A Day With Preppy Pete
- Justinian Mason
- Jun 6
- 7 min read
Updated: Jun 10
Back in March 2023 I started the Dozer Blog in Houston to get out of a creative slump. The blog focused on fashion, music, and lifestyle. After publishing 20 articles in 20 weeks and relocating up north, I set the blog aside to launch Dozer Magazine—a platform focused on larger, more conceptual projects. I'm happy to announce that after a two year hiatus the Dozer Blog is back in congruence with the Dozer Magazine! I'm looking forward to this new era of Dozer as I engage with journalism in a way only New York allows. That said, there's no better way to kick off this new era of Dozer than an interview with the owner of the Gotham Galleria and NYC's preppiest gentleman, Mr. Preppy Pete! I had the pleasure of interviewing and shadowing him, so kick back as we learn more about New York's own Preppy Pete.
First and foremost if there's anything you need to know about the Queens native, it's that he's earned his nickname. In my time interviewing him the one constant was his dedication to prep that spans multiple decades. The only stylist he's had was his mother, who would dress him in Lacoste and Le Tigre in the early years of his life. A mother's vision for your style at a young age isn't always inspiring, but luckily for Pete it set the foundation for an ongoing evolution in menswear. As a teenager in the 90s he took the reins and started dressing himself. In those years he found an unwavering reverence for Ralph Lauren, if you let him tell it, this love for Ralph Lauren was a personal enjoyment, but it was also born out of a movement.
In the '90s, Ralph Lauren had a strong hold on New York City. You either wore Ralph Lauren or wanted to; Hip-Hop outfits like Nas and Wu-tang further popularized the brand, making it a staple in the Hip-Hop community. However, like most great things, this trend started from the ground up. In the late 80s and early 90s teens made a hobby out of boosting Ralph Lauren. If you aren't familiar with the term, "boosting" is another word for stealing. One of the most notorious groups from that time were the Lo Lifes. A group of teens out of Brownsville, Brooklyn that boosted Ralph around the city. They made a hustle out of it, but ultimately they were just kids who wanted to look fly. This trend of boosting Ralph became a city wide phenomenon for years. Debut releases like the Polo Bear and the Snow Beach Collections became instant classics, furthering the demand from consumers on the streets and beyond. Amidst the people catching adrenaline highs to look fly was a young Preppy Pete. This trend was a perfect storm for a teenaged Pete as he entered his rebellious years with an early appreciation for preppy clothes. The way he reminisses about his boosting days with his friends is truly insightful and inspiring. I saw a man who was recalling pure nostalgia; memories just as euphoric and delightful as any core childhood memory. There's no wonder Ralph has been so impactive. His recollection speaks to the deeper connection those who boosted had to the sport. Boosting created a culture that redefined Ralph Lauren as a lifestyle, not just a brand. It created an allure and community powered by street style, Hip-Hop, and a hustlers mentality. The boosting era built and strengthened Preppy Pete's appreciation for Ralph Lauren and preppy fashion alike. While it may have been a moment for some, Pete rode that Ralph Lauren trend into a genuine passion that's ever evolving.
The hat in the photo above is a relic from Preppy Pete's boosting days. After the '90s Ralph Lauren craze faded, Preppy Pete kept his foot on the gas. Like anyone who has a deep appreciation for fashion, maturing your style over time is inevitable. For Pete, this maturation has been both intentional and graceful. Through the years he's found himself evolving his style through buying vintage and copping clothes Ralph Lauren references. He was looking for the clothes that inspired the source itself. That’s why these days, when you see him on the street, he’s always got a fresh take on prep—paired with a fresh fit, of course. Preppy Pete is a walking example of how deeply any style genre can be explored. In the "Love Yours" article I talk about how sub-genres of styles always have an entire world of media, history, and culture to back it, you just have to do your homework. Preppy Pete has proven to be well read as he continues to dig to diversify his style within his interest. Matter of fact, he just completed a month long styling and mini "day in the life" series on his personal instagram, titled "31 Days of Varsity P." The mission? Rock a varsity look with the letter "P" every single day in May as he frolicks around the city. When I asked what motivated the series he's quoted saying "No shot to nobody, but I'm sick and tired of influencers doing fit checks at home. Take your fits out for a test drive." It's clear that Preppy Pete earned his name. No part of his history sounds like a man who's forcing an aesthetic. All signs point a man who has a genuine passion for putting that shit on. Furthermore, don't be fooled into thinking he only has an eye for prep. It may be his style of choice, but he has a distinct eye for all forms of fashion. His appreciation for fashion as a whole has opened up a world of opportunity to connect with the people of New York through his instagram page, Gotham Galleria.
