Street Style

I like people watching. That’s why I like NYLON magazine’s Street: The NYLON Book of Global Style. I received the book as a Christmas gift and I read it instantly. It’s 250 pages of photos of people off the street from seven influential fashion “capitals” (as the magazine dubs them) of the world: London, Copenhagen, Berlin, Paris, New York, Melbourne and Tokyo. NYLON’s editor-in-chief Marvin Scott Jarrett writes in the book: “Fashion doesn’t exist in a bubble. To us, it’s not only rich people, models, and they type of people who slavishly adhere to runway trends: we see it as a living, breathing reflection of cultural and social currents …”
I like this book because it illustrates the idea that fashion is accessible to all, and it means something different to everyone. Some people dress to stand out; some dress to fit in; some dress to communicate something about themselves. Whatever your concept of “fashion” is—Target, thrift store or Theory—this book shows how these style arbiters from across the globe show who they are.

Street: The NYLON Book of Global Style, $24.95.
Available through special order at University Book Store, 711 State St. 257-3784. uwbookstore.com

Music Makes its Mark

On the Madison Area Music Awards, that is. Last Saturday’s award show at the Barrymore Theatre showcased some innovative looks on Madison’s musicians and attendees. One of the most popular styles for men was the fedora. Men of all ages topped their look with a chic chapeau—very Sinatra (actually these days it’s very Justin Timberlake). For the most part, the guys strutted their stuff in relatively tame outfits—pinstripe pants, black dress shirts and blazers. The blazer/funky T-shirt/jeans combo was also an extremely popular, more dressed-down ensemble. Women sparkled in well, sparkles—clingy dresses and tops in black. One woman stood out more than most in her corseted-bodice dress with a filmy tulle skirt in shades of orange and gold. Other looks I spotted: the ’80s tribute with leggings and a tunic; a sexy pencil skirt paired with a cute short-sleeved cropped jacket; lots of metallic handbags; a tux coat with tails. Two rather “creative” young men even showed up clad in a red cape and black cape; the man in the black cape completed his look with a mask. Hey, whatever works!
Click here to see the winners at the Madison Area Music Awards.