Blair Broll Sees Past The Surface

September 12, 2024

For the month of September, office partnered with Alpha Industries to highlight eight icons in New York culture. Each of our September cover stars has shaped the next frontier across fashion, arts, music, and beyond.

Our second September cover star Blair Broll is a casting director, artist, and frontwoman of the band Girl Dick. Starting her career at 19 as a model-turned-intern for a casting director that originally scouted her on the street, Broll has since cemented herself as a singular visionary and subcultural icon in New York’s downtown scene. As a model scout and casting director, Broll has lent her acute taste to countless editorials, campaigns, runway shows and more, with clients including brands like Fendi, Miaou, and Interior and publications like Purple, Interview, and, of course, office.

Notably for someone whose job could be grossly oversimplified as “finding pretty people,” Broll feels most fulfilled when she forms real connections with the individuals she scouts and casts. Her passion for understanding the people she works with sets her apart in an industry often solely focused on appearances. Despite the flashy rooms and larger-than-life personalities her work often surrounds her with — or perhaps, in part, because of them — she is remarkably firm about separating her self-worth and self-image from her accomplishments and looks. “As long as I make a positive impact on people interpersonally in my life,” she says, “that's enough for me.”

Interview Brook Aster
Photography Adam Powell
Styling Cassie Jekanowski
Talent Blair Broll wearing Alpha Industries MA-1 Heritage Bomber
Creative Direction Mitchell Connell
Videography JP Blair
Makeup Cassandra Lee
Photo Assistant Brian Karlsson
Video Assistant Ian Wishart
Creative Producer Liv Solomon
Production Assistant Sophie Collongette
Design Direction/Art Direction W—E Studio, Claudine Eriksson and Piera Wolf
Graphic Design W—E Studio, Hannah Nathans
Special Thanks to Joe & The Juice

Do you have any rituals?

The only ritual I have is praying. I usually pray in the morning and night, and I just think about what I'm grateful for, what [positive] energy I want to bring to myself and others.

What's your favorite place in New York?

My favorite place in New York is the beach in the summer — whether it's Fire Island or Jacob Riis. Like, even if it's kind of trashy, it's still fun.

I love being downtown. My favorite bar is Clockwork. I'm always there having a beer. And I love the West Village, it just still has an iconic super-gay feel. Going to Julius’ or Pier 45 is always super fun.

What is your go-to deli order?

My go-to deli order is an everything bagel with scallion cream cheese, tomato, onion and bacon, and hot sauce, and then some sort of caffeine, like an iced coffee or a Celsius.

I drink coffee in the morning, coffee in the afternoon. If I go out after work, then I drink a Celsius. The marshmallow flavor is everything.

LEFT: BLAIR wears MA-1 HERITAGE BOMBER JACKET by ALPHA INDUSTRIES, DRESS by GALLIANO, HEELS by DION LEE, JEWELRY by MARTINE ALI

RIGHT: BLAIR wears MA-1 HERITAGE BOMBER JACKET by ALPHA INDUSTRIES, TOP by SH4ME, SKIRT by DION LEE, RINGS by CHRIS HABANA, NECKLACE by CLAIRE WISEMAN STUDIO, BOOTS are TALENT’S OWN

If you weren't doing what you're doing now, what would your career be?

I would either be a firefighter or a pornstar.

Who is your go to person when you need a pep talk?

When I need a pep talk for anything life-related, if I’m struggling, I only will talk to my mom about it. I hate projecting and talking about that kind of thing with friends. I just think… get a therapist. So only my mom.

But if I need a pep talk for something work-related, I've been really blessed with great mentors like Rachel Chandler, Greg Krelenstein, and Kembra Pfahler, who always know exactly what to say.

How do you know when you see someone with potential?

I know I see someone with potential when I’ve actually gotten that chance to connect with them, understand them, and learn more about them.

