Wearing what may very well be referred to as psychedelic enterprise informal, Edward Pankov appeared as if he had come to Manhattan by way of the trying glass after I noticed him on the road by way of a retailer window on a Saturday in Might. He was strolling with a little bit of a bop to his step, the best way somebody would possibly whereas listening to music or quietly buzzing a tune, and had made it about three blocks by the point I caught up with him close to a Dealer Joe’s on the Higher West Facet.

“Maintain on only a minute,” Mr. Pankov stated as I started to ask about his ensemble of inexperienced silky jacket, bow tie and printed pants. “I want to present somebody some cash.” He stepped into the grocery retailer and walked out quickly after, telling me that he had been chatting with an individual he had met by way of his job as an actual property agent specializing in serving to homeless individuals discover housing by way of New York Metropolis applications.

Mr. Pankov, 34, who grew up within the Brighton Seaside neighborhood of Brooklyn, defined that his household immigrated to the US when he was an toddler. He was born in Saransk, Russia, not lengthy earlier than the collapse of the Soviet Union. His private type blossomed after he ran away from house at 19, he stated. “I used to learn plenty of Japanese road style magazines, particularly Fruits,” he added. “I used to be at all times on the Barnes & Noble retailer on 14th Avenue.”

Later, he shared the importance of sure objects he was carrying: The bow tie, as an example, was from an outfit he had worn to officiate a marriage, and his burgundy reptile-print sneakers had belonged to an ex-lover. “A clown and stage performer whose title I cannot point out,” he stated.