Even if you live under a rock, chances are you've heard of Gotham Galleria. With just under 130k followers, the page is dedicated to documenting some of the most stylish people New York City has to offer. Whether you're a native, a transplant, or a tourist, if you're wearing a great outfit, be prepared to be approached by the man with the letter “P” on his chest. After retiring from a career in law, he started the page during the pandemic as a creative pivot. It all started when his wife gifted him a camera as a retirement present. He’d been watching similar content for a while and figured it was time to throw his hat in the ring—he was out shooting the very next day. It took time for the page to take off, but through lively, high-quality content and a commitment to consistency, Gotham Galleria grew into the household name we know today.
I first came across Gotham Galleria while living in Houston. It wasn’t just the fashion that drew me to the content—it was Pete’s energy behind the camera and his eye for individuals with truly distinct style. The page was smaller then, but it had the same raw energy. As the page grew the spirit persisted because it's fueled by Pete's ability to show love. I tend to think the energy's always present because he doesn't just interview anyone. When we hung out for the interview, I had the pleasure of shadowing him as he conducted interviews and scouted outfits. I can confirm his enthusiasm is 100% authentic. He won’t stop you unless you’re wearing something that really catches his eye. So, to everyone who walked by us three or four times hoping Pete would say something—I promise you, you were cooked the first time you walked by. But seriously, Preppy Pete does show love all around the city, and that natural way of being has propelled him further in my opinon. Part of the interview took place at the Chelsea Flea. As we walked around, you’d think he’d had every vendor over for dinner at some point—he just knew everyone! I asked how that came to be, and he told me it all started with shooting there for the fits. That eventually opened the door to becoming an ambassador. The habit of supporting others seems to have become a pipeline for mutual content opprotunities as he seems to be invited to everything the city has to offer. From the Brooklyn Flea to Complex Magazine events to Alfargo's Marketplace, there isn’t a fashion space this man isn’t welcome in. Literally, while we were at the Chelsea Flea he informed me and my friend Rem that there was a Paper Planes pop-up in SoHo, so we just walked down and continued the conversation from there. An overwhelming amount of creators on TikTok and Instagram manufacter a persona people can resonate with. It's clear that everything Preppy Pete does is authentic and purposeful. He's not a personality, he's a presence.
His electric personality doesn't fold in the face of celebrities either. If you're familiar with the page you know that he regularly interviews celebrities like Lil Nas X, Jaden Smith, and most recently Stephon Marbury. His line of work gives him access to spaces celebrities frequent, sure—but more often than not, he runs into them at his usual spots while he’s out shooting on the street. Obviously, I'm not gonna blow up his shooting locations, but within 15 minutes of standing in one of his spots I saw Tim Robinson of Detroiters and I Think You Should Leave fame. Seeing that I was lost for words when I saw Tim Robinson, naturally, I felt compelled to ask if he’d ever been starstruck after meeting a celebrity. While the overall answer was no, he did admit that his run-in with André 3000 was a standout. Believe it or not, his favorite people to interview are stylists—their deep fashion knowledge and flawless ability to put a look together never cease to amaze him. If you (for some strange reason) haven’t checked out Gotham Galleria yet, you’re missing a showcase of some of the best-dressed people in New York City. It’s a living archive of style—one that captures not just how the city looks, but how it moves, acts, and feels. Leave it to a true New Yorker to reflect the city in its purest form.
Interviewing New York’s preppiest gentleman, Mr. Preppy Pete, was truly a pleasure. Everyone has depth when you take the time to sit down and get to know them. There's a beauty behind learning more about people, that's a lesson I learned a long time ago, but New York City keeps reminding me. I'm happy that I can earnestly call Preppy Pete a friend and collaborator. Seriously, go follow his personal page (@Preppy.Pete and @GothamGalleria) on Instagram and TikTok. By the way, don't feel bad if you think you have that shit on and he doesn't stop you. I had some solid fits on around him and never got featured once lol. See y'all soon for more Dozer Blog articles!
Shots from the interview
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