Fashion, Beauty, Hair
“I refuse to let anyone take away my ability, nor anyone else's ability to live a fulfilling life. I will fight for that and I will die to uphold that.”
a revolutionary, aspiring stylist: an Interview with queen hall
Queen Hall is a revolutionary, aspiring stylist. She describes herself as a Black Queer Woman and an intellectual.
How would you describe your style?
I have a hard time describing my style because I hop from high femme glam, to androgynous streetwear and anything in between. But, I am usually drawn to what I call “high fashion functioning gothic.” I don’t find myself wearing extreme pieces that scream “goth,” so I consider it “high fashion functioning” because I aim to look poised, put together and expensive.
How long did it take for you to discover and feel comfortable in your style? (describe your journey)
I grew up with a parent who was dynamic in every sense. I idolized the way she put herself together and in a lot of ways my mother gave me the formula to dress the way I want to present myself. She was supportive of whatever I chose, but there was also another aspect to her. My mother was physically and emotionally abusive. Growing up in such an abusive environment I developed a self-consciousness that hindered me from dressing the way I wanted to. I developed facial and body dysmorphia, which took a harsh toll on my well-being during high school. But I still tried to experiment; I took up a popularized Japanese style of dress called Visual Kei for a while. Eventually I realized that my appropriative consumption of Japanese culture was unhealthy, so I decided to cultivate my own fashion sense. This took time, but it was pretty easy! I simply followed models, stylists and people whose fashion sense I liked on social media. I watched them cultivate their wardrobes and realized I could do the same thing, but to the umpteenth degree. By the time I started at Ithaca College I had a couple of years of understanding how to organize my closet and had a healthy balance of basics and statement pieces. I was also finally away from my abusive home and was now being loved and cared for by friends who helped me build the courage and self confidence to be myself. So it was a long journey, but I’m glad I finally got here!
What parts of your identity do you feel are most-represented in your style? Are some identities of yours easier to represent than others?
That’s hard for me to answer because it’s difficult for me to label my identities. However, I feel like what is represented most in my style is my love for alternatively. I wear a lot dark colors and metal accessories, chains and elaborate rings. I sometimes have a hard time representing my more feminine side, only because I am too well aware of the dangers of being a black woman, or femme. I hate confrontation, so that last thing I want to deal with is being harassed out in the streets. I love wearing femme, revealing clothing I just know that it comes with an unwanted gaze.
What do you think some people struggle with in finding their own style?
Sometimes it’s not having the clothes you want! We live in a society plagued by late-stage capitalism and that comes with rampant poverty. Most people don’t have the means to take care of themselves the way they’d like. That poverty and feeling of helplessness can lead to a lack of confidence. I know many people who just aren’t confident in themselves, but they still try to experiment -- and that’s great! I wasn’t confident in myself either, until recently. Another obstacle for people finding their style is that when finding what fits you best you’re forced to try all sorts of shit that you might regret later. I was walking around with purple, silver all kinds of colored wigs in high school and it wasn’t until much later that I realized the look wasn’t for me. So I was left with a few years worth of very embarrassing memories and photos.
Do you think popular fashion is boring in today's culture?
I think that popular fashion is a part of our culture -- American culture, that is. However, I think that social media has made popular fashion boring. This new idea of “social media influencers” pushing an idea of what clothes we should be spending our money on through social media is what makes fashion boring.
What advice do you have for people struggling with finding their style?
Take your time. When you’re comfortable enough to find your own style and you will!
“My goal is to change the way people think about this…”
an Interview with Olivia carpenter
By Brianna Mottey
Olivia Carpenter is a first-year student at Ithaca College who is designing her own clothing line from her dorm room. I interviewed her on her inspirations, process, impact and how she balances that along with school, work and her social life.
When did you begin designing your own clothes and what inspired you?
