Cary Tauben

occupation: fashion stylist

“Heels + Hair = Power.” Cary Tauben

I am wondering if Cary was a supermodel in his mind when he was piling on beaded bracelets to his elbow in day camp, even before his supermodel hair. I would have no doubt been as inspired by his boundless aesthetic then as I am now. I love that Cary finds it amusing to be mistaken for a girl from the back, and I find it hard to believe that most men and women wouldn’t die, in their deepest truths, to have Cary’s hair, sense of ecstasy over a heel, and freedom within themselves to manifest their most current character for the day (whatever that may be). I have no idea where these clothing phobias begin and end and who created them, but what’s scary is that we all follow without questioning, and why? So that men can remain trapped and in a mass of nondescript khaki pants and Crocs?

If you like Cary, you might also enjoy Paul Alexander, Leo Cerezo, or Sonny Groo.

Ludget Delcy

occupation: freelance stylist

“I actually do get a lot of attention when I am walking on the street. The funny thing is, when I’m on the train from Brooklyn, people look at me with strange looks, but as soon as I get into the city, it’s not as serious. Either people would giggle or say, ‘Wow, you look amazing.’ It’s kind of mixed reviews. I really don’t care at all. I actually sort of love it.” Ludget Delcy

Ludget lived across the street from school growing up and he was still late, taking about two hours to get dressed everyday. He says that at a certain point, “people expect you to look good….it becomes like a performance. You feel pressure.” Along those lines, I have been thinking about how the internet has created a stage for everyone. And thanks to the new media world, we can see how someone as talented as Ludget personalizes clothes with his exemplary use of color. Some examples are his sapphire trench (instead of the standard camel-colored one), red tux jacket, and multiple pairs of eye-popping Paul Smith shoes, used in unexpected ways like the red suede wing tip with the mustard and black fringe blazer. Ludget gets the turquoise accent in with his mammoth ring that he designed, even when the colors are muted with his army green jumpsuit worn with everything from an earthy tweed blazer to a Peruvian poncho. High or low, he buys with the sharp sense of owning pieces that are intrinsic in value. Ludget is a fashion stylist, but when you see how well he wears clothes, my instinct is to put him in front of the camera (a Paul Smith ad campaign?).

If you like Ludget, you might also enjoy Ash Epps, Thomas Khadafy, or Cameron Moir.

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.

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 worn hybrid-style is Paul’s use of the tuxedo. The tux shirt with American Apparel powder blue jeans and espadrilles, and the tux pant with a classic Margiela tee, are what should be on the red carpet in Hollywood. A true “bohemian aristocrat,” as he refers to himself, Paul has found the perfect striped Breton shirt at the equally gothic and classic Trash and Vaudeville .