Account: NYC Looks
Follow for: New York City street style as seen through the lens of this Finnish creative and vintage expert, with mini interviews and outfit descriptions so you can cop the looks you like.
How do you approach your subjects? What’s a typical reaction to being photographed?
Liisa Jokinen: I compliment their outfit and ask if I can take their photo for my street-style blog. A typical reaction in New York is a happy YES! In my experience, New Yorkers are open to conversation, friendly and easy to approach.
Which NYC neighborhood has the best people-watching?
LJ: I love many parts of Lower Manhattan, like the Lower East Side, East Village and Union Square (because of the proximity to Parsons School of Design). In Brooklyn I love Williamsburg, Greenpoint and Bushwick during the weekends, but any busy intersection or street is great. I love exploring different neighborhoods, and I try to venture out to more quiet and distant ones sometimes too.
Any trends you predict will dominate fall 2021 fashion in New York City?
LJ: Y2K vibes, such as low-rise jeans and pants, flashy prints, crop tops and tiny shoulder handbags. Also handicrafts like crochet tops and hats, patchwork. Telfar bags and Crocs. Underwear as outerwear like slip dresses and corset tops. Vintage is already a big trend, and it will just continue to grow.
What are some of your go-to thrift and vintage shops in NYC?
LJ: I am the founder of Gem app, which is the search engine for all online vintage and secondhand clothing. It helps people find items they are looking for. I’m also founder of the NYC Vintage Map, which lists all the City’s vintage and thrift clothing stores.
My favorite vintage stores are James Veloria, which has great designer items for great prices, the most exciting location inside a Chinatown mall and the cutest staff; Beacon’s Closet—you will always find something and it’s great for people-watching; and Seven Wonders Collective stores—there are several vendors at the location, and something for every taste and style.
What events or festivals do New Yorkers go all-out for fashion-wise?
LJ: New York Fashion Week, of course. Also, Afropunk—I have said many times it is better than any fashion week. Events at MoMA PS1 and A Current Affair vintage shows in Industry City are also great.
Do you recall an especially meaningful interaction with a subject?
LJ: I started street-style photography in July 2005 in Helsinki, Finland, where I am originally from. My blog, Hel Looks, had a strong following in the US, and [it's great when I get to] meet my longtime followers in the streets of New York. They have grown up waiting for new Hel Looks photos each Sunday. (I updated my blog only once a week at that time.) For many followers, Hel Looks was an important source of inspiration, and it encouraged them to find their own style and express themselves through clothing. In smaller cities in the US this was not always easy, and Hel Looks was truly meaningful for many young kids. It makes me really happy to hear these stories. I still update Hel Looks every summer when I go back home.