street style

Who Are These Stylish People?

14 Telfar party guests explain what they’re wearing.

Makeup artist and model Raisa Flowers says, “I am inspired by Caribbean women from the dance hall scene, and rock stars. I just think people should take risks.” Photo: Liisa Jokinen
Makeup artist and model Raisa Flowers says, “I am inspired by Caribbean women from the dance hall scene, and rock stars. I just think people should take risks.” Photo: Liisa Jokinen

Street-style photographer Liisa Jokinen specializes in capturing fearless acts of self-presentation. The people featured on her two platforms, the 14-year-old Helsinki-based website Hel Looks and the newer NYC-Looks, are the kind of fashion natives who put deep thought into everything they wear, and who can theorize about clothes as creatively as they style them.

This season, Jokinen will be covering New York Fashion Week for the Cut. She started off with two events for Telfar, the self-described “black-owned, non-gendered fashion project” that’s been doing its own thing since 2004. Liberian-American designer Telfar Clemens has had a big couple of years — a CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund award, a hit bag — and this season he’s showing in Paris. Still, the brand has a big presence in New York this week, including a party with Opening Ceremony on Thursday night and a party that doubles as a screening of an experimental film on Friday. Scroll on for some of the best street style from both events.

Tariq White, Musician, 23

Photo: Liisa Jokinen

“I’m wearing a Gianfranco Ferre suit with Vivienne Westwood glasses and a Chanel bag. I wanted to look as luxurious as possible.”
Instagram: @d3ad6oy

Jahfari Webb, Artist, 21

Photo: Liisa Jokinen

“I’m wearing Natural Born Fillers by Nigel McKenzie. My style is inspired by my mom and sister. I try to accentuate my figure with everything I wear. I love my body, so I want to show it off as much as I can.”
Instagram: @itsjoeydash

The Bloom Twins, 23, Musicians

Photo: Liisa Jokinen

“Our skirts are from Xiao Li, the brown shirt is from Mihara Yasuhiro, the black jumper is from Tommy Hilfiger, and our shoes are Dr Martens. Our music inspires our style. The way our music sounds is the way fashion sounds.”
Instagram: @bloomtwins

Aileen Kim, 21, Art Student

Photo: Liisa Jokinen

“I’m wearing a G.vG.v jacket with vintage shorts that I thrifted in Los Angeles, paired with Marni loafer platforms. I don’t know if you can tell but I love patterns. I dress subconsciously and just gravitate towards what I like. Most of the time I end up looking like a quirky grandma of a doll, which mirrors my personality pretty accurately.”
Instagram: @alien.kimchii

Gerlan Marcel, 43, Print and Graphic Designer

Photo: Liisa Jokinen

“I got my outfit a couple of weeks ago in London. I went to see [the psychedelic-dub ensemble] African Head Charge and I was so excited to buy merchandise at the show. But they didn’t have anything with their name on it — just a guy selling this. It was the best purchase during my 1.5 months in London. My style philosophy is ‘everything goes with anything,’ like [stylist] Lori Goldstein says. And don’t leave anything unprinted.”
Instagram: @gerlanjeans

Shavone Charles, 28, Artist and Former Global Head of Music & Youth Culture Communications at Instagram

Photo: Liisa Jokinen

“I’m wearing Perfect Number pants and apron shorts, a Melody Ehsani choker, personal gold chains, and dyed braids and brows, with patent Dr. Martens shoes. Structure, movement, and comfort are the most important part of my style today. I’m very inspired by androgynous, avant-garde, tactical pieces that have a contemporary and femme spin. I see personal style as self-expression and the first message we communicate when we step outside to face the world. We are our own heroes in costume.”
Instagram: @shavonec

Anastasia Fox, 22, Production Assistant

Photo: Liisa Jokinen

“My entire look is thrifted and inspired by Seinfeld and ‘the shirt.’ I wanted to look like a pirate. My style philosophy is ‘feel bad, look better’ because as long as you look good, nobody has to know that you don’t feel good.”
Instagram: @anamaniax

Vanessa Barros Andrade, 29, DJ

Photo: Liisa Jokinen

“I’m wearing Melitta Baumeister, a Metallica flag as a head wrap, and Comme de Garçons. I wanted to give off a fortune teller/clown look. Costumes inspire my style. My style philosophy is never to be afraid of the unknown. I’m into foreshadowing.”
Instagram: @deviantarthaute

Farida Alatif, 31, Photographer and Producer

Photo: Liisa Jokinen

“I wear vintage most of the time because I appreciate the classic cut, quality, and materials. Today I wanted to give off more Telfar vibes. I appreciate their retro aesthetics and outlines. Timelessness inspires my style. I dress for comfort, my body type, and classic cuts. I’m from London and it is very London and New York to wear a lot of black. My style philosophy: Do you.”
Instagram: @faridaalatif

Abdu Ali, 28, Musician

Photo: Liisa Jokinen

“I’m wearing a vintage abstract tunic, vintage silk pants, Adidas, and a wooden infinity necklace. I wanted to look classic and futuristic but comfy. I’m inspired by the fantastic but nostalgic energy that emanates from my hometown, Baltimore. My style philosophy is always wear something that is 100 percent you but just make sure your comfort comes first.”
Instagram: @abdu__ali

Flame Faire, 19, Artist

Photo: Liisa Jokinen

“I’m wearing a vintage Burberry shirt, a Gucci bag, vintage shoes and jacket. The New York weather was extremely gray today so I went for a darker look. It was all put together in a few minutes. My inspiration comes from anything and everything. It can be an old man on the subway, an art piece, even nature. My style is mostly a reflection of how I see the world. I would describe it authentic, moody, and comfortable.”
Instagram: @flameflaire

Maiya Carmichael, 24, Fashion Assistant at Essence Magazine

Photo: Liisa Jokinen

“I’m wearing a thrifted Rafaella blazer, a modified Rag & Bone button-down, GG’s Social Pants, heels by Steve Madden, GG’s Social Ear Cuff, a Fossil watch, and a Carolee earring. I chose this look today because I love pattern-mixing. I’m inspired by the people and places around me. I like to take things from different experiences and create my own look. If the piece doesn’t evoke emotion, don’t wear it.”
Instagram: @_mcqn

Michael Rank Jr., 21, Stylist

Photo: Liisa Jokinen

“I’m wearing Acne Studios glasses, a Mister Freedom denim shirt, a Staatsballett T-shirt, Dries Van Noten jeans, G.H. Bass & Co. hand-painted loafers, and heirloom jewelry. Western films and the Gold Rush era inspire my style. My style philosophy is to wear what makes you feel strong.”
Instagram: @michaelrankjr

Marisa Baklayan, 21, Stylist

Photo: Liisa Jokinen

I’m wearing a vintage dress, MM6 shoes, a Telfar bag, Vivienne Westwood earrings, and Dalmata rings and bracelets.”
Instagram: @icloudchic

Who Are These Stylish People?