Advanced Style

Yesterday I attended a great talk about vintage clothing at The Museum of The City of New York. The most gorgeous couple was seated in front of me and I knew that I had to take their photograph. When I leaned over and handed them my card, the gentleman smiled and turned to his wife. It turns out that he had given her my book as a gift, because he thought that she would be a perfect candidate for Advanced Style. I was thrilled to hear this and hope I get the chance to meet and photograph Bill and Eva again soon.

Norma Miller and Carmen De Lavallade

Dawn Hampton, Carmen De Lavallade, and Norma Miller

Dawn Hampton

A few weeks ago some friends and I headed to Lincoln Center for the opening of this year’s Midsummer Night Swing concert series. As soon as I arrived I ran into my gorgeous friends Lana Turner and Carmen De Lavallade. Carmen told me that she was there to meet one of her idols, 93-year-old Norma Miller, and asked if I wanted to come along. I jumped at the chance to meet Norma, one of the legends of the Swing era.

Backstage, Carmen ran into another incredible performer, Dawn Hampton.  I quickly pulled out my iPhone as the ladies, all three in their 80s and 90s, started to dance to the sounds of swing music resounding in the background. It was an honor to meet these remarkable  ladies and I will forever be inspired by their incredible energy and spirit.

Check out a small clip of Norma, Dawn, and Carmen HERE and watch “The Queen of Swing”, 93-year old Norma Miller, dancing the night away at Lincoln Center HERE .

Street style scouting is a bit difficult in California as people tend to spend less time walking around and more time in their cars. Every time I visit home or travel to Los Angeles for work my mom has rounded up a great group of stylish ladies for me to photograph. The woman above works at one of my mom’s favorite stores, Dolores Campbell, in Hillcrest.  I’m lucky to have a mom that is willing to help and has a great eye for Advanced Style.