Keith was an awfully good sport about being comedic fodder for my Catch and Release foray into fiction. When I saw this exquisite jacket from Engineered by Andrea T, I immediately flashed on Keith Richards—he would totally wear this jacket! Check out the glimmer of chartreuse silk lining. Simply gorgeous! So I decided to design this month’s quirky style as a tribute to the fictional Keith, who bore such a seductive resemblance to the real live Keith Richards, circa 1989.

In keeping with the rock’n’roll spirit, I knew I would wear these flared jeans, so that piece was easy. The next step was to get boots that would sync to the Keith Richards image. I went to DSW by Union Square, and the minute I clapped my eyes on these studded red snakeskin beauties, I knew I’d found the perfect solution. I love them, to boot!

The final piece was the top. I was thinking a silver chainmail tank, and I checked out a few places for booty, but my vision didn’t appear. So I just trusted something would turn up. On the day of the shoot, I dug into the back of my closet, and found this sexy BDSM-collared number in the depths. I’d picked it up at a fetish shop in San Francisco many years ago, when I was doing training at the Institute for Advanced Studies in Human Sexuality. I never had an opportunity to wear it, but now the moment had come. The perfect finishing touch for a female Keef. Blessings to all the Keiths out there.

We did the photo shoot in the Meatpacking District, on Gansevoort Street near Pastis. Then we wandered over to the Whitney, intent on having brunch on the patio at the Standard Grill, at the hotel where Chapter 6 of Catch and Release took place! Closing the circle…

An artist named Denis Ouch was displaying his homage to Andy Warhol on the sidewalk next to the Whitney, so we took this impromptu picture. I love the sentiment expressed here! Don’t fuck with me! That’s right. Nobody fucks with Elvis, especially when he’s brandishing a banana!

New York is a Type A town. But we know how to get down! I went to Village Revival Records on June 12, Record Store Day (thanks for the tip-off, Kim!). The store was absolutely packed with customers and staff, masked and gleeful to revel in vinyl. I picked up a new reissue from Keith Richards, Wicked As It Seems, with a live track of Gimme Shelter on the B-side. He’s still the scary-baddest boy in rock’n’roll. Check it out!

This column was originally published in the July issue of WestView News. As always, there’s extra photos here and I added a few more details to the story as well. Thanks for joining me this month.

Style Notes

• Midnight blue and black brocade jacket with silk-satin lapels and pocket detail. Engineered by Andrea T. 147 West 35th Street (by appointment only).
• Veronica Beard 1970s style “Beverly” high-waisted skinny flare jeans. Bergdorf Goodman. 754 Fifth Avenue.
• Black jersey split chemise with diamond and chain t-strap and collar. Kookie Intl. 1201 Folsom St. San Francisco.
• Red snakeskin boots with silver studs encircling the base. Charles by Charles David Dodger Chelsea boots at DSW. 40 E. 14th Street.
• Sparkly silver platform peep-toe sandals. Jimmy Choo. Sample sale, invitation only.