Faguette Files: A Conversation With Nygel Simons

Over the events of the past year, we as a society have a faced turbulence of reality, mostly too much of it. In the beginnings of quarantine we used social media not just as a lens into which to be informed and connected but ultimately escape. There was this underbelly of fashion archivists, bloggers, and just people who developed a following of those who loved luxury and needed to pretend that the world was just as easeful and glamorous as the ones my fellow online cohorts posted about.

Enter in Nygel Simons, a content creator that goes beyond just tweets and Instagram posts, but a man who curates everything with intense detail and intention. His Instagram looks like the pages of an archive Vibe Magazine and his tweets are like a lookbook of the fabrication of what style is. Adults like him who grew up in the height of Y2K mania, frenzied with questionable fashion and limitless formative concepts, taking heed from the likes of rap visionary Hype Williams and pop cultures provocateurs like Kanye West and Rihanna.

Nygel and I first built a report with a each other roughly 3 years ago as I fell into the wonderland of his mind and I felt so enthusiastic about this art gallery he had made. A young black boy from Miami who was just as obsessed with the whisper vocals of Cassie and the fashion architecture of Tom Ford, just seemed surreal to me. We also shared a love of Pharrell Williams and translating the parallels that hip hop had in the real world of luxury fashion. Below, Nygel and I talk Skateboard P and the evolution of black style and culture.

Nygel Referencing Kelis Via Twitter

Fendi Faguette : So Nygel, you have cultivated a dedicated following based off of your archival content. How did you get started and where did the curiosity of researching fashion stem from ?

Nygel Simmons : Since I can remember I've always had a love for fashion. But me being an archivist was not intentional. Spending my teenage years on Tumblr, I hoarded thousands of fashion photos and videos on my phone and laptop under the impression that I would post or have a need for it all one day. I wrote down a concept for Nygel Sartorial in 2016, but I didn't take action. Around this time, I was spending hours putting looks together on Polyvore. My following on Polyvore was just starting to take off, then Polyvore shut down. And that later encouraged me to start Nygel Sartorial on Twitter in early 2018. I just wanted to create a digital space where I can post the content that I wanted to see online and share my styled looks I created on Polyvore. After consistently posting and promoting myself on Twitter for a few weeks, I caught the attention of one of my mutuals Wanna (@WannasWorld). She made a tweet praising me, then one of my styling posts caught the attention of Bri Malandro (@BriMalandro) through one of our mutuals (@fanajacobs), and my following grew rapidly from there. Me being a perfectionist, I then thought of ways to make following me a truly unique experience with this newfound exposure I was getting. I started investing (thousands of dollars) in magazines so I could scan my own content, and I sought to go the extra mile creatively and with providing context to the content I post. But I have a true passion for fashion and aesthetic, it's something that's always been in me. Archiving and content curation was something I was doing without realizing it (and keeping it to myself) for years before I started the page. I can't pinpoint where my curiosity of fashion stems from, but it's been a long marriage.

IG story posting, a Polyvore set, and a glimpse at Nygel’s Instagram.

FF: You and I both from Miami, growing up we saw in influx of various cultures ranging from the across the diaspora. How much did being raised in that city, especially during the height of southern rap culture, affect your personal taste and curation?

NS: That's a great question. I think it's given me a different kind of appreciation for confidence and sex appeal in life and in fashion. Ironically I moved here in 2004 during the shift in rap culture when the south took over. There is a lot of Southern, Latin, Caribbean, Dancehall/Reggae and Rasta influence in my aesthetic and I definitely have to attribute that to my upbringing in South Florida and my Panamanian background. Thankfully, it has affected my personal taste and curation choice because as insane as Florida is, I believe there is a lot of talent and inspiration down here.

Tyra Banks in “Miami Ice” by Lauren Greenfield for Elle Magazine (June 2003), Dior ‘Rasta’ campaign by Nick Knight (2004), Trina wearing Gucci by Tom Ford F/W 2000 (found by Nygel), Gianni Versace in his Miami mansion.

FF: Twitter appears to be your strongest outlet and way of connecting with an audience, a mixture of current and archives written pieces. How do you see your influence on social media growing in the future?

NS: I see my influence growing larger in the future and putting me in a position to pay it forward and pivot to other avenues of fashion, business and the arts. This is only the beginning.

Nygel’s tweets

FF: A big part of your posting is in relation to music, mostly hip and R&B. We also share a love of vintage music videos, what are some of your favorite fashion moments in music history ?

NS: This is very cliché but my all-time favorite fashion moment in a music video would be model Jeannette Chaves' look featuring the iconic Spring 2003 Trosman Churba dress in Jay-Z's 'Excuse Me Miss' video in 2003. The look was styled by (the legendary) June Ambrose, and anything that a video director would want a lead model to convey (through her styling) was successfully executed in that video, and that is an understatement. Anyone who has watched that video, knows exactly what I'm referring to. I love the song, and it's produced by my favorite super-producer duo The Neptunes, but Jeannette really stole the show in the visual. I and many others watch the video, waiting for her to appear. There were many stunning women in great looks in that video, but Jeannette's look superseded anything you had seen prior to her appearance in the video. June Ambrose fulfilled her objective exceptionally and it is remembered 18 years later. In 2019, I found the actual designer of the dress (Trosman Churba) after it was rumored online for years to be Paco Rabanne. Jeannette also won an award for her appearance in the video for 'Best Video Vixen' at the 2003 Vibe Awards. I could go on. Another favorite moment of mine is Cassie in the first scene of her 'Official Girl' Music Video in 2008. The look was styled by Marni Selofonte (an amazing stylist, who later went on to work with Beyoncé, The Kardashians, and Mattel designing her own series of Barbie Dolls). Chris Robinson's videography along with the amazing Givenchy Spring 2008 Suede Gladiator "Mummy" Heels she was wearing really captivated me as a child watching that video. Thinking about it, I'm also pretty sure that moment contributed to my love for gladiator heels, I love using them when putting together looks. I remember where I was, and how old I was when I first saw both of those videos and I think that should be the goal of a music video. To be memorable, captivating and have true "moments". I think people like myself remembering these fashion moments also speaks to the importance of styling. I would imagine recording artists would like their videos to be memorable, and great styling often takes your video to the next level towards that objective.

