Sewn from the Soul - Street Etiquette Tribute to Black History Month 2010

Well folks, today is the last day of February. And with the last day of February comes the last day of Black History Month. I’m not even sure how I managed to re-stumble upon Street Etiquette’s Sewn from the Soul editorial that they did last year, but I did. And seeing the video once again brought back a flood of memories.

It was around this time last year that I first learned of Street Etiquette. In fact, Sewn from the Soul was one of the first posts I ever saw from them. It’s been amazing to watch their growth in the last twelve months. Even back then, when I first learned of them, I realized that they were truly on the verge of becoming something extraordinary. Truth be told, they’re still in the process of blowing up. That’s crazy to think about, because they’re already so big. But I digress. On to the editorial itself.

Sewn from the Soul is one the most intelligent, most creative tributes to black culture that I’ve ever seen. Even twelve months later, it’s worth noting; it was that impressive. The essential premise is the meshing of black style and black history: paying tribute to notable African American figures that were sartorially minded, while making an impact on black culture.

the cast of sewn from the soul

Beginning with a captivating poem by Brooklyn wordsmith Joe-Kenneth Museau, the editorial proceeds to shed light on historical figures like Cornel West, Huey P. Newton, Miles Davis, and several others.

james field pays homage to cornel west

joe-kenneth museau honors nat “king” cole

Ultimately Sewn from the Soul reveals how large of a role style plays in any culture, especially black culture. It’s a look back at our past, with a progressive step towards the future.

Happy Black History Month guys.

*The following is the first portion of a conversation I recently had with American photographer Rog Walker. Itoro Udoko: When did you first gain interest in photography and fashion? Was it one before the other or sort of all at once? Rog Walker: It’s approaching 2 years, as far as my photography is concerned. Most of all, communication is a part of my life, and fashion is the highest form of communication in my eyes. Fashion is an element of my photography. A lot of times people overlook the complete image. I believe in completing the entire shot – settings, pose, wardrobe. That’s the approach. Fashion is very important to the shot. It’s silent, but powerful.  IU: So what were you doing before you started photography? Were you in school? RW: I did a semester of web design. Honestly, I really wasn’t feeling that. Hands on, that’s the key. I learned the basics of photography from a friend. Shoot, shoot, shoot. Trial and error. I actually don’t believe in going too deep in formal training. Once you go past the basics, your professors begin placing their personal opinions on your learning. There’s no experimentation. No personality. No style. You should never really push too far into that. poet joe kenneth museau, rog walker, 2010 IU: Who or what has influenced your photography? Any significant figures? RW: That’s an easy. There’s only one influence – Richard Avedon. I got his book by accident one time, The Sixties, my favorite book. In it he has all these amazing portraits. Vietnam, Malcolm X, iconic images. I’m looking at these portraits, reading these stories. It’s like being brought to that time. He literally shaped the face of fashion for five decades. malcolm x, richard avedon, 1963 IU: Yeah. He definitely seems to be the quintessential fashion photographer by which all others are measured; setting the bar. Are there any contemporary photographers that you admire? RW: Um. There’s a commercial photographer that’s a friend of mine, a colleague – Sarah Mccolgan. IU: Oh yeah. I’ve seen a lot of her stuff on Maestro Knows. Levi Maestro started this section that she showcases her work on. It’s called My Sarah. RW: Mmhmm, she’s really brilliant at capturing things. The thing about Sarah that I like, she’s just an amazing person. Intelligent. And I dig her tomboy style. She’s just wonderful all around. Also, my colleague Mario Newball. He’s clever in the studio. IU: So you seem to be quickly becoming one of the most talked about fashion photographers out there. What do you attribute your success to? RW: I got to where I was by not focusing on getting anywhere. I didn’t focus on building a career. I focused on being a photographer first. Everything else fell into place. That’s a big issue with our generation. British photographer Glen Luchford asked, “Where are the mozarts of our age?” The mozarts of our age, instead of focusing on their art, are focusing on their career. Seeing how they can get more followers and whatnot. There’s over-saturation in the game. IU: I will admit, like many others, I first learned of you through Street Etiquette. And you’ve done a lot of work with both Joshua Kissi and Travis Gumbs on that end. How did you first meet up with them? RW: Josh and Trav, we’re both from the same area; same high school. The story is so weird. My younger sister went to high school with them. They always hung out at my house all the time. It used to be, “Whatever, it’s just Josh and Trav.” This was years ago. Then my sister tells me they’re doing this site called Street Etiquette. Whatever. I’m not paying attention. Years go by. I start hearing about how they’re doing. I check it out. I’m like, “Wow. Josh and Trav haha?” I call them up like, “You guys are dope.” We meet up. We’re all like, “Let’s start shooting. Let’s do some stuff.” It just went from there. joshua kissi of street etiquette, rog walker, 2010 IU: It’s funny you talk about knowing Josh and Trav from way back. Because some time ago I went and looked all the way through their website, as far back as it goes. June 2008 or something like that. I was wowed. Just seeing the sort of evolution these two have had. In the content, the originality. The intelligence of everything. It’s been like a 360 for them. RW: Because they had that mindset; it’s always going to evolve into excellence. They had that core. That’s what copiers can’t do. People that aren’t creative, they just copy. They can never duplicate that core. They just try to mimic a successful formula. But it never works for them… *My talk with Rog Walker was much too long to publish in one take, yet much too captivating to shorten any further. Check back tomorrow for a continuation of our conversation. Rog and I talk about his relationship with Phillip Annand and the rest of the Madbury Club, the likelihood of a collaboration with Levi Maestro, and he also reveals some pretty exclusive details on some future projects of his. Stay tuned.
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*The following is the first portion of a conversation I recently had with American photographer Rog Walker.


