Category: Street Style Profiles
Street Style Profile: Maddie Zerkel
Maddie Zerkel is one member of the duo behind the fashion blog, Athens Street Style, and is also a budding artist studying textile design at The University of Georgia. She’s one of those girls who can channel her inner spirit outfit effortlessly – mixing and matching playfully and adding details that give her outfit special personality. We’ve found she also happens to be a great resource for inspiration, and we’re happy to share some of her favorite things with you! Also, don’t forget to scroll down to hear some of Maddie’s favorite tunes from her playlist, made especially for Vinyl Mag.
How do you approach dress (Is there a method to your madness)?
I look at getting dressed every morning as a way to make myself feel happy. I don’t really care for the current trends or how certain groups of people dress. I choose the clothes that make me feel the most excited and go from there. Generally, I try to throw together as many patterns as I can. I love me a good pattern.
Do you have an article of clothing or jewelry with a special story attached?
I treat all of my articles of clothing like they are my best friends, so naturally, each comes with special stories, memories, and food stains. The necklaces that I am wearing are some of my current favorites. My tiny heart pendant says “balls to the wall,” and I wear it every day as a self-help reminder to work as hard as I can and that I only live once. The other long, landscape-esque necklace is designed by one of my favorite jewelry grads at Lamar Dodd (His name is Cameron Lyden– dude makes some seriously beautiful enamel jewelry).
Who are some of your fashion icons?
Fashion is such a strange beast. I approach fashion as a very personal thing, and I rarely look at others and base my wardrobe off of them. Anybody that I do view as “iconic” is someone who has a very profound sense of self and that looks very comfortable and at one with what he or she wears. It sounds so corny, but I really just love weirdos and eccentrics.
How about other people who inspire you?
The amount of people that inspire me are innumerable. I look up to my friends and peers tremendously, and I learn and gain insight from every person that I interact with on a day to day basis. I have a wall in my apartment where I keep pictures of the people that inspire me the most (I call it my Inspirational People Wall– I highly recommend. Every day, my wall inspires me to be a better person). Kiki Smith, Ai Wei Wei, Sufjan Stevens, Tavi Gevinson, Tina Fey, Scott and Seth Avett, my Dad, Allison Shulnik, Cindy Sherman, Iris Apfel, my professor Junichi, Herb and Dorothy, Bri Emery, Steve Martin, Steve Harvey, Colbert, Peggy from Mad Men, Sonia “The Black Widow” Thomas (the competitive eater), Annie Clark, Jenna Lyons, my cat, etc. etc. I could list off hundreds of people, but these are all I can think of off the top of my head.
Street Style Profile Playlist: Maddie Zerkel
1. Do My Thang – Miley Cyrus
I cannot help it, you guys. I’m hopelessly attracted to the music of Miley Cyrus.
2. Rhythm of Devotion – Sisyphus
I fan girl hard over Sufjan Stevens. Sisyphus is his new very anxious and delightfully strange rap album.
3. Trust In Me – Etta James
Etta James is my go-to sad girl music. It will instantly make me feel better.
4. On and Ever Onward – Dirty Projectors and Bjork
My go-to “i’m feeling weird” music.
5. Anonanimal – Andrew Bird
Andrew Bird is my home music. Whenever I hear his voice, I immediately travel to a place of calm and comfort.
6. So Far Away – Carole King
Carole King’s tapestry is my favorite album of all time. My aunt gave it to me for my birthday when I was twelve, and I cannot find any flaws in Carole’s music
7. Sleeping Dogs – Madeline
I attended a Madeline Concert at the Caledonia Lounge in Athens last year. Her voice is magically pure, and her lyrics are beautifully sad. I am very excited because she is coming to the 40 Watt this spring!
Street Style Profile: Tucker Alford
This weeks Street Style Profile features UGA art student and musician Tucker Alford. Were always impressed by his unique ability to blend patterns and his interest in supporting sustainable clothing companies- like his shoes- made by Nisolo- a micro enterprise that provides consistent livelihood for workers in developing countries. Tucker is an-all around good soul with an interesting personality- so we were thrilled to hear about some of his inspirations and his favorite music. Don’t forget to scroll down for Tucker’s specially curated playlist.
