Q and A with Victoria ValenzuEla @vickjagger_

September 21, 2020

This week we spoke with DJ, Drag Artist, and Stylist Victoria Valenzuela, ‘Vick Jagger’, who spilled her go-to vintage spots and creating an inclusive nightlife scene in LA for the LGBTQIA+ community.

Thank you so much for doing this interview with me, I’m a big fan! For those who might not be familiar with you, can you briefly tell everyone a little about who you are?

Thank you for having me! It’s my pleasure. For starters, I’m a 2nd generation Chicana who grew up in LA & SoCal my whole life. I’m a DJ, Drag artist, event organizer, stylist & I’m currently in school studying film! My goal is to be a Screenwriter, Director & an Art director

As a vintage lover who lives in LA I adore The Way We Wore. How long have you worked there, and can you tell me a little bit about what you do?

Absolutely. I’ve worked there for a year and a half and it’s by far the best job I’ve ever had. In short, I help with the website & also work in store. I assist buyers with their needs. Some days we get to pull looks for designers, costume designers, productions, photo shoots, celeb clients & more. It’s such a fun & exciting job! I’m honored to be apart of the family. Everyday I’m excited to go into work!

I noticed that you’ve been very involved in LA nightlife and creating a place for the LGBTQIA+ community. Can you tell us about how that came to be?

Yes! I started DJing in 2016 & realized quickly that there wasn’t much of an inclusive nightlife scene in LA for queer people & femme identifying folks. Specifically BIPOC. My 2 siblings & a few friends created a collective called the Haus of Flamboyance and together we started throwing drag brunches, shows & viewing parties for the community.

With that being said, is there one particular event you’ve hosted or participated in that really stands out from the rest?

I would have to say our Pose viewing parties were extremely special. For 10 weeks every Tuesday night we’d premiere the newest episode of POSE and afterwards throw a themed drag show. It was intimate, beautiful and extremely special. The message of Pose was always so powerful & always transcended in the drag shows- the performers would be so full of life, love & freedom & it showed. It was by far my favorite event to throw and be apart of.

You have such an incredible style, do you have any tips for those who might want to start shopping for vintage clothing, but don’t know where to begin?

I appreciate that! Honestly - I like to thrift at lower end shops like Goodwill, Savers & Salvation Army. It’s so important to exercise your eye. Thrifting isn’t for everyone, but if u look at it like a treasure hunt it’s a lot of fun. You gotta have a lot of patience for it, but you definitely will come up on so many great pieces! Make a game plan of where you wanna go and give yourself a full day. You won’t regret it.

Do you have any favorite places to shop in LA or online?

Honestly, I don’t do much online shopping for clothes. In LA, I love to shop at Jet Rag, Out of the Closet, Wasteland, American Vintage, Buffalo Exchange, Lemon Frog Shop & Squaresville just to name a few!

Is there anyone who you feel inspires how you dress? If so, who are some of your style icons of the past?

Oh yes! I love 20th Century Pop Culture. The 60’s, 70’s & 80’s play a huge part of who I am as a person. The heavy hitters for me are Prince, Bowie, Mick & Bianca Jagger, DIVINE, The Beatles in 1967/1968, Freddie Mercury & last but not least my girl, Selena!

I can imagine you see some amazing archive pieces on a daily basis. Who are some of your favorite designers to come across?

Always! My favorite designer hands down is Bob Mackie. I love how flamboyant and eccentric his pieces are. Other designers I really love are Mugler, Moschino, Versace, Vivienne Westwood, Bill Blass & Halston.

If you could raid the closet of anyone in the world, who would you choose?

It goes without saying, but I’d raid Princes’ archival closet in a heartbeat. His style was unlike any other- full of color, ruffles, coats, boots, hats, jewelry and the list goes on. I also love the fact that everything was custom made for his petite frame. I admire his style so much that I run a side instagram account called @PrinceGotTheLook that showcases all of his fabulous outfits. It’s a dream of mine to one day try on the cloud ensemble he wore in the “Raspberry Beret” video!!

And lastly, is there one particular trend from the past that you would love to see come back into fashion?