Itoro Udoko: When did you first gain interest in photography and fashion? Was it one before the other or sort of all at once?

Rog Walker: It’s approaching 2 years, as far as my photography is concerned. Most of all, communication is a part of my life, and fashion is the highest form of communication in my eyes. Fashion is an element of my photography. A lot of times people overlook the complete image. I believe in completing the entire shot – settings, pose, wardrobe. That’s the approach. Fashion is very important to the shot. It’s silent, but powerful. 

IU: So what were you doing before you started photography? Were you in school?

RW: I did a semester of web design. Honestly, I really wasn’t feeling that. Hands on, that’s the key. I learned the basics of photography from a friend. Shoot, shoot, shoot. Trial and error. I actually don’t believe in going too deep in formal training. Once you go past the basics, your professors begin placing their personal opinions on your learning. There’s no experimentation. No personality. No style. You should never really push too far into that.

poet joe kenneth museau, rog walker, 2010

IU: Who or what has influenced your photography? Any significant figures?

RW: That’s an easy. There’s only one influence – Richard Avedon. I got his book by accident one time, The Sixties, my favorite book. In it he has all these amazing portraits. Vietnam, Malcolm X, iconic images. I’m looking at these portraits, reading these stories. It’s like being brought to that time. He literally shaped the face of fashion for five decades.

malcolm x, richard avedon, 1963

IU: Yeah. He definitely seems to be the quintessential fashion photographer by which all others are measured; setting the bar. Are there any contemporary photographers that you admire?

RW: Um. There’s a commercial photographer that’s a friend of mine, a colleague – Sarah Mccolgan.

IU: Oh yeah. I’ve seen a lot of her stuff on Maestro Knows. Levi Maestro started this section that she showcases her work on. It’s called My Sarah.

RW: Mmhmm, she’s really brilliant at capturing things. The thing about Sarah that I like, she’s just an amazing person. Intelligent. And I dig her tomboy style. She’s just wonderful all around. Also, my colleague Mario Newball. He’s clever in the studio.

IU: So you seem to be quickly becoming one of the most talked about fashion photographers out there. What do you attribute your success to?

RW: I got to where I was by not focusing on getting anywhere. I didn’t focus on building a career. I focused on being a photographer first. Everything else fell into place.

That’s a big issue with our generation. British photographer Glen Luchford asked, “Where are the mozarts of our age?” The mozarts of our age, instead of focusing on their art, are focusing on their career. Seeing how they can get more followers and whatnot. There’s over-saturation in the game.

IU: I will admit, like many others, I first learned of you through Street Etiquette. And you’ve done a lot of work with both Joshua Kissi and Travis Gumbs on that end. How did you first meet up with them?

RW: Josh and Trav, we’re both from the same area; same high school. The story is so weird. My younger sister went to high school with them. They always hung out at my house all the time. It used to be, “Whatever, it’s just Josh and Trav.” This was years ago. Then my sister tells me they’re doing this site called Street Etiquette. Whatever. I’m not paying attention. Years go by. I start hearing about how they’re doing. I check it out. I’m like, “Wow. Josh and Trav haha?” I call them up like, “You guys are dope.” We meet up. We’re all like, “Let’s start shooting. Let’s do some stuff.” It just went from there.

joshua kissi of street etiquette, rog walker, 2010

IU: It’s funny you talk about knowing Josh and Trav from way back. Because some time ago I went and looked all the way through their website, as far back as it goes. June 2008 or something like that. I was wowed. Just seeing the sort of evolution these two have had. In the content, the originality. The intelligence of everything. It’s been like a 360 for them.

