Fashion mogul Nigel Barker talks New Orleans style and new espresso martini brand

NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — World-renowned photographer, filmmaker, TV personality and “America’s Next Top Model” judge, Nigel Barker is in New Orleans this week for New Orleans Fashion Week.

Fashion mogul Barker spoke at a special New Orleans Fashion Week event on Sept. 15 at Longue Vue House and Gardens.

WGNO’s Kenny Lopez spoke with him about fashion and his new espresso martini brand.

“I think the fashion in New Orleans has a great use of color. Here with its history of vampires, history of Creole, history of old buildings, 8-feet below sea-level. All of these things that make New Orleans dangerous, sexy and cool. All of that spills into the fashion, design and people,” Barker said.

Barker said that New Orleans is very photogenic and would love to do a photo shoot with our old trees.

“The old trees with the big branches that have carried the weight of time,” Barker said.

Nigel began his love for photography while capturing photos of his wife, Cristen Barker, who’s a twin and originally from Alabama.

When it comes to being a fashion judge which he did for numerous seasons on “America’s Next Top Model,” alongside supermodel Tyra Banks.

“I try not to be judgmental and have favorites or things I don’t like, but I actually try to be very open-minded. Let people live, you got to find what works for you,” Barker said.

He’s shaken up the fashion world for more than 35 years, but now he’s shaking up his own brand of espresso martinis with The Barker Company which he created with Philippe Roederer.

“It took us two years to master the espresso martini. No easy feat. Think about all the bars that I had to visit. Such hard work,” Barker said.

“We came out with what we thought is a fantastic recipe. It is 100 percent Columbian coffee, with six times distilled vodka. We distill it in Pennsylvania. It is corn-based, so it’s gluten-free,” Barker said.

Nigel Barker’s fashion sense nor his espresso martini will never go out of style!

The Barker Company espresso martinis are pre-made, just add ice and shake it up.

The Barker Company espresso martinis are now being sold at local Rouses grocery stores.

For a complete listing of New Orleans Fashion week events and parties, visit the event website. New Orleans Fashion week runs from Sept. 12 through Sept. 20.

Watch the full interview with Nigel Barker:

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