YES! I’d love to see bouffants make a comeback! Big hairstyles in general. I feel like we’re so on the go now a days that people don’t really think about fun & different ways they can style their hair. If I had more time, I would definitely be stepping out with a 2 ft Bee hive everyday.

Screen Shot 2020-08-31 at 10.08.40 AM.png — Victoria via @vickjagger_

Q and A with Soleia Coleman

August 31, 2020

This week Nasty Nostalgia spoke with self-portrait artist Soleia Coleman who discussed her inspirations, creative process, and dream collaborations.

I absolutely love your work! What led you to start creating self-portrait photography?

Firstly, thank you so much! I've had dreams of doing editorial modeling since I was a little girl. I've always wanted to see people who looked like me on magazine covers. The modeling and fashion industry can be incredibly toxic, especially in terms of body image. I've been turned away by agencies before because my body wasn't up to their standards. I figured if I would never be in a real magazine, that I should just shoot editorial looks myself and be on my own damn cover!

I notice a lot of references to makeup trends of the 60s and 70s in your photos, what about that era particularly interests you?

When I think of the '60s, I think of true glamour. I'm so drawn to the teased hair, the dramatic makeup. A time where people spent hours decorating themselves, even for more "casual" events. When I think of complete fashion freedom and expression through clothing and accessories, I think of the '70s. It was also such a progressive era for fashion, for people, for so many things.

That being said, Who are some of your favorite beauty and style inspirations from the past?

It's a little bit biased, but my mama is my biggest style inspiration. She always has been and still is today. She always looks so put together and hardly even has to try. Donyale Luna, Verushka, Diana Ross, Audrey Hepburn, and Lisa Bonnet are a few of my other long-standing favorites!

Lately, vintage makeup, fashion trends, music, and films have become very popular with the younger generation on social media. Why do you suppose that is?

Good taste! Haha. A lot of young people, like me, feel a connection to vintage things because it reminds them of someone or something they love. There's an intense feeling of nostalgia that comes with anything vintage, and it can almost transport you back to a time where so many things were simpler, even though most of us weren't around for them yet.

What is the creative process like when you’re shooting a new piece? Does a lot of research go into your work?

I spend quite a lot of time looking at retro ads and editorials, so sometimes I'll directly recreate one (Like my Jean Shrimpton inspired Newsweek cover) or I'll just draw inspiration from the types of makeup/clothing people wore in them. It's honestly as easy as viewing it and saying "Wow, I love that, I want to shoot something like that" and then trying to put my own little spin on it.

Do you have any dream collaborations (photographers, makeup artists, etc) that you would love to work with in the future?

There are so many! There's a photographer named A.J Hamilton (@thetogfather) who does these dreamy, Renaissance-Esque portraits that I am obsessed with. I'm nervous to let someone else photograph me, but I would, given the opportunity. There are so many artists/brands that I look up to and am so fortunate to already have collaborations in the works with.

If you could raid the closet of anyone in the world, who would you choose?

Cher! Need I say more?

Lastly, what’s one trend from the past that you would love to see come back into fashion?

Some trends I like have actually already come back into style. But my absolute favorites never left! Knee-high stockings, overall pants, and skirts, matching two-pieces. Crushed velvet. I think the world could always use more full-body sparkly outfits, though! ;)

Soleia's instagram

Q and A with Scarlett Sabet

August 10, 2020

This week Nasty Nostalgia spoke with London based poet Scarlett Sabet who discussed her spoken word album, literary inspirations, and her unique style.

Scarlett photographed by Scarlet Page for Catalyst — Scarlett photographed by Scarlet Page for *Catalyst*

I’m a big fan of yours and your work and have found great solace in your writing given what’s going on in the world around us. Is there a specific message that you want your work to convey?

Thank you so much! I have always believed that artists have a duty to reflect the world around them. Frankly the times we have been living in, how could you not? I was raised to be aware of how fortunate and lucky I am. I also have veterans in my family, and my mother’s side of the family are French, so my grandfather spent his teenage years under Nazi occupation in Northern France. His father, my great grandfather, was in the French resistance. After the war, he was awarded the Legion De Honour by the French Government for his bravery and service. So, perhaps because all this is in my blood, I feel more compelled. The night before I wrote “Fifth Circle of Hell”, we watched the news; this was in 2016, at the time when the refugee crisis really was being highlighted in the media. There were images of these forlorn tents in the rain, in Calais, where people who had fled Syria, Iraq, war-torn countries had to try and survive. To me, it felt intrinsically wrong. I wrote a few notes down in my Moleskine notebook, and then the next day, I sat down with a big mug of green tea, and I wrote the whole poem in one sitting. Some things I feel compelled to write about, it's my way of trying to pay tribute, or highlight as a poet.

