William Zinsser, A 4th Generation New Yorker

[Photos and text MISTER MORT]

For the start of Fashion Week, I thought I would post someone who has been wearing Brooks Brothers & J Press for over 40 years.I photographed William Zinsser in a Brooks Brothers Overcoat, Brooks Brothers oxford shirt, J Press scarf ,blazer and tie. He took his glove off to shake my hand. That’s a true gentleman, it was frigid out. He asked what it was that I like about what he was wearing and I told him the classic timelessness of his look. He mentioned he has an oil painting of himself and the artist made the roll in the color very clear in the painting!Did some research: William Knowlton Zinsser (born October 7, 1922), a writer, editor, and teacher. His 18 books, which range in subject from music to baseball to American travel, include several widely read books about writing. On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction , first published in 1976, has sold almost 1.5 million copies. He began his career as a journalist for the New York Herald Tribune, where he worked as a feature writer, drama editor, film critic, and editorial writer, and has been a longtime contributor to leading magazines. Throughout the 1970s, Zinsser taught writing at Yale where he was master of Branford College. Now teaches at The New School and Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. Many high school teachers have incorporated Zinsser’s writing into their lesson plans. Some teachers even go as far as to tell their students to “Zinsser” their work (Zinsser used as a verb meaning to take the clutter out of their essays).
What A Guy!

Debra: Goin to the Movies

No matter what Debra does, she does it with style. Color and texture are such important parts of her life from food to fashion. I took a small video of her on the way to the movies and she wrote a little piece about how she feels about “Dressing UP”. Debra is going to start writing here once and a while beginning in the next few weeks!

“Goin’ to the Movies”

So my thoughts are…. that no matter what you are about to do (wash the dishes) or where you are going (yoga class/the gym)
“DRESS UP”! That can mean anything. But my first rule is whatever you put on (the piece of clothing, the particular color or an accessory) it MUST FEEL “RIGHT” for you. Check in with yourself and be honest…”is this what I want to feel like; is this what I want to present to the world as ME today?” If not, change, take something off, or add another layer or accessory. Don’t THINK too much. Let your eyes and your body lead you and trust it.

TAKE all BLACK clothing and put them in the rear of your closet…use BLACK as an accent. It really works as an accent, it adds depth…also WHITE adds expansion!
Most of all have fun and play.

Oh yes and when you go to the movies be sure to take with you some healthy snacks…some raw nuts and some dried fruit like dates, apricots and figs. Then there won’t be the need to buy movie treats!
Enjoy the day!
With playful affection,
Debra

Remember you can email Debra with any questions or comments to Debrathenutritionista@gmail.com.