A good eye is essential for street style photography, but sometimes getting a shot has a lot to do with serendipity. Had I not decided to linger for a bit on the block where I encountered Christopher Skala and Alexandra Cadell in London, our paths would never have crossed.
So much about them caught my eye, from their similarly shaped glasses frames, to the ways both wore their scarves, to the complementary bright tones of their clothes. My interest grew after Mr. Skala, 61, described himself professionally as “a walking god in a group of 3-year-olds” because he has worked on television shows including “Peppa Pig.” After telling me that, he said dryly, “But you’re not 3, so you wouldn’t know that I’m a living legend.”
Mr. Skala, who was born in Chicago, has lived in London since he was 5-years-old, he said in a flawless American accent. “I worked on my accent because I wanted to be an American,” he added, noting that he’s also a fan of classic American work wear. “It’s never going be totally in fashion, but it’s never going to be out of fashion,” Mr. Skala said. “You get variations of it in every decade.”
He and Ms. Cadell, 64, explained that they had known each other for almost 40 years; she was a friend of his sister’s who also became a friend of his. On the Saturday in March when we met, the two had gotten together for lunch while Ms. Cadell, who now lives in Italy, was visiting London to see her two daughters who live there. She said the palette of her ensemble reflected a decision to wear less black and navy after recently having a color analysis consultation.
“I had no idea that I’m warm,” she said, referring to the type of hues that work best with her complexion.
Simbarashe Cha is a Times photographer and visual columnist documenting style and fashion around the world.
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