What can be said about this photograph? It is a direct parallel between a time in London during the 1970’s when the law was not strictly abided by, the streets were rough and the time with the Post Punk music scene was exploding with the youth growing with a strong fashion sense. Nothing has changed much in London with the old Victorian architecture still proudly standing boldly. Big black oak doors with the matching front brass handles sits perfectly still as travelers go by. The young man sits between sophistication and casual. Breaking the formal suiting with a pair of cropped dark indigo denim matching his dark blazer jacket and inner loose collar buttoned shirt. His big red leather day bag and Chatham shoes are both complimentary to his dress sense.

This was captured by Scott Schuman in Hoxton. It is an area which sits in the London Borough of Hackney, right next to Shoreditch in East London. The pop party club flyers usually stucked on passing brick walls gives its immediate identification. Sitting also next to Dalson, it gives a real street vibe where many young contemporary designers and illustrators reside and the prominent build up of the arts and theatrical cultural establishment in Hackney.

You can’t ignore the gentleman’s way of dress but it is a permanent photograph. It captures the real street representation of London with low-income families and council estates, it speaks from the heart, a time of poetic upheaval and this is where fashion is truly alive.