If you’re starting to get the feeling that you’re being judged, you probably are—and it’s probably Monsieur Jerome who is doing the judging. As the latest addition to the Brooklyn Magazine team—he’s our resident street style photographer—Jerome is making a habit out of patrolling the streets of Brooklyn in search of the borough’s most stylish denizens.

According to him, finding subjects isn’t hard at all: “Brooklyn is where new habits are created; its diversity, cheaper living, and unpolished attitude are making it a giant laboratory.” Since moving to New York from Paris four years ago, and then officially launching his website MonsieurJerome.com in December, the photographer continues to be impressed by what he sees. “In Europe, you care about being elegant, [whereas] New York is more about who you think you are, regardless of the rules,” he says, adding, “People here are so energetic, creative, sometimes crazy, but more than anything else, unique in their dress.”

Of course, as street style becomes a more accepted concept—with some photographers (please, we don’t name names here at Brooklyn Magazine) it’s become practically scripted—so too does the desire to be among the pretty faces captured by a photographer. Because really, how else can you determine your self-worth if not with the judgment of someone else? So to help you up your chances of catching Monsieur Jerome’s eye, we’ve grilled him for his not-totally-serious guide to becoming Brooklyn’s first street style star.

“Yes, I get it, you’re very proud of your Givenchy T-shirt—but you can’t buy style,” Monsieur Jerome says sagely.



You know the type: pouty face, perfectly disheveled hair, and seemingly nowhere to go and nothing to do. Will our photographer bite? Nah. “You’re posing like a model at the crosswalk, desperate to be noticed,” is how Jerome sees it.



“Is Williamsburg’s riverfront the new Murray Hill?” asks our photographer. We’ll let you answer that question, but needless to say, you won’t find him there.



Waterfront or not, this isn’t Murray Hill, so don’t dress like it is. As Jerome puts it, “Is preppy the new boring?”



Our photographer would like to singlehandedly help revive the economy by focusing his camera on those decked out in the latest and greatest (although remember, head-to-toe designer is a big no-no). “Stores are packed with good designs—shop, you’ll be rewarded,” he points out.



Don’t let The Sartorialist fool you—some street style photographers actually prefer it if you show off your pearly whites. At least, ours does; “happiness is so maj,” is how he puts it.



“New York is all about being outstanding,” says Jerome. What does that mean for your wardrobe? “Prints, colors, accessories—the more the better!”



You’re not Alec Baldwin, so be nice to our French friend with the camera. Oh yeah, and be yourself. “I want you, not just your clothes!” exclaims Jerome. Did you hear that? He totally wants you.