In each issue’s Fashion Nation, we talk to a sartorial trailblazer about their personal style.
Amy Mills (@rococo_witch)
Musician, photographer, designer, luthier
Brooklyn, NY
What can you tell me about this outfit?
The vibe I’m going for is Rococo witch. The dress and the hat were both made by my friend Kelsey for her label, I Do Declare. The shoes are from Long Tall Sally, which is a store for taller women with larger feet. The belt is from VooDoooDolly, who makes beautiful jewelry and accessories. The harp guitar was made by Chris Knutsen in 1912. I’ve always been inspired by historical photographs, especially of women who play guitar, and incorporating these beautiful instruments into my style references that.
What else inspires your style?
At the core of my style is a hyper-feminine aesthetic, which has always come naturally to me since I was little. The different elements of my looks take influence from a variety of historical periods—especially Rococo, Lolita, and classic representations of witches. I’m interested in photography, music, lacemaking, textiles, and fashion history, so I pick and choose from what I find beautiful and bring it all together. I’ve found projecting a high level of femininity in my style can make some people feel uncomfortable, especially working in the male-dominated industries that I do, but it definitely also brings others joy. I think both are equally important.
Is projecting your femininity what excites you the most about fashion?
That is certainly a big part of it! From a purely aesthetic standpoint there are so many feminine garments that are just incredibly beautiful and wonderful to wear. But as a queer femme, it’s a big part of who I am. I think taking up space with femininity is a really important thing to do in today’s political climate. I like that I can challenge people’s ideas of where feminine people exist, which I get to do at work on a daily basis!
What else do you want people to know about you?
I’m trans. Being trans and being out in the world and representing that community is really important to me.
- Heart Shape Full Frame Sunglasses, $4.20, dresslily.com
- One-Of-A-Kind Handmade Crown, starting at $40, sthedwigatelier.etsy.com
- White Bise Dress, $250, idodeclareshop.com
- Antaina Tea Party Glitter Lolita Shoes, $45.99, my-lolita-dress.com
- Buckled Witch Hat, $110, idodeclareshop.com
By Sarah Boyle
Photographed by Yudi Ela
This article originally appeared in the October/November print issue of BUST Magazine. Subscribe today!
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