03\12\2011
Written by Jurriaan
Advanced Style
New Yorker Ari Seth Cohen runs the blog ‘Advanced Style’. Unlike his streetstyle photographing collegues, Ari’s focus is on the well-dressed elderly. He has been roaming the streets of Manhattan and Brooklyn for the last 3 years to capture the most glamourous, creative and stylish women and men who are mostly in their seventies, eighties or nineties. As well as taking their picture, Ari asks his subjects to pass on any tips on staying in style whilst aging. “You don’t want to look crazy. The object is to look as chic as you can, but your average person in the street would never wear this.”
Written by Anneloes Bakker
In collaboration with filmmaker Lina Plioplyte Ari is working a film about this older fashion generation. Last month he published the extended trailer on Diane Pernet’s A Shaded View on Fashion Film festival in Paris. The actual film is due next year.
[pro-player width=’430′ height=’280′ type=’video’]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=nWKTfqivbRQ[/pro-player]
For now, enjoy some of my favorite shots:
Artists Richard and Carol: “Dressing up is definitely a creative activity. You get to exercise all of the same impulses you use in your art such as love of color, drama, emotion, humor and beautiful materials. Styling is a form of making a collage on your body.”
The beautiful 79- year old Joyce: “The real secret is being in love with life and realizing what you have.”The older you get the more elegance you want.”
99 year-old Rose : “Be unique. If everyone is wearing it, then its not for me”
Artist and writer Beatrix Ost: “Age appropriate I would say is silly, but please look in the mirror. Sexy is in the eye of the beholder–be sparse with showing your flesh.”
Mary: “I think that saying women can’t wear color at a certain age says step back and die. Most important is to develop a sense of objectivity. I go by an instant reaction–if it’s negative that I don’t do it. Obviously you shouldn’t wear super short skirts. You don’t want to look like a crazy old lady.In short avoid those baby jane moments.”
Tziporah Salomon: “It’s a painting I’m creating so I have to pay attention to every detail.”
Check out Ari’s YouTube channel for more styling advice. As well as the film, Ari also has a book coming out next year. It can be pre-ordered here.