Looking at the Look Book
Harry Bernstein, this week's subject in New York mag's Look Book, is a Cathew — half Catholic, half Jewish, and all hip-hop. An advertising art director who hasn't found inspiration in much since his peyote trip in the White Sands desert, Bernstein loves Southern girls and "taking two things that already exist" to combine his "original" look. After the jump, Intern Alexis picks the brains of Tiffany Gong, Rachel Khong, and Jacob Carlson for thoughts on Harry's super-original peacoat/hat/scarf combo look.
Tiffany Gong, jewelry designer
What's Harry doing for Valentine's Day?
Probably doing what every other self-respecting Comme des Garcons wearing, Century 21 pillaging, would-be fashionista is doing: recovering from the goody bag snatching, front-row-seat-stealing, and attempted gate crashing of fashion week by sipping some Veuve and surfing lastnightsparty.com in the vain hopes of finding documentation of his sexy stubble-stippled self.
How has the White Sands desert informed his style?
Hm — I'm failing to make the connection between the Yale Photography Graduate Studies program and the influence on how Harry dresses. If I recall, Mr. Crewdson and Ms. Grannan are *marginally* famous for a photography exhibition that featured young female photographers, many of whom photographed young females, many of whom were posed in various states of undress (I would internet fact check, but I'd rather be napping). So? How does this all relate to Harry's choice of charcoal grey matching jacket-spectacle-fedora-set? And what's this nonsense about a Texas influence? All I have to say is the only thing in that palette of monochrome that's keeping him from getting shot the next time he steps between Dick Cheney and a quail is that fancy red scarf of his.
We've totally seen Harry before, but can't figure out where. Where do you think we saw him?
Well HE claims to look like the lovechild of Woody Allen and Howard Stern. If this were actually the case, I'm sure he would have actually burst into flame by now. Whether from a Tourette's-like bout of spontaneous sexual fulmination, or a gradual descent into neurotic self-implosion, I?m not sure. Really though, Alexis. Harry obviously must be the long lost older brother of Alan from Collegiate '00.
What notable Catholics does Harry look like?
St. John the Baptist.
Rachel Khong, Pitchfork's resident Azn girl, Yale Herald A&E editor
What's Harry doing for Valentine's Day?
Listening to hip hop, believe it or not. Keeping purple stuff in his cup. And don't you mean St. Valentine's Day?
How has the White Sands desert informed his style?
Q: How do you blindfold a Chinese person?
A: With dental floss.
Q: How do you blindfold Harry?
A: With sand from White Sands desert.
Anyway, I'm not making fun! To me, Harry is the perfect blend of human and dune.
We've totally seen Harry before, but can't figure out where. Where do you think we saw him?
Obviously he's Jeff Goldblum after the body snatchers got him. Also after Woody Allen and Howard Stern sucked the pigment from his face with a straw. When you squint he sort of resembles the Hamburgler.
What notable Catholics does Harry look like?
St. Francis of Assisi. His scarf doubles as a wattle, which is very helpful especially when speaking to poultry.
Jacob Carlson, world-weary nerd
What's Harry doing for Valentine's Day?
Trolling the Delta terminal at LaGuardia, looking for those few Atlanta-bound Southern Girls who still haven't made it home because of the blizzard. And hopefully visiting a barber.
How has the White Sands desert informed his style?
He was stranded there for two weeks without food or water and lost 75 pounds. He used to be Maer Roshan. Seriously.
We've totally seen Harry before, but can't figure out where. Where do you think we saw him?
Ever been on an L train? There you go! It's lousy with Harry Bernsteins. It's like "Being Harry Bernstein" in there.
What notable Catholics does Harry look like?
Peter or Paul I guess? Those are the only Jews I can think of that might count as Catholics.