In our Fashion Nation series, we talk to people about their sense of style.
Patricia Fox
Artist
New York, New York
Tell me about this outfit.
Nothing matches and everything goes, that’s how I refer to my sensibility. This is a color story. I’m wearing a vintage muumuu dress. The colors are magical and complement the vintage striped coat—it’s Boutique Loungewear New York and I find that loungewear is fabulous for daywear. I designed the headpiece and it’s made out of antique ribbons, hand-sewn by Carli Beardsley, a costume designer from Brooklyn. The socks are Paul Stuart and the shoes are Simone Rocha. The glasses were a gift, and I just love the shape.
Tell me about the headpieces you wear, they’re so unique to you.
I’m an assemblage artist and I’ve been collecting antique beads and laces and flowers and findings for years. When I became more interested in fashion, I started to create wearable art pieces, and I love to put things in my hair—if I could wear a disco ball on my head, I would. They make me feel so happy; people tell me that I’m a walking installation.
Do you have a favorite piece?
I’m obessed with tulle—when you’re walking over a subway grate and the air blows, the whole dress goes up.
Has your style changed throughout your life?
My style is never the same; I really dress for a mood, for an event. I don’t go to a fancy restaurant like I would go to a funeral. And I don’t go to a funeral like I would to a wedding. I dress totally “age inappropriate,” and I love that.
Do you have any style advice?
When I see people poking each other and looking at me, I choose not to think that they’re being judgmental or negative. Don’t make up stuff that you think people are thinking about you when you look a little different. Think of it in terms of those people admiring you and appreciating you and being curious about you as a person. Take it as the greatest compliment. When I go out into the world, I see that people are smiling at me, and what a great gift that is.
1. Delora Sleeveless Fitted Mock Neck Dress, $285, aliceandolivia.com
2. Staud Panda Striped Stretch-Cotton Poplin Mini Skirt, $165, net-a-porter.com
3. Feel the Groove Embellished Sunglasses, $30, freepeople.com
4. Fruit-Embellished Clutch, $49.95, anthropologie.com
5. Contrast Polka Dot Socks, $12.99, paulstuart.com
By Victoria Albert
Photographed by Seher Sikandar
This article originally appeared in the August/September 2018 print edition of BUST Magazine. Subscribe today!
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