He Said/We Said: Laid Back in Vermont

dapperQ is geeked to present our first ever Vermont edition of He Said/We Said (HS/WS)! It gets bleeping cold in Vermont, so the dappers there are not playing around when it comes to style that is both fashionable and functional. As such, dapperQ and photographer Liz LaVorgna selected the Mark McNairy Fall 2014 menswear collection as inspiration for the shoot. The collection is rugged, stylish, and perfect for cold weather wardrobes.

Here’s what photographer Liz LaVorgna had to say about the inspiration and overall experience:

I loved everything about this project, from selecting the Mark McNairy collection to working with the amazing models and the fun photo shoot at the iconic Brooks House in Brattleboro, VT. The Brooks House was built in 1871 and is currently being renovated after a devastating fire, so it was a nice mix of traditional grandeur with tasteful modern flair. This photo shoot was about embracing who you are, being inspired and making it your own. The Mark McNairy collection really echoed the laid back style of Vermont with an element of haute. The models were a dream to work with and we had such a great time. We had the pleasure of stylist Stasia Savasuk assisting us with ideas and thriftspiration. Stasia helps people “achieve congruency in their style so their clothes are a mirror to their soul.” Her daughter Raisia loves to dress in boi style and we asked her to join in for one of the group shots because their story is amazing. I applaud Stasia for supporting Raisia in what she chooses to wear that expresses who she is. It gives me hope that acceptance is growing and I am thrilled to be part of it.

Stasia and daughter Raisia

As for the 411 on the HS/WS project: Models fashion their very own looks using their own resources – I give the inspiration, they give the interpretation. They come to the shoot camera ready: hair, make-up, their own clothes, accessories and props. I didn’t want the series to reflect how to recreate menswear from an individual stylist’s point of view. The goal is to show our readers how a high end menswear collection, that may not otherwise be accessible for a variety of reasons (price, fit, etc.) can be reasonably replicated using creative approaches. For full model bios and outfit descriptions, check out the complete post cross-published here on Autostraddle.

INSPIRATION

Inspiration