Who or what inspires your personal style?
I don’t know if a certain person really influences my style, but I do like a lot of what I’ve seen musicians wear, and characters in Wes Anderson films. I always just try to wear what makes me happy. I really like hats, so I guess I have Beck Hansen to thank for that.
What are you currently listening to?
I’ve been listening to a lot of things lately, but the things that I’ve been listening to most are Beck’s new album Morning Phase, Atlas Sound, Neutral Milk Hotel (always), Mac Demarco, Gauntlet Hair and Vampire Weekend to name a few. I’m also listening to a lot of Paul Simon’s stuff from the 80’s.
Are there any upcoming shows your looking forward to?
I’m really looking forward to seeing Mac Demarco in Atlanta in a few weeks as well as Vampire Weekend in May. It’ll be my third time seeing Vampy Weeks, and I’m real jazzed about it, seeing as they are my favorite band. I’m also looking forward to Lollapalooza in early August in Chicago.
You are an art student- can you tell us a bit about your art work or what interests you within your discipline- what you aspire to do in the future?
I’d really consider myself a musician. I play my own stuff, and I play at churches and such, but as far as art comes, I’m pretty new to it. I really enjoy sculpting things and stuff like that, but I don’t have a certain plan for where art will take me in the future. I see myself playing music though.
Most importantly-boxers or briefs?
Ok, just kidding…
Any words of wisdom/favorite advice/quotes you want to end with?
Words of wisdom. I don’t do this often, but here it goes. Don’t take yourself too seriously (it’s fun to not care), but treat the life you’ve been given and the people in it very seriously.
Street Style Profile: Lawson Chambers
Lawson Chambers is a stylish Athenian who thinks of himself in general terms as “a story-teller.” Whether he’s performing stand up comedy, hosting his local radio show or working hard to earn his animation degree at UGA, he’s keep himself busy, and he looks sharp doing it. We sat down to find out more about Lawson and – most importantly – what his super power of choice would be!
VM: When it comes to your personal style, where do you get your inspiration?
Lawson Chambers: Well, I like to think that what you wear is reflexive of your personality, as if you were a cartoon character, so I try to wear things that represent a facet of my life. I may wear a Neutral Milk Hotel shirt with a leather jacket, so people can correctly assume I work at a radio station. Or I might wear a Homestar Runner shirt to make friends with other nerds. Usually though, I try to wear nicer clothes with bold colors to show that I care about how I look, but don’t take myself too seriously. I also like doing this, because whenever I perform stand-up, it helps me get across the kind of person I am. This practice is also an admittedly blatant rip-off of my favorite comedian, Paul F. Tompkins. To answer more succinctly why I like to wear nice clothes, I’ll quote Paul: “I dunno, I just like dressin’ up… (smiles) It’s fun.”
VM: You’re currently pursuing a fine arts degree, correct? What are you studying, and what is it that speaks to you within the realm of art?
LC: Not exactly; I’m actually pursuing an Independent Studies degree in Animation. I don’t know if I actually want a career in animation, but since I take both theater and visual art classes, I get to nurture two skill-sets that are important to me. I do like animation though, as all of my interest in art comes from the want to entertain, make people laugh, and to tell a story. Ideally I’ll end up working a lot of different, smaller jobs where I’ll get to do a variety of things; performing stand-up, writing for a TV show, cartooning, or going back in time to tour with a vaudeville troupe.
VM: As for stand up comedy, has this long been an interest of yours or it it a new hobby? And how nervous were you your first time on stage?
