Cool people like cool things, which is why we asked cool person Nico Lazaro to come on Perfectly Imperfect & spread the hot rec wealth.

Nico was an OG Tumblr blogger who got his start in the menswear community all the way back in ‘08 and it’s through this scene that he’d go on to meet Lawrence Schlossman, Andrew Chen, Josh Itiola, and many others. After being in the industry for a few years Nico joined Grailed as one of their first 10 employees and helped to get their editorial platform off the ground. He’s trying to pare down his closet so check out his account & cop his pair of Belgians before II do. Nico has great taste and lucky for us, he’s here to talk about what he’s been into.

Without further ado

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Nico Lazaro (instagram, twitter, grailed, spotify)

🏺 The Great Pottery Throw Down

I’ve been a big fan of the Great British Baking Show for some time now and recently came across this pottery show from the same production company. Pottery is something that has really caught my eye in recent years and the few times I’ve been at the wheel I’ve found an almost transcendental quality to the process of throwing. While I’m not able to relive that personally, I’ve found it cathartic to live vicariously through the contestants on the show. Like Bake Off, there are potters from all walks of life who compete weekly for the title of Top Potter. I’m only two seasons in but it’s been a fun introduction to some of the different styles and techniques in pottery and the soundtrack is killer too.

🍋 Dry Candied Yuzu Peel

As someone who loves dried fruit and Japanese candies, this was a welcome surprise when I bought it on a whim at the local Nijiya Market in Little Tokyo. I’ve been a fan of everything from Hi-Chews to matcha Kit-Kats but candies have done quite a bit of damage to my teeth over the years. I’ve switched over to dried mango, coconut, and other fruit from TJs, but couldn’t resist this candied Yuzu when I came across it. Yuzu has such a vibrant citrus flavor that when candied, lends some sweetness to an otherwise bitter rind, resulting in a beautiful depth and zestful flavor. The small pieces and relatively simple ingredients make it feel at least a little healthier than other candies too.

🪖 OG-107 Sateen Pants

I wasn’t one of those people that reverted to sweats and loungewear in the early days of quarantine, but I’ve come to appreciate the joy of “soft” clothing when indoors. Before I moved from NY to LA, I dug out an old pair of sateen Army fatigues that have a beautiful softness and peached finish that lies between pajama pants, sweatpants and the sort of cotton canvas work pants painters might wear. The design is louche and utilitarian enough that any relation to it’s military origin is not immediately obvious, and the olive green is quite faded and muted and would be at home in a garden or any natural setting. I love repurposed and recontextualized objects in general, but these pants have become increasingly dear to me as I’ve come to appreciate the beauty in their simplicity and practicality.

💉 Tattoos

Moving to LA this past summer seemed to mark a new chapter in my life where I decided not to put so much stock into public opinion or perception of me and stopped trying to shape a narrative around my career. I realized there were things I might enjoy that I kept myself from doing for fear of having to live with the regret of a bad decision. Tattoos are obviously one of those decisions that once you commit to, you’re basically stuck with for life. I was always inspired by my friends’ tattoos and finally reached out to an artist I knew through a mutual friend once I got to LA. I got my first tattoo just before my birthday in August and was so impressed with how it came out that it opened up a deeper appreciation for the craft of tattooing and the culture around it. Through Instagram, I’ve been discovering so many different styles and designs that I began cataloging some of my favorites and booking appointments with other artists. It’s been a great way for me to stay social during quarantine while supporting local artists in the community. Tattoos are an expensive hobby and aesthetically aren’t for everybody, but I found they help me feel more comfortable in my body and from a styling perspective they help accentuate the more minimal outfits I find myself wearing lately. Both are qualities that make them more practical than spending all my money on clothes the way I used to.

♻️ Sustain LA

The concept of sustainability is fraught with so many imperfections in reality, but I still strive to do what I can on a personal level to minimize my impact on the environment. One of the easiest ways to do that recently has been to shop with retailers that place an importance on sustainability. In NY, I would often visit Package Free in Williamsburg for sustainable home goods and reusable items. Sustain LA is basically the equivalent on the eastside of Los Angeles. I came to LA with just a suitcase so I bought just about everything I could for my home from here, but their refillable program probably provides the greatest benefit. You can buy or bring your own containers and fill them with whatever products you need: soaps, oils, laundry detergent, ...even deodorant. The world still has a long way to go in embracing sustainability as a necessary component of our infrastructure but finding ways to be a conscious consumer is a good enough start that I find quickly becomes a more holistic way of life.

Follow Nico on Instagram, Twitter, and Spotify

Check out what he’s got for sale on Grailed.

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