Model Jeanette Cheaves in Trosman Churba S/S 2003, Cassie in Givenchy S/S 2008 ‘Mummy’ boots and carrying Louis Vuitton S/S 2008 duffel bag, Mariah Carey in Dsquared2 S/S 2005. Naomi Campbell in Dolce & Gabbana S/S 2004. All videos styled by June Ambrose and Marni Senofonte

FF: You had the chance to work with Aleali May, someone I’m obsessed with, what was that experience like styling such a major figure in the online fashion space ? And is styling something we can expect more of in the near future?

NS: Aleali was the first major fashion figure to follow and praise me. I sent her a dm introducing myself a couple days after she followed me, and we've been cool ever since. We share a birthday (July 10th), we like and research a lot of the same things (at the same time unknowingly) and have a lot of the same books. It's crazy.

But one day I sent her an eBay listing for these amazing vintage Alexander McQueen Spring 2000 white leather pants and a concept/suggestions for a shoot (the Hokusai backdrop paying homage to The Neptunes 2002 FADER photoshoot) and she loved it,

and it was done. I love her, she's one of the best people I've met in the industry thus far. It's inspiring to see all of the things she's accomplished since I discovered her on Tumblr in high school. But as far as styling, I love putting looks together and I'll be styling more looks in the future, but I currently have a project in the works that has all of my focus. Stay tuned.

Aleali May photographed by Monte Christo referencing The Neptunes by Jonathan Mannion for The Fader Magazine (2002) for Tiffany & Co. wearing Alexander McQueen S/S 2000. Creative direction and styling by Aleali May and Nygel Simons

FF: When we think of fashion, it consistently correlated to women. We share a love of Pharrell, someone I feel like is an original in so many ways. What first drew you to his style and what other men have swayed you as well ?

NS: Only Pharrell comes to mind. I've always been enamored with Pharrell, and what I believe drew me to his style was how different yet vibrant and refreshing it was, especially compared to what was popular at the time of his solo single debut (2003). The term "culture reset" is misused and abused online, but Pharrell and his brand was a cultural reset to the Hip-Hop community to say the least. He didn't have to "sell himself" because it came naturally and it was dope because he was so different yet you could sense that he was comfortable in his own skin. I have an affinity for naturally fly, confident people. (Pharrell might have been my first love lowkey)

Photographed with Karolina Kurkova for Vogue US (April 2006) by Mikael Jansson. Nylon Guys cover shoot wearing Stephen Sprouse for Louis Vuitton. Shot by Mert & Marcus for Louis Vuitton F/W 2006. Paper magazine cover feature by Don Monick carrying crocodile Hermes Haut A Courroies handbag. Featured in 'Rapper’s Delight’ by Xevi Muntane for V Magazine F/W 2003 issue #26. Rollercoaster Magazine by Kenneth Cappello. IceCream Footwear sneakers designed by Pharrell and NIGO. The Face Magazine by Matthias Vriens. GQ Magazine Style supplement issue (2008)

FF: Who are some of the best dressed celebs right now in your opinion?

NS: I don't really check for most people believe it or not, but Rihanna (of course), Aleali (May), Zendaya, Teyana Taylor, Dess Dior (her team is killing it), Bree Runway (she's an icon), JT, Mariah The Scientist, Bia and Selangie (Owner of Sel Doval Swimwear) come to mind.

FF: Are there some fashion and celebrity figures you felt surprised were fans of your work?

NS: No crazy stories, but Kehlani & Ryan Destiny both followed me this month so took me by surprise. Wait. Actually I was shocked when I went to follow Sha'carri Richardson and saw that she already followed me. THAT was surprising.

FF: Where would you like to see black people in fashion spaces moving forward ? Essentially, are there any black designers, stylists, or photographers do you see pushing us towards the apex of something better?

NS: I would like to see black people in fashion spaces that allow for the full extent of their creativity to be expressed with minimal limitation. As far as designers I think most of the black designers are doing great work, Telfar Clemons is making history with the Telfar brand and the shopping bag. I think Theophilio is dope and I LOVED Maximillian Davis' last collection. Stylists? I admire Law Roach and Patti Wilson, and I think Scot Louie, Todd White and Bryon Javar are legends in the making. Also, Donté Maurice & Ahmad Barber have produced stellar work thus far and I see them being instrumental in the future of black photography in pop culture.

Latto styled by Todd White, Telfar Clemmons for the Liberian Olympic Team, Theophilio featured in Vogue US June 2021 issue, Cardi B photographed by Donte Maurice and Ahmad Barber, Maximilian FW 2021, Vogue Italia January 2021 issue styled by Patti Wilson, Anya Taylor Joy styled by Law Roach, and Ryan Destiny styled by Scot Louie.

FF: Lastly, what social media accounts should we be following ?

NS: You of course! @FendiFaguette

Rashida Reneé & Chris of @HowToBeAFuckingLady

Bri Malandro @BriMalandro

Tianni Graham of @ArchiveAlive

@BibbyGregory / @BlackFashionFair

Shelby Ivey Christie (@Bronze_Bombshel)

Costume Designer, Biancha Jones @BianchaJones

Kim Daniels AKA @TheKimbino

(For The Foodies) @DinnerPlus by Scot Louie