Did you always know that you wanted to be a writer? What inspired you to start writing?

Well, I've just always written. I've been blessed that I was able to experiment in other art forms, but writing, poetry, in particular, has always been the most immediate language form. I would read my mother's books, I read Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale and Sylvia Plath's The Bell Jar when I was 12. When I was studying English A-level certain poems really started to fascinate me. We were studying the classics, Coleridge, and W.B Yeats and then when I was asked to attend Advanced English which was a great excuse to read, even more, we would study extra books that weren't on the required curriculum.

I really enjoyed analysing the written word, trying to work out its alchemy. I’ve always written a kind of diary, a non-linear, random lyrical documentation of my life, experience and perspective. My poems were rooted in that and crept out. Poetry just became the language that made the most sense. And I've always been a bookworm.

That being said, who are some of your biggest literary inspirations?

I respect any artist that is brave, that has passion and courage, and has an authentic voice in their work. Ted Hughes is a favourite poet of mine, his book Crow is really powerful. I like Emily Dickinson and Baudelaire as well.

I’ve noticed that you have a great love and interest in photography as well as writing. How do those two art forms intersect for you?

Some photos capture an energy, an intensity, which can be beguiling and inspiring. It's interesting how one person can find one image inspiring and another person can find it threatening, whatever artistic statement is made, people almost always project their own thoughts, feeling, desire, and insecurity onto the work, whether that be a photo in a gallery or on Instagram.

I really appreciate the depth and beauty of film. It has a depth in the same way vinyl records do. From the age of 21 until last summer I was a waitress at a place in London called the Chelsea Arts Club, a private members club for artists that was established in 1890 by Whistler. Each month there would be a different exhibition at the club by a member, so I was fortunate to see some really interesting exhibits. Photographer Neil Libbert's exhibition stood out, his black and white film photos of America in the early 1960's were exquisite and poetic. I remember a very surreal exhibition of paintings done by an artist called Mike Pope that were inspired by the dreams he had whilst in a coma in hospital. I was very lucky to waitress at such a culturally rich establishment with such a long history. The members always took an interest in what we did, I remember once serving an artist there who said "How's your work?" I said "Oh fine, I finish at 6pm", he said "No, not this, I mean your REAL work, how's your writing?' Some of the members had also worked there as well, so they all had an appreciation and respect that we were working there to enable us to continue our artistic work and live in a city like London.

I have a photographic memory, for words and images. We're all overwhelmed with images really, aren't we? On the news, social media in the palms of our hands. But even now some images in particular stand out. I remember seeing on Twitter a photo taken by photojournalist Andrew Quilty called “The Man On The Operating Table”. It broke my heart and haunted me. It was of an Afghan man named Baynazar Mohammed Nazar. He worked as a security guard, was married with four children. He went back to work after fighting between Taliban forces and the government and he ended up being injured by simply being caught in the crossfire. He was injured and was taken to a hospital run by Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders). He was being operated on, when a US aircraft bombed the hospital, mistakenly thinking it was a Taliban compound. The cruel fate in all of that really stayed with me, the domestic impact war has on ordinary civilians. I wrote a poem inspired by that image and the story behind it, that poem was published in my second collection The Lock And The Key.

How do you feel the art of poetry has changed within the past 100 years? Do you believe that

the age of Social Media has impacted the art form at all?

The internet makes everything so accessible. It’s easier to access artists and find them on social media, see how they present themselves. I think there is more tolerance to different ideas of what poetry can be, and who can write poetry. Also, I believe strongly that poetry is for everybody, and should be made to be accessible for everyone. I love it when someone comes to a poetry reading and afterwards says: "I don't normally get poetry, but I really loved that". A poetry reading can make the words come alive, make it more visceral and give a new life and idea of what poetry is. I've always loved giving readings, it's an amazing surge of energy and interaction with the audience listening and reacting and absorbing.

