In December 2011, I started photographing the User’s Guide to Style for Allure, starting with their March 2012 issue. This section features six selected women to take an article of clothing and make it their own. Although the shoot was quite fun, it was a little of a challenge capturing spring looks in the winter. I’m just glad that all six women were brave and willing to endure the weather that day.

#1: LINDSEY CALLA
Style Blogger
http://www.saucyglossie.com

-Isabel Lu Cropped Jacket
-Céline Bag
-H&M Floral Pants
-T.Babaton for Aritzia Top
-Nina Ricci Shoes

#2: JENNIFER YEE
Market Editor, Allure

-La Perla Robe
-H&M Floral Pants
-Balenciaga Bag
-Balenciaga Shoes

#3: NATALIE SUAREZ
Model & Style Blogger
http://natalieoffduty.blogspot.com

-Mango Jacket
-H&M Floral Pants
-Mango Bag
-Matt Bernson Boots

#4: CHRISTINA CARADONA
Model & Style Blogger
http://troprouge.blogspot.com

-Forever 21 Sweater
-H&M Floral Pants
-Tory Burch Loafers

#5: BONNIE MORRISON
Fashion Publicist and Brand Consultant

-Givenchy Blazer
-H&M Floral Pants
-Bottega Veneta Clutch
-Giambattista Valli Shoes

#6: KEIKO LYNN
Designer and Style Blogger
http://www.keikolynn.com

-Helmut Lang Blazer
-Twist & Tango Dress
-H&M Floral Pants
-Foley + Corinna Bag
-Nine West Shoes

I walked into Lucky Strike Restaurant on a Sunday afternoon not knowing I would step out connecting and understanding another individual on a personal level. Kevin Charles Stewart, the owner and designer for Roger Charles New York and frequent patron of Lucky Strike, accepted my invitation to sit down for coffee as we discussed numerous topics from his unbeaten path as a designer to the viral images of him on the Internet.

Roger Charles New York specializes in shirt making, which are produced in the United States with a uniquely American taste level and sensibility. “Updated Traditionalist” is how Kevin would describe his line. With a distinct demeanor and style, Kevin aptly earned the alias “Professor Badass” after The Sartorialist photographed him several years ago. Fans soon tagged the photo of Kevin strutting down the street in a steampunk-like outfit with “Professor Badass – If he was wearing a gold pocket watch on a chain, the universe would freeze solid from the coolness”. As much fun as it was talking about how fans would imbed his photo in movie stills such as Wyatt Earp, there was something besides his coolness and passion for creating solid menswear that intrigued me further: his journey as a designer while diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.

The story of suddenly becoming housebound for years and finding himself was almost a mirror story of myself as I struggled with the psychological pain of coping with juvenile glaucoma and partial blindness in my early 20’s. The public may view us as flawless, but there’s so much more behind the curtains and many obstacles goes unnoticed – I, for one, sometime have difficulty pouring drinks into glasses because my depth of perception is off. I have a profound respect for Kevin’s courage to openly share this information and his ability to transform his condition into positive energy, and towards his passion for menswear. But most importantly, it strengthens my belief that all the obstacles any of us overcome in our paths will make all the difference.

KEVIN CHARLES STEWART
Owner & Designer, Roger Charles New York
http://www.rogercharlesnewyork.com

-Roger Charles New York Shirt
-Hollander & Lexer Vest
-Levi’s 501 Jeans
-Cole Hann Boots
-Miracle Icons Necklace
-Eton Ties
-Vintage Hat
-Vintage Glasses

When Shala told me she was out and about with her bicycle in a matching outfit, I immediately rode my bicycle out to meet her. Being that she travels fairly often, it was a photo opportunity I didn’t want to miss.

SHALA MONROQUE
Writer, Traveler, Fashion Enthusiast and Consultant
http://www.shalasrabbithole.com

-The Gap Denim Shirt
-H&M Denim Skirt
-Zara Shoes
-Christian Dior Purse
-Tom Ford Sunglasses

Every so often I come across an individual with such profound uniqueness that it subconsciously puts me in dreamlike state. It’s like submerging your body into one of your favorite painting or freeing your soul into music with no recollection of time. The feeling was no different when I first came across Fay Leshner, a designer, stylist, and former model that’s well recognized not only for her sensational creations but also for her artistic flair in clothing. With her presence graced by such poise and politeness, I simply wonder what creations conjured in her mind while she stood in front of my lens. I’m sure whatever design she decides to visually communicate in her journey to the fashion world will nevertheless be an inspiring one.