RW: Because they had that mindset; it’s always going to evolve into excellence. They had that core. That’s what copiers can’t do. People that aren’t creative, they just copy. They can never duplicate that core. They just try to mimic a successful formula. But it never works for them…

*My talk with Rog Walker was much too long to publish in one take, yet much too captivating to shorten any further. Check back tomorrow for a continuation of our conversation. Rog and I talk about his relationship with Phillip Annand and the rest of the Madbury Club, the likelihood of a collaboration with Levi Maestro, and he also reveals some pretty exclusive details on some future projects of his. Stay tuned.

Many of you may be familiar with Rog Walker. He is a New York based photographer that is enjoying a rather meteoric rise to the forefront of today’s fashion and youth culture. He regularly collaborates with Joshua Kissi and Travis Gumbs of Street Etiquette on much of the visual content on the website. He also worked with the good folks of the Madbury Club on the much-acclaimed Asphalt Warriors series, and his newest project, Identities, is enjoying much positive review from virtually everyone with two eyes and a mouth. With all that he has going on, it’s a marvel that Rog found time out of his busy schedule to talk with me. But I’m rather glad he did. A series of texts, emails, and phone calls culminated in one of the most captivating conversations I’ve had in quite some time. Among the topics we discussed were the origins of his interest in photography and fashion, his relationships with many individuals in the industry and culture, and a few upcoming projects that he has in the works. He gave me some rather exclusive information. Eep! It’s a no-brainer. You don’t want to miss this. Check back tomorrow for the first portion of my unforgettable conversation with photographer Rog Walker.
Pop-upView Separately

Many of you may be familiar with Rog Walker. He is a New York based photographer that is enjoying a rather meteoric rise to the forefront of today’s fashion and youth culture. He regularly collaborates with Joshua Kissi and Travis Gumbs of Street Etiquette on much of the visual content on the website. He also worked with the good folks of the Madbury Club on the much-acclaimed Asphalt Warriors series, and his newest project, Identities, is enjoying much positive review from virtually everyone with two eyes and a mouth.

With all that he has going on, it’s a marvel that Rog found time out of his busy schedule to talk with me. But I’m rather glad he did. A series of texts, emails, and phone calls culminated in one of the most captivating conversations I’ve had in quite some time.

Among the topics we discussed were the origins of his interest in photography and fashion, his relationships with many individuals in the industry and culture, and a few upcoming projects that he has in the works. He gave me some rather exclusive information. Eep! It’s a no-brainer. You don’t want to miss this.

Check back tomorrow for the first portion of my unforgettable conversation with photographer Rog Walker.