Is there one project that you’ve worked on that particularly stands out to you?

Well, Catalyst, the spoken word album I made, which was produced by Jimmy. I've been proud of each book, and there are particular poems like “Ocean”, a love poem I wrote the day after Valentine's Day 2016, and then poems like “Cut Up” and “Shackles”, which were also creative landmarks. I suppose the most important project I did was organise my first poetry reading at the Worlds End Bookshop, in 2013. I had finally been sharing the poems I had been writing, and I was friends with everyone at Worlds End Bookshop. I would hang out with them there every Friday and eventually I organised a reading, invited other people that I knew wrote and had work to share. A guy that worked at the bookshop sang with his sister, it was an inclusive creative night. I wasn't part of the literary world, so I thought I would create a night of my own.

Your spoken word album Catalyst is so unique, what made you want to release an album?

Well, it was Jimmy's idea. When my first book came out in 2014, he said we should do a record together one day. So it was always at the back of our minds, but I never brought it up, I trust him and he knows best. A big part of Jimmy's genius is timing. He wanted to do something radical that would emphasise the power of the spoken word, in the spirit of William Burroughs. I trusted him implicitly during the process, he had a very clear vision of what he wanted to manifest, this very unusual, textured sonic landscape. Obviously being in a relationship together, being so in sync, aided the process, it was a joy to work together. It was like meeting again for the first time in the studio, but with our intense shared history. Also, we recorded it at home at Tower House so that added another layer of comfort. When he played it to me I was quite overwhelmed, because it's intense and quite disruptive, it's not there to comfort but confront.

How was the experience of producing an album different from your other work?

It felt like a natural progression. Also, Jimmy is the first person to read my new poems as I'm working on them, I trust his judgement, and if he likes a poem then I included it in a collection. So the poems on Catalyst are important landmark poems, personally and professionally.

Your style is something out of another era. How would you describe your personal style and aesthetic? Do you have favorite places to shop in London? Who are some of your favorite designers?

Well, most of my clothes are second hand, either charity shops or vintage clothes fairs. I like second hand clothes because it's like they find you. I would rather wear something I have and love and have worn constantly than something new for the sake of it. I really like Paul Smith, he is still an independent fashion house 50 years after starting his business. He has such a fast moving and creative mind. I did a few readings last year and wore a blue suit he had given me. I really loved wearing the suit, it's strong and structured, you feel powerful and you sit differently. I also really like a new young designer called Nicole Eymard, her label is called Nichloris, it's an independent Demi-couture womenswear label. She was raised in California and studied in Paris, and is now based in London. Her clothes are sustainable and made here in the U.K using local manufactures and artisans fusing traditional craftsmanship with modern artistry. She creates very feminine dresses and shirts. I adore her silk slip dresses. Nature and ancient mythology are woven into her garments and that gives them a strength as well as being flattering and feminine. I love dresses. Jimmy's best friend of over 50 years is an antique dealer called Paul Reeves, he's the most wonderful man and I feel blessed to now have him in my life too. We were visiting Paul one weekend and I saw this incredible long red Victorian coat, it was made in 1870, I really didn't think it would fit but it was a perfect fit. That’s an incredible thing to have, and I've worn it for some poetry readings, I wore it when I read at Wellesley College.

If you could raid anyone’s wardrobe who would It be?

No one. I like what I've got. But I enjoy seeing another woman being true to herself, looking beautiful and confident. I think beauty and elegance has so much to do with a person's spirit and character, there is strength and beauty in a woman that has overcome adversity.

Find Scarlett on Instagram here

Purchase the Catalyst Vinyl here

visit scarlettsabet.com here

Q and A with Holiday Sidewinder

July 17, 2020

This week Nasty Nostalgia talked to artist and performer Holiday Sidewinder who spilled her dream music collaboration, style Inspiration, and her life as a musician. Get inspired, below

Holiday Sidewinder by Thom Kerr via instagram.com/HolidaySidewinder

Do you remember the moment you knew you wanted to be a performer?

