Jose Pozo

occupation: party promoter

“Everything in life is mental. It’s just an attitude. If you want to be rich, rich is all a mindset. Everything is a mindset. You can be anything you want to be, but first you have to become it inside, and then everything that you want gets attracted to you.” Jose Pozo

This was a first for me – getting serenaded to a freestyle rap about StyleLikeU (though it wasn’t a surprise coming from Jose, whose warmth filled the room as he danced throughout most of our interview). He says that he loves people and feels that there is no such thing as a bad one. I was freaking over his signature layers of bracelets, rings on every finger, and piles of necklaces, all of which have immense significance to him. The abundance of skulls and bullets might not appear to reflect Jose’s belief that one is most powerful when coming from a place of peace, but don’t let his alpha-male side fool you – his right arm is filled with saints. “You are what you wear,” he says, and in his heart he is a superstar and dresses like one.

If you like Jose, you might also enjoy Matt Parrotti, Heron Preston, Tay Trong, or Maurice Pierre Saint-Hubert.

Dechel McKillian

Versatility and selectivity is key when traveling the world like Dechel does as the stylist for the band and dancers on Lil Wayne’s and the Black Eyed Peas‘ recent tours. Her staple black rubber leggings tucked into knee-high boots have a different effect when worn with the one-of-a-kind cropped patent jacket (found in Australia) and socks pulled over-the-knee (her new thing), from the way they look with the extra long ’70s cardigan (found in Toronto), that she was going to shorten and decided not to (good decision!) and under her caged skirt. Unfussy and always crisp, Dechel’s ultra clean in the white chef’s shirt with the high-waisted jeans and she’s razor sharp John Fluevog gold wedge boots.

To learn more about Dechel, click on the detailed captions page.

If you like Dechel, you might also enjoy Legacy Russell, Andrea Campbell, or Margo Simms (from her first or second shoot).

Ms. Fitz

“My favorite anarchists are the everyday anarchists. The misfits who make choices in their lives to tread a path less travelled, who question the boundaries of gender, art, and ethics. Philosophers like Michel Foucault, who argued that the future of our society is paved by the fringe members of our communities – I believe that too.” Ms. Fitz

occupation: stylist, designer, blogger, and former political activist

Born in a hippy commune in a small town in Australia and raised among a community of people with alternative lifestyles, Ms. Fitz is drawn towards anyone that looks at the world through different eyes and wants to create something that diverges from what you are “suppose to do and think.” Basketball-wear and bows with Egyptian-inspired designer clothes, and surf overalls with a glamorous vintage fur, is all part of her passion to be unpredictable but not “ridiculous.” Ms. Fitz is taking in everything right now, traveling the world to help her form the direction for her life as a stylist, designer, blogger, and overall quiet anarchist. Similar to the range of clothes piled on her couch when I came to shoot her, she loves to infuse all cultural references together when designing, like the bold neon edge she gives to her earthy, Afghany-inspired necklaces. Currently, Ms. Fitz is inspired by “chilly and beautiful” Amsterdam; for the arts, youthful vitality, and support of women’s rights there. Though the creative freedom of the ’80s reigns in fashion choices like her random but spot-on pick of a Genny primary-color blocked coat (she had no idea who Genny was, but had the eye to purchase the piece) and the ’90’s, in her adoration of “ballsy bitches” like Salt-n-Pepa, TLC, and MC Lyte from a Tribe Called Quest. For Ms. Fitz, unless it’s extreme, she doesn’t see the point.

To learn more about Ms. Fitz, go to the detailed captions page.

Check out Ms. Fitz’s website and blog.

If you like Ms. Fitz, you might also enjoy Sophie Flinder and Vanna Youngstein, Contessa Stuto, Athena Stuebe, or Alexa Winner.

Matt Parrotti

occupation: student and designer/creator of Funky Faction hats

“I like stuff when it’s fake. I get more of a kick out of it.” Matt Parrotti

Matt was elated when he was fired from a job last summer and ended up working at a day camp for kids. As warm-hearted and fun-loving as could be, Matt is a GIANT kid, in his wide-open spirit and endless ability to turn literally everything and anything into a creative experience and ultimately into a creation. Life is his stage and humor his vehicle, from dressing up like a tourist and walking through Soho as if he is one, to turning plastic toys into his signature necklaces. Everything is game for him to make art with, including tie-dying his tighty whities, doodling all over his card table, and tearing the garbage apart at his job at an old age home in order to find material for reappropriating his clothing and jewels. Matt’s attraction to “the ridiculous and obnoxious” is a refreshing antidote to the pretension and seriousness of fashion, and is in and of itself avante garde. Like a true artist, he doesn’t know where to stop when he starts working on something, and what comes out of it is absolutely brilliant, like his elaborately bedazzled, hand-painted and collaged baseball hats and sneakers, each one a masterpiece. But for me, Matt’s highest form of art and the reason for his ability to be so innovative is his boundless love and fascination with people and life and the absurdity of it all.

If you like Matt, you might also enjoy Zarzan, Ash Epps, Koos van den Akker, Ben Oprstu, or Athena Stuebe.

Contessa Stuto

occupation: stylist and party promoter

“I like to celebrate women. Accentuating your body, all different sizes.”
Contessa Stuto

Admittedly and comfortably “shocking” in her style, Contessa says that she loves to be the center of attention in her femme fatale clothing combinations. She is alluring and commanding in her ensnaring leather bustiers and 80’s leggings, but equally captivating with her carefree and iconoclast personality. You cannot help but notice her and for all the right reasons – she uses fashion to boldly and bravely celebrate who she is and to have fun. With an eye for good finds that are fierce in late 80’s and 90’s references (like strong prints, color and accentuated shapes), it’s not surprising that her favorite designers are Patricia Field (for her career), Betsey Johnson, Alexander McQueen, Thierry Mugler, and Stephen Sprouse, whose memorable graffitti bag with Louis Vuitton she scored. In her black sheer top with gold belted black leggings, tulle headpiece, dark sunglasses, and platinum blonde hair, Contessa is a portrait of one who is extraordinary in self-presentation and defines self-expression as an art. Whether it’s Madonna-esque 80’s glam or 90’s fly girl, she makes it her – bold and comfortable enough to stand on her own.