You didn’t possibly think I would let New York Fashion Week come and go without making a mention of it did you? No of course not. You know me better than that. So without further ado, here is Part 1 in a series of posts detailing and recapping the best of New York Fashion Week, affectionately known by “those in the know” as NYFW. Street Etiquette x Backyard Bill New York Fashion Week Photo Journal Joshua Kissi (on the right in picture #1) and Travis Gumbs (left in picture #1) of Street Etiquette are currently, without doubt, among the most prominent and influential names in the ever-evolving realm of fashion blogging. So it was only fitting that fashion/street photographer Backyard Bill would collaborate with GQ Magazine to document the daily outfit choices of the duo throughout NYFW. Undertakings like this are important because, in all honesty, there are two sets of fashion shows that simultaneously occur in every major fashion week across the globe: the fashion show on the runway, and the fashion show that fashion week attendees take part in through their daily choices of garb. It’s interesting to note the outfit choices of this pair. Because although their style philosophies and taste are similar, there is a definite distinction that makes both Josh and Trav different from each other. Josh’s style puts more emphasis on color and is more outspoken and dandy. Trav approaches things more traditionally and has a certain understated flair. Each day I made my own personal critiques of whose out I preferred, with Trav coming out on top 3-2. At the end of the day though, it’s really a matter of personal choice. But individuals embody a timeless, classic style. What do you guys think? Whose style do you prefer? Side Note - Josh’s get up on Day 2 is possibly the single best outfit I saw all fashion week.
Zoom Info
You didn’t possibly think I would let New York Fashion Week come and go without making a mention of it did you? No of course not. You know me better than that. So without further ado, here is Part 1 in a series of posts detailing and recapping the best of New York Fashion Week, affectionately known by “those in the know” as NYFW. Street Etiquette x Backyard Bill New York Fashion Week Photo Journal Joshua Kissi (on the right in picture #1) and Travis Gumbs (left in picture #1) of Street Etiquette are currently, without doubt, among the most prominent and influential names in the ever-evolving realm of fashion blogging. So it was only fitting that fashion/street photographer Backyard Bill would collaborate with GQ Magazine to document the daily outfit choices of the duo throughout NYFW. Undertakings like this are important because, in all honesty, there are two sets of fashion shows that simultaneously occur in every major fashion week across the globe: the fashion show on the runway, and the fashion show that fashion week attendees take part in through their daily choices of garb. It’s interesting to note the outfit choices of this pair. Because although their style philosophies and taste are similar, there is a definite distinction that makes both Josh and Trav different from each other. Josh’s style puts more emphasis on color and is more outspoken and dandy. Trav approaches things more traditionally and has a certain understated flair. Each day I made my own personal critiques of whose out I preferred, with Trav coming out on top 3-2. At the end of the day though, it’s really a matter of personal choice. But individuals embody a timeless, classic style. What do you guys think? Whose style do you prefer? Side Note - Josh’s get up on Day 2 is possibly the single best outfit I saw all fashion week.
Zoom Info
You didn’t possibly think I would let New York Fashion Week come and go without making a mention of it did you? No of course not. You know me better than that. So without further ado, here is Part 1 in a series of posts detailing and recapping the best of New York Fashion Week, affectionately known by “those in the know” as NYFW. Street Etiquette x Backyard Bill New York Fashion Week Photo Journal Joshua Kissi (on the right in picture #1) and Travis Gumbs (left in picture #1) of Street Etiquette are currently, without doubt, among the most prominent and influential names in the ever-evolving realm of fashion blogging. So it was only fitting that fashion/street photographer Backyard Bill would collaborate with GQ Magazine to document the daily outfit choices of the duo throughout NYFW. Undertakings like this are important because, in all honesty, there are two sets of fashion shows that simultaneously occur in every major fashion week across the globe: the fashion show on the runway, and the fashion show that fashion week attendees take part in through their daily choices of garb. It’s interesting to note the outfit choices of this pair. Because although their style philosophies and taste are similar, there is a definite distinction that makes both Josh and Trav different from each other. Josh’s style puts more emphasis on color and is more outspoken and dandy. Trav approaches things more traditionally and has a certain understated flair. Each day I made my own personal critiques of whose out I preferred, with Trav coming out on top 3-2. At the end of the day though, it’s really a matter of personal choice. But individuals embody a timeless, classic style. What do you guys think? Whose style do you prefer? Side Note - Josh’s get up on Day 2 is possibly the single best outfit I saw all fashion week.
Zoom Info
You didn’t possibly think I would let New York Fashion Week come and go without making a mention of it did you? No of course not. You know me better than that. So without further ado, here is Part 1 in a series of posts detailing and recapping the best of New York Fashion Week, affectionately known by “those in the know” as NYFW. Street Etiquette x Backyard Bill New York Fashion Week Photo Journal Joshua Kissi (on the right in picture #1) and Travis Gumbs (left in picture #1) of Street Etiquette are currently, without doubt, among the most prominent and influential names in the ever-evolving realm of fashion blogging. So it was only fitting that fashion/street photographer Backyard Bill would collaborate with GQ Magazine to document the daily outfit choices of the duo throughout NYFW. Undertakings like this are important because, in all honesty, there are two sets of fashion shows that simultaneously occur in every major fashion week across the globe: the fashion show on the runway, and the fashion show that fashion week attendees take part in through their daily choices of garb. It’s interesting to note the outfit choices of this pair. Because although their style philosophies and taste are similar, there is a definite distinction that makes both Josh and Trav different from each other. Josh’s style puts more emphasis on color and is more outspoken and dandy. Trav approaches things more traditionally and has a certain understated flair. Each day I made my own personal critiques of whose out I preferred, with Trav coming out on top 3-2. At the end of the day though, it’s really a matter of personal choice. But individuals embody a timeless, classic style. What do you guys think? Whose style do you prefer? Side Note - Josh’s get up on Day 2 is possibly the single best outfit I saw all fashion week.
Zoom Info
You didn’t possibly think I would let New York Fashion Week come and go without making a mention of it did you? No of course not. You know me better than that. So without further ado, here is Part 1 in a series of posts detailing and recapping the best of New York Fashion Week, affectionately known by “those in the know” as NYFW. Street Etiquette x Backyard Bill New York Fashion Week Photo Journal Joshua Kissi (on the right in picture #1) and Travis Gumbs (left in picture #1) of Street Etiquette are currently, without doubt, among the most prominent and influential names in the ever-evolving realm of fashion blogging. So it was only fitting that fashion/street photographer Backyard Bill would collaborate with GQ Magazine to document the daily outfit choices of the duo throughout NYFW. Undertakings like this are important because, in all honesty, there are two sets of fashion shows that simultaneously occur in every major fashion week across the globe: the fashion show on the runway, and the fashion show that fashion week attendees take part in through their daily choices of garb. It’s interesting to note the outfit choices of this pair. Because although their style philosophies and taste are similar, there is a definite distinction that makes both Josh and Trav different from each other. Josh’s style puts more emphasis on color and is more outspoken and dandy. Trav approaches things more traditionally and has a certain understated flair. Each day I made my own personal critiques of whose out I preferred, with Trav coming out on top 3-2. At the end of the day though, it’s really a matter of personal choice. But individuals embody a timeless, classic style. What do you guys think? Whose style do you prefer? Side Note - Josh’s get up on Day 2 is possibly the single best outfit I saw all fashion week.
Zoom Info
You didn’t possibly think I would let New York Fashion Week come and go without making a mention of it did you? No of course not. You know me better than that. So without further ado, here is Part 1 in a series of posts detailing and recapping the best of New York Fashion Week, affectionately known by “those in the know” as NYFW. Street Etiquette x Backyard Bill New York Fashion Week Photo Journal Joshua Kissi (on the right in picture #1) and Travis Gumbs (left in picture #1) of Street Etiquette are currently, without doubt, among the most prominent and influential names in the ever-evolving realm of fashion blogging. So it was only fitting that fashion/street photographer Backyard Bill would collaborate with GQ Magazine to document the daily outfit choices of the duo throughout NYFW. Undertakings like this are important because, in all honesty, there are two sets of fashion shows that simultaneously occur in every major fashion week across the globe: the fashion show on the runway, and the fashion show that fashion week attendees take part in through their daily choices of garb. It’s interesting to note the outfit choices of this pair. Because although their style philosophies and taste are similar, there is a definite distinction that makes both Josh and Trav different from each other. Josh’s style puts more emphasis on color and is more outspoken and dandy. Trav approaches things more traditionally and has a certain understated flair. Each day I made my own personal critiques of whose out I preferred, with Trav coming out on top 3-2. At the end of the day though, it’s really a matter of personal choice. But individuals embody a timeless, classic style. What do you guys think? Whose style do you prefer? Side Note - Josh’s get up on Day 2 is possibly the single best outfit I saw all fashion week.
Zoom Info

