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The Look Book Goes to a Dinner at MoMA PS1

For three nights, the popular Bed-Stuy Nigerian restaurant Dept of Culture Brooklyn took up residence there.

Photo: DeSean McClinton-Holland
Photo: DeSean McClinton-Holland

Chi Ossé (pictured above)
City Council member, Crown Heights

How’s life right now?
Life is in a net-positive equilibrium-slash-limbo. Things are good, but
I’m always wanting better. Something I talk to my therapist about is sometimes it’s okay to just be good and not have something so crazy and exciting happening just yet. That’s kind of where I am right now; I’m at peace. I do think I might be getting the flu, though. But besides that, I’m good.

Konyin Ayuba

Creative director, Crown Heights

Gregory Werbowsky

Publicist, Beacon


I like your outfit.

Yeah, well, I went through a phase where I pretty much looked like David Rose from Schitt’s Creek. Like, to a T. But then I started working with this designer, Christopher John Rogers, and now I feel like my look is very artsy old lady.

Nicole Rufus

Recipe developer and writer, Bedford-Stuyvesant

Elizabeth Tapley Whitcomb

Jewelry designer, Red Hook

Ayo Balogun

Restaurant owner and chef, Bedford-Stuyvesant


What do you do after cooking?

Usually, I watch Frasier, but I’m also in a big Grand Designs phase right now. Every episode is about British people trying to build a house. They have these high hopes, and before you know it — boom, there’s a problem. It’s like a little soap opera every night.

Anikah Shaokat

Editor, Lower East Side

Luke Alvine

Restaurant manager, Ridgewood

Mar Español

Footwear designer, Williamsburg

Jake Swantko

Documentary filmmaker, Clinton Hill

Alex Eagleton

Artist, Bedford-Stuyvesant

Cara Friedman

Art director, Los Angeles

Mina Stone

Chef, Bedford-Stuyvesant


Did you meet anyone interesting?

Yes, this designer. She was dressed to the nines and such a cool, chatty woman. I loved hearing her talk about Nigeria and Lagos. Their social structure really reminds me of Greece. All the complaints she had about Nigerians are exactly the complaints I have about Greeks.

Gabriela Bonilla

Business manager, Astoria

Rebecca George

Aesthetician, Mill Basin

Tochi Fatima

Architect, South Bronx

Michael Moon

Software engineer, Downtown Brooklyn

Carla Finley

Baker, Clinton Hill


So you’re a baker?

Yes. I was at She Wolf and Il Buco before the pandemic, then everyone got laid off. Now I sell sourdough cinnamon rolls and focaccia on Instagram from my apartment — I have a little basket I lower to the street, which has made it much easier for me.

Lily Wan

Video producer and director, Fort Greene

Photographs by DeSean McClinton-Holland

Konyin Ayuba

Creative director, Crown Heights

Gregory Werbowsky

Publicist, Beacon


I like your outfit.

Yeah, well, I went through a phase where I pretty much looked like David Rose from Schitt’s Creek. Like, to a T. But then I started working with this designer, Christopher John Rogers, and now I feel like my look is very artsy old lady.

Nicole Rufus

Recipe developer and writer, Bedford-Stuyvesant

Elizabeth Tapley Whitcomb

Jewelry designer, Red Hook

Ayo Balogun

Restaurant owner and chef, Bedford-Stuyvesant


What do you do after cooking?

Usually, I watch Frasier, but I’m also in a big Grand Designs phase right now. Every episode is about British people trying to build a house. They have these high hopes, and before you know it — boom, there’s a problem. It’s like a little soap opera every night.

Anikah Shaokat

Editor, Lower East Side

Luke Alvine

Restaurant manager, Ridgewood

Mar Español

Footwear designer, Williamsburg

Jake Swantko

Documentary filmmaker, Clinton Hill

Alex Eagleton

Artist, Bedford-Stuyvesant

Cara Friedman

Art director, Los Angeles

Mina Stone

Chef, Bedford-Stuyvesant


Did you meet anyone interesting?

Yes, this designer. She was dressed to the nines and such a cool, chatty woman. I loved hearing her talk about Nigeria and Lagos. Their social structure really reminds me of Greece. All the complaints she had about Nigerians are exactly the complaints I have about Greeks.

Gabriela Bonilla

Business manager, Astoria

Rebecca George

Aesthetician, Mill Basin

Tochi Fatima

Architect, South Bronx

Michael Moon

Software engineer, Downtown Brooklyn

Carla Finley

Baker, Clinton Hill


So you’re a baker?

Yes. I was at She Wolf and Il Buco before the pandemic, then everyone got laid off. Now I sell sourdough cinnamon rolls and focaccia on Instagram from my apartment — I have a little basket I lower to the street, which has made it much easier for me.

Lily Wan

Video producer and director, Fort Greene

Photographs by DeSean McClinton-Holland

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The Look Book Goes to a Dinner at MoMA PS1