Unabashedly Prep

  • D.S.R.V. Laga

    Sports  

    I'm down in Naples, Florida this week for a little bit of sun and a little bit of work. Jack Carlson and I are poring over thousands of images from over a hundred rowing clubs to make final selections for the coffee table book we are working on about rowing blazers. The past 18 months of shooting have seen me off to New England, Great Britain, and the Netherlands.

    Peter Evers rows for the Dutch club D.S.R.V. Laga in Delft. The threadbare blazers worn by Laga rowers are infamous for fitting like your ugly uncle's...because they kind of are. The blazers are inherited from alumni of the club. So when Peter quits rowing, he will pass down his jacket to another oarsman. What's more? Tradition dictates that the jacket cannot be cleaned until its wearer has won the most prestigious Dutch regatta: the Varsity.

    Apr 1, 2013 | Permalink (22) View/Leave Comments

    XOXO Little V left a comment on 4/10/2013 at 9:14 PM:

    Thanks for the preview!  Can’t wait for the big release.


    TG left a comment on 4/10/2013 at 7:45 PM:

    Looking forward to viewing the full collection when the book is done!


    Joey Dee left a comment on 4/9/2013 at 2:40 PM:

    Naples is great. Stop by Sarasota sometime!
    Can’t wait for this book, either!


    Harry left a comment on 4/9/2013 at 7:03 AM:

    Who’s publishing this book?


    F.E. Castleberry left a comment on 4/8/2013 at 3:12 PM:

    @Bergman—My photographs of Njord turned out really nice. Great group shot of them in the book.


    Bergman left a comment on 4/8/2013 at 3:00 PM:

    If you’re already using Laga and Nereus for the book, you definitely can’t miss KSRV Njord from Leiden. It’s the first and oldest student rowing club in The Netherlands, and it hosted the first ever Varsity in 1878.


    F.E. Castleberry left a comment on 4/8/2013 at 8:46 AM:

    @emjkmj—Oh, but he sure does try. The running joke among Dutch rowing clubs is “Our drinking club has a rowing problem.”


    Graham Benton left a comment on 4/8/2013 at 7:49 AM:

    Looking forward to seeing this book, lots of interesting history and tradition behind rowing blazers, should be a great read.


    Toomuchflystyles left a comment on 4/7/2013 at 8:01 AM:

    What a great tradition. Is Peter’s jacket allowed a little Febreze once in a while? I’ll bet that thing carries quite a pong


    EMW left a comment on 4/6/2013 at 12:35 PM:

    Can’t wait for this book!


    SICrewGtownCrew left a comment on 4/5/2013 at 11:04 PM:

    I’m at the San Diego Crew Classic right now! I think I remember a few of the more unabashedly prep rowers pulling out their blazers for Sunday finals last year. This book is gonna rule.


    JSL left a comment on 4/5/2013 at 10:47 PM:

    Holy smokes. A JLC-FEC collaboration? I’ll be picking up more than one of these.

    “Utah! Get me two!”


    Andrej left a comment on 4/5/2013 at 9:44 PM:

    Great photo as always.  Can’t wait to see the book.


    emjkmj left a comment on 4/5/2013 at 8:34 PM:

    I assume Peter hasn’t earned the opportunity to clean that jacket yet!


    Benn left a comment on 4/5/2013 at 7:24 PM:

    I live in Naples, FL. If you need another set of eyes to review things, I would be happy to cut class and come over.


    F.E. Castleberry left a comment on 4/5/2013 at 3:20 PM:

    @Speedie—Lucky.


    Speedie left a comment on 4/5/2013 at 3:04 PM:

    I don’t have an ugly uncle.


    F.E. Castleberry left a comment on 4/5/2013 at 2:12 PM:

    @Kevin—I did not row anywhere. Mr. Carlson is a coxswain and it is through his extensive network that we were given unprecedented access into the hallowed halls and clubs of rowing.


    Dan left a comment on 4/5/2013 at 2:08 PM:

    If the man were authoring the book, that’d be one thing, but I hardly think it’s relevant for Castleberry to have had to row in order to photograph people who have.


    Kevin left a comment on 4/5/2013 at 1:53 PM:

    Fred - where/when did you row?


    MGM left a comment on 4/5/2013 at 1:51 PM:

    Great pic.  For those who are interested—the movie “Oxford Blues” contains some beautiful scenes of how Oxford students who row crew dress.  The film stars Rob Lowe.


