Here are some of my favorite shots from 2012. It’s been such an incredible year and I can’t wait to share what’s happening with Advanced Style in the upcoming months. Thanks for all of your amazing comments, emails, and support. Let’s all continue to dress up and heed the advice of our 101-year-old friend Ruth Kobin:”Celebrate everyday and don’t look a the calendar.” Have a happy and healthy new year.
All My Love,
Ari Seth Cohen

I passed by this lovely couple walking downtown. I stopped them right at the crosswalk and asked if I could take their photo. The man said, ” Of Course”, while his date annonced. ” Hurry up we are heading to a party my dear.”

Photos by Danny Roche

I hope everyone had a great holiday so far. I just got a wonderful email from Danny Roche after he gave his grandmother the Advanced Style book  for Christmas. Read the story below to see how she reacted.

This christmas I gave my grandmother “Advanced Style”  Two hours
later she comes back all dressed up in a big fur hat, pearls, diamonds a
fur coat and a red scarf/turban. I took pictures of this rare occasion.
I had a talk with her and asked her why she doesn’t dress up anymore
and this is what she had to say:

“ I grew up in the shadow of manhattan in a town called Jersey City.
Looking across the hudson I often said to myself as a child one day I’m
gonna go over there to enjoy the beautiful sites to see. The most
popular past time growing up as a child in the depression was the going
to the movies. I was always fascinated by all these beautiful actresses
in these gorgeous clothes which made me become fashion conscious as I
aged. I believe it influenced me in wanting to become a hairdresser to
make people look glamorous  When I became older (late 40’s) I stopped
dressing up because I moved into the suburbs of New Jersey where
it wasn’t as fashionable. When I put on the old clothes again the other
day I felt young again! I really miss dressing up.”  -Adeline Roche

This stunning lady was walking across Madison Ave when I noticed her wonderful coat, gloves, lovely red lipstick. I asked if I could take her photo and she kindly replied in French that she didn’t speak English. My friend Fanny, a native French speaker, was with me and I asked if she would tell the woman that I thought she looked very beautiful and that I would like to take her photograph. Fanny asked and she replied that she had just received some very sad news and that my compliment had brightened her spirits and made her day. She posed for me on the corner of 65th and Madison, still a bit sad with a tinge of hope. Before she went on her way she gave Fanny and me a big hug and kiss on the cheek and told us that her day would be better now that she ran into us. It is she who truly made my day!

I want to wish everyone a very happy and health holiday season. I am spending some time with my family in San Diego and finishing up some end of the year projects. This has been an incredible year and I want to  thank you all for your support and encouragement. We have a lot to look forward to in 2013 with the Advanced Style Documentary being entered into festivals and some other great new projects. Let’s continue to dress up, celebrate, and show the world that style and creativity only get better with age.