At age 10, I would always sew things with my grandma and make clothes for my stuffed animals. Before I left Ohio to attend Ithaca College, I would always draw on things and paint and tear shirts to make them more stylish. When I got to IC, things shifted into a fashion perspective and I took what I’ve learned to the next level. I would sew different pieces of clothing together and instead of drawing, I started working with paint as a medium and things took off from there.
What inspires your designs?
I am inspired by everything. Nature and people and their outfits influence my ideas and approaches. Aside from what looks cool, the words and images I have painted onto my clothing symbolize communities in society, both black and white.
With working at the Marriott as a part time waitress, your internship at a radio station, being a model for distinct and high fashion magazine as well as being an MLK Scholar, how do you make time for your clothing line?
Time is difficult. School work always comes first. I makes goals for myself by setting aside a portion of time to work on homework, an essay or study for a test. Once I finish that, my reward is to work on my clothing. Because I’m an artist, I have fun expressing myself through my designs. I will try to get all of my school work done on the days that I do work before I leave so that the days I have off are reserved for my designing.
On November 18, 2018 you coordinated a fashion show in New York. What were the steps you took to be able to put the event together?
I’ve hosted parties in the past, but a fashion show is nothing like a party! There is so much that needs to go into it. First thing is the venue. Nothing is going to happen without the venue. I’ve been working really hard at the Marriott so that I’d be able to pay for an event like this. Once you have the venue, all you need are the people. People will step forward to be models, to be a dj or designers to promote their work and attract more people. Luckily, I have two close friends who live in New York City that have helped with coordinating the event. We’ve made and sent out invitations that were dropped off at offices and corporations such as Cosmopolitan, so interns could attend.
What are you most looking forward to with your clothing line?
Whether I’m designing in bigger industries or designing for companies, I’m looking forward to impacting society because you don’t see clothing like this. You can kind of call it street wear but it’s not exactly that. As I grow, I just want people to find a deeper meaning in it. My goal is to change the way people think about this and once I’ve gained the traction I want to further give back to communities and make a difference in the faults of society that my clothing symbolically approaches.
What is your advice for students who are also aspiring fashion designers?
Definitely set aside time to design and think. Look at everything and gain inspiration from all that you see. And you really have to enjoy your work because it takes time and effort to craft your best work.
“Thank you to my inspirations, Lisa Left Eye (R.I.P) and Tyler the Creator. You taught me that n***as can wear color too. “
Mz. Vic the MzFit: Confident and Colorful
Instagram: mzvicthemzfit
Twitter: mzvicthemzfit
Youtube: MzVic
Embracing my identity has always been a struggle, especially as a woman of color. It is moments like these that makes me so happy to see how far I’ve come. I went from self-hatred, to self-sacred. In the beginning, I did not realize how experimenting with fashion was going to impact my life, but it has. It has become a step toward embracing who I am.
For a long time, I did not feel like my whole self was represented. I definitely was not represented in my closet. I remember walking into stores and thrift shops and staring at exactly what I wanted to wear. I used to pick up the clothes off the rack and pose in the mirror. For a moment, I saw how I wanted to be in the world. For a moment, I saw my truest self... Shortly after, I hung the clothes back up and walked away from them. I turned away because I thought I couldn’t pull it off–not in the “real world.” Now looking back, I realize the only thing that really stopped me from expressing myself through fashion, or anything creative, was fear. In turn, fear stopped me from embracing who I am on the inside and out. On the inside, I’m full of life and color. Life is color.
I came to the conclusion that I did not want the value of my clothes to be based on the approval of others. I wanted to wear my clothes because I think they’re bomb. I learned to stop caring so much about what people think of me. What matters in my life is how I grow, think and value myself. Wearing my clothes is like wearing my spirit. Fashion is one of the ways I feel at peace with myself as a Mzfit. If I learned anything from my journey so far, it is to love who you are and to believe that we can create the life we want for ourselves. I recently started this creator’s journey, and I am having the time of my life. I really hope those who felt like caged birds like me can experience what this type of freedom feels like. Stay fly and fabulous.