One of the biggest trends in street style photography is capturing great detail shots and accessories. The ladies I photograph all tell me that accessories have the power to transform an outfit from ordinary to extraordinary. These women have had time to amass wonderful adornments and can easily mix and match them with any outfit. What are your favorite accessories?
To my great surprise,I ran into Ruth just days before her 100th birthday. She had just gotten out of Pilates class on the Upper West Side, when I spotted her. She told me that she was getting ready to cruise off to Bermuda with her boyfriend in a few days. Ruth's motto is to celebrate everyday and to not look at the calendar. She likes simple and elegant clothes paired with great accessories. Ruth's best advice comes straight from an old Arden campaign which reads, " If you want to look this good when you are 40, start when you are 20." Check out the video below for more words of wisdom from this amazing 100 year old woman.
Sometimes our most cherished items are ones that we have held on to throughout the years. Many of the women I stop to photograph proudly announce how long they have had a certain dress or wonderful vintage accessory. I told this woman that I take street style photographs and she immediately smiled and told me that her dress was probably older than I was.
Last Spring I met designer Corey Lynn Calter and team, for lunch in the West Village, and an idea was born. They were inspired by the style and spirit of ladies, like Ilona Royce Smithkin(above), and thought it would be great fun to have them self style the CLC collection for a small shoot. We called up 91 year old artist and performer, Ilona Royce Smithkin, and she thought this sounded like a grand idea.
I saw this woman enjoying a cappuccino with a friend near Corso Como in Milan. I wanted to ask if I could take her photo, but decided to wait until she finished her conversation. A few minutes later, I turned around, and she had already left.Luck would have it that I ran into her a few hours later near Brera. I asked if I could take her picture and she explained in Italian that she doesn't speak English. I pointed to my camera and smiled--She understood, and I got a great shot.
Every time I visit a new city, I find at least one lady who stands out amongst all the rest. In London there is Gitte Lee, Mme Dominique Fallecker in Paris, and now this wonderful Milanese woman. They are admired for their style,their spirit,and their grace. This woman was closing up shop when I asked if I could take her photo. She reminded me of something an older once told me, "You will always be right in black and white."
I am in Milan for the Micam shoe fair to celebrate Advanced Style and Italian shoes. This afternoon the chicest Milanese women over 60, were invited to try on the latest in Italian footwear. The woman above is a 79 year old pilot and yoga instructor who needs comfortable shoes for her active lifestyle. I asked her what she loved about Italian shoes and she replied, " They are comfortable and stylish. In the morning I wear flats, but I change to a heel for the afternoon and the evening. A heel is important for an elegant dress."
I jumped on the bus during a rainy night in New York. Across from me was seated a very stylish women with a magnificent frog ring. I asked if I could get off on her stop, and take a photo for a book I was working on. She told me that she collected frogs, and that I could surely take her photo. I asked about her wonderful hat and she told me, "I have had this hat for years and have never worn it. I decided to turn up one side of the brim and wear it this way." She is not only fashionable but creative as well.
Lynn and Linda Fargo
Lynn with my mom!
(Photos via
