Jamie Ferguson has photographed for many brands in the menswear space, and the street style he posts on his Instagram is among the best you’ll see anywhere. I’m a huge fan, both of his art and of him personally. Being that he has a background in menswear and is a constant student of some of the most prestigious names in the industry, he’s got killer style himself.
Last month, the Northern Ireland–based Ferguson and his longtime collaborator, Simon Crompton, were in New York City promoting the launch of their new book, The Casual Style Guide, which sold out quickly that night and has since sold out online as well. This is actually his third book. For the first, The Style Guide, he provided images to supplement Crompton’s text. For the second, the renowned and seminal This Guy, he traveled the world photographing and interviewing some of the most stylish men in the world. Before the launch event at the Armoury on the Upper East Side, I caught up with Jamie to discuss how he first became interested in photography, his new book, what he thinks of menswear content in the modern era, and plenty more.
Fit One
Overcoat by Grenfell; suit by the Anthology; shirt by Permanent Style; scarf by Drake’s; belt by Berg & Berg; socks by TWC; shoes by Alden.
What were you doing prior to photography, and what prompted you to pursue the medium?
I was more involved behind the scenes for brands rather than out and doing the photography on its own. Prior to that, I was working as an actor. And prior to that, I was at university studying law. What brought me into photography was working in menswear; during that time, Tumblr street style was becoming a much bigger thing. I was like, “Wow, this is amazing. I want to learn how to shoot like this.” And incredibly simple, stupid stuff where it was like, “Why is the background blurry and the person’s in focus. What is that? What’s that called?” Then picking up and buying an entry-level camera and trying to figure out how to do that.
Tell me about the new book.
It’s a sequel to a book that we did back in 2017 called The Style Guide. It was basically a coffee-table book of my street-style photography from the archives, which Simon had arranged into categories and commented on why he liked the outfits. The first one was a little more focused on tailoring; this one’s a little more focused on the casual, like workwear, military, and western garments. This time around, as well as providing the photography, I’m writing the commentary alongside Simon. It’s nice because it’s become a bit more of a dialogue rather than just one person. There’s more of a back and forth, and I think I’m offering a different take on things than Simon would.
Fit Two
Jacket by Drake’s; polo shirt by OAC; trousers by Carhartt; belt by Berg & Berg; bag by Ichizawa Hanpu; socks by TWC; shoes by Alden.
Why did you guys choose to write about casual style this time? Is that the way things are trending? Is it a post-pandemic thing?
I don’t necessarily think there was as much extensive thought as that. We wanted to do a sequel to the first one, and because we didn’t get the opportunity to cover much in the way of casual style and clothing, it seemed to be the natural, logical step for this one.
How did you hone your photography style? Any influences?
When I was coming up and when I was getting interested in menswear and photography, it was Scott Schumann’s The Sartorialist. I’m sure it’s true for a lot of other street-style photographers who came up at the same time. Scott was a huge influence. Tommy Ton and the stuff he was shooting at Pitti. I always really looked forward to each Pitti…seeing what style he was picking out from the show.
Fit Three
Jacket by TWC; shirt by Atempo Rubato; sweater by Jameson’s (from Beige Habilleur); trousers by Stan Ray; belt by Drake’s; hat by 18 East; shoes by Moon Star x Buck Mason.
How about personal style? Any influences?
It’s peers and colleagues. I’m very lucky to have worked with a lot of inspiring brands and the individuals and personalities behind those brands. Before I went freelance, working for Drake’s and seeing Michael Hill’s style and the whole team that was coming up through there and who’d gone through those doors to other areas within the industry—all huge influences.
What are some of your current favorite brands?
I’m not going to have enough room to shout out all of them. So if I miss any, apologies to those guys. I love Atempo Rubato. Casatlantic. The Anthology for tailoring. J. Mueser—I love the collaboration they just did with Buck Mason. Wythe. Morjas. Drake’s. Still hugely influenced by them.
Fit Four
Jacket by Sassafras; shirt by Jake’s London with Thomas Mason cloth; jeans by Levi’s; belt by Drake’s; hat by Wythe; watch by Serica; socks by AWMS; shoes by Morjas.
What do you think about the drought of published street style these days, especially versus how much amateur street style exists now through Instagram? When you and I were starting, it was everywhere. Now it seems like no one is paying for this sort of content anymore.
It’s a weird one. I lament the fact that there’s not the availability nowadays that I feel there used to be. A lot of people that I’ve spoken to, they’re feeling similarly—that they would like to see more of that. To a degree, street style is now being produced by brands on their own, which is obviously great, but at the same time there’s not necessarily this aggregator anymore. Seeing all those different styles and all those personalities in one location, in one format, and I’d love to see that again.
I feel like there is a huge part of the public out there that’s well-educated now in terms of style and menswear, and I think because of that education they do want to see more of that stuff where you have to figure it out on your own. What I took from street style initially was seeing how somebody would wear a suit or break it up, or stylistic tweaks they’ve put into their outfit. I like that. I appreciate that kind of stuff more. Everything’s been dumbed down quite a bit and everything needs to be explained or spoon-fed, but I don’t think that’s necessarily helpful in terms of developing your own personal style.
A huge part of that is—not study, because that makes it sound incredibly dry—but it’s looking at those street-style images and just fucking up, making mistakes. Trial and error. A lot of guys out there who are held up as these very stylish guys within the industry have been through that phase where they’re just trying something out, finding out what works for them. That’s very much how they end up getting to a place where they are held up in that regard. I’d love to see more of that. I’d love to see publications or outlets offer more of a platform for that.
Fit Five
Jacket by the Anthology; shirt by Wythe; jeans by Levi’s; beret by AWMS; socks by TWC; shoes by Alden.
If you had to wear one outfit for the rest of your life, what would it consist of?
The older I get, the more I find comfort becomes key. I like to try to balance that with feeling good in what you’re wearing as well. Obviously you can wear sweats and feel good, but I’m like, “Am I going to feel stylish in that?” Not necessarily. So I think it’s often some form of tailoring. It’s probably a jacket, jeans, loafers, and just a loose shirt.
