as I can tell. And I’m around there often. Anyway! What’s your favorite piece on right now?”

“That I’m wearing? Oh my god. That’s really hard because I’m wearing a lot of my favorite things. Well, this bag, I’ve had for the past five years, and I wear it every single year. Well, not throughout the whole year.”

“But it’s a mainstay?”

“Yeah. I also wear this large ring on my finger every single day. But if I had to pick my favorite thing, I guess this sweater. I feel like I’m wearing a large blanket, and …”

“It’s really striking and nice, but it’s not like too … I dunno, it’s very nice.”

“I love it. And I think the huge argyle adds to it.”

“What’s your current obsession?”

“Let’s think. Well I have two things in my life right now. Kombucha and Neil Young.”

“Is there a type of Kombucha that you buy? A flavor?”

“Well I buy the Synergy. I normally drink the trilogy. It’s raspberry, lemon, and ginger all mixed together. It’s really great. That’s my obsession probably. It gets me through the day.”

“And Neil Young? Any particular aspect of him?”

“I dunno, I’m just obsessed with Harvest and After the Gold Rush. Kinda random… oh, and mermaids.”

“Nice.”

Kait went on to say she was into mermaids for something like their strange and powerful qualities. She seems to have a thing for mischievous, sensual, mildly dangerous, feminine things, which is real top notch. What’s more heartaching than a beautiful rock n’ roll kinda girl who fancies a darker, classier side of days past?

Sidenote: The Lady Jane title refers to the Rolling Stones song, which is referenced in Ryu Murakami’s book, Sixty Nine (and how I even found out about the song pfft). “After all, Kazuko “Lady Jane” Matsui was such a stone fox that she was famous even in other schools in the city … “ (p 30)

I love a person from Philly. Most people I associate with aren’t, however, and the ones that are (like my 260 posse) have moved away to Brooklyn or something. Nikki turns out to not only be from Olney, where I grew up, but is also into a ridiculous amount of the same things I am - like where was she all my life?

“My name is Nikki Santiago. I grew up in Olney and now I live in West Philly.”

“Word. How would you describe your style?”

“Well, everything I own fits into one of two general color schemes. One is aqua, purple, and pink. And one is primary colors, so yellow, blue, and red. And other than that, I kind of like to dress like a kindergartener or Rudy Huxtable, who is my style icon.”

“Ohh man that’s pretty good.”

“It’s true.”

“Is there anything you wish people would or would not wear in Philly?”

“Oohhh, hmmm! I wish less girls would wear shaggy straight bangs, saggy winter hats, umm. The same shit. I just wish people would stop dressing exactly the same as each other. And I wish people would wear more colors, less black.”

“Less, like straight up black, just all black?”

“Well, yeah, less like straight up black. Less ‘if I wear black I will look okay black’ - safe black. Less safe black. More daring black. More other colors. Like, I’ll just look off the subway, I’ll get off the subway and look around and and there’s nothing that catches my eye. Like nothing inside of all the black that makes me look at it. Which is wack.”

“It’s true. What is your favorite item that you’re wearing right now?”

“I guess it’s my zipper pull. I like my zipper pull a lot. I started getting into zipper pulls cause I saw them on Kid Robot, but then I found out that you could go to certain websites that have stuff from Japan and get them for like, two bucks. And so many more choices. And not blind assortment, so you get exactly what you want. So probably that, and these button earrings I got for like fifty cents.”

“Nice, nice…”

“And my lunchbox cause it’s got bangin shit inside! And I’m about to eat it in the library - wassup!”

(Pause for lots of posturing and tossing around Philly slang like we’re hard.)

“What’s your current obsession?”

“You mean style obsession or just general obsession?”

“No, no, yeah, general obsession.”

“What is my current obsession? My current obsession is Last.fm. Seriously. All I do is is get new music off of Last.fm. Or recommendations. Also, my other one is the new Autechre album. It’s like my super duper obsession. It just came out last week and I can’t stop listening to it.”

“Can I borrow it?”

“Yes you can borrow it!”

“Yaayy!”

“It’s really, really, really good and they’re coming to town. I’m so excited. I think that’s it. And um, Stephen Crane.

“Who’s that?”

“Some old American writer. Something totally uncool. Oh, and Lost. And catching up on Lost. Watching Lost for free online.”

“Let me see, is there anything else?”

“Packing lunches. ‘Sup with packing lunches. And thinking about them all day until I get to the point where I get to eat it, it’s just mmmhmm! You know?”

(starts eating delicious tortilla chips)

“Dang. Okay, I think that’s it!”