Stefan Campbell Presents: Sean Fitzergerald, the Anti-Abercrombie Kid

By Stefan Campbell

This is Sean Fitzgerald, a 20-year-old, lanky, Jodie Foster-circa-Freaky-Friday of a boy, and a drama major at NYU and Lee Strasberg from Ohio. I spotted him at ODIN on Lafayette Street last June one afternoon around 1:20 p.m. before having lunch with Aussie photographer and director James Huston (look for James’ documentary on sex in America). What caught my attention about Sean were many things… from his “Southern punk trash look meets deliverance chic”; to his classic black Wayfarers and Clockwork Orange-style bowler hat; to his perfectly scruffed up, square-toe vintage dusty boots and ratty bobbed hair. But what blew my mind was Sean’s skinniness that made him seem as if he attended the Rachel Zoe School of Dieting. He was so thin his skinny jeans were too baggy... and all his gestures while browsing through the racks of the hipster-wear looked like couture poses. “I have all brothers, and we are all this way," he said of his Vivien Leigh meets manorexic waistline.

Posted Aug. 27, 2007,

Shop of the Week: Den

By Emily Warman

den Den, a new concept store by Eddy Chai and Paul Birardi (owners of Odin and Oliver Spencer) is aptly named. Walking into the 350-foot space feels very much like entering a den of sorts, populated predominantly by dark and gray hues. The store features one entire line by a different designer each month, changing its decor as well to effect a full monthly makeover. Right now Cheap Monday is on the bill, a brand known primarily for their skinny-leg denim jeans. While the denim remains the big draw—jeans adorn nearly every available space, including chairs and benches—Den also features a myriad of other styles by the brand. Dresses, vests, skirts, shoes, bags, scarves and even baby clothing can all be spotted in a 360-degree turn. The women’s selection is simple and modern. Some favorites include the “Tullie” dress, a sleeveless A-line frock in basic colors that ties around the waist and falls comfortably mid-calf ($35). And for men, zipper-back Converse-style sneakers in dark brown with suede detailing are selling fast ($40). The whole Cheap Monday line is very affordable, with almost all jeans going for $65. But beware: I had trouble fitting the skinny jeans over my size-7 ½ foot, so those with large feet and cankles be prepared for some tugging and flexing. While most of the jeans are skinny, there is also raw denim in a wider-leg cut available ($100). Up next in Den is Timothy Hamilton, a menswear designer, followed by Sunday Sun, Den’s own upscale line. Stop in once, or stop by monthly for all the transformations! 330 E. 11th St., (212) 475-0079.

Photo from Refinery 29

Posted Jun. 18, 2007,

Shop of the Week: Oliver Spencer

By PAPERMAG Editors

Tucked away in a secluded spot between the West Village proper and the Meat Packing District, Oliver Spencer is a hidden treasure. Owners Eddy Chai and Paul Birardi (of Odin clothing fame) are known for their casual-chic boutiques in the East Village and SoHo and have joined forces with Brit designer Oliver Spencer -- whose dark, moody collections make one think of a rainy London day -- to create a special store-within-a-store experience. While a significant amount of the floor is devoted to Spencer's trench coats, high-collar knits and floral button-downs, the Odin team has filled out the space with everything from grooming products to accessories. Denim brands include Rag & Bone and Colorado newcomer Kicking Mule Workshop. The standards, such as Comme des Garçons wallets and Nice Collective staples, round out the store. Exclusives to this location are Folk shoes (a cross between Timberlands and Carpe Diem) and Linda Farrow's vintage sunglass line (after a divorce, she closed her vaults; following her death, her son has reopened them and is selling off her archive of high-end designs). 750 Greenwich St., (212) 337-3095. Drew Elliott

Showing the first results.