Azar Swan Singer Zohra Atash Talks Personal Style: BUST Interview

by BUST Magazine November 4, 2015

BUST Magazine November 4, 2015

Zohra Atash – the singer/songwriter behind the Brooklyn-band Azar Swan – has the coolest personal style we’ve seen in some time. With rock’n’roll, goth and hair metal influences, Zohra’s style incorporates badass statement pieces like a leather harness or a hand-me-down scarf from her grandmother, always against plenty of black and gray. We talked style with Zohra for our “Fashion Nation” feature in the October/November issue of BUST magazine.

Tell me about what you’re wearing.

My friend made the top out of latex, which I got at a place where they sell PVC pipes. It looks like a second skin, almost amphibian-ish. The bustier is a nod to a Lita Ford-hair metal-’80s Madonna-type thing. The leather harness was created for me by Ellie of Oath Jewelry. The rope harness is by an amazing Brooklyn designer, Titania Inglis. I wanted something that not only looked like armor, which represents my warrior side, but that also followed the structure of the human body. The shorts and boots are vintage.

Where do you get your inspiration?

A lot of my inspiration is very bestial and animal, but that can be very human. It’s just adorning yourself with things that remind you of your primordial-ness.

Describe your style.

I love the juxtaposition of femininity and tough-guy masculinity. I approach clothing as a representation of my history, DNA, and who I am. It’s not like a character I’m playing. It’s more of a feeling that if you get it right, you’re closer to knowing a deeper side of yourself.

When did you become interested in fashion?

My mother had a “coat of many colors” approach. She’d put appliques on stuff; we’d go garage-sale shopping. We didn’t have a lot of money, so we’d buy things and change them. Anything is wearable. A top should never cost more than 40 bucks as far as I’m concerned. As a musician, I’d rather spend that money on an instrument.

Tell me about your favorite piece of clothing.

A scarf, handed down from my Grammy, that’s lined with all these very thin coins. It sounds like pixie dust and has this shimmer.

What advice do you have for girls developing their own personal style?

There are no rules. You have to shut down your internal negative voice and also shut down anyone else’s judgment. Find the commonality of what really resonates with you, and you’ll start to learn things about yourself that you never knew.