Style Profile...Amir Toos, NYC

Style icons?

David Bowie, Dennis Hopper & Fred Astaire

Personal style quirk?
Always leave room for assumption!

Also, my accessories - I have my signature pieces made for me, and wear them all at the same time or not at all. If I have a business meeting I may not wear any accessories other than overstated cuff links. Any accessory must be a focal point, and really say something.

Favorite designers
Lanvin, Ralph Lauren & Dries Van Noten

Most cherished item?
My vanilla colored vintage motorcycle jacket.

The first thing I look at in another Sartorialist's outfit...
How he or she has worked with the proportions.

Proportion for me...

Is playing with positive and negative. I combine really skinny with big, or short with long. No matter what proportion I am playing with there is always a juxtaposition of the two halves. The pieces have to complement each other, otherwise you look like you are wearing part of someone else's outfit.

I always break this fashion rule…
Wearing loose fitting DB jackets unbuttoned.

I never break this fashion rule.
I never skip the belt (I am obsessed with them)!

Never caught wearing?
Dress shirt with a tie, without a jacket, in public.

Most underrated item in menswear/womenswear?
The perfect scarf. For a man or woman an ascot (or silk scarf) if styled properly can be the sexiest part of an outfit. For me scarves are essential whether they are knitted in the winter, or lighter in the summer - they create an interesting concept.

Favorite stores?
Bergdorf Goodman & 10 Corso Como.

Favorite vacation spot?
The coast of Maine. When I am there I don't remember that I live in NYC. It is so tranquil and totally different from my daily life in New York.

Favorite place to search for inspiration?
Manhattan Public Library

Best stylish movies?
Michelangelo Antonioni's “Blow Up,” John Schlesinger’s “Darling”

Currently reading?
Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse

Interview by Tracy Rosenbaum

Style Profile...Dianna Lunt, NYC

Dianna Lunt

Job?
Assistant Fashion Editor, Big Man Magazine and Freelance Stylist

Style icons
I love Lou Dillon's quirky, messy chic and the styling of Emmanuelle Alt and Marie Chaix

Describe your personal style
Shambolic

I build my daily look around
An emotion

Personal Style quirk?
Prairie tomboy meets Parisian chic

Favorite designers?
Martin Margiela, Marni, Dries Van Noten, Jil Sander, YSL

The first thing I look at in another Sartorialist's outfit ...
Balance of silhouette and the pairing of fabric textures.

Favorite stores?
Opening Ceremony is great and I love Maryam Nassir Zadeh in the Lower East Side, if I had a store that's what I'd want it to look like. Their presentation and store merchandising is so colorful, well thought out and inspiring, not at all stuffy.

Most stylish city?
Paris, because the women have a sense of effortlessness to their style and they're not afraid to wear color. I also love Copenhagen's streetwear.

Favorite vacation spot?
I don't really take vacations, but I used to live in Florence and I miss it all the time. I'm hoping to go back very soon...

Favorite cocktail?
I don't drink cocktails but I love a good whiskey on the rocks.

Favorite place to search for inspiration?
Vintage markets in Paris

I spend my weekends…
At brunch with my boyfriend, and reading magazines in the bathtub.

Style Profile...Antonio Picardi, London

Antonio Picardi

Best Sartorial advice from your parents?
Do wear a jacket at dinner.

Style icons?
My Grandfather. His style was classic and sartorial, a jacket or suit for every occasion or time of the day. He had a passion for horses, sporty cars and holidays on French Riviera or the Italian and Greek Islands (and he was often taking me with him).

Describe your personal style…
Smart-casual, traditional tailoring.

Favorite designers?
Dries Van Noten, Prada, Nicolas Ghesquiere, Alber Elbaz, Thom Browne, CCP 

Most cherished item?
Supreme skate-decks.

I feel best wearing?
A crisp poplin shirt, trousers with creases and a blazer with surgeon’s cuffs.

The first thing I look at in another Sartorialist's outfit...
Sharpness and comfort. Then the lapel, shoulder, back and cuff.

I never break this fashion rule…
Wear it with a rebel touch.

Never caught wearing?
A tie!

Dress to impress who?
The lady next door.

Shine your own shoes?
I wish, is a skill that only professionals have!

Your next "must have" purchase?
Supreme x Nike SB Bruin

Favorite item of clothing?
At the moment a Dries trench coat and my 30th navy-blue blazer.

How do you balance the suiting and skate wear in your wardrobe?
I like to mix skate wear with my more formal outfits to break-up the lines and add a touch of "me" to my more formal style. It takes me back to my childhood, and all of the youth-movements that were a part of it.

Most stylish city?
London.

When I was high school I wore?
The same style as Umberto I, king of Italy. I had to wear a uniform blazer, trousers with tape down the side of the leg, a fully buttoned shirt and a cape. My hair was cropped in the back and longer in the front.

Sports?
Pilates, horseback riding, polo and tennis.

Favorite vacation spot?
Where sand is white, sky is blue, water is green and the fish come to you ready to be cooked on a grill. Anywhere in the Mediterranean area, also the little islands in South of Italy.

Favorite neighborhood restaurant?
My kitchen.