    Makaga left a comment on 4/5/2013 at 1:04 PM:

    Stoked to see this book when it’s finished!


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  • 28th Annual Harriman Cup

    Top Drawer | Culture | Sports  

    It's become my Labor Day, my summer's end, my last ditch effort to let it all hang out of my seersucker trousers—the annual Harriman Cup. Rain or shine, throngs descend upon the Meadowbrook Polo Club from Manhattan and surrounding bed and breakfasts. Sam, Shane, and I roll in off the LIRR in a blaze of vintage Lilly, Ralph Lauren, and Brooks Brothers—the usual suspects. Usually falling on or around the last week of summer, this alumni polo match between Yale and the University of Virginia is the tailgating event of the summer for the prep set (last year's Cup was a ball). Of course, awards are given out for such displays of leisurely grandeur. Best dressed, best hat, best tailgate, and so on. Max Sinsteden has just rolled out his generous tattered oriental rug under his champagne bucket stand and various hor d'oeuvres. It’s a nice spread. However, a neighboring goldenrod Land Rover with blonde hair, blue-eyed college alum promises to be stiff competition. Their snacks are nothing more than finger sandwiches and pretzels, standard fare. Turns out it's Sam's tailgate...and we discover we work together at Ralph Lauren. That's the nature of the Harriman Cup, you’re two degrees from anyone in a navy blazer.

    Vintage Lilly Pulitzer, patchwork madras, seersucker

    Van, Cooper, Max, and me

    Allegra stomping divots between chukkers

    Thanks to Town & Country, I spend most of my time in and out of the VIP tent this year, and frankly, I am quite spoiled with the experience. Booze, food (I go back for seconds on the pulled pork—shameless, I know), the deceptive feeling of self importance—all on the house thanks to the handful of sponsors like J.Mclaughlin, Knockaround, Vitamin Water, and many more. Seriously though, the best time to be had is mingling from tailgate to tailgate while only casually glancing at the match between cocktails.

    Sep 27, 2012 | Permalink (11) View/Leave Comments

    Evans19GRETCHEN left a comment on 1/10/2013 at 4:48 PM:

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    Ashley left a comment on 12/8/2012 at 4:46 PM:

    Pretty photos - I love a day of polo! www.pinkjulepabroad.com


    F.E. Castleberry left a comment on 11/23/2012 at 6:53 PM:

    @Jake—We strive for diversity here.


    Jake left a comment on 11/23/2012 at 6:35 PM:

    How nice of you to have a single Black friend, trotted out at the very end.


    Gus left a comment on 11/21/2012 at 12:20 PM:

    Fred,

    As a Yale alum and frequent Harriman Cup attendee, I disagree.


    F.E. Castleberry left a comment on 11/21/2012 at 11:45 AM:

    @Gus—I’d venture to guess more than half the crowd that shows up isn’t alum of either of the colleges.


    Gus left a comment on 11/21/2012 at 11:42 AM:

    Why would people who didn’t attend UVA or Yale make a Yale/UVA match a summer tradition?


    Max left a comment on 11/20/2012 at 5:08 PM:

    Max’s blazer is beyond awesome. Want.


    CHC left a comment on 11/20/2012 at 12:49 PM:

    Those Lily Pulitzer pants are sweet. How much does a pair like that cost?

    Thanks.


    Mike left a comment on 11/20/2012 at 12:14 AM:

    The gentleman in the green pants gets first prize.


    Desmond K left a comment on 11/19/2012 at 6:08 PM:

    Looks like you guys had a grand ole time. And VIP access makes an event like this that much better.

    Chinos & Cheesecake


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  • 1924 Oxford University Boat Race Crew

    Sports  

    While in Oxford, England recently, I had the honor and pleasure of spending some time with a handful of this year’s Olympiads and gold medalists in rowing—Andrew Triggs Hodge being one of them. He took gold for England (for the second time) in the coxless four just a few months ago. While visiting, I noticed an old rowing illustration in the spirit of the popular Vanity Fair rowing portraits hanging in his living room. It’s an 88 year-old sketch of the 1924 Oxford University Boat Race Crew.

