In 1977 on the Kings Road, Terry Jones commissioned Steve Johnston to photograph London punks against a wall and called it a Straight-Up. The format quickly became an i-D staple and a bible of global personal style. To celebrate i-D’s relaunch, we took to the streets of five cultural capitals – including New York, where Isobel Rae captured the personal uniforms of nine of the city’s creative residents (clutching a few iced beverages in hand, of course).
Get to know them below and also check out the rest of our Worldwi-De Straight-Ups in London, Accra, Paris and Tokyo.
Daniel Hernandez, 19
The secret to happiness is… The secret to happiness is to learn how to be happy with yourself. What does change mean to you? Change can mean a lot of things. It could be good or bad, It could mean moving somewhere far away, it could be making new friends, it could mean relationships and breakups. It could mean anything.
Harley Jade Walker, 24
What do you do? I guess I do my best. What do you love about New York? I love that I can walk a couple blocks out of my house and run into probably everyone I’ve ever met and known in NYC. It’s basically like town hall over here.
Suzy Clue, 27
What are you wearing from head to toe? Most of it is stuff I thrifted in Marseille. Where do you want to be in five years’ time? Doing a massive arena tour around the world. The secret to happiness is… Crying. What does change mean to you? It’s the meaning of life.
Rian, 22
What do you love about New York? Living in the city just teaches you so much, whether you want to learn it or not. Being so close to everyone forces you to be more empathetic, open-minded and patient. If you could swap places with one person for a day who would it be? Probably any cat.
Hody Yim, 30
What do you love about New York? I’m from Hong Kong, and Hong Kong is basically like NYC, but just an Asian version. I just love the feeling of feeling right at home, but something’s different. Where do you want to be in five years’ time? Anywhere that I feel happy and contained. But most importantly, anywhere that cats are allowed, cause I can’t live without my cats. The secret to happiness is… To surround yourself with cats!
Islam, 21
What do you do? I am a postman for Amazon and I work at a coffee roastery. Where do you want to be in five years’ time? I hope to be a fashion icon in the next five years. If you could swap places with one person for a day who would it be? Dennis Rodman. The secret to happiness is… Doing what you love and being successful from it.
Madelaine, 24
What do you love about New York? I love the diverse style and opportunities. The secret to happiness is… Finding the perfect balance. What does change mean to you? Accepting the past.
Alex Banks, 20
What do you love about where you live? I’m from Alabama but I live in Bed-Stuy right now. When I moved here I was in awe of how beautiful Brooklyn is. It’s so historical. What album do you have on repeat right now? Like most people I’ve been listening to a LOT of Brat. What does change mean to you? Change is super scary but I think all you can do is accept it and adapt.
Igne Indriunaite, 20
What do you love about New York? That it’s so unexpected, vibrant and freeing to be whoever you wish to be. Where do you want to be in five years’ time? Happy and continuously proving to myself that anything is possible. The secret to happiness is… Appreciating what is around you and trusting that everything happens for a reason. Also, chocolate cake.
Photography: Isobel Rae
