Ben Watts’ home is a true extension of his personality – vibrant, fun and just a little bit out there. The décor was an interesting introduction to the closet - psychadelic-coloured carpets, leopard print chairs and yellow and red-splattered walls were a good indication of what we were about to discover. There’s nothing we love more than a man who’s not afraid to infuse a jolt of electric colour into his closet. And Mr. Ben Watts wears it all so well. You may recognize Watts’ last name; after all, his sister is Oscar-nominated actress, Naomi Watts. But don’t judge by that moniker. Watts is a renowned photographer who has worked with some of the biggest names in the biz, including The New York Times, i-D, Harper’s Bazaar, Vanity Fair and Rolling Stone. He regularly shoots for major clients like Victoria’s Secret, Nike, Apple, Saks, Bergdorf Goodman, all the major record labels (Sony, Warner, Interscope), J.Crew, Gap and the list goes on. As if the numerous nods to the UK weren’t a total giveaway, Watts was born in London, raised in Australia and currently resides in NYC. Inspired first by the nightlife of Sydney and urban culture, the veteran photog has published multiple coffee table books. Our favourite? His first one, “Big Up,” which captures urban youth in a scrapbook-like journal. Watts is the go-to guy for celebrity portraits, too; he has shot everyone from Cov-legends, the Kardashians, for Glamour to Matt Damon for GQ. And we’ve got to say, even though they weren’t all “Ben Watts originals,” we were enamored with the portraits plastered on his kitchen walls. Uh, Snoop Dogg, anyone? His style is one part hip hop, one part hipster and one part Hugh Hefner. Watts has managed to transform his creative eye from behind the lens into his home and closet. It’s a quirky space filled with Notorious B.I.G. toys (that one actually belonged to his little gem, Ruby!), skateboards, skulls, boom boxes and neon tape. And when he’s needs an escape from the city, Watts heads out to his other home in Montauk, which is said to be like his NYC home kicked up 10 notches. Coming soon to a Coveteur near you? Now, that’s Watts up!

Digital Inspiration

Behind the scenes Comments

Clothes| Shoes| Accessories| All

My assistant always gets amazing gifts for me or my daughter. He made a bold move with this shirt, it now includes me in the hipster club. Shirt, Wallace & Barnes

<span class='fancyPhotoDesc'>My assistant always gets amazing gifts for me or my daughter. He made a bold move with this shirt, it now includes me in the hipster club.
</span><span class='fancyPhotoName'>Shirt, Wallace & Barnes </span>

I got these at Undefeated in LA. My sister, Naomi calls them my "Smurf" boots. It hurts me, but perhaps they are a bit smurf-like. Shoes, Nike

<span class='fancyPhotoDesc'>I got these at Undefeated in LA. My sister, Naomi calls them my "Smurf" boots. It hurts me, but perhaps they are a bit smurf-like. </span><span class='fancyPhotoName'>Shoes, Nike</span>

Some of these pictures are mine and some are by people who have worked for me. Ties, Various Designers

<span class='fancyPhotoDesc'>Some of these pictures are mine and some are by people who have worked for me. </span><span class='fancyPhotoName'>Ties, Various Designers </span>

I had these slippers custom made in Paris. Sometimes I get a bit of slack for wearing them but one thing is for sure... they never go unnoticed. Shoes, Matthew Cookson; Bowtie, Ralph Lauren; Sunglasses, Ray-Ban

<span class='fancyPhotoDesc'>I had these slippers custom made in Paris. Sometimes I get a bit of slack for wearing them but one thing is for sure... they never go unnoticed. </span><span class='fancyPhotoName'>Shoes, Matthew Cookson; Bowtie, Ralph Lauren; Sunglasses, Ray-Ban</span>

They say you should judge a man by his watch, but I don’t think you should at all. It’s an opportunity for a male to express their style and personality. Some people go with crazy o... Watches, Rolex

<span class='fancyPhotoDesc'>They say you should judge a man by his watch, but I don’t think you should at all. It’s an opportunity for a male to express their style and personality. Some people go with crazy outlandish ones, but I go with Rolex because it is a classic and I’ve collected them over the years. I have a limited collection, but it is a stylish one. It’s an understated way of stating your type of style.

The box that I keep my watches in is in perpetual motion. That way when you are not wearing one, you put it in there and don’t have to constantly update the date and time. </span><span class='fancyPhotoName'>Watches, Rolex </span>

I believe that you can have a slick suit but if you don’t put it with the right shoes, it isn’t worth it. You might as well be walking around naked. From the way they fit to the way... Shoes, Custom Nike

<span class='fancyPhotoDesc'>I believe that you can have a slick suit but if you don’t put it with the right shoes, it isn’t worth it. You might as well be walking around naked. From the way they fit to the way they look, everything about them needs to be right.

