392. Jake Davis Test Shots.....(E. Village, NYC)

A couple of days after returning from Los Angeles, I had the great pleasure of working with an awesome filmmaker, Jake Davis for his popular 'Test Shot' series. For those not familiar with his work, he directed videos for the likes of Drake and Snoop Dogg, among many other artists, as well as great people I know and admire who have done test shots before me (blog pals Street Etiquette, Jeremy Kirkland and James Wilson, Esquire Editor Josh Peskowitz, and Schott Creative Director Sir Greg Chapman).

We shot this at an alley on Extra Place, just a few hundred yards from where CBGB once stood (that always passes through my mind when I'm in that area) and there's a little visual tribute to punk (although I left my Ramones pin at home).


Jake Davis Test Shots: James Jean from Jake Davis on Vimeo.

391. On The Street....(Bleecker St., NYC)

I've been subconsciously (until just now) taking way more style notes from the ladies, mainly because I've been getting bored with my day to day casual wardrobe at times and since I always find womenswear to be more of a challenge, intriguing and exciting, a lot of times I find inspiration in a look like this.

390. The Green Eyed Bandit....(Hudson St., NYC)

I wanted to throw this photo in a black and white setting so bad but I'd be doing a huge disservice to her piercing green eyes.

389. Devil In A Red Suit.....

Enough has been said about Kanye West over the years...so one more little editorial wouldn't hurt, no? I've been inspired by his sartorial choices as of late....and I don't write this from a biased point of view, because I'm an obvious fan of his but more of a fan of personal style, you can't help but to acknowledge his recent change of pace. Since Mr. West broke through the mainstream bubble back in early 2004, he's always stood out against his fellow contemporaries and as the years passed and his personal and artistic tastes progressed, Kanye has seperated himself from the pack and more so in the last month.

This all came to a head last weekend when he appeared at the MTV VMA's, sporting an electric red suit with multiple chains, channeling a "Delirious" era Eddie Murphy and a more subtle Mr. T back in their respective peaks. The following two days, making a cameo appearance at Eminem and Jay-Z's "Home and Home" concert series, he showed up in red again, this time leather being the choice fabric, including one of those days with a leopard top underneath.

While most may frown upon these looks and consider this an easy target practice, I appreciate it, considering not many artists are capable of taking risks like he and Lady Gaga are (see: "Meat Dress") and with that excitement they collectively bring to the struggling music business, this reason more than anything else is why they are both the best out right now, but I digress.

388. Don't You Step On My Blue Suede Shoes....(Spring, St., NYC)

387. Tres Chic....(Los Angeles, CA)

386. The Kids Are Alright....(La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles)

385. The Student....(Los Angeles, CA)

384. The Straw Hat.... (Soho, NYC)

This begins one of the final summer images we'll see for the year as we transition into the most wonderful time of the year (Fall). With that said, it's tough for me to type this, fighting with the beautiful California weather for the last four days, showing no signs of slowing down. Either way, I've been lurking on ebay, looking for fall essentials, wool blazers, knits and trousers, etc., even scooped up a pair of Ralph Lauren white suede bucks for next to nothing....and in case you were wondering, they will see tons of post labor day daylight (don't subscribe to that silly notion, por favor).

383. On The Street....(Greenwich Village, NYC)

382. Later Alligators....

Well, here's my "goodbye New York, I'm only gonna cheat on you for less than two weeks and attempt not to enjoy it too" much post. Lots of cool things on tap in the coming weeks, can't wait to document them as they come along.