Articles by

kit mills

Kat is a graphic designer and a recent transplant to New York from some unspeakably boring place in the Midwest. Holds a BFA in illustration from Syracuse University (2011). Likes cooking, long solitary walks, Tom Waits, well-dressed humans, dirty martinis, cartography, and properly-kerned typography.

 
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Arts & Culture
05/24/13 11:00am

The Art of Style by Kit Mills 023: Summer Colors

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Contrary to what the Starks up at Winterfell would have you believe, summer is coming. For those of us who feel exposed and uncomfortable without a scarf and blazer on, this is a tragic time of year involving a lot of forlorn sweating, sunburn, and gin-and-tonics with a very high ice-to-tonic ratio. On the plus side, not everyone is a total curmudgeon about putting away their collection of wool sweaters until September, which means there are cute people everywhere enjoying their breezy summer duds in the great outdoors. People-watching is better in warm weather, for obvious reasons, so one of my favorite low-intensity things to do is put together a good summer playlist (usually a lot of the White Stripes, Violent Femmes, and Van Morrison) and go for a walk.  (more…)

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Arts & Culture
05/10/13 1:00pm

The Art of Style by Kit Mills 022: Waffle Studs

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Waffle-patterned shirts for waffle-lovers

Last Sunday afternoon was bright, crisp, and gorgeous—ideal weather to set out on a quest for Belgian waffles. I’d heard tales of the Wafels & Dinges truck(s) providing delicious Euro goodness topped with a mound of whatever waffley condiment pleases you, but had never actually seen one in the flesh. (Or in the truck? In the metal-and-painted-wood? Language is weird.) My pal Katie and I took a leisurely stroll through Central Park South and spotted our quarry outside the eastern gate. The line was sizeable, proving once again that New Yorkers have top taste in street food, and we settled in to observe our fellow waffle devotees. Lots of tourists stopping for a break before heading to their next museum, but there were some interesting-looking humans in the mix.

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Arts & Culture
04/26/13 9:08am

The Art of Style by Kit Mills 021: Don’t Forget to Look Down

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Shine up my old brown shoes

There are two types of people in the world: those who consider shoes a fashion accessory, and those who see them as things to protect your feet from a sidewalk full of dirt, sharp objects, and gobs of chewed gum. Of course, the two species of shoe-wearers are not mutually exclusive. There’s a continuum between the two polarities, allowing most of us to fall somewhere in between Crocs and Louboutins.

As city-dwellers, most of us spend a lot of time walking. Practical shoes (or a high pain tolerance) are a necessity, which limits the aesthetic options for those of us who have places to go and hate blisters. This gentleman seems to have it all figured out—the leather of his caramel-colored brogues look comfortably broken-in but polished and well-cared-for. These are the shoes of someone whose sense of style is effortless and classic, emphasizing the quality and care of items over flash. They’re noticeable, but only if you bother to look down.

Follow The Art of Style by Kit Mills.  For more of Kit’s work, check out their website.

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Arts & Culture
04/12/13 9:08am

The Art of Style by Kit Mills 020: Going Red

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What’s black and white and read all over?

This week I have something a little different to talk about on the Art of Style. I’ve just finished illustrating a novel (!) and wanted to profile my partner in crime and the brains of the operation, Ms. EJ Koh. Every time I see her, I’m struck by how dead cool she looks, and can say without a doubt that her writing has exactly the same qualities as her personal style—sharp, irreverent, and a little confrontational. This is a typical outfit—slouchy shirts and pants paired with structured elements like leather jackets. She’s also got some cool tattoos:

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Arts & Culture
03/29/13 8:58am

The Art of Style by Kit Mills 019: Benched

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Puttin’ on the Ritz

Life in New York is fast-paced, and sometimes one doesn’t have time to go home for a leisurely wardrobe change before heading out to one’s next rendezvous. Sometimes one just needs to finish getting ready on a park bench. (Watch out for pigeons, though.) As far as I can tell, he’s going for a basic four-in-hand knot. Don’t know how to tie a tie? There’s an app for that. See? Don’t let anyone tell you that style isn’t practical.

The 1920s-style slickback undercut is also a nice touch. Fashion has a long tradition of reaching into the past and grabbing what it finds for inspiration, and I love seeing old-fashioned touches like this fellow’s haircut juxtaposed with something as modern as the iPhone balanced on his knee.
Follow The Art of Style by Kit Mills.  For more of Kit’s work, check out their website.

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Arts & Culture
03/15/13 12:00pm

The Art of Style by Kit Mills 018: Queen of the Underground

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She rules with an iron fist

Oh, Williamsburg. Waiting for the L at the Bedford stop late on a Saturday night is always a fascinating visual experience. I always seem to miss the Manhattan train by a minute and end up having to wait ages for the next one, so there’s usually ample time to people-watch. There are usually some genuinely interesting-looking people hidden among the crowds of Urban Outfitters devotees.

This young lady was standing by herself a few paces in front of of me, waiting for the train with the air of someone too well-bred to let on how impatient they are. She looked positively majestic with her soft suede boots and heavy, fur-trimmed cloak, which swished about her knees every time she shifted her weight. And then I noticed the little tiara of spikes peeking out through her hair. Had I spotted the fabled Underground Queen? Perhaps. She rides the rails all night long, kissing babies and dispensing metro cards, a royal retinue of grotty subway rats trailing behind. Long may she reign.

Follow The Art of Style by Kit Mills.  For more of Kit’s work, check out their website.

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