photo : Luke Copping
interview : Zach Rose
What do you do at Auxiliary Magazine?
I am a fashion stylist, working mainly in editorial.
What are some of the challenges facing a fashion consultant/stylist such as yourself?
The challenges of being a stylist are having to plan on never having enough of anything: time, people, clothes, whatever it may be. You absolutely have to be prepared to improvise, and always over prepare because once you are on set you have what you have. By the same token, improvising can be the best part. Some of the coolest stuff happens when things don’t go according to plan. You have to trust in your vision, just like any other art form.
Do you think style reflects one’s inner individuality? Or is it merely a means of following a trend?
I believe personal style is a reflection of the individual by its very nature. Not everyone is entirely confident in who he or she is or who he or she wishes to be, or in the expression of that. Therefore, some like to play it very safe outwardly and don’t like to be as creative as others in their dress. I think that fashion has become a part of society where, if you choose to participate, it will embrace you. For some, following trends is a way to feel like a part of the accessible cultural evolution in fashion, which can be easily made personal as well. Whatever it is you need to do or feel to participate in the expression of yourself, fashion offers it. Whether it is your own creativity or a reflection of another influence, it is a personal choice as to how deeply you would like to immerse yourself in it. Fashion is a decision about the kind of person you want to show the world, whether that comes from within or without is up to the individual.
Describe a bit of your background and how it has led you to where you are today?
I have a background in marketing and creative media production that I was specifically applying to the music industry for quite some time in both Atlanta, and New York City. I took a turn toward fashion as a result of my dissatisfaction with several corporate American structures that I kept running into. I specifically fell into working with a vintage designer showroom during my time living in Williamsburg. This was a turning point in my life.
I find it important to live with sensitivity in understanding where people are coming from and what they are trying to express. I find this mentality important to styling, as it is all about creating a vision for everyone involved, expressing an effective story, and being able to step outside of yourself and personal opinions to do so. My favorite part of creating visual solutions is telling a story or concept through the participation in collective creative endeavors. When you get a group of highly intelligent and creative people together creating a mind-full concept visually, it is highly rewarding
What is your opinion on the state of subculture and more specifically, how does Auxiliary cater to the demands of the alternative?
I think that subculture is a beautiful thing. It allows people to pull from one or many areas in order to find inspirations based on small groups of people brought together by similar mentalities and taste in music, art, and lifestyle decisions. I do not believe that any one subculture is completely pure and free of influence any more, in that we have become so infused with image and media references that everyone seems to be drawing from each others subcultures. Sub or counter cultures that may still truly exist purely are those that have still yet to make it into the mainstream influence. Auxiliary is important to the fashion scene in that it offers the opportunity of creating alternative high-fashion inspirations that are also accessible. When we commercialize these subcultures the mainstream becomes comfortable with them, and therefore are aware of how to apply them to day-to-day life.
What does creativity mean to you and why is it important?
Creativity is an ability to think and feel openly. You either have it or you don’t, but that’s a choice we make every day. We choose in every moment how we are looking at, interacting with, and giving back to the world around us.
Great picture! Molly is so smart and adorable!
Apparently you have to be stunning to work with Auxiliary ;) Molly is beautiful!