    1924 Oxford University Boat Race Crew

    The Boat Race is an annual rowing race between the Oxford University Boat Club and the Cambridge University Boat Club, rowed between competing eights on the River Thames in London. The two have been at it every year since 1829. I learn that it holds some significance because Hodge rowed at Oxford. Though what appears to be a strapping (and very stylish—notice the variations in which to wear a scarf) young group of men, that 1924 crew didn’t win. Perhaps Hodge had it hanging for motivation, having stroked Oxford to victory in the 2005 Boat Race.

    Aug 28, 2012 | Permalink (2) View/Leave Comments

    The Stig left a comment on 9/30/2012 at 6:02 PM:

    J.E. Pedder looks like Jeremy Clarkson


    makaga left a comment on 9/28/2012 at 9:20 AM:

    Great illustration, thanks for sharing it.


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  • A.S.R. Nereus

    Sports  

    For the past six months I’ve been meandering around New England photographing prominent rowers for a coffee table book I’m honored and privileged to be a part of. World class athletes, Olympic gold medalists, and world record holders...a true elite gathering of rowers to celebrate the sport of crew by way of the storied rowing blazer. Although I can’t reveal any of the final photographs I’ve created until publication, I do feel it is some of my best portrait work to date. I do want to share these snapshots I captured of the Amsterdam Student Rowing Club Nereus while at the Head of the Charles Regatta this past fall. Their blazers were beautiful, with some wearing the sweat and tears by which they earned them literally on their sleeves. A couple of the jackets were at least 40 years old. The student rowing club was founded in 1885 and produces a substantial part of the of the national team as well as Olympic medal winning athletes.

    Photographed in Cambridge, MA

    Feb 27, 2012 | Permalink (13) View/Leave Comments

    Richard left a comment on 7/3/2012 at 11:52 AM:

    There’s a Meander river in Turkey, Australia, Canada and Ireland, but not, I think, in New England ;-)


    Hunter left a comment on 3/16/2012 at 9:35 PM:

    I saw these guys at the Charles this year, great group of guys who seemed to be having a lot of fun at the races.

    @FEC any chance you got some pics for your book while at the Kent School last fall? They were the first American prep school to race at Henley Royal Regatta (an excellent place to photograph blazers, especially Abingdon’s which are pink and white striped).  Having a Kent School Boat Club (KSBC) blazer would be an excellent addition to the book.


    Kelsey left a comment on 3/7/2012 at 3:11 PM:

    Consider photographing the Williams College Crew - the women have won the last six national championships, three of the last four years at the Charles and also hold a Charles course record. A rustic boathouse, rural campus and plenty of stripes, blazers and loafers could make for a few nice shots.


    Nich left a comment on 3/2/2012 at 4:00 AM:

    FEC - Having rowed at university and afterwards, I positively love this picture. If you have the opportunity can I heartily recommend you attending HRR (Henley) in the UK. Having rowed here and attended many other years, it is truly a one of a kind event. I would posit you’d get loads of fantastic pictures and inspiration!


    Kasha left a comment on 2/28/2012 at 8:19 PM:

    The Dutch do Europreppy well, don’t they?  Always such fun socks.  Please get in touch if you do any rowing shots in Philly!


    F.E. Castleberry left a comment on 2/28/2012 at 9:11 AM:

    @Crimson—That was probably me…come say hello next time.


    Crimson left a comment on 2/28/2012 at 1:02 AM:

    A friend and I thought we spotted you in Cambridge with the Winklevi - can’t wait for the book!


    Laguna Beach Fogey left a comment on 2/28/2012 at 12:30 AM:

    Really looking forward to this. Rowed at university.


    M Arthur left a comment on 2/27/2012 at 10:20 PM:

    Third guy from the right has got it going on.  Love the kicks!


    Stockto Andrews II left a comment on 2/27/2012 at 9:15 PM:

    That’s a terrific photo. Classic look.


    F.E. Castleberry left a comment on 2/27/2012 at 7:49 PM:

    @Al—No firm date yet as I am still currently shooting for it.

    @Jacob—Yes. Meandering, to take a winding course, is the verb that best conveys the experience I’m relating here.


    Al left a comment on 2/27/2012 at 7:38 PM:

    @FEC Any knowledge on when the book will go public?


    Jacob left a comment on 2/27/2012 at 6:51 PM:

    Are you sure ‘meandering’ is the accurate verb here, Fred?