In our industry nowadays, a star is a lot more than just their appearance. We're starting to really value people as more than a model, more than a face. We're getting into their background, their story, what else they have to offer, so I think it takes more than just looking at them.

It's rare to have that girl who is just at the top for being a model. It still happens — we have Anok and Vittoria, who've really made it that way. But I like when I really get to dive into someone, ask them about themselves, figure out what’s special about them. Connecting with other humans is important in our industry, and some people forget to do that.

I like when I really get to dive into someone, ask them about themselves, figure out what’s special about them. Connecting with other humans is important in our industry, and some people forget to do that.

How did you start casting? What was the path that led you there?

I started when I was 19, by interning for Ricky Michaels. I think I had gotten scouted by him, and then he had said, ‘I need an intern.’

I was like, cool, I'm gonna try this, and it just went from there. I started working with casting directors in New York and Paris, wherever I could get a gig, and make money, and I slowly started building my own clients.

What about the process do you find fulfilling?

I'm just a people-person, so getting to click with other people is fulfilling. I always hate when I see people in the industry treat people [as if they’re] super disposable, or forget about the human aspect, because, I'm like, why are you in this industry if you don't care about the human aspect?

When you get to do those really special projects, where it really is about storytelling and less just about filling a quota or a role or something like that, that's when it excites me, and it's worth it to me. Or when you get to put someone on, and have them share their voice, who normally wouldn't [have that platform], that's always still really super exciting to me.

You mentioned getting scouted. Do you model yourself?

I like to model if it's for Hedi Slimane or Lotta Volkova. Or if the check is really cute, then we can talk.

How does it compare to casting?

Well, the funny thing for me with modeling is that when I was 18 to 21, the ages where I would have been prime, that's when no one wanted me to model. Like, I was not cute back then.

I never could have been a traditional model. I was not female sample size, and couldn't have been with an agency. It wasn't really until I developed myself as a human and once I created a band, and started getting my career going, that I think people started booking me as Blair and not really as a model.

I think that made me value putting work into who I am instead of my appearance. I've never really cared about affirmation for my appearance, but way more about what I can bring out there.

I like to model if it's for Hedi Slimane or Lotta Volkova. Or if the check is really cute, then we can talk.

When did you start making music?

I had just made music for fun after I graduated college. My best friend was always in bands while we were in school, and I was like, oh, we won't be in school together every day, so let's do a project so we can keep hanging out. And so that's how I started my band with her.

What brought you to New York originally?

College brought me to New York. I grew up in Missouri, and no one from my high school went to college in New York. But I’m grateful to have had a teacher who was like, “you need to not go to school in Kansas City. You need to branch out and try somewhere else.”

I didn't even know what Parsons was, but I applied to every art and design school, and they gave me the best scholarship. And it got me here. It just seemed like a way better quality of life for myself, so I stuck it out here.

How would you like to be remembered?

I would like to be remembered for making positive impacts on other people's lives. I think I don't really care as much about success or getting to a certain point in my career, because I have seen a lot of the people who are at the top, especially in fashion, usually have to sacrifice certain things and morals that I'm not willing to. So as long as I make a positive impact on people interpersonally in my life, that's enough for me. I'm happy with that.

What does New York mean to you?

New York is really energetically exciting. You can always walk down the street and see life. I've been here seven years, and people are like, “it's not like it used to be!” But no matter what, I still find new and exciting people and stories and connections with other humans, that is unlike anywhere else I've been in the world. It's always going to be special to me.

Fashion

ECCO.kollektive collaborates with Louis-Gabriel Nouchi

November 21, 2024

ECCO.kollektive has teamed up with Paris-based designer Louis-Gabriel Nouchi for a bold and innovative Spring/Summer 2025 collection. Known for his thoughtful exploration of masculinity and storytelling in fashion, Nouchi brings his unique perspective to this collaboration, blending his modern aesthetic with ECCO’s skill in craftsmanship and material innovation.

