A couple of weeks ago, Joey & Kerry from StyleCaster met me at my apartment so they could shoot some of my outfits. From the rooftop of my building to Death & Co., we wandered all over the East Village in the quest for the perfect backdrop!

Joey took some fantastic pictures, so I thought I’d share some of them, as well as some selections from the interview. I also wanted to let you know what I’m wearing, since there is no mention of that in the article! It’s a lovely piece — click through to StyleCaster to read the entire thing!

I was wearing…

Purple feather earrings from Forever 21
Magenta cashmere sweater (men’s!) from Uniqlo
See by Chloe skirt (it has pockets!); bought secondhand from Tokio 7
Coach Poppy blazer (gifted)
Black stockings
Dr Marten Regina boots
Coach Madison Sophia handbag (also gifted)

Oh, Tokio 7. I don’t think I’ve mentioned its presence within these hallowed halls & it’s probably time. I’m in two minds about sharing my super-secret designer consignment source, but it would really be cruel not to share the wonder of this place!

Tokio 7 is tucked away on East 7th Street between 1st & 2nd Avenues, & I visit approximately once or twice a week. (It’s true!) As the name might imply, it’s owned by a couple of people from Japan with exceptional taste, & they only buy the very, very best designer clothes. You name it, you will find it here: Balenciaga, Alexander McQueen, YSL, Chanel, Rodarte… the list goes on. The prices are really reasonable, & they only buy barely-worn pieces, so everything is of like-new quality. The Helmut Lang dress in one of the photos below still had its tags on, & let’s just say I did NOT pay anywhere NEAR $735!!!

I’ve never sold anything there (though I suspect I should start!), but for anyone who loathes paying full retail (& surely we all fall into that category?!) this is your sartorial sanctuary. Ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-check it out!

What inspires you most in creating outfits?

I am definitely someone who expresses her mood through an outfit – or I will try to portray the way I WANT to feel! When it’s cold and dreary, it’s likely that I will bust out a magenta sequined tank. I definitely go through color phases, and love affairs with this or that shoe, hat, sweater, etc. I am always trying to evoke some kind of feeling from the clothes I wear. Just being covered up is never enough!

I was wearing…

Vintage Pucci dress
Black stockings
Dr Marten Regina booties

This dress is super-amazing. It’s a silk/cashmere blend & has some teeny tiny moth-holes in it, but I will happily overlook them simply because the print is so gorgeous! I love it. All it needs is a pair of stockings, some shoes & you’re ready to go.

If you had to explain your style in x + x + x = me what would it be?

Silhouettes from the 1950s + colours and patterns from the 1960s and 1970s + futuristic, fetishistic footwear + sparkles and orchidaceous accessories for maximum effect!

I was wearing…

Helmut Lang dress, aforementioned Tokio 7 purchase!
Black stockings
Dr Marten Regina boots
Indecorous Taste crystal harnesses
Skull ring

This dress is kind of an unusual pick for me — it makes me feel a bit Blade Runner! I adore Helmut Lang but had never worn or owned any of it, & now I am totally sold. This dress has the most incredible construction — the draped wool in the front flanked by two buttery leather panels, & the sleeves which are so soft you’d swear they’re pure cashmere. (I think they’re actually merino wool.)

Wearing this dress makes me think a lot about the contrasts in my wardrobe. I love bright colour & prints & frills, but I like to complement them with anything black or grey & minimal in style. Black draped cardigans, leather leggings, big orthopedic-esque Frankenbooties… It’s such a strange mix but I love it! I swear that if you’re a teenage goth, it never really leaves you!

Something people would be surprised to know about you?

I’m pretty fearless, but I can be quite shy when I’m in social situations. I am not likely to dance on any tables anytime soon! I can definitely be that girl who clings to her phone so that I don’t have to feel awkward in a room full of new people!

I was wearing…

Betsey Johnson Marilyn dress
Betsey Johnson corset belt
Black velvet blazer from Theory, another Tokio 7 score!
Black stockings
Sam Edelman Zoe booties
Personalised satchel from Cambridge Satchel Company

This dress is another departure for me — most of you will know that I never wear red! Well, this dress marked the turning of the tide. In fact, as I sit here writing this, I am wearing a RED maxi-dress! (No kidding!) This dress also marked the start of my love affair with all of Betsey Johnson’s cotton-lycra blend. Every season, she does a variety of dresses in this fabric, which have differing cuts & prints. It’s all I ever want to wear! I cannot tell you how comfortable it is!

Where would you like to be in 5 years?

To be really and truly bi-coastal (New York winters are BRUTAL!); to have published at least two (preferably three) books; to have a walk-in closet. It’s true.

Thanks so much to StyleCaster!