LC: I’ve always been a huge comedy nerd, but for a long time my only experience in doing it myself was creating silly comics about secret agent monkeys or singer-songwriter Morrissey. I didn’t think about doing it myself until a couple of years ago when I started listening to podcasts like The Nerdist where I would hear comedians talk about themselves, and I realized I was a lot like them. I shared both their love of comedy and a system of neuroses and anxieties that propels one to seek attention from strangers. So I first went on stage about two years ago, and it was horrible. I was extremely nervous, and I visibly shook. I think I may have gotten one laugh. But if you do anything long enough, and you care about it, you get better at it. So I’m still performing every week and getting slightly less horrible with each time I go up.
VM: Do you have any upcoming projects or shows you’re looking forward to?
LC: I have an ongoing radio show and podcast called Comedic Conversation with Colorful Characters that I greatly love doing. It airs on WUOG 90.5 FM on Tuesdays at 7 PM, and is available for download on iTunes or comedicconversations.tumblr.com. Basically, we invite on different comedians from around Athens and Atlanta to talk, play games, and just act silly. Other than that, I’m starting to get more into sketch and improv comedy, and hope to get some comedy friends of mine together soon to put on a variety show. Also, I want to make a web-comic series about a dad just being a dad and doing dad things.
VM: If you had one superpower what would it be?
LC: The only acceptable answer to this question is flying, or telekinesis – which would also give you the ability to fly. Popular opinion is that most people will say flying, but if they were being honest with themselves they would choose to read minds or turn invisible. I say that’s bull-honkey. It would be amazing to fly: at any speed and at any height. What kind of whimsy-less monster would rather hear gossip about themselves than soar through the air like a majestic bird of prey? Flying.
Check out Lawson’s playlist below!
Street Style Profile: Sydney Eloise
Sydney Eloise is an Atlanta singer and songwriter with a little something special. She is charming and bubbly, confident and humble. She is the kind of girl that can pull anything off and seems to do so in quite a flawless way. So naturally, we were dying to know more about her method of dress and of life- and make sure to scroll to the links below to put a voice to the name of Sydney Eloise.
How do you approach dress and what influences your personal style?
Dressing is expressing how I am feeling that day. I have always enjoyed using clothing as a reflection of my personality and character. I adore vintage and most anything from my grandmother’s closet. I feel my vibe is usually disco earthy. I love mostly mixing with just a little matching.
Do you have something that you wear with a special story attached?
The vest I am wearing in that delectable pink Goodwill prom dress is actually my grandfathers- my grandmother made it for him. My grandparents owed their own dance studio, Rico’s International School of Dancing, and my grandmother made all of their outfits. Though I never had the chance of meeting my grandpa Rico – wearing his vest makes me feel a part of him and close to my family…and also extremely groovy.
What is your favorite place you’ve traveled to and how has it influenced you?
Ah, that’s a tough one. I would say it is a tie between Spain and Morocco. Both are so rich in culture and spiciness. Morocco blew my mind, and I felt I was on another planet. All of my worldly travels will forever shape me and change me, and I am grateful to continue adapting and growing.
What are some of your favorite places around ATL to eat/shop/see a show?
Being a city gal most of my life I would say I still love hanging out at Piedmont Park on nice afternoons and seeing a good show at The Earl in East Atlanta Village after sundown. Most of my shopping happens at thrift stores, and there is always Rag-O-Rama in L5Ps with some rare finds.
You write all your own music. Can you tell us a little about your process and how you approach writing a new song?
If I am lucky, the song writes itself. The process is never the same. Most of my songs are written about situations in my life or stories overheard that have happened months before- I think it takes my brain a bit of time to process everything and put it out into song.
Do you have any exciting projects/songs you’re currently working ?
I do! I am currently recording at The Cottage in East Atlanta with Damon Moon working on some new music. I feel I have really honed my sound and writing style over the last year and feel great readiness to share it with the world… There’s no real timeline for that right now, but I’m looking forward to the day! In the meantime, I am practicing with my very talented and handsome band, and we’re looking forward to playing a lot of shows this summer in ATL.
Ok get ready- big question: What are some of your future life goals?
My life goal is to be happy. To be around loving people all the time. I have a love for children and teaching, and I hope to be running a Montessori School in my old age. Until then- it’s just make great records, write songs, travel, and enjoy the ride.