Favorite cocktail?
Gin and Tonic, 2 ice cubes and a lime wedge.

Interview by Tracy Rosenbaum

Style Profile... Sofia Hedstrom, NYC

Sofia Hedstrom aka Sofia Headstrong

Job?
Correspondent Swedish Television, SVT and Svenska Dagbladet.

Best Sartorial advice from your parents?
"Hel och ren," best translated as “wholesome and clean.” Because of them I really take care of my precious fashion pieces and feel guilty when I walk around in a coat with a missing button.

Style icons?
New Yorkers, I love the city and think people here offer more diversity and sense of style than anywhere else in the world. An afternoon on the town beats most fashion magazines when it comes to inspiration.

Describe your personal style…
I think dressing is like acting, I am always trying to dress for an imaginary roll that I make up in the morning… like today I want to be a 70's biker chic from France, or pretend that I am on a cruise in the Stockholm archipelago. I like conceptual dressing, and in my concepts elegance and femininity are always the key words.

Most cherished item?
I really love an old pocket watch from the 1910's that belongs to my family and therefore gives it extra value.

I feel best wearing?
Colors, I don't feel like myself in black.

Is there a particular color?
I am a red loving girl it is the dominant color in my wardrobe. I tend to wear red every day, and if not, my red lipstick shows my never-ending love for this beautiful color. Red represents everything from revolution to love. It is a color that makes people happy and energized - at least that is the effect red has on me - and the reason why I stay faithful.

This photo of you was up in Scott’s solo show at The Danziger Projects, how did it feel to see a photo of yourself up in an exhibit?
To me, the photo sums up fashion week by showing excitement and exhaustion at the same time. I remember the moment when the photo was taken, how much my Miu Miu shoes did hurt after running around the city and how my brain was trying to sum up the shows and how much I was looking forward to that evening. When I saw the photo at the exhibit it made me go back to that special day and it reminded me, and still does, why I keep running around in uncomfortable shoes.

How do you feel about people's responses to the photo, both online and in "real life"?
Both thankful and entertained. A lot of people refer to me as ‘the girl in the red dress,’ and since I think the photo represents me really well I am happy to hear what people have to say!

Do you get recognized by people?
I get recognized a lot by people because of Scott's work. People sometimes come up to me when I am waiting for the L-train and want to talk about my style. One funny thing is when other photographers ask if they can take my picture during fashion week they always refer to Scott’s work.

The first thing I look at in another Sartorialist's outfit…
I always look at the color combinations first, and then the concept and then I make up a story around what the person is wearing.

I always break this fashion rule…
I love unexpected color combinations and always trust my gut feeling when it comes to this, even if it looks weird the first time when I see myself in the mirror.

I never break this fashion rule…
“Wholesome and clean,” I will for sure never be a punk when it comes to my looks.

Favorite designers?
Karl Lagerfeld, for his larger than life fashion personality and for his ability to always be in contact with the latest trends and Dries Van Noten for his color combinations.

Most underrated item in womenswear?
I think the most underrated item is the hair, it is a shame that very few women take advantage of something that is actually free. Ask your grandma for some advice on how to use the pins and you will automatically look glamorous in your old t-shirt.

Flats or heels?
Heels, except when I am running.

Favorite stores?
My vintage store around the corner here in Williamsburg, called Flores Antique. I also love Clube Chocolate in Sao Paulo and Colette in Paris.

Your next "must have" purchase?
I am collecting jewelry and trying to invest in classic pieces. Right now I am looking for the perfect waist length pearl necklace, maybe it is for my Coco Chanel outfit.

I only buy __________ in Europe.
Anything Swedish, I am always trying to support my fellow Swedes and really adore Diana Orving for her draping skills and always like to go into the Svenkt Tenn store in Stockholm for some amazing Josef Frank fabrics.

Favorite item of clothing
Dresses, I am a classic girl after all.

Sports?
Oh yes, I am a marathon runner and run every day over the Williamsburg bridge to keep me sane. I did the New York Marathon last year and will do it again this year. I also dance and play tennis, all in appropriate outfits.

Favorite neighborhood restaurant?
Hard choice, since I think Williamsburg offers some of the best restaurants in New York. I love Walter Foods on Grand Street, Moto on Broadway is always cozy and my favorite coffee place is Gimme Coffee on Lorimer Street.

Interview by Tracy Rosenbaum

Style Profile...Maria Kerner, Moscow

Maria Kerner

Job?
Accessories Buyer

Describe your personal style?
My personal style is all about femininity, elegance, and tenderness while still being very professional.

I build my daily look around?
My feelings; it really depends on my own perception of myself before I get dressed in the morning.

Personal style quirk?
Monochromatic outfits. You can wear one color range, but find beautiful combinations of the same tone. Colors are like a mirror for me, they correspond exactly to my inside feelings. Beige and pastel colors give me an incredible feeling of soft, light emotions. I had a violet period as well, that gave me a feeling of something mysterious - I would mix it with grey to make it more wearable. Any more than three colors and the outfit is just not me.

