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Monday, May 21, 2012

FASHION

Street Style Blogger Citizen Couture Reveals His Favorite Subjects

One click on Jason Jean’s website, Citizen Couture, and you can see why it's considered one of the most important street style blogs around. While similar sites Jason Jeanshowcase candid snapshots of fashionably-dressed individuals, Citizen Couture reflects Jean’s talent for more traditional portraiture—though his subjects nevertheless maintain the look of flattered surprise that comes from being stopped mid-stride to have your photo taken. Still, Citizen Couture offers a more complete picture than its counterparts, due both to the deliberateness of the gorgeously-captured images as well as the brief but informative text that accompanies each post. 

Given such masterful imagery, it was a surprise to learn that the New York-based photographer actually once suffered from a debilitating vision loss, an experience that ultimately helped push him to pursue a more creative life course and start his blog. Here, Jean talks to us about his inspiring career change, and the types of individuals that catch his eye.


The Inside Source: Have you always been a professional photographer?

Jason Jean: I get a surprised reaction when I tell others that my first career was tax accounting. I’ve always had an interest in the creative field, but family pressures and uncertainly with my professional path led to a “practical” route in college. Photography was certainly a lifestyle change for me, but with some planning, I felt it was a risk I wanted to take.

 

The Inside Source: You experienced some rather scary vision loss during college. How did that affect your creative pursuits?

Jason Jean: It was just fear—the fear of uncertainty and possibility of complete vision loss that also inspired me to pursue photography. I guess when you’re at the bottom of the pit, you start to re-analyze everything in your life. That’s when I felt I should take more risks and live without regrets.

 

The Inside Source: What inspired you to finally start Citizen Couture? 

Jason Jean:  I’ve always been fascinated by photography, fashion, and individual style, but I was distracted by the stressful hours and office demands of a public accounting firm. It wasn’t until corporate downsizings from the recent economic crisis [that I was pushed] to decide what my next step would be.

[New York’s] Fall/Winter 2009 Fashion Week at Bryant Park arrived, and it was my chance to finally attempt to journalize this exciting event. I wasn’t sure what I was aiming to capture at that time, but I’d brace the cold every morning to live and experience it. By the end of the week, I found myself sitting in a café, gazing out of the window towards the tent, with a sense of love and freedom that I hadn’t felt in years.

 

The Inside Source: What next steps did you take?

Jason Jean: I spent the following month visualizing ideas for the project, which included a brand name, web platform and a concept. The concept was a work in progress, but after several trials and errors, I had a stronger grasp of where I wanted Citizen Couture to go. 

 

The Inside Source: What kind of statement did you want to make?

Jason Jean: What I get out of Citizen Couture is a belief that there are different elements that help evolve an individual’s distinct taste, whether it’s through artwork, culture, music, film, fashion or even looking at the way other people dress.

 

The Inside Source: What would you say sets Citizen Couture apart from other blogs?

Jason Jean: The website has been focused more on quality than quantity. One of its signature trademarks is the portrait taken for each post—something that can be challenging in fast-paced environments such as Fashion Week.  

laura armato

from Jason Jean's Citizen Couture: Laura Armato

olivia palermo

Olivia Palermo (currently the most viewed post on the site) 

yasmin sewell

Yasmin Sewell

The Inside Source: What is it about this particular genre of fashion photography that really appeals to you?

Jason Jean: Looking at the way an actual, real person dresses, fashion becomes a living form of art and beauty. What’s also great is connecting with some of these people—understanding a little bit the style that defines them.

 

The Inside Source: When you're on the street, what catches your eye and makes you want to pick up your camera?

Jason Jean: There aren't any particular looks or style that I look for. I may keep note of fashion trends, but I generally like a cohesive outfit. I think everyone has their own style and it's the confidence and ownership they exude that attracts my attention.

 

The Inside Source: Do you have any particular focal points or clothing pieces that you tend to look for?

Jason Jean: I used to focus on the whole package, but I’ve been learning to pay more attention to certain details such as hairstyles, shoes, bag, etc.

 

The Inside Source: Who are your favorite people to photograph?

Jason Jean: A lot of the editors and fashion stylists I enjoy photographing have a style that, I find, is not based so much on trends, but a fairly consistent look that defines them. A few names are: [stylist] Catherine Baba, Joanna Hillman [Senior Fashion Market Editor] of Harper’s Bazaar; Elle’s [Senior Style Director] Kate Lanphear; and Taylor Tomasi Hill, [Style and Accessories Director] of Marie Claire. 

Catherine Baba, Kate Lanphear

Catherine Baba; Joanna Hillman


citizen couture

Tomasi Hill; Kate Lanphear

 

The Inside Source: What are some defining fashion styles/trends that you've noticed on the street recently?

Jason Jean: I’ve definitely been seeing a lot of maxi dresses, from sheer to floral types. I’ve also been seeing more colors and color-blocking. It is summer, so it’s nice to see some colors besides black and grey.

 

The Inside Source: What’s your own personal fashion style like?

Jason Jean: I have a very simple style, which normally consists of a shirt, nice pair of jeans and Chucks on casual days... although I do have a little obsession for John Varvatos limited-edition Converse sneakers.

 

The Inside Source: What's the one fashion item that you're forever searching for?

Jason Jean: I’ve definitely been looking for a bespoke suit for a long time. They’re costly, but I’ve been a longtime fan of Lord Willy’s and may consider having one made once I save up. 

(photos provided by Jason Jean/Citizen Couture)

We scoured eBay's virtual streets for finds befitting of Jason Jean's favorite brands and trends, as well as those of his frequent subjects.

Roll over items for details
Jonathan Saunders Color Block Dress
(buy it now price, $150)
Vintage Womens 50's Cat Eye Sunglasses
(buy it now price, $15.92)
Ray Ban Black Wayfarer Sunglasses
A consistent trademark among Citizen Couture’s frequently-shot subjects is great sunglasses. Joanna Hillman of Harper’s Bazaar keeps it classic with black Ray Ban Wayfarers.
(buy it now price, $77.95)
Oversized Retro Sunglasses
(starting bid, $14.99)
Street Style Blogger Citizen Couture Reveals His Favorite Subjects

1. New John Varvatos for Converse Pebbled Leather High-Tops: "I have a very simple style, which normally consists of a shirt, nice pair of jeans and Chucks on casual days... although I do have a little obsession for John Varvatos limited-edition Converse sneakers," says Jean of his personal style uniform. 

2. Apricot Maxi Dress:   "I’ve definitely been seeing a lot of maxi dresses, from sheer to floral types," says Jean of the trends he has been noticing of late.

3. Jonathan Saunders Color Block Dress: "I’ve also been seeing more colors and color-blocking," says Jean. "It is summer, so it’s nice to see some colors besides black and grey."

4. Ray Ban Black Wayfarer Sunglasses: A consistent trademark among Citizen Couture’s frequently-shot subjects is great sunglasses. Joanna Hillman of Harper’s Bazaar keeps it classic with black Ray Ban Wayfarers.

5. Oversized Retro Sunglasses: Edgy and perennially chic, Elle’s Kate Lanphear exudes a confident punk sensibility with her eyewear.

6. Vintage Women's '50's Cat Eye Sunglasses: Marie Claire’s Taylor Tomasi Hill balances her fashion-forward wardrobe with polished, oversize cat eye frames reminiscent of old Hollywood.

 

 

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