Don’t miss music!
And her Bandcamp for some older tunes
Street Style Profile: Powerkompany
Marie Davon and Andrew Heaton are the magic behind Athens based band Powerkompany. Scientists by day, musicians by night, this dynamic duo also happens to be the perfect subject for this weeks edition of Vinyl Mag’s Street Style Profile—seeing as they are each other’s Valentines! Though Powerkompany is currently on tour and enjoying Fashion Week in the Big Apple, they were happy to share a little with us about how they approach style and what influences their music making. Also click here for a link to their awe-inspiring music, and be sure to scroll down for a very special Valentines-day inspired playlist—chosen just for you by Powerkompany.
Can you tell us a little about how you started making music together, or how Powerkompany was born?
I started playing my songs around the house, and Andrew would hear them and start playing guitar or violin along. Then we started recording them, just for fun and the production evolved organically over time.
What are your musical or artistic influences?
That’s such a tough question, because nearly every single person, place, thing, sound, smell, experience influences us.
Does your scientific background affect or influence your music making? If so, how?
We approach everything like it’s an experiment.
Tell us about how your personal styles influence each other; what is your favorite thing about how the other approaches dress- who styles who?
[Marie] I’m the main stylist of Pk, meaning that I choose the themes and colors. I usually get dressed first, and once that’s chosen, Andrew can usually come up with a really creative and great complimentary outfit from the basic guidelines I set. We both appreciate comfort expressed with beautiful little details, which is how we dress… or at least try. We also love working with up and coming designers and picking favorite pieces to incorporate in our everyday life, like what we did with Lindsey Simunec and our album outfits. We wear some and all of the pieces she made for that shoot.
What is your position on Valentine’s Day – yay or nay?
Meh…we’re everyday lovers.
Which of your songs has the best backstory?
The best personal backstory, I guess would be for “Another One Born in New York,” based on a beautiful girl in NY that Andrew and I grew close to and had strong feelings for. Love can show up in unexpected ways sometimes…
But who can beat the story of the Little Mermaid? Our song “Mermaid” is based on that story.
*Don’t forget to check out Powerkompany’s Valentine’s playlist below!
Powerkompany Valentine’s Playlist:
Street Style Profile: Kristine Leschper
On a recent snowy day in Athens (I’m sure those of you in town remember it well), we met with local musician and art student, Kristine Leschper. Kristine is the irreverent and mysterious vocalist behind Mothers, and she’s just as interesting as her music. For this weeks street style review, we asked Kristine to wear an outfit with a story:
The Jacket:
“The jacket was my grandmothers in the 1940’s/50’s. I was at her house a few years ago looking through her incredible collections of clothing, art, and trinkets that she had gathered over the years. I told her how incredible the leather coat was, and she said, ‘take it – looks better on you!'”
The Ring:
“When I was eighteen my father gave me this ring, because he wanted to be the first boy to give me a diamond. “
I have to admit, I almost teared up a little when Kristine told the ring story…but I held it together for a short conversation to find out a little more about Kristine’s style and inspiration:
Vinyl Mag: First, what are a few of your favorite things?
Kristine Leschper: Bones, ivy plants, teeth, and winged insects.
VM: What/who influences your style, or what kind of things inspire the way you dress?
KL: I joke that I dress like a teenage boy in the 90’s. This outfit is pretty put together for me – I usually end up wearing a lot of corduroy shirts and denim jackets.
VM: What are you currently listening to?
KL: Angel Olsen’s “Tiny Desk Concert” on NPR… over and over.
VM: Are there any shows you’re excited to go see in the near future? (local or otherwise)
KL: I’m really stoked about Real Estate in March, and Daniel Rossen in April.
VM: Lastly (and most importantly), If you could pick a superpower what would it be?
KL: Invisibility!
If you haven’t had a chance to check out Kristine’s music or amazing prints, follow the links below!
Thanks for visiting Vinyl Mag for this weeks Street Style Profile.