In our Fashion Nation series, we talk to people about their sense of style.
Marisol Hernandez
Lead singer of La Santa Cecilia
Los Angeles, CA
Tell me about this outfit.
I bought the luchador fabric in downtown L.A. The bright colors and luchadores got me so excited that I took it to a friend, Diego Medel, so he could make me this dress. The shoes are folkloric dance shoes that my friend, visual designer Humberto Howard, painted for me. The bow is from Oaxaca, Mexico, and the bracelets are from St. Vincent thrift store in L.A.
photographed by Humberto Howardr
How would you describe your style?
My style is a mix of me being very proud of my Mexican heritage, and this love I have for vintage dresses—a mix between Frida Kahlo and Lucille Ball. I love wearing very ’50s dresses and bows when I’m on stage, but when I’m just hanging out, I love to wear these traditional skirts from Oaxaca.
Where does your affinity for denim come from?
I just always loved jeans. I was born in the ’80s, my mom loved wearing super tight jeans. When I was growing up, I liked wearing long skirts, but I was always wearing jeans underneath because I needed to be able to run or jump a fence. I love letting my imagination go off on a jean jacket because they’re like a canvas you can paint or alter.
Photographed by Jasmine Jassieuo Durhal
Do you consider yourself a fashion icon?
I don’t consider myself a fashion icon but I see how people are affected by whether I’m on stage with a fluorescent green tutu with pink stockings or if I’m wearing a super Mexican shawl over a ’50s dress. Maybe they think it’s funny, maybe they think it’s cute, but it just makes me happy.
Have you always loved wearing a lot of color?
Growing up, I wasn’t as expressive because I had a lot of hang-ups. When I started playing with La Santa Cecilia, I started to feel more confident. Singing my songs set me free and made me feel like I could do whatever I wanted and it didn’t matter that I’m not skinny and my hair is curly—I should just try everything!
Marisol’s picks will have you serving vintage-inspired looks with estilo
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1. DOLLFACE DRESS IN BLACK AND WHITE—VIXEN BY MICHELINE PITT, $150, michelinepitt.com
2. GLITTER VIRGENCITA CIELO MAKEUP BAG, $12, shopmivida.com
3. VINTAGE STYLE RED LEATHERETTE WIGGLE BOW HEELS, $58, unique-vintage.com
4. 1950S STYLE RED TULLE TEA LENGTH PETTICOAT CRINOLINE, $58, unique-vintage.com
5. MULTICOLOR FLORAL SILK HAIR SCARF, $22, unique-vintage.com
6. CORAZON LOVEBIRDS EARRINGS, $285, ilaments.net
By Tess Rosenberg
Photographed by Humberto Howard
This article originally appeared in the Spring 2020 print edition of BUST Magazine. Subscribe today!
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