Taylor Moore

“You have to remember your soul, goals, amenity, and the big picture, but at the same time you don’t want to be consumed by the big picture. You have to see the trees not the forest.” Taylor Moore

Taylor says that for him, style is incorporating his surroundings and developing his own interpretation of what he sees. He is from a small, “WASPy” town on the Gulf of Mexico in Alabama (“we go sailing on the weekends”). His life is a visual journal, like his grandfather’s cardigans and WWII sunglasses, his grandmother’s broaches, a studded bow tie and jackets given to him by friends, and a black leather bomber from the Lower East Side. Interior design and painting are all included in his illustrated story, but it’s done with huge overtones of humor and irony. Madonna, among other things, were windows into “another world” as a child; thus, he…

Paul Johnson-Calderon

occupation: writer and stylist

“I’ve learned the beauty of simplicity.” Paul Johnson-Calderon

Shooting Paul in front of the mantle around the fire place in his Upper West Side apartment reminded me of one of the Edith Wharton novels piled on his table. And the simple elegance of his clothes is reminiscent of one of his (and my) favorite post-impressionist artists Mary Cassatt. I was so excited to see someone loving Belgian Loafers (his grandfather did too), and I have recently pulled mine out of the closet after twenty years and have been obsessing on all of the different plaids and colors that they offer. They, like many of Paul’s clothes, are hardcore and proven classics that would be difficult to wear and not look 100% dashing in. Another example of how you can’t go wrong with all things traditional and…

Wilson Standish

occupation: music and fashion blogger and freelance writer for UR Chicago and Time Out Chicago

“[I am inspired by] historical strong men – not brute strength, rather mental vigor and confidence. Lincoln and James Dean come to mind, and 1950′s architects that all seemed to wear bow ties. My grandfather is a big inspiration. I got most of my classic suits, shoes, and ties from him, and I know if I’m wearing something he would be proud of, I’m doing something right. Art Deco is a big part of it and the ’60s modernist movement. Also classic American, from the Western Front to the beaches of East Hampton.” Wilson Standish

You would expect someone with the name Wilson Standish…

Rachel Ballinger

occupation: model

“I dress really girly, but kind of tomboy at the same time. Kind of punk too. It’s a combination of everything.” Rachel Ballinger

An effortless and unassuming beauty with a preppy bent, Rachel’s a little Cher from Clueless and one of my all time favorites, a dead ringer for Ali MacGraw, who has as much natural style off of the screen as on (a sad rarity these days). Her resemblance to Ali is as much the thick, uncomplicated eyebrows and the 2009 version of hippie boots tucked into the jeans as it is about the Scottish plaid pants (but done punk) that is reminiscent of the ’70s style icon to me. Rachel’s got a knack for investment pieces, like her Givenchy bag, and has the help of one of our own in making those heart-racing decisions, 9 Comments | View Full Photo Album and Story

Carrie Bergmann

occupation: student

“I don’t want to be a passerby. I don’t want to be a pedestrian. I want to be someone who you remember.” Carrie Bergmann

Carrie is twelve and we were having trouble figuring out which quote to use above – there were so many profound things that she said. She was spotted at a party by one of our own, Barbara Louis. From first grade to fifth grade, Carrie had a tomboy haircut to be different and not too girly – one of my greatest recollections of that age was wearing the same kilt to school as a friend’s to fool our teacher and pretend we were twins. Presently, she is a wealth of articulation when it comes to the lack of individuality and emphasis on conforming among her age group. At a party, it is predictable to find all of the girls wearing revealing…