It never even occurred to me to question if that’s what I was going to do. Everyone in my family did it, so I just automatically started writing songs, dancing and performing from as early as I can remember.I thought that was what people did with their time and followed suit. I tried to rebel against it for a hot minute (in my teen years) by wearing 3-piece pinstripe skirt suits, sheer stockings, court heels and reading glasses and getting straight A grades. I went to a United Nations youth conference in NY and aspired to be a politician or astronomer, but I already had a record deal and was touring full time so, you know…

You recently did a cover of the Beach Boys’ ‘Kokomo’, why did you decide to cover that particular song? Can we expect more covers in the future?

When I lived in London under the concrete grey drizzle, a little California Dreaming was the only thing to brighten my day. I’d dance in front of a fan and make myself a cocktail. I think it’s just the perfect song to take you away from wherever you are and put you in a good mood. Kokomo is what you imagine it to be. You can project all your fantasies on it. I’ve done a cover of Carly Simon’s “Why”, I hope that comes out one day.

What do you think sets your album, ‘Forever or Whatever' apart from the rest of your work?

It’s my first solo album, so it sets the entire stage, the beginning of the rest of my career. It took me a decade to finish. I get so busy living and my perfectionism gets in the way. I have so much material, albums worth of music, just sitting in folders, but this felt like a body of work that went well together and covered all the ground I wanted to as a young woman- empowerment, liberation, wealth and poverty, complexities of the heart and endless adventure, all set to disco beats and 80s drum machines.

Is there one moment in your career that you feel stands out from the rest?

There’s lots of little moments and milestones, rather than a singular event, Kate Bush “Running Up That Hill” coming on the radio in the cab on my way to sign my first publishing deal, meeting Suzi Quatro in the studio with Mike Chapman (who I was writing with at the time, who had written all of her early hits with her). Sitting on set for the Leo music video looking out to the cast and crew, just feeling so grateful to everyone who came together last minute to make that happen for me, knowing we were making something iconic and classic. Performing to 10k people in San Francisco (my largest crowd as a solo artist) supporting Mac Demarco last year. That was a thrill. Sometimes on tour, I just sit in my hotel room and feel so lucky and utterly overwhelmed and giddy with happiness.

If you could have a dream collaboration with any musician, who would It be?

I’d like to make something with Prince in the afterlife.

What message do you hope your music sends to people?

To enjoy your life, all-encompassing of all the madness and the loss and the lust. I want to lift people up, provide escapism, companionship, and reassurance.

Holiday Sidewinder by Georgia Wallace via instagram.com/HolidaySidewinder

You have the most amazing style and look that is very reminiscent of the early 1980s, is that something that you consciously think about when it comes to your wardrobe?

I never analyze it too much, I just choose things that are pleasing to me. I’m a big fan of the 80s Power Dressing, bright colors, bold shapes, I think it was a time for women to really express and project their power and influence through fashion.

Where are your favorite places to shop? Are you a big fan of vintage?

I think 90% of my wardrobe is from Squaresville. I keep it rotating because it’s all stage wear. I grew up thrifting and my grandmother is a costume designer, so I like making things myself too. Aside from some health goth pieces from when I ran a gym in London, everything is vintage. I found great stuff in Europe. Vintage Pam Hogg, Moschino. I did spend an obscene amount of money on a giant gold belt at the Versace flagship store in Rome last year. I had to!

If you could raid the closet of any woman in the world, who would it be and why?

Cher for all those original Bob Mackie pieces. I die. Then probably Donatella.

What is one trend that you wish would come back to fashion?

Slow fashion. Quality materials. Double stitching. Limited runs. Functional details (I love the tiny little bra strap grips on 1950s dresses and glove holders on the inside of coats etc). Strong and unique patterns and fabrics. I love that about the 80s -Ken Done etc. Challenging and unique. I think most vintage trends have already come back.

Listen to Holiday on Youtube, Spotify, & Apple Music

Find Holiday on Instagram: here

Find Holiday on Youtube: here

Find Holiday on TikTok: @HolidaySidewinder

Q and A with Lindsay Usich

May 25, 2020

This week we spoke with LA based photographer and artist Lindsay Usich who discussed her inspirations, creative process, and style. Get inspired, below

Lindsay via instagram.com/LindsayUsichOfficial

You’re an amazing photographer and I find that imagery can evoke great feelings of nostalgia, is that something you think about when taking photos?

