Meet Gabriel (Gabe) Johnson, born in Spanish Harlem, raised in Boston and, as of six years ago, a proud resident of San Francisco.
Gabe works as an adman, writing slick copy for the local boutique agency, Engine Company 1. When he's not busy getting wordy, he's involved in the local art and music scenes or in the kitchen, cookin' up something tasty.
Gabe kind of does it all, and he looks damn good while doing it. From nautical stripes to frayed-edge shorts, check out what he's wearing this spring.
What he's wearing outside Tartine: Vintage Eddie Bauer plaid shirt, purchased from Buffalo Exchange; Gray Alternative Earth crewneck sweatshirt, purchased from Alternative Apparel; Trousers and leather belt with anchor buckle from J. Crew; Sebago white leather boat shoes, purchased from DSW; Paul Smith sunglasses, purchased at Bloomingdale's; Timex watch, purchased from Alternative Apparel; Kenmore High School Class of 1937 ring, a family heirloom from Gabe's grandmother, resized and filled with gold by local jeweler, Claudia Kussano.
What he's wearing at Fayes Video: Ben Sherman plaid short-sleeve shirt and suede desert shoes; Gray Alternative Earth crewneck sweatshirt, purchased from Alternative Apparel; Hawkings McGill coral pants, purchased from Urban Outfitters; Artesania woven and leather belt, purchased from Urban Outfitters; Handmade vintage wallet, purchased from Decades of Fashion; "Yahtzee" tattoo by Ross K. Jones.
What he's wearing in his Mission district apartment: Hawkings McGill blue button-down shirt, purchased from Urban Outfitters; L.O.G.G. striped shirt, from H&M; White trousers from United Colors of Benetton; Brown leather Seal of the Sutro oxfords, purchased from Shoe Biz.
What he's wearing on his rooftop: Vintage plaid shirt, purchased from Squaresville in LA; Gray Alternative Earth crewneck sweatshirt, purchased from Alternative Apparel; Levi's denim jacket, purchased from New Jack City; Hawkings McGill tan shorts, purchased from Urban Outfitters; Teal Vans sneakers, from Urban Outfitters; Paul Smith sunglasses, purchased from Bloomingdale's; Enamel pin, purchased from street vendor on Valencia.
Seven Style Questions for Gabe:
1. If you had to choose, great shoes or great coffee?
Both are an important part of my day, but I'd rather drink Philz Coffee barefoot than wear even the nicest shoes and endure an awful headache.
2. What do you not leave the house without?
My red beanie. Oddly, it's not in these photos.
3. What would you not be caught dead wearing?
Any piece that advertises a major brand. Fashion is about color, texture and form, not status or a prepackaged identity.
4. What's your best fashion tip?
If it's in your closet and you're not wearing it, take it to a shop that will give you cash or trade -- it keeps your wardrobe fresh and your style out of an otherwise inevitable rut.
5. What's on your style wish list?
I'd love for someone to give me two grand to spend at New Jack City. After that, I'd like to ask the fashion industry to make more fitted sweaters.
6. I like a lady in...
Heels.
7. What's your SF Top 5?
Visiting the Fraenkel Gallery, digging for records at 101 Music (the Green St. location), eating at Millennium, playing video games at Musee Mecanique, hanging out at Dolores Park.
Lily Ko (lily.7x7 @ gmail.com) studied fashion design and merchandising at Central Saint Martins and the Academy of Art University. In addition to writing for 7x7, Lily is an editor at SF Station, and works as a freelance stylist and apparel designer.