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  • 27th Annual Harriman Cup

    Top Drawer | Culture | Sports  

    It’s not even noon, and yet, half of the Long Island bound LIRR train is already lashed on mimosas and John Dalys. I’m getting there. We’re all hopping off at Old Westbury for the 27th Annual Harriman Cup, the alumni polo match between Yale and the University of Virginia. Founded in 1984 as a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the sport of polo and supporting the collegiate polo programs of Yale and UVA, the event has raised over $600,000 for the schools’ undergrad teams.

    The match has since served as a last ditch effort for Yale and UVA alum alike—and any family and friends really—to celebrate summer’s end in patchwork madras, pastels, and penny loafers. The after party alone is worth the trip. A live band and dancing breaks out on the tented dance floor amidst hopes of meeting Mr. or Mrs. Right (now). Awards for best dressed, best hat, and best tailgate are doled out with tongue-in-cheek while UVA hoisted up the cup for the second year in a row, edging out Yale 6-5.

    Photographed in Old Westbury, NY

    *As always, most of these images can be shared via Tumblr at Collection by F.E. Castleberry.

    Oct 24, 2011 | Permalink (21) View/Leave Comments

    Ann left a comment on 11/23/2011 at 8:48 AM:

    Takes me back to college when I had time to play more and things were carefree, so fun!


    Trailer Trad left a comment on 11/1/2011 at 5:46 PM:

    Makes a Virginian proud.


    Rhon left a comment on 10/28/2011 at 7:01 PM:

    This looks like a picture-perfect time.


    ian left a comment on 10/26/2011 at 9:01 PM:

    Love the Bernese Mountain Dog. wonderful dogs, but very short lived due to horrendous health issues. Such a shame.


    Lee Anne left a comment on 10/26/2011 at 3:37 PM:

    This post is top notch. Such a lively, fun collection of photos that definitely captures the nature of sport. Keep up the excellent work!


    Amy left a comment on 10/26/2011 at 8:45 AM:

    The pretty lady in the yellow striped dress is just DARLING!


    scaleworm left a comment on 10/26/2011 at 1:18 AM:

    Great images, Really, just Great shots here! Well done!


    ian left a comment on 10/25/2011 at 5:03 PM:

    the woman with the dog has a heart-melting smile.


    Max left a comment on 10/25/2011 at 4:44 PM:

    Awesome set of pics.  As a general aside and correct me if I’m wrong - true prep style is casual, uncalculated, and effortless (i.e. “to the manor born, it’s just what you are”  and NOT studied… IMHO the aesthetic idea is very similar to the Italian notion of “sprezzatura”

    The girls…WOW.  Keep up the good work Fred, your blog rocks!


    A.U.G. left a comment on 10/25/2011 at 1:00 PM:

    I was here but unfortunately my means of chronicling (cell phone was not charged the night before).  -auniversitygent.blogspot.com


    Andy M. left a comment on 10/25/2011 at 9:36 AM:

    Phenomenal group of pictures Fred!  This is probably my favorite post of all time on here.


    Laguna Beach Fogey left a comment on 10/25/2011 at 8:13 AM:

    Superb collection of photos, FEC.

    I particularly like the shot of the blonde in the white trousers. Holy s*&$!! Please inform her that I’m single and strikingly good-looking. And, I live on the beach. ;-)

    Are you aspiring to be the Slim of our (decaying) times…?


    Tripp left a comment on 10/24/2011 at 7:45 PM:

    this looks like the best time ever. i want to be there. you really really captured the moment. i am so jealous


    Obadiah left a comment on 10/24/2011 at 7:02 PM:

    Richard of Wasp 101 informed us that Rugby has now provided you with a private plane and pilot. How was your luncheon at the cafe? Shall we look for their skull-and-bones logo on the dorsal fin?


    CHC left a comment on 10/24/2011 at 3:15 PM:

    I mean the blonde girls with the peace sign….


    CHC left a comment on 10/24/2011 at 3:13 PM:

    Nice pictures! I like this a lot! Especially the girls in floral print dresses…


    dam left a comment on 10/24/2011 at 12:57 PM:

    Wahoowah


    JIm Kelleth left a comment on 10/24/2011 at 12:30 PM:

    Re: The lady in the white trousers….  I’ll second that.


    cam left a comment on 10/24/2011 at 12:17 PM:

    now THIS is unabashedly prep!


    trip left a comment on 10/24/2011 at 12:00 PM:

    Wow, this may be one of the best series that you’ve done, Fred.


    Dan from England left a comment on 10/24/2011 at 11:43 AM:

    The rear view of the lady in the white trousers is very nice, could we also see a front view please ?


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