Blogger And Illustrator Richard Haines Is All About A Uniform

by The Inside Source | 4:43 pm, October 22nd, 2010

Street style blogs may be ubiquitous nowadays, but there are three reasons why What I Saw Today stands out from the crowd: First, whereas most of these blogs track the ladies, blogger Richard Haines documents the guys. Second, instead of photographing his subjects, Haines keeps pen and paper at the ready, reducing his impressions to quick line sketches—drawings that often reveal more about the subject’s personality than could be grasped from a photograph. And third, his blog is really really good. Stephen Watson, a regular contributor to The Inside Source, an online style magazine presented by eBay, recently chatted with Haines about his penchant for uniform dressing, his artistic process and why attitude is everything.

Haines also shared his personal eBay wish list, a revealing compilation that includes items for both work (Sennelier pastels, Edward Faber watercolor pastels, a Raymond Lowey desk) and inspiration (vintage Vogue magazines, vintage Yves Saint Lauren).

The Inside Source: Do you sketch live and in person, or do you take pictures first and sketch later?

Richard Haines: It really depends on the situation. I see a lot of amazing people on the street—it usually happens quickly, so I introduce myself, take a few shots with my iPhone and sketch them when I get back to my studio. If the timing is right, I’ll do a quick sketch on the street.

TIS: What elements in a person catch your eye? Clothes? Posture?
RH: I’m glad you mentioned posture—that’s a huge factor in sketching. Posture and attitude have everything to do with getting a good sketch. Clothes and ‘fashion’ are secondary. It’s why I love Brooklyn. There are kids here with no money putting themselves together and doing amazing stuff. I’m inspired every day!

TIS: You seem to always be out and about…scouting, parties, shows and you have terrific personal style. Do you have a uniform that takes you to all the different places you go?
RH: Thanks! One of my goals has always been to get dressing down to a uniform. I bought a military jacket at J.Crew a few months ago, and I wear it almost every day. The fit is perfect. I treat it as a blazer with a shirt and tie, or as a casual jacket with T-shirts. The premise is keep the colors simple—navy blue, khaki, white—and solid and you can’t go wrong. I buy my jeans at Uniqlo. They’re the super skinny “000′ for about $30. The cut is as good as the price!

For more with Haines, including the trends that are catching his eye, visit The Inside Source.

The Inside Source writer Stephen Watson authored this article in its original form. Portrait of Richard Haines by Martin Adolfsson. Original sketches by Richard Haines provided by the subject. All photos unless otherwise indicated courtesy of The Inside Source.