Philip Ettinger
Age: 24
Hometown: Fair Lawn, New Jersey
Fashion Credit: American Apparel jeans

Developing his sensitivities working for nearly a decade (with his dad) at a school for autistic children, the boyish Ettinger (who can be found walking a baby bulldog near his home in the East Village) appears in TV series like Mercy and films like Joel Schumacher’s upcoming drama, Twelve. The inspiration for this portfolio, Ettinger caught the authors’ eyes at a Broadway premiere, where amongst a thousand monkey suits, he rocked the same t-shirt and jacket you see in the photo above.

How would you describe the way you dress?
I guess I don’t really think about it too much. Usually I’ll find an article of clothing that I love such as a cool jacket that I find at a thrift store and let that inspire what I wear around it. Basically I try to find things to wear that make me feel confident when I have them on.

Who are your style icons?
Not to sound crazy cliché, but I’ve always had a fascination with James Dean since I was young and I’m sure that’s been an influence. Other actors’ styles like Steve McQueen and John Travolta (in the seventies) have also definitely inspired the way I dress at different times.

Most memorable/bizarre audition outfit?
This is more of a lack of outfit, but when I first came out of school I remember a commercial audition where I had to go in with another guy and we both had to improvise shaving each others backs while we were shirtless. It was supposed to be a funny thing, but I didn’t mind not booking that job.

Worst costume piece you’ve ever had to wear?
I did this production of Romeo and Juliet where we all had to wear dance belts under our outfits (tights, codpiece, etc). Never wore a dance belt before that show, wouldn’t be too sad if I never had to wear one again.

Items you won’t take off this summer?
A friend of mine gave me these two rings from Chrome Hearts one night. I’ve worn them almost everyday since I’ve had them. I like the feeling of the weight on my hand.

Favorite store no one has heard of:
I can’t remember the name of it, but there was this amazing thrift store that I would always go to when I lived in London, near Camden town I think. Always had the coolest shirts and hats.

Tattoos?
…..

Boxers/Briefs/Other?
Boxer briefs

What are you working on now?
I have this movie called Twelve coming out July 4 weekend. It’s directed by Joel Schumacher and stars 50 Cent, Chace Crawford, Ellen Barkin, Emma Roberts, Rory Culkin, Zoe Kravitz, and a bunch of other great actors. It’s based on the best selling book of the same name written by Nick McDonell. Got to see it at Sundance, it’s a really fun and gritty film.