Phil OhStreet Peeper Founder

"My other crazy purchase is this huge sweatshirt that has this homoerotic embroidery of two centaurs on the front."

Photo by Stevie Dance

"I grew up in Chicago, but I didn’t grow up around clothes or fashion. It was a fairly conservative place – not politically – but just more family-oriented. When I go back, the dry cleaner near my parent’s house is always excited to see my clothes. She’s an older woman, but she studied fashion when she was younger – I think she’s happy to have a break from seeing only white shirts and suits! [laughs] ...

I don’t really like buying 'it-items.' I like a lot of color and print – things that look fun. I know sometimes I end up looking a little bit clownish. … I don’t really get a lot of stuff tailored. I actually kind of like looking a little sloppy. I don’t like a lot of menswear because guys look so perfect and exacting. Everyone is so buttoned up. I like looking a little disheveled. I don’t do it purposely, it’s just what I prefer.

I have two rolling racks in my apartment that are organized by color. … I don’t think I own anything black. Some people look great in black, but it’s just not for me. Most of the things I own have print or pattern. Getting dressed for me is like, ‘Does this plaid go with this plaid? Does this check go with this check? Does this paisley go with this paisley?’ That’s why I’m always late!

A lot of things I buy are things that I can’t wear everyday, so it’s nice to get to dressed up and wear those things in a fashion week context. I think it’s nice if I dress interestingly, so that the people I’m taking pictures of can see that I’m not some sort of paparazzi. … I don’t really prepare what I’m going to wear for fashion month, though. After the last show in New York I go home, throw everything into a suitcase, and roll out the door. I always regret what I pack when I get to Europe, but I’m just too frazzled to think about it. I just hope for the best.

When it comes to photographing street style, I just want people to dress how they want to dress. Of course, it’s nice when people go out and wear those recognizable runway pieces, but I think It’s fun when people break out their favorite things during fashion month, like really cool vintage things. After seeing someone a few times, you can get a feel for what their style is. It’s nice when the perceived personality of someone’s style matches what they’re actually like. I like people who are themselves. … It’s so corny to say this, but style should be really personal. You should just pick what you like." -- Phil Oh to Shop Ghost

Phil Oh photographed in Chinatown by Stevie Dance.

Phil's Tips

Impulse Buys

"The two craziest thing I bought were both impulse buys. One was a jacket from a brand called Diet Butcher Swim Skin, which is a well known brand in Japan. I call it my Purple Rain jacket, because it looks like something Price would have worn. It's purple and grey stripes with ruffles on the front. I don’t know why I bought it. ... My other crazy purchase is this huge sweatshirt that has this homoerotic embroidery of two centaurs on the front. One is stomping on the other one’s face, and there are crystals coming out of their heads. … I never wear it."
Tokyo

"Since I go to Tokyo twice a year, I hold back and try to do all of my shopping in Japan. … Buyers in Japan don’t have the same restrictions as in America – in Tokyo nothing is too crazy and everything sells. The secondhand stores in Japan are just great, too. I’ll find current season Comme des Garçons, Junya Watanabe and Yohji Yamamoto in a secondhand store in almost new condition for like $100."
Shopping Buddies

"I spend a lot of time with Susie Lau [of Style Bubble]. Her and I have really similar sensibilities. What I like about her is that she’ll never tell me something is too much. ... I hate going shopping with Tommy Ton because he makes me buy everything! [laughs] Even if it’s expensive he’s like, 'Treat yourself!'"
Black Tie

"I had to go to a black tie event recently. ... My friend at Ferragamo lent me a black tuxedo, I bought a tuxedo shirt at Uniqlo, and on the way to the event I had the taxi stop at the Ralph Lauren store so I could buy a bowtie. The salesman had to tie the bowtie on me! That was the one time I dressed like an adult. [laughs]"