LA Metro Profiles

Victor and Anu Gbemudu

One evening recently, my photographer, Marcia, and I were hunting the Metro for interesting-looking riders. After we got on at Wilshire and Vermont on the Purple Line, Marcia spotted Victor’s chic straw hat as he hunched in a corner of the Metro car. “He looks really stylish,” she commented and rushed over to talk with him.

Victor indeed has a unique sartorial sensibility. And we soon learned that the equally hip fellow next to him was his brother! The Gbemudus are from Nigeria. Victor studies Psychology in Orange County and Anu is an artist and designer in LA. Liz/EO: Do you take the Metro regularly? Victor: I started riding a couple of weeks ago. I go back and forth from Orange County [to Hollywood] and I normally drive but gas prices are so high. I really like riding the Metro. it's cheap, fast, and sure beats driving on the 101! Liz/EO: Anu, what do you like best about taking the Metro. Anu: Well, I like everything about it. And there are a lot of good and creative people taking the Metro. Liz/EO: Both of you have a distinctive way of dressing. Does anything in particular influence you? Victor? Victor: The way I dress is me! I like to look at how other people dress but I don't let anyone determine how I dress. I don't read magazines or anything. I just do my own thing. Liz/EO: How about you, Anu? Anu: My brother Victor is my main influence. Liz/EO: I like your t-shirt! Anu: It's from “Alien,” the clothing line that I represent.