FAY LESHNER
Designer / Stylist
http://www.fayleshner.com

-Vest (made in Israel)
-Earings (self-made)
-Shorts (from Brazil)
-Chain Belt (self-made)
-Costume National Shoes

Last weekend I attended the Veuve Clicquot Polo Match at Governor’s Island and the event drew such a large crowd that I kept running into friends. So I might’ve opted for a few glasses of champagne while watching the polo match instead, but I did meet this gentleman who reminded me of a 1993 American outlaw western film called “Tombstone”.

Bowen Rodkey
Photographer
http://www.bowenrodkey.com

I enjoy going out for a ride every chance I get and this summer I’m inspired to photograph more people on their bicycles. Much like the clothes we choose to wear, I believe there is an affinity with our bicycles and it’s something I’m hoping to capture more often in the next few months.

NANCY ROSENBLOOM
Account Executive, Rag & Bone

-Rag & Bone Shirt
-Rag & Bone Jeans
-Rag & Bone Shoes
-Rag & Bone Sunglasses
-Vintage Bag
-Vintage Belt

Nini Nguyen
Fashion Blogger / Stylist
http://www.ninistyle.net

-Comme des Garçons Dress
-Current/Elliot Jeans
-Fendi Shoes
-Givenchy Bag
-Barneys New York Leather Gloves
-Super Sunglasses

I had the pleasure of meeting Nini Nguyen and Hanh Merriman in person for the first time when they both visited NYC for a weekend getaway. Lately, I haven’t met with many fashion bloggers on my time off, so it was nice getting back into it starting with brunch. As I’ve imagined, they’re both extremely sweet and I’m glad that we’ve finally met.

HANH MERRIMAN
Fashion Blogger
http://www.life-in-travel.blogspot.com

-Céline Shearling Jacket
-Maison Martin Margiela Black Turtleneck
-The Row Leggings
-Alaïa Boots
-Chanel Bag

I’ve been looking for a new scarf for a quite some time, but never found anything that I’ve been obsessed about until I saw the hand-knit pieces from Ikou Tschüss. The aesthetic is focused on handwork with various colors that blends so well together to my eyes and playful tones that make me want to smile. Spending a lovely afternoon with one of the company’s designer, Carmen D’Apollino, was certainly a delight as she reminisced about her interest in knitting since childhood and showed me her upcoming masterpieces (yes, they are amazing). By the end of the day, I’ve come to realize that the juxtaposition between Carmen’s cheerful personality and vivid vision reflects her passionate work with Ikou Tschüss. And while these are limited pieces, I’m hoping to make peace with my current obsession and pick up something for myself soon.

CARMEN D’APOLLONIO
Fashion Designer
http://www.ikoutschuss.com

-Ikou Tschüss Scarf
-Ikou Tschüss Cardigan

Martine of Beyond Boston Chic recently introduced me to Christopher Bennett and Bruce Franklin, respectively known as their design name Robot & Brucling. Both are Boston natives who moved to New York City to progressively work on their inaugural line of custom-made bow ties and accessories. Interestingly enough, a blogger from Paris asked if she could photograph them for her website right before I was about take their photos. Brucling is wearing the Finale, a lambskin leather bow with netting and gold metal roses, which is one of my favorites; and Robot is wearing the Phantom, which is also made from lambskin leather but with chrome spikes and brass skulls. These are several of many bow tie designs under their first collection so it going to be nice to see what additions they have in store for us!

Christopher Bennett (Robot) & Bruce Franklin (Brucling)
Accessories Designers
http://www.robotandbrucling.com

MEGHAN KELLEY
Fashion Designer / Stylist

-Lace Top from The Island of Burano, Italy
-Sak’s Fifth Avenue Slip
-American Apparel Skirt
-Vintage Scarf
-Vintage Straw Bag
-Urban Outfitters Sandals
-Urban Outfitters Hat

I’ve been meaning to post these photos up for the last few days but never had the chance to go through them until now. Rachel from That’s Chic recently visited New York so we met briefly early morning at Donut Planet before she returned home. While waiting, I ordered their heavenly crème brûlée donut and must’ve spent half and hour eating it because I wanted to savior the taste. The cashier eventually came up to me and was shocked by my pace, claiming he would’ve finished it in one bite. Sometimes I’m surprised at all the hidden treasures in NYC and I’m glad that I have friends who ironically are non-residences of NYC show me around! But enough on the donut and back to Raych! Rachel’s blog was certainly among the ones that I came across when I started Citizen Couture and I simply love, love, love her sense of style. She has such a vibrant and cheerful personality that rubs off you in a positive way. Perhaps as a New Yorker who infrequently visits the West Coast, it was a glimpse of the laid-back Californian persona; and I must say I like it. I’m definitely looking forward to her next visit unless I can make a trip to California one day.

