LOOK-Matt Dunn for Prince of Petworth

Fellow photographer and DC photo cult member Matt Dunn has a new photography column on DC's Prince of Petworth. He made his column debut with Joshua Yospyn's portrait work featuring a photograph we made together for this blog.

Check out the post here.

Matt is known for his striking street portraiture and being particularly good at capturing teenage angst. His work was featured during Fotoweek this year along with Josh at Pyramid Atlantic's Portrait 2.9 and Urban Photo Dialogue.

Winter French- O la la!

Photography by Vincent Gallegos

Winter is here and I have to try a lot harder to stay on top of my fashion game and be warm at the same time (Shh!). One good way to do that, is just to add warm accessories to what you were wearing before. Example: tights, hats, gloves, scarves. Sounds simple, but there's an art to doing it without looking like a layered snowman. Everything has to mesh properly. You have to look good with accessories on and off, all in the same night.

Just hearing the phrase "leopard on leopard" is enough to make a classy girl cringe, but this night I went for it, in an untraditional sense. I wore leopard patterned black tights and a white snow leopard coat over a long button up cardigan worn as a dress, with a leather vest underneath to quietly peek out and keep me warm. And to top it all off, a black beret.

The photos featured here are from the ReadySetDC launch party at Longview Gallery in D.C. The fabulously classic Jordan Culberson, style writer for ReadySet, accompanies me in the second photo.

A special thank you to photographer Vincent Gallegos who's becoming a photography fixture, capturing D.C. creativity and style.

Details: Beret by Benetton, White leopard coat by Urban Outfitters, cardigan by Zara, leather vest by Express, tights and heels by Nine West.

"Good" Riddance

Photography by Joshua Yospyn-yospyn.com

The boots above are the result of a combination of a painful internal struggle over what type of boots to invest in this winter and the fact that my beloved croc-style BGBG boots fell to pieces last week during a walk through the National Portrait Gallery. After just one year, and putting them through Vespa hell, they've now moved on to a better place...to be replaced by the Via Spiga Crispin! I made a calculated decision not to go there with the "over the knee boots" that are now becoming ubiquitous and will just look trashy a year from now (I may regret saying this, but I'll risk it.)

These babies are moving in the direction of the lace up ankle boots that I saw a lot of when I was living in NYC this summer, but taken up a couple notches, and without being bulky like Dr. Martens. They have wing tip details on the front, and a zipper on the inside so I don't have to struggle with the laces every time. The idea is that these will last, survive the Vespa, and bring some bad-ass to every outfit. Thank you to Nordstroms in Tyson's Corner who tracked them down to a store in Colorado, on sale, and the only ones left in my size. (I'm a woman who knows what she wants.)

Above is the photographic debut of the necklace I got custom made in Mexico and just received in the mail this weekend. I brought a picture of the font and an ancient gold bracelet M.C. has had forever to a jeweler near Monterrey. They melted part of it down to create this baby, an ode to my L.A. nickname and blog namesake, "Good Nicole." From now on, it will be a staple, and it doesn't hurt that my best friend in the universe used her own gold to help create it.

Creme de la creme

Photography by Vincent Gallegos

About this look: I bought this dress in New York City while I was interning at Vanity Fair this summer. It was one of those "I can't believe I found this and the only size left is the one that fits me I have nowhere to wear it to ever but I must have it anyway" finds. Four months later came my photography opening at Fixation, and it was perfect.

I love the thick material and the broad shoulder that looks more Jetson's than 80's. Top it off with a few watches and some strappy Michael Kors and voila!

Check out this look featured by Jordan Culberson on Readysetdc.com.

Details: Dress by H&M, shoes by Michael Kors.

*See more photos from the Fixation opening here!

Countryside Nap

Photography by Joshua Yospyn- yospyn.com

About this shoot: On Sunday morning, Josh and I drove up to Butler's Orchard to get some fresh air and hang out in the countryside. We spent the day picking raspberries, strolling the pumpkin patch, and of course, playing with our cameras. At one point we took a detour around the property and stumbled upon an area full of abandoned farm equipment and random treasures. One of those was an old bathtub (seen above) full of pine needles and creepy crawlies. I climbed in and took a nap while Josh snapped away. Luckily we got a good picture before we got busted by hillbillies in a pickup truck and had to scram. 

