Fashion is self-expression. It’s one of the reasons why we love to people-watch, and one of the reasons why street style has become one of the defining photographic genres of our time. Few things are as inspiring as seeing the way people dress in their everyday lives (just ask Matthieu Blazy, who continually cites “the streets” as inspiration for his celebrated vision at Bottega Veneta).
Which is why we launched a new street style series that looks at what people are wearing in the coolest neighborhoods in countries around the world. This summer weve checked out Mexico City neighborhood of Roma and its surroundings, Bed-Stuy and Fort Greene Park in Brooklyn, and Harajuku, Tokyo. For this installment, we’re off to El Rastro, the oldest open-air market in the neighborhood of Embajadores in Madrid, Spain, with photographer Daniel de Jorge. Here’s what he love about this area:
Embajadores has been around for centuries, and the history of the El Rastro market goes back over 400 years; it’s the most famous open-air flea market in Spain where people gather to go for a walk every Sunday. The neighborhood is pretty multicultural and eclectic, but it’s also one of the most “castizo” barrios—meaning classical genuine Madrid style—ever, so these contrasts make it a great place. It’s a cultural center. There’s La Casa Encendida, one of the most important multicultural spaces in Madrid to enjoy exhibitions, or go to films or music sessions. Cemento is one of the bars with a vibrant creative scene, and Tabacalera is a great place to see salsa dancing—they both also host art exhibitions. The Museo Reina Sofia is Spain’s biggest contemporary art museum, but you can also just enjoy African collectives playing drums on the street.
The classic spot for tapas after Rastro is Bar Cruz; but you can find food around Lavapiés from lots of different places in the word, like Senegal or India. Also the Mercado de San Fernando is a great place with really different kinds of food. There’s always something to do, from cultural things, to having a “caña” [a beer served in a small glass around 6 or 7 oz] or a vermut with friends. It’s all there.
Related Stories from Vogue:
Street Style in the Surrealist Mexico City—“The Space of Illusion”