The collection features a range of footwear, clothing, and accessories, each designed with attention to detail. The collection uses a mix of black, deep red, and pearl white. Sensual touches, like Nouchi’s signature slits, combine with structured tailoring and flowing shapes, showing how the designer blends bold and refined styles.

We spoke with Louis-Gabriel Nouchi about the collection and his inspiration. From the textures of the human body to his love for stretch leather, Nouchi shared how the collaboration allowed to experiment with new ideas.

By Enzo Holdt
Photography by courtesy of ECCO.kollektive x LGN

The collection debuted at Paris Fashion Week and draws inspiration from the textures of the human body. “The idea came from the textures of skin,” Nouchi explains. “I wanted to create something sensual and fluid, using leather in a way that felt both strong and soft. Leather has this amazing quality—it can feel like armor, but also like a second skin.”

Nouchi worked closely with ECCO to develop designs that showcase the versatility of their materials. High-shine biker nappa leather with a waxy finish appears in tailored separates like a single-breasted blazer, trousers, and long-line shorts. For a more experimental edge, he created a column dress and a pencil skirt using strips of leather embroidered onto stretchy tulle—a design he says was inspired by his younger self. “When I was young, I was obsessed with stretch leather because of designers like Jean-Claude Jitrois. It’s something I wanted to explore and bring into this collection, almost like fulfilling a dream for my past self.”

Footwear is another major highlight, featuring Derby shoes, Helsinki loafers, and the standout Truck Lace loafer with a bold platform. The shoe’s futuristic design draws from Nouchi’s fascination with brutalism and technology. “It might be a bit controversial,” he says, laughing, “but I really like the Tesla Cybertruck. The sharp, angular lines and futuristic look combined with that raw, brutalist vibe—it’s something that resonates with me. The platform on the Truck Lace loafer feels like a nod to that kind of design.”

Another unique detail is the inclusion of removable coins on some of the shoes, adding a playful yet personal touch. “You can take the coins off—it becomes almost like a lucky charm,” Nouchi says. “It’s one of those small details that make the pieces feel more connected to the wearer.”

Louis-Gabriel Nouchi’s signature slit motif, which adds subtle hints of reveal and concealment, runs throughout the collection. “The slit is about teasing the eye,” he explains. “It’s never about revealing too much—it’s about creating tension, a little mystery.” This motif appears on everything from loafers to hems, blending seamlessly with the collection's sensual yet structured aesthetic.

When asked about the versatility of his designs, Nouchi emphasizes their adaptability to different occasions. “You can wear these pieces in super casual situations on the street, looking super chic at night—super sexy,” he says. “From one garment, you can style it in so many ways during the day. For example, the tank top—you can wear it with pants, or without. It’s super hot, super cool, and it works for so many moments.”

For Nouchi, the collaboration with ECCO was as much about innovation as it was about creative freedom. “There are no limits with ECCO,” he says. “As a designer obsessed with materials, having the freedom to push development this far was an amazing opportunity. Fashion, for me, is like a laboratory. It’s about testing ideas and seeing how far we can take them.”

The ECCO.kollektive x Louis-Gabriel Nouchi collection is available now, combining high-quality craftsmanship with bold, modern design that showcases Nouchi’s vision and ECCO’s craftsmanship.

Fashion

A New Lee® and Alpha Industries Collaboration Takes Flight

Fashion

Escaping the Glass Cage

November 19, 2024

For years, she stood still, watching life rush past her, a quiet observer behind the glass. Now, the glass is broken, and she steps out into the unknown. She walks through the city, caught between two worlds—part of it, yet apart from it.

Her journey is quiet but bold, searching for something she’s never understood, something just out of reach. On church steps and under glowing city lights, she questions everything: the rules, the past, and where she truly belongs. Each step feels both freeing and uncertain.

A curious soul in a borrowed life, she keeps moving forward, leaving behind only whispers of her escape, like a fleeting shadow in the night.