New feature: Style Street on the Road, The Gregory Brothers, Brooklyn, New York
I ran into one of my hometown neighbors in a mob of people at closing time at Disney World’s Magical Kingdom. I’ve had breakfast with a high school classmate in Iraq. Now well into my life in the fashion world, I’m bumping into Southwest Virginia residents past and present.
It’s becoming something I come to expect each time I hit the road for fashion events along the East Coast.
Whether it’s the Blacksburg native and Virginia Tech student I run into at Charleston Fashion Week, a Roanoker-turned-model at New York Fashion Week, or a Radford University alum who grew up in Wytheville I’m sitting beside at Charlotte Fashion Week, Southwest Virginians are popping up in the fashion world and I don’t think it’s just by chance.
To give you a sense of these encounters, I thought it would be fun to add a new feature when the opportunity presents itself in what I’m calling “Style Street on the Road.”
This will in no way become the main focus of Style Street — I plan on sticking to our local streets — it would just be an addition to what I already offer … which brings me to The Gregory Brothers.
If you’re not from Radford, or kill time randomly searching YouTube, you may have absolutely no clue who they are. The Gregory Brothers — Andrew, Michael, Evan and Evan’s wife Sarah Gregory — though, are Internet celebs whose claim to viral fame is taking your typical television news story and turning it into radio-worthy pop songs with the help of the vocal auto-tune software. Their most notable song is the “Bed intruder Song.”
The best part? Aside from Sarah, who married into the Gregory family, all three brothers grew up in Radford.They now live in Brooklyn, N.Y. But they haven’t forgotten their roots and put on a Christmas concert in Radford each December with 100 percent of the proceeds going to local charities.
Now I’ve met the Gregorys a few times before this encounter, so I’ll admit I dropped hints to them that I was going to be in Brooklyn while in New York last month. Sure enough while in the neighborhood I ran into the Gregorys, told them about my “Style Street on the Road” idea and asked if they minded being the first people to be featured on it. They happily said yes, so I give you my first “Street Style on the Road” post.
In addition to your comments on the Gregorys’ style, please give me your feedback on whether you like the idea of “Style Street on the Road.” If you all approve I’ll make sure to do it again next time I run into any stylish Southwest Virginians while I’m traveling.
Now to the pictures!
Name: Evan Gregory
Something you’d never be caught wearing in public? “There is virtually nothing I would not wear in public.”
What’s this outfit’s signature piece? “My deck shoes.”
Age: 33
Occupation: Music video producer, the eldest Gregory
Hometown: Radford
Lives in: Brooklyn, N.Y.
Something you miss the most from Southwest Virginia: Bobcat Fever
Date: Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2012
Time: 2:14 p.m.
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What caught my eye: When I was a bit thinner I wore T-shirts and cardigans often, it’s a great late-summer, early-fall look. Evan was pretty comfortable with this simple look.
Name: Sarah Gregory
Who is your style icon: “My mom, who is always appropriately attired, crossed with my sister, graceful confidence. A dash of Sienna Miller for her modern boho romance, and undertones of Kate Moss’ minimalist bad-ass style. All filtered through the following criteria: what’s clean, what’s on sale, what’s comfortable.”
What’s this outfit’s signature piece? Button up “boyfriend oxford” shirt.
Age: 30
Occupation: Managing partner of Gregory Residence LLC
Hometown: San Antonio, Texas
Lives in: Brooklyn, N.Y.
Something you miss the most from Southwest Virginia: “Every time I visit SWVA seems to be the perfect time to visit. The mountains and valleys, the culture and people, the rich history all mix together to form a perfect timeless cocktail — a perfectly natural, perfectly American, Norman Rockwellian tableau.”
Date: Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2012
Time: 2:14 p.m.
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What caught my eye: Sarah has a modern simplicity to her style, fitting base layer with her jeans and tank, loose boyfriend-style oxford as a top layer. Minimal accessories, just a watch and gold chain necklace.
Name: Andrew Rose Gregory
Something in your closet you’ve owned the longest? “My jersey from my 7th grade Radford Rec League Soccer Team.”
Age: 30
Occupation: Founder & intern, Gregory Residence Records
Hometown: Radford
Lives in: Brooklyn, N.Y.
Something you miss the most from Southwest Virginia: The mountains, trees, rivers, people.
Date: Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2012
Time: 2:14 p.m.
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What caught my eye: Although I don’t wear them often, I do in fact own a few print T-shirts, hats and cut-off shorts. What are my stipulations for this kind of casual look? T-shirts and hats should have a personal story to them, not just “this is what I got while on vacation.”
Cut-off shorts? Cut them yourself. If you pay for pre-cut shorts you’re trying too hard. I forgot to ask what the story was with the hat, but Andrew cut an old pair of pants into shorts himself, he got his Harverford College shirt at a thrift shop. Andrew actually went to Swarthmore College but Harverford was the rival school.
Name: Michael Gregory
Accessory you never leave home without? “Morty the Dummy”
What’s this outfit’s signature piece? “Morty the Dummy of course.”
Occupation: Entrepreneur
Hometown: Radford
Lives in: Brooklyn, N.Y.
Something you miss the most from Southwest Virginia: Grass
Date: Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2012
Time: 2:14 p.m.
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What caught my eye: Of all the Gregorys, I’ve encountered Michael the most. Each time I see him there seems to be some consistent trends — he likes street wear and rock star sunglasses.
For anyone becoming aware of their style and fashion, sometimes having a “style uniform” is just as important as being stylish. Michael’s style has been consistent each time I’ve seen him.
If you’re wondering what’s up with the doll, well Michael said since girls get to carry around purses, he wanted something he could take around with him also.
October 15, 2012 - 7:50 AM
Little too trendy, hipster for my taste. Love their videos though!
The girl needs a belt but it’s an adorable outfit otherwise. Curious about the pendant on her necklace, it looks interesting but can’t tell without a closeup.
Cutoff shorts, whether bought or made … no.
@Tass, Welcome back
. I get mixed reviews on people who wear belts with their jeans or not. I do 98% of the time, my wife never does. On the pendent, I’ll tweet Sarah and see what she if she’ll tell us what it is.
I’ve held back from commenting but I have to say something really short. I look forward to Style Street but I’m so disappointed with this one. And maybe Michael should carry a purse instead of the dummy. WEIRD! Just my opinion. Enough said…
@Eddie, ha! Fair enough, do remember that Michael is a public personality, being serious might not get a million hits per YouTube video don’t you think? The main question is, do you want to see more Style Street on the road.
David, generally if you have belt loops, you need a belt. That being said, I think lotsa times the ladies can do without the belt be just fine.