Zarzan

Zarzan from Stylelikeu.com from Stylelikeu on Vimeo.

Filed Under: Boys | Connecticut

occupation: artist

There were a couple of poignant moments when leaving Zarzan’s apartment in an old age home in suburban Norwalk, CT. Firstly, I couldn’t help but notice the irony of where he lives juxtaposed to the experience of being with such a distinctly exhuberant, energetic and timeless spirit and odds are the coolest person you will ever meet. Zarzan has no age and doesn’t give into labels of any kind and thus, he seems oblivious to society’s classification of his living quarters or anything else that he does. I walked across the street into a cafe and ran into a design student, sketching at a table, who noticed me right away, as I felt oddly obvious in the uniform enviornment. When I mentioned that I was filming someone for my site on personal style, he knew exactly who my subject was. His face lit up when talking about how much he looked up to Zarzan for his extraordinary individuality and recalled many stories of his entrances into the various events around town. He said that everyone was either drawn magnetically to Zarzan and his complete disdain for the homogeneity of our culture, in thought and appearance, or they ran the other way. He is the definition of a free spirit and for many, with his completely out of the box thinking and dressing, it can be too challenging to their very circumscribed lives. Zarzan’s bold and fantastical way of dressing and traveling, he drives around in a zebra painted van, makes him both a celebrity and a pariah in the suburbs. Housewives and kids wave at him and smile, loving how unique he is and then often, he is thrown out of bars and restaurants for appearing too extremely different. The total irony is, that he is wearing the clothes from the local Goodwill, as he says, they are the toss outs of these very same people. Like everything, Zarzan is able to see the beauty and value of the unusual and exotic pieces that everyone else sees as too deviant. I was struck by how worldy Zarzan was, so wide open, knowledgable and accepting, despite the fact that he has not traveled the planet, he seems like a product of the universe. He attributes much of this to his dreams, which he calls astro-projections, he says that they are so vivid and magnificent beyond any feat or woman that exists on earth. Zarzan is one of the happiest people I have ever met and living proof that imagination is more important than knowledge He believes that from imagination comes creation, and from creation comes joy, “God would have had to imagine before he could create.”

Comments

posted by zana
August 25th, 2009 at 7:09 pm
this video made me so incredibly happy. a beautiful documentation!
posted by erika
August 25th, 2009 at 8:05 pm
His outfits are fantastic. If I ran into him at Goodwill we would be fighting over caftans.
posted by Aria
August 25th, 2009 at 8:40 pm
He is so amazing!!
posted by Georgie
August 26th, 2009 at 5:02 am
True Visionary style..Gotta luv it
posted by Kiev
August 26th, 2009 at 8:15 am
Not minimalist but still pure and simple (in spite of prints, color, and disparate styles) because he’s so honest and in tune with all things. It’s good to be reminded that whimsical dressing can be just as uncomplicated on a daily basis as curated uniform.
posted by Jessica Repetto
August 26th, 2009 at 8:18 am
Zarzan is a nothing short of a visionary. He is a source of inspiration to so many, with a presence and sincerity that is so strong. He is known not only for his sense of personal style and aesthetic but for a strong spirit and connection to the world and people around him.
posted by tziporah salamon
August 26th, 2009 at 9:53 am
what an original! how utterly charming! what a breath of fresh air!
posted by chris
August 26th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
i hope that when i am his age i have mangaged to hold on to my own individuality the way that he has.
posted by morgan
August 26th, 2009 at 7:58 pm
does he not look like dumbledor from harry potter, and i mean that in a great way cause i love harry potter
posted by adam
August 26th, 2009 at 8:39 pm
This man is amazing.
posted by Mordechai
August 27th, 2009 at 6:58 am
I LOVE YOU ZARZAN
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.mistermort.com
posted by Lou-anne
August 28th, 2009 at 11:24 am
love love love this boytoy
posted by Matt
August 28th, 2009 at 3:46 pm
WHAT an original. Terrific find!
posted by Jeffrey Williams
September 1st, 2009 at 6:56 am
Zarzan it brings me much joy to see how many beings and my self you influence with your natural ability of just being your self. So aware of your surroundings and what beauty and magic can be created/made by fully present in life.
posted by trillionare
September 3rd, 2009 at 3:44 am
When people make money, they are given a voice, why…..yum….i dont know…but take it from a trillionare….ZARZAN is made in the likeness of god
posted by matt
September 17th, 2009 at 9:11 am
GOD
posted by ANNA
November 6th, 2009 at 9:44 am
This guy is bad ass, look at those shoes! Great shoes, and that painting, and the pipe! He has no age, I love that sentence, thats how I want to live. Forget about age, stop keeping track, all it does is hold you back
posted by Matt Parrotti « Style Like U
December 21st, 2009 at 2:22 pm
[...] you like Matt, you might also enjoy Zarzan, Koos van den Akker, Ben Oprstu, or Athena [...]
posted by Carter Emmart | Style Like U
February 27th, 2010 at 8:44 am
[...] you like Carter, you might also enjoy Zarzan, Tiziano Mazzilli, or Chase [...]

Closets

Zarzan

Comments

Comment