Thank you for saying that! I’m an extremely sentimental person so whether I intend to or not, I find my favorite photos over the years always incorporate a special moment in my life.

What are your greatest sources of artistic inspiration?

Music, being outside in nature and its elements, and scent.

‘Nights in White Satin’ via instagram.com/LindsayUsichOfficial

Were you always creative growing up?

I would like to think so! My sister and I would always make up plays complete with a playbill, film our our own videos of fake commercials, dance and music videos…we did a pretty solid stop-motion stuffed animal rabbit music video that still could hold up in present day. We also would create some lovely and hilarious stage designs for the lizards we captured and released. We were very much into creating an alternate narrative through images or film, albeit a little demented and through the eyes of a child.

Some people might not know that you have a twin, do you get to work together often?

Yes! I love working with my twin sister Ashley for her clothing line Cete. Editorial fashion/lookbook photography isn’t normally my route and is still fairly new to me but what that’s what I enjoy about it. Getting out of your artistic comfort zone is so important. I really like imagining different worlds and characters to suit different outfits or color stories. Ashley gives me a lot of creative room, we even are working on a holiday Lindsay Dress in a few colorways, so it’s been quite fun.

Ashley photographed by Lindsay for Cete - via instagram.com/lindsayusichofficial

A lot of your photography seems very spontaneous, is that the case? Or are you very planned out with your work?

I used to be spontaneous about a decade ago, now I’m semi-spontaneous. I like to have a little planning in what sort of imagery or idea I want to invoke. There’s something to be said for elaborately staged photography like Tim Walker, which are absolute works of art - but I find what works best for my vision is pulling something from the exact moment. Since I do usually shoot with 35mm cameras there is an element of surprise each time I develop the film. Sometimes those last shots I’ve taken impatiently trying to finish off a roll are the very best!

More of Lindsay’s work for Cete (www.shopcete.com) via instagram.com/LindsayUsichOfficial

Do you have favorite photographers that you admire and have inspired you?

I’m very big into collecting all sorts of art & photography books from all genres, but my favorites almost always are Guy Bourdin, Bettina Rheims, Man Ray, Steven Klein, vintage Ellen von Unwerth, Cecil Beaton and Helmut Newton.

You’ve travelled the world on tour with your significant other, Marilyn Manson, if it has, how has traveling informed your creativity?

I’ve been traveling as much as I was able since I was 18 and have always found being around different cultures and customs extremely humbling and enlightening. I’m from South Florida and even as a teenager I knew if I didn’t see the world there was no chance in understanding the issues and beauty that one can’t really grasp from textbooks or websites. I’m lucky enough to be able to travel quite often still, and while the time spent in each city is more condensed, I love it nonetheless. Traveling always sort of unlocks little parts of myself creatively that I didn’t realize existed.

To talk about style, you are very chic and have a classic elegance to your look…

How would you describe your personal style?

Most of the time my style is quite feminine and romantic…I love long dresses that have lots of movement at the bottom and I almost always never wear a heel under 4.5 inches tall. I also am completely comfortable in an oversized jersey dress with some Stella McCartney sneakers. I think some of living in LA has rubbed off on me, also being comfortable and able to do my daily routines is very important to me. In terms of style, I also I believe a person should have a signature perfume. My friend Marissa and I have been working on refining a classic of mine, so no matter what clothes you’re wearing ( or not wearing ) you always feel present with yourself.

That being said, If you could raid the closet of one woman in the world who would It be?

Tilda Swinton, hands down. That answer never changes.

Where are your favorite places to shop/favorite designers of the moment?

My favorite designers have a little bit of humor in them…Charlotte Olympia, Olympia Le-Tan, The Vampire's Wife, Sretsis. I really love to shop independent designers nowadays. Also, one of my friends kind of opened my eyes to designer resale sites which I adore because of the sustainability aspect.

And lastly, what’s one trend from the past you’d love to see come back to Fashion?

More bows, more exaggerated collars!