Location: Butler's Orchard, Germantown, MD. 

Details: The hat featured above is my newest gem. It's from the men's section at Zara. I added the dandelion on a romantic whim. 

 

Boots by BCBGirls, fedora by Zara, socks by H&M. 

Check out more of Josh's anonymous leg work which will be featured during DC Fotoweek. 

Two Sided City

Photography by Joshua Yospyn- yospyn.com

"Capitol Hill versus 14th Street in a war of indifference." 

Every month, Washingtonian Magazine based in Washington, DC holds a themed photography competition. This month the theme is "contrast," and Josh's photo (above) "Two Sided City" has been named a finalist. Click here to go online and VOTE! If we win, the photo will be published in the December issue of Washingtonian Magazine! 

VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE!!!!

JOSHUA YOSPYN-TWO SIDED CITY

About this photo: Shot on medium format film with a Mamiya along U St. Northwest. In Josh's words, "It's Capitol Hill versus 14th Street in a war of indifference." 

I've wanted an excuse to post this photo for a long time, but since we shot it during the summer, I couldn't find a reason until now. 

The day we shot this photo was probably the day I stopped caring what any shocked, government-working, khaki-wearing DC-pedestrian thought about why I was striking fashion poses in the middle of the street. This photo is exactly why we do it. 

When I got up on that wall (directly facing a very busy U St.) the man on my right turned his head, looked at me inquisitively for a split second, then went right back to his blackberry. The indifference on both our parts could not have been more apparent. What a rush. 

The cutoff to vote in October 30th! So go online and VOTE VOTE VOTE!!!

Sunday Yellow

Photography by Joshua Yospyn-yospyn.com

About this look: This is clearly what you'd call a statement coat. A total departure from my S&M inspired leather-clad black outfits I've been wearing lately, but being multi-dimensional is what it's all about, so last weekend I went with sweet instead of sexy. Plus it was Sunday morning and this was my brunch outfit while I ate pancakes with nutella al fresco in Dupont. Somehow the pocket chain didn't seem appropriate. As I may have mentioned before, I bought this coat on a trip to Tokyo two years ago and I can see myself still wearing it years from now. Also, I've been getting tons of compliments lately on these shoes. Women have literally stopped me on the street to ask where I got them, or slowed down and stared at my feet. As you can see, they're versatile and work well in every season. If you like them too, you can get them on sale now at Ninewest.com. 

Details: Coat by As Known As de Base (Tokyo), shoes by Nine West.

P.S. I was getting off my Vespa last Friday next to Cafe St. Ex when I was approached by a street style photographer who wanted my picture. It's clear that photographers such as "The Sartorialist" Scott Schuman, have inspired a growing number of street style photographers right here in DC. Lucky for us, The Sartorialist is coming to DC next week! He'll be doing a book signing at new restaurant Masa14 from 9-10pm on Monday, October 19th. 

Ray Bans a la Mode

Photography by Joshua Yospyn- yospyn.com

About this look: These are Josh's sunglasses. The idea for this shoot came about because of the recent comeback of Ray Ban Wayfarers and their popularity in the district. Wayfarers have a timeless look that works well on almost anybody. Here the squareness of the frames work well with a round face. This also goes to show that sunglasses can be unisex, all it takes is that you own it. Although it's hard to see in the photo, these rims are actually "crystal red", verses the classic tortoise shell. You can also get them in all different colors at Nordstroms online. 

Details: Sunglasses by Ray Ban, tank by Monki. 

Guerilla Fashion

Photography by Joshua Yospyn-yospyn.com

About this shoot: We were trying to capture that urban jungle, sky scraper, hustle and bustle feel of D.C. that is often overlooked.

See more of our experimentation with lowscraper backgrounds here. 

