Out East

It’s not often that I find myself in Murray Hill, a Manhattan neighborhood one would generally have little reason to visit, aside from addressing the UN. But on the hunt for a new locale in which to take photos, I discovered the hidden charm of this little-loved corner of the island. I teamed up with Abercrombie again to bring you a great look for Fall inspiration. The soft, casual lines of this wool overcoat and sweater played well with a backdrop of the East River and some interesting industrial landscape. The coat is a great and easy layering piece for Fall that can work with everything from skinny jeans (as seen here) to dressier styles. When it comes to laid-back staple pieces that look like they’ve been part of your wardrobe forever, Abercrombie has really done a great job.

Shooting this look with Nathan in my favorite city in the world, I was reminded of the opportunity I have in doing what I really love. Nearly every day I receive emails and messages from young fashion enthusiasts who write to ask me how they can start a career in fashion, launch their own blog and work to make a name for themselves in the industry. The fashion industry is one that inspires millions around the world – appearing as a beacon of creative expression and a haven to those for whom a traditional life is the last thing on their minds.

My response is always the same – it requires passion. It is passion that gets you through the early days when you feel like no one may be reading or following along, when it seems like there is no reward except for the pure joy of creating. It is the same passion that’s necessary when the workload piles up and you need to summon what feels like extra-human strength to plow through. And it’s passion that will always keep your work exciting and engaging, and that passion which will help you connect with others.

One element which has helped distinguish One Dapper Street from the thousands of other blogs is a passion and study of photography. Yes, nearly anyone can take a good photograph and edit it right from their phone nowadays, but there’s an art (truly) to composing a beautiful photograph that comes from a genuine interest in creating impactful imagery. This may be why I love blogging so much – in addition to working with photographers to capture unique moments, I am able to utilize my love for dance and movement to bring an image to life. When you see a final image, it’s the culmination of a study of movement, of lighting, and of course fashion ☺.