Style icon?
Sophia Loren

Favorite brands?
Bottega Veneta, Lanvin, YSL, Giambattista Valli

Favorite designers?
Cristobal Balenciaga, old Dior

I feel best wearing?
Silk dresses, fur and diamonds.

Never caught wearing?
The color red. I try to never say never, but I really don't wear red. I don't have a single piece in my wardrobe in red, well maybe just the soles of my Louboutins (but even that sometimes bothers me).  The color is just too strong for me, it's a quite obvious and provocative color and I just prefer to dress in a more discrete and delicate way. But, on the other hand red is one of my favorite lipstick colors, I always have fun wearing it!

Flats or heels?
Heels after Flats, and flats after heels. I can't leave without both. There is a time for each.

Your next "must have" purchase?
An emerald ring

Most stylish city?
Venice, because it has its own, very particular, style. It gives unbelievable and unforgettable emotions: that is the combinations of colors, architecture and even smells. For me style is something that should be unique, and Venice is definitely one of the most unique places in the world. It captures my thoughts, and changes them to go along with the rhythm of the town. 

When I was high school I wore?
Everything in black.

Sports?
Yoga. I really love to do yoga very early in the morning, when everyone is sleeping - particularly the fashion world. So I have to get up when it is still dark. The atmosphere is so beautiful, it's quiet and intimate, it's the best time to be only with yourself. 

Favorite cocktail?
I mix fresh juices; apple, beetroot, carrot and banana or just green apple and celery.
...No alcohol?
No. Some people get crazy about alcohol, but I'm crazy about fruit! Fresh squeezed juice is all I need to be happy and healthy - and I'm able to drink more than a really good professional alcoholic drinker could! 

Favorite vacation spot?
The islands near Thailand, it is gorgeous there! For me they have a great combination of the beauty of nature, spas, fruits, yoga and as much isolation as you want. 

Currently reading?
Romain Gary’s The Life Before Us

Favorite movies?
“8 1/2,” “Bonnie and Clyde” and “La Dolce Vita”

Favorite fashion magazine?
Distill. It showcases the best content of many great fashion and style magazines. Most of the time I agree with the selection. I also appreciate how it is presented in a clear and sophisticated way. 

Favorite place to search for inspiration?
Le Marche aux Puces. All of the old objects there with such long lives behind them are very intriguing for me. I am a buyer, so I am always looking for something different and I love the combination of old and modern. 

I spend my weekends?
Dreaming...

Style Profile...Romney Leader, NYC

Romney Leader

Job?
Associate Fashion Editor, Style.com

Best Sartorial advice from your parents?
Never be afraid to do your own thing.

Style icons?
Tina Chow, Anita Pallenberg, Iris Apfel

Describe your personal style...
Constantly evolving! I tend to have a favorite piece or silhouette I wear constantly until something else catches my eye. I also hate looking like I put much thought into it or looking too ‘done.’ Style-wise it’s a mix of everything that’s influenced me aesthetically: growing up in Texas, living and working in New York, and all of the music and cultures I took a liking to in my early years.

I build my daily look around?
Comfort, for sure - and my schedule for the day. If I’m not wearing flats or boots I have a pair close at hand, and even though I hate the cold weather I love the way the right coat adds the finishing touch to a look.

Personal Style quirk?
I nick pants and shirts from my boyfriend’s closet constantly, and I don’t think there’s such a thing as jewelry that’s too chunky.

Favorite designers?
Ann Demeulemeester, Yohji Yamamoto, Martin Margiela…anyone who does their own thing and is effortlessly on point without coming across as overly trendy.

Most cherished item?
My engagement ring and my grandfather’s felt fedora.

Never caught wearing?
Halter tops.

Most underrated item in menswear/womenswear?
The perfectly tailored woven shirt, the slouchy trouser, and the leather biker jacket.

Dress to impress who?
Strangers or my boss…ha…though really it’s my own reflection I’m most after.

Flats or heels?
I’m a huge advocate of flats- I don’t think heels necessarily make you look more put together.

Favorite stores?
Barneys for one-stop; Camden Market or one of the many vintage stores along the Texas highways for treasures, and sample sales…

Your next "must have" purchase?
Ann Demeulemeester lace-up open boots, a Lanvin silk trench, one of the Dries Van Noten metallic ball necklaces, and a pair of those Dolce silk “pajama” pants.

I skimp when buying ...
If I’m test-driving a trend (say, harem pants) I head to Zara. I also cheap out on leggings, scarves, and denim.

I splurge on...
Sweaters, pants, woven shirts- anything that benefits from tailoring and luxe fabrics.

Favorite item of clothing?
Currently: ultra wide-leg cropped pants from 3.1, black Balenciaga sweater that flares out at the sides, and a wool military-inspired vest from Camilla & Marc.

Favorite fashion magazines?
Vogue and Teen Vogue

Favorite (style) books?
I find home décor books more inspiring than anything, especially ones like ‘Tony Duquette.’

Favorite stylish movies?
The Royal Tenenbaums and Annie Hall.

Favorite vacation spot?
Vieques, PR and the south of France.

Favorite neighborhood restaurant?
Diner and Aurora (both in Williamsburg).