Note: Lately I've been posting less frequently for the sake of quality. The results are supremely better when we shoot with medium format film and wait a few days for it to be processed and scanned. Thank you Josh. 

Details: Jacket by H&M, tee by Hi-Line at Madwell, jeans by Zara, boots by BCBGirls. 

Animal Instincts

Photography by Joshua Yospyn- yospyn.com 

About this look: There's nothing like animal print to make a fashion statement, and putting it on your head is certainly taking a risk. But so what? I'm all about risks and I'm all about hats. Keeping the rest a very simple black, it can even look soft, which it is, and very fluffy. This season animal prints and fur seem to be all rage, and as long as its faux and no creatures are being hurt in the process, I say go for it. H&M has some great looking pieces at the moment, that when paired with understated outfits can really add a punch to your look. Just make sure to keep a lint roller near by...

Details: Beret by H&M, top by Silence+Noise. 

Cross my Heart

Photography by Joshua Yospyn- yospyn.com 

About this look: Josh and I shot these today in the alley behind Hillyer Art Space and the Phillips Collection. After buying these black, high-waist pants today at H&M, I paired them with the bustier and tucked it in to create a jumpsuit type look; adding the boots created a sleek, monochromatic silhouette. It sounds cliched, but wearing all black like this, it's key that the clothes fit perfectly so that you're wearing the black, the black isn't wearing you. 

Location: Dupont Circle

Details: Pants: H&M Fall '09 Collection

         Top: Silence+Noise 

         Boots: Zara

A Moment in the Shade

About this look: I have always felt very influenced by men's fashion. Lately it's been the musicians who wear fitted jeans, button shirts and wear vintage pieces so well, that they seem transported into a different era. One of the best fashion compliments I ever got was my friend's boyfriend who once commented that I reminded him of "a Cuban man," with my straw hats and men's shirts. This look is a good example of that. 

Tip: A trick to make your hats work with more pieces is to change the ribbon on our own. Here I just wrapped a thick hair band around the rim to hide the blue ribbon underneath and make it more versatile. 

Details: Jeans and hat by Uniqlo (DIY ribbon), shirt by H&M, boots by BCBGirls. 

Eva in the Maze

Photography & Styling by Nicole Aguirre.

About this shoot: It feels good to be featuring a shoot showing someone other than myself as the model so I can concentrate on what I really love: the photography and styling. 

The model here is Eva. I shot her in a corn maze off of Hwy 66 in Virginia on the way to Shenendoah National Park. I wanted to keep the clothes very classic but with an edge, which is what I'm always trying to achieve with my style. 

Details: Velvet Blazer: Zara

         Shirt: H&M

         Jeans: Paula

         Necklace: Vintage

P.S. Eva also happens to be an absolutely amazing cook with a fun food blog called TwoCoudies. 

Blown Away

Location: Shenendoah National Park, VA

About this look: I picked up this dress some years back when I spent the summer on the island of Bali in Indonesia. It's by a local designer Ali who has a shop near Seminyak, where I was staying. It has a hand beaded design along the top and is made of what looks like tie-dyed silk. These items would usually be worn at totally different seasons, but with the transition from summer to fall, the juxtaposition seems appropriate.  

Details: Dress by Ali (Bali), Scarf by H&M, shoes by Nine West. 

P.S. Aside from the wonderful wind that blew through the city today, blown away is also my current state of mind...

Night Rider

Photography by Joshua Yospyn- yospyn.com

I love how voyeuristic this photo looks. You'd be surprised how many strange people you can run into in Dupont on a Thursday night. It was an interesting experiment to surprise people walking down the street with a sudden VERY bright flash as they walked behind me. 

I've rediscovered this hat as my new favorite accessory. I confess it's a good five years old, acquired during my short stint working retail during high school in Los Angeles. I was the greeter/model at the Armani Exchange store on the Santa Monica Promenade, and I got loads of Armani clothes for free, including this hat. 

Details: Hat by Armani Exchange, tank by Monki, blazer by Silence+Noise, pants and boots bought in Seoul, South Korea.