I was asked to curate a list of people from the industry to photograph and interview for MMGNET’s channels. I’ve posted a few of these people already using the photos shot for MMGNET and using those meetings as jumping off points to create stories on those people for Context as well. Joseph is one of those people.

I had never really met Joseph before. We’d said “hello”, I’m sure. Maybe even some small talk. But mostly Joseph is another dude from “the internets” who has become a friend. StyleZeitgeist of course. Just like Patrick, Mike, and Peter who I’ve already shared stories about. Dudes draped in various shades of black. I’ve already told that story. Moving on.

Joseph worked for Robert Geller. Robert Geller was, prior to becoming obsessed with black, my favorite brand. Robert was 50% of Cloak, which, although I was absolutely a hipster at the time, I was not “up on” Cloak. I was a late adopter. And I was obsessed with Geller. And since Joseph worked for Geller, I was a fan of Joseph.

So, it’s dumping snow in NYC, and I hop in an Uber from my hotel in SoHo and head to Joseph’s studio in Fort Greene. I get dropped off outside of a big brownstone looking west towards the park. Everything in in NYC is either white, brown, or grey. Joseph opens a door which is either brown or grey and welcomes me into a grey foyer. The building is nearly empty save for some Arne Jacobsen “Næbbet” floor lamps, some music equipment for listening and playing, a rug or two, and some sparse seating options. The lights are mostly off because the show outside is filling the cave of a home with bright white light. A dream for photos.

Joseph shows me his collection in an upstairs room with red walls. About halfway through the walkthrough, I change the subject because I don’t want to talk about work. We talk shit about a mutual “friend” or two who we’ve both had weird experiences with over the past decade. His buddy brings us coffee in stereotypical to-go cups, so we don’t have to go outside. I had penciled in one hour in my calendar and am there for much longer.

It was a really good time.

Joseph shared a showroom a few streets away from my apartment in Paris. In the Marais in June, it’s difficult to get anywhere at all, let alone on time, due to the fact that “everyone” stays in the Marais, has their showroom in the Marais, and eats dinner in the Marais. I’m not popular, don’t get me wrong…but you can’t walk into a Franprix without bumping into someone you want to talk with. That means that even though Joseph was 350 meters away from me for five days, it is very difficult to find time to get to where he is. Does that make sense?

I made it. I arrive and Joseph isn’t there. That’s my luck. Joseph says he’s back in a few minutes, and I stand outside the door, afraid of seeing someone I know. This must be what it feels like to be an adulterer. Joseph shows up looking mostly like Andrew W.K., and a little like a high school bus driver. It’s a vibe. We go in. Talk shit. He tells me a dark story relating to the unofficial inspiration of the collection he’s presenting. Another vibe. A dude shows up wearing the same hat as me (almost) made by our mutual friend Stefan. That’s my cue to leave.

After the snowy Brooklyn shoot, I’ve decided to make it a priority to catch up with Joseph every time we are in the same city during Fashion Week. The rapport that we have is proof that this industry, although often a real fucking bummer, also houses some amazing people. People who don’t drink the Kool-Aid, keeping the cup at arm’s length, knowing it’s there, and choosing to not poison themselves.

My new favorite thing to do during Fashion Week is hang out with people in the industry and not talk about work.

Thanks, Joseph.