Isabella Cantillano: How would you describe your personal style?
Kameko Simpson: I
guess I'd say my style is a little everywhere, but I stick with sort of an
alternative look. A little rocker, a little feminine, and a little indie
depending on how I'm feeling when I get dressed in the morning.
IC: How do you think your personal style
reflects your personality? Do you think that how one dresses has to reflect
their personality in some way?
KS: I definitely think my style
reflects who I am, because I love to be inspired by the world around me and
reflect that onto what I wear! I think it depends on the person and whether
they choose to use their wardrobe as a way to reflect who they are. Not
everyone takes 45 minutes in the morning to pick the perfect top to go with
their shoes, but fashion is definitely a great way of self-expression that a
lot of people do, even if it’s only to the extent of wearing a silly graphic
tee that they might find funny or relatable!
IC: Who are your favorite musicians? Do
they influence how you dress?
KS: Music plays a huge part in my
life (and listing my favorites if probably the most difficult thing for me to
do). There's no doubt about it that the singers and bands I love influence my
fashion choices! I've listened to Panic! At the disco and MCR since I was in
elementary school and I love the dark vintage (1920's) appeal of Panic! At the
Disco and the punk rock feel of MCR. In addition to that, Hayley Williams (lead
singer of Paramore) and LIGHTS definitely play a huge role in my wardrobe
decisions as they give tough and rocker looks a more feminine spin. From
Light's cut off flannels to Hayley Williams’s risky mix and match looks, and
Panic! At the Disco’s suspenders and white button down look to MCR'S DIY
embellished jean jackets I’m always looking to music and musicians for
inspiration!
IC: Do you think that Sturgis has
influenced your personal style? Do your friends influence your personal style?
KS: Well, Sturgis is a school full of
extremely talented and remarkably individual people. I spend more time at
school surrounded by them than I do anyone else, and I love some of the
creativity I see in people, and the fearlessness of expression through art and
fashion. My friends have helped shape and mold me as a person and that's
definitely reflected onto what I wear. In freshmen year I was very into what I saw
in magazines, and new and coming trends around the world, but I’m finding more
and more inspiration from people I see daily like my friend Lily Haselton with
her fierce brightly colored pumps matched with a fun graphic tee, or Jake
Conley through his band tees, skinnies, and various rad vests and sweatshirts.
The fun part is taking all of that inspiration and mashing it into a look I can
call my own!
IC: Who are your style icons?
KS: I've never specifically been one
to keep up on celebrities or actresses, though I will say the model Twiggy has
always had a place in my heart, with her androgynous look being perfect for the
Mod Era. She was something new and fresh and different when she first entered
modeling and made a statement. I've also been really drawn to 1970s punk fashion
and every time I see a photo of the Sex Pistols’ Sid Vicious with his spiked
hair and jackets I’m inspired to basically reconstruct every item in my
wardrobe with cone studs and safety pins!
IC: Where do you shop?
KS: I shop everywhere, wherever
something catches my eye! I guess you could say I'm a frequent shopper at Pac Sun,
H&M and band merch tables at concerts. I’m a huge proponent of thrift store
shopping as well; you never know what kind of vintage gem could be hiding in
those racks!
IC: Do you have any tips for people that
frequently shop at thrift stores?
KS: DIY PROJECTS! If you see
something you like but it's ripped or you feel like it’s missing that special
something, get creative! You don’t always have to wear things the way they are
intended to be worn, and you can always add lace or buttons, chop it up or
layer it!
IC: Do you often DIY your clothing? What
materials do you usually use?
KS: All the time! Sometimes its
little things like taking in the sides of a shirt that’s too large, but I
generally love to reconstruct tee shirts by cutting and weaving them and
wearing them with different bandeau tops. I've also recently gotten into
reconstructing denim vests and jackets, specifically painting back panel pieces
for them with fabric paint (of which I've made 3 so far, and am looking forward
to later creating and selling some jacket designs!)
IC: What are your favorite movies? Do
they influence your style?
KS: I love basically every movie by
Tim Burton, and the dark ambiance of his works definitely plays a role in my
style choices. Colleen Atwood, who designs for many of his movies, definitely
inspires me with her Gothic twists in Sweeney
Todd and play with color in Alice in
Wonderland. Though the costumes can seem over the top in some cases like
with Edward Scissorhands (intense
full bodysuit of black and chains), it’s that obtuseness that gives me
inspiration to let my imagination take hold when I’m deciding my own outfits!
IC: What are your hobbies? How do they
influence your personal style?
KS: I make art, and always like to
say that “the world is my canvas and inspiration!” Painting and sketching and
working with various styles of mixed media (like collaging) are what I live
for! I also couldn’t go a day without singing and have recently taken up piano,
and I definitely think art in its various forms have a hold on my style, as fashion
itself is art! Sometimes I'll draw something or someone that sparks an idea for
an outfit or just an article of clothing, and sometimes it’s the other way
around! When playing with colors and shapes and letting myself imagine
different people and scenes and scenarios while doing art, I often find those
thoughts to influence my appearance!
IC: If you could say one thing to your
freshmen self, what would it be?
KS: That's a toughie. I guess I’d say
“explore all possibilities.”
IC: When did you start dyeing your hair?
How did you make the decision? What inspired you to make that decision?
KS: Change. I needed change. I was
happy with my natural color, but I also love red hair, and blue hair, and every
color hair really! I wanted to have fun and experiment and the best thing about
hair is IT GROWS BACK! I had a bob in 9th grade and it’s already grown out to
medium length again. I love changing my hair style and having fun with it, it’s
like another accessory! I started dyeing it in sophomore year.
IC: Do you dye your hair yourself, or do
you go to a salon?
KS: I’m very much so a “do it
yourself” kind of girl, so I just buy dye at CVS or Sally’s Beauty and does it
on my own!
IC: Do you have a beauty regimen? What's
your philosophy about makeup?
KS: Every person is beautiful, with
or without makeup. I think the transforming powers of makeup are amazing and
extremely fun to play around with! However, I don’t think it’s made to cover up
beauty, only accentuate the face and body! My every day standby has been simple
1950s pinup inspired black cat eyes and red lipstick for quite a while. I love
the clean feel of a winged line and the extra pop of color with precise red
lips! Occasionally I'll add in some white shadow on the inner tear duct area of
my eyes to draw extra attention to them, or use a warm brown shadow base before
I line my eyes. I think the main thing to remember with makeup is not to cake
it on every day, have fun with it, as I see it as just another artistic medium!
IC: What advice would you give to
Sturgis freshmen?
KS: Definitely to own who you are and
not be afraid to be you. Try new things! Being a risk taker is part of the IB
learner profile, but apply it to more than just school work. In general I can
say Sturgis is a pretty accepting place and whether it be through acting,
visual arts, sports or fashion, explore every horizon…and have fun doing so!
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