Rachel Nguyen
Fashion Blogger
http://www.thatschic.net

-American Apparel Sheer Top
-Hard Couture Floral Bandeau
-Ruche Polkadot Shorts
-Opening Ceremony Shoes
-Charlotte Russe Scarf (turban wrapped)
-Jimmy Choo Maia Hobo Bag

Joelle Van Dyne
Fashion Blogger
http://theowlsarenotwhattheyseem.tumblr.com

-Elizabeth & James Top
-Vintage Skirt
-Loeffler-Randall Shoes
-Miu Miu Bag
-American Apparel Hat
-Belt purchased at a flea market

It was funny meeting Mimi for the first time because she felt that we might’ve met somewhere before. We started tracing back to possible mutual friends and the schools we went to see if there were any connections, but nothing. Then I get a tweet from her a few days later telling me the reason why I looked familiar was because of my resemblance with Alex Wong from the current season of “So You Think You Can Dance”. I get the “you look like someone I know” fairly often, but the most interesting one may have been my roommate’s brother claiming that I look like the Asian version of the R&B singer, Ne-Yo.

Besides the funny moments, I was initially struck by the jewelry she adorned from the neck down. She designed the piece under her jewelry collection “surrounded”, which recently debuted on June 20, 2010. It was inspired by a set of rare one-of-a-kind agate stone that she discovered during a recent trip to Hong Kong while lost in the Wan Chai district. The collection certainly looks very promising and I’m very excited to see this new designer go underway as she will continue to introduce various collections reflecting her ever-evolving personal style.

Mimi Jung
Fashion Designer/ Stylist/ Blogger
http://www.brookandlyn.com

-New York & Company Dress
-Uniqlo Cardigan
-Joe’s Jeans Shoes
-Balenciaga Bag
-Yves Saint Laurent Sunglasses
-Brook & Lyn “Surrounded” Body Jade Necklace

I met Keiko and a few other bloggers (Mimi from Brook & Lyn and Joelle from The Owls Are Not What They Seem) recently for the first time when Lucrecia from Fashion is Poison came to visit. We started off with ramen at Ippudo and ventured over to Momofuku Milk Bar for dessert. As noted by Keiko on her blog, our group dynamic was great that no one would’ve guessed most of us were meeting for the first time. While I’m familiar with their blogs, I believe what made the group so dynamic was the friendly and responsive personality that everyone had. I’m still shy on different levels, but interacting with them quickly became so comfortable.

I adore Keiko’s style and I was inspired to propose a spotlight feature on her based on Zooey Deschanel’s Fabric of Our Lives video. Sometimes I get so excited with inspired ideas that I automatically connect with a person I know, and in this case it was easily Keiko. I’ve been constantly watching Zooey’s video, drawing in the emotions from the song to visually create images in my head that I want to capture. The next step would be finding the perfect location, so hopefully I’ll have something thought out soon.

Keiko Lynn
Fashion Designer/Blogger
http://www.keikolynn.com
http://www.postlapsaria.com

-Postlapsaria Dress (made one for herself)
-Jeffrey Campbell Shoes
-Jenny N. Design Bag
-Belt purchased at thrift shop

I remember coming across Lucrecia’s blog and reading a post about her diagnosis with astrocytoma brain cancer where I immediately started tearing up halfway through the entry. It may sound absurd when I didn’t know her at that time, but I felt a connection with some of her thoughts and initial frustration. I don’t usually disclose the details of my diagnosis with juvenile glaucoma, but I can admit the journey was difficult with endless doctor appointments, severe side effects from medication, lost of self-confidence, anger, and fear of the unknown. There were so many mix emotions that it became mentally exhausting while having to juggle with graduating college and working at a investment bank. But just like Lucrecia, reality sunk in and understanding that I had to deal with it whether I like it or not. It was almost like making peace with myself, and the world that surrounded me became more beautiful afterwards.

I decided to contact Lucrecia to tell her how brave and inspirational she was, inviting her for coffee if she ever decides to visit NYC. We ended up meeting on several occasions and I was glad to learn how genuine her personality is. I also find it inspiring that while undergoing treatment, she still has a positive attitude to continue blogging about her love for fashion and lifestyle, not to mention preparing the launch of her online store!

Lucrecia Chan
Fashion Blogger
http://fashionispoison.blogspot.com

-Elizabeth and James Dress
-Prada Shoes
-J-Crew Headband
-Banana Republic Bag