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 street style series that looks at what people are wearing in the coolest neighborhoods in countries around the world—beyond the confines of fashion week. So far we’ve checked out the Roma neighborhood in Mexico City, Fort Greene in Brooklyn, Harajuku in Tokyo, and El Rastro in Madrid. And we’re kicking off our global tour this year with a visit to Central and South Delhi in India with 31-year-old photographer Naveli Choyal, who’s originally from Asjmer, Rajasthan. Here’s what she had to say about it:
All these neighborhoods in Central and South Delhi—Humanyur, Shahpur Jat, Lodhi Art District, Janpat—have been around for years, and over time they’ve become cultural hotspots for young people. Their history is what makes them special for me; like how you’ll be walking around the streets of Shahpur Jat trying to get to one of the many hole-in-the-wall cafes or shops, only to unexpectedly reach the ruins of an old monument. You’ll see people from all walks of life, which gives these areas personality and character; it’s almost like the neighborhoods are people in a way. It’s my favorite thing about them—the energy and movement/coexistence of different lives!