You didn’t possibly think I would let New York Fashion Week come and go without making a mention of it did you? No of course not. You know me better than that. So without further ado, here is Part 1 in a series of posts detailing and recapping the best of New York Fashion Week, affectionately known by “those in the know” as NYFW.

Street Etiquette x Backyard Bill New York Fashion Week Photo Journal

Joshua Kissi (on the right in picture #1) and Travis Gumbs (left in picture #1) of Street Etiquette are currently, without doubt, among the most prominent and influential names in the ever-evolving realm of fashion blogging. So it was only fitting that fashion/street photographer Backyard Bill would collaborate with GQ Magazine to document the daily outfit choices of the duo throughout NYFW. Undertakings like this are important because, in all honesty, there are two sets of fashion shows that simultaneously occur in every major fashion week across the globe: the fashion show on the runway, and the fashion show that fashion week attendees take part in through their daily choices of garb.

It’s interesting to note the outfit choices of this pair. Because although their style philosophies and taste are similar, there is a definite distinction that makes both Josh and Trav different from each other. Josh’s style puts more emphasis on color and is more outspoken and dandy. Trav approaches things more traditionally and has a certain understated flair. Each day I made my own personal critiques of whose out I preferred, with Trav coming out on top 3-2. At the end of the day though, it’s really a matter of personal choice. But individuals embody a timeless, classic style.

What do you guys think? Whose style do you prefer?

Side Note - Josh’s get up on Day 2 is possibly the single best outfit I saw all fashion week.