Sometimes you need to get your shoes custom made. Some of my Nikes are custom and it makes me happy to know that no one else is walking around with the same shoes as me.
I'm a big shoe person. I also really like bright colours. I can tell a lot about about you by your shoes. I hate to make judgments, but if I were to judge someone, it would be based on their shoes.
</span><span class='fancyPhotoName'>Shoes, Custom Nike</span>

Ruby’s got bright, little kicks because I have them. Like father like daughter. She likes them because I have the bigger version. Her wardrobe is pretty great. Her mom has amazing sty... Shoes, Nike

<span class='fancyPhotoDesc'>Ruby’s got bright, little kicks because I have them. Like father like daughter. She likes them because I have the bigger version. Her wardrobe is pretty great. Her mom has amazing style, too.</span><span class='fancyPhotoName'>Shoes, Nike</span>

The Yankees hat is all about being a New Yorker. It has everything to do with New York and I’m a New York fan. I have the winter one because it keeps my ears warm. Hat, New York Yankees; Scarf, The Kooples; Sunglasses, Unknown Designer; Shoes, Nike

<span class='fancyPhotoDesc'>The Yankees hat is all about being a New Yorker. It has everything to do with New York and I’m a New York fan. I have the winter one because it keeps my ears warm. </span><span class='fancyPhotoName'>Hat, New York Yankees; Scarf, The Kooples; Sunglasses, Unknown Designer; Shoes, Nike</span>

I'll cover anything in tape. If it doesn’t stand out, i'll cover it in tape. The bag on the stool is the bag I travel with; it's Louis Vuitton. I use it for weekend getaways, too. You... Bag, Louis Vuitton

<span class='fancyPhotoDesc'>I'll cover anything in tape. If it doesn’t stand out, i'll cover it in tape. The bag on the stool is the bag I travel with; it's Louis Vuitton. I use it for weekend getaways, too. You can shove a pair of pants, a toothbrush and underwear in there!</span><span class='fancyPhotoName'>Bag, Louis Vuitton </span>

This is a great bag for the beach. Bag, Fydelity

<span class='fancyPhotoDesc'>This is a great bag for the beach. </span><span class='fancyPhotoName'>Bag, Fydelity </span>

These pictures are from Montauk and Hawaii. I have been using bright coloured neon tape for years, so I find it funny that it just became popular again. Shorts, Unknown Designer

<span class='fancyPhotoDesc'>These pictures are from Montauk and Hawaii. I have been using bright coloured neon tape for years, so I find it funny that it just became popular again. </span><span class='fancyPhotoName'>Shorts, Unknown Designer </span>

Left to Right. Jackets, Etro, Pretty Green, Etro; Bowtie, Ralph Lauren

These brushes were given to me by one of my dear friends, Ben Pundole. They are like ornaments. I got the cuffs at Paul Smith years ago. I'm very grateful for the opportunity to be publ... Cufflinks, Paul Smith

<span class='fancyPhotoDesc'>These brushes were given to me by one of my dear friends, Ben Pundole. They are like ornaments. I got the cuffs at Paul Smith years ago. I'm very grateful for the opportunity to be published. I’m working on another book at the moment. </span><span class='fancyPhotoName'>Cufflinks, Paul Smith </span>

I always wear Ray-Bans. The photos in the kitchen are all mine, except for Snoop Dog - Anthony Mandler shot that. I love Snoop Dog. Sunglasses, Ray-Ban

<span class='fancyPhotoDesc'>I always wear Ray-Bans. The photos in the kitchen are all mine, except for Snoop Dog - Anthony Mandler shot that. I love Snoop Dog. </span><span class='fancyPhotoName'>Sunglasses, Ray-Ban </span>

I can't remember who makes these shoes, but they do make my feet sweat! Shoes, Unknown Designer

<span class='fancyPhotoDesc'>I can't remember who makes these shoes, but they do make my feet sweat! </span><span class='fancyPhotoName'>Shoes, Unknown Designer </span>

This picture is the famous art of “God Save the Queen” by Peter Hamel. It’s artwork from the Sex Pistols. I love playing ping-pong; I mean I’m good, but not good enough that... Hat, Vintage; Bowtie, Ralph Lauren

<span class='fancyPhotoDesc'>This picture is the famous art of “God Save the Queen” by Peter Hamel. It’s artwork from the Sex Pistols.

I love playing ping-pong; I mean I’m good, but not good enough that the outcome is always in my favour. </span><span class='fancyPhotoName'>Hat, Vintage; Bowtie, Ralph Lauren </span>

My agent in Australia made this for me for my 40th birthday. It is everything I'm about -old world meets new world, old thinking meets new thinking. It’s iconic. I don’t know whethe... Watches, Harrods customized by Ben Watts

<span class='fancyPhotoDesc'>My agent in Australia made this for me for my 40th birthday. It is everything I'm about -old world meets new world, old thinking meets new thinking. It’s iconic. I don’t know whether she knows it or not, but she is so inspiring.

I customized these watches and gave them as Christmas presents this year. I bought them at Harrods in the airport. They looked at me and I looked at them. We chose each other.</span><span class='fancyPhotoName'>Watches, Harrods customized by Ben Watts </span>

I made these hats for a promotion for my first book and I gave them away at a gallery opening that I had. Hats, Ben Watts

<span class='fancyPhotoDesc'>I made these hats for a promotion for my first book and I gave them away at a gallery opening that I had.

</span><span class='fancyPhotoName'>Hats, Ben Watts </span>

My friend Lyle Owerko made the boom box sticker and I put it on my computer. He wrote a whole book about boom boxes. I’ve seen other people using it, carrying it, sticking it on their... Shoes, Matthew Cookson, Sunglasses, Vintage

Shoes, Adidas

I got the British flag jacket made on Carnegie Street in London. The Welsh guard's jacket is from Portobello Road - it belonged to a real Welsh guard! British Flag Jacket, Custom Made; Red Welsh Jacket, Vintage