HIGHLIGHTING THE ART OF GETTING READY IN ALL ITS FORMS
AN INTERVIEW SERIES
CLOSET CONFIDENTIALS is an interview series
dedicated to highlighting the art of getting ready,
through the stories of some badass individuals,
in all of its shapes & forms.
This entry follows the tale of KIERAN STACEY, a Montreal-based artist
with a love for vintage goodies & a wardrobe filled with precious family hand-me-downs.
Whether it's on your walls or on your body, I think that textiles & clothing are one of the most accessible ways you can include art in your day to day life.
PERSONAL STYLE
Q: HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONAL STYLE?
KIERAN: I don't know if I have a word or a way to describe my personal style. It's not like I'm aiming for any specific look. I would say that more than anything, my style is built up of a lot of hand-me-downs & stuff from people that I love, like my cousin, my aunt & my mom...I wear a lot of my dad's clothes too! I buy everything, everything used - always! Thrifting started out as an easy habit, but then quickly turned into more of a principle thing for me. Recently, I've started to learn how to sew, which has definitely made me more aware of the textiles & craftsmanship side of fashion. It's crazy that once you start trying to make your own clothes, you realize how much work & effort goes into every little detail of a garment. On top of my style, I love to display my clothes in my room. Whether it's on your walls or on your body, I think that textiles & clothing are one of the most accessible ways you can include art in your day to day life.
Q: WHAT DOES YOUR STYLE SAY ABOUT YOU?
K: That's a tricky question. On one hand, I find it kind of limiting to focus too much on what I wear & how I look. Being in quarantine at my parents for five weeks, I was just wearing my brother's dickies & a baggy shirt the entire time. It felt kind of freeing in a way. I guess being around people that already know me so well made it easy to just not give a fuck. That kind of comfort felt good. At the same time, when I got back home & was able to unpack all of my stuff, I felt so happy! To surround myself with all of my objects & hang all of my clothes felt so right. I definitely think the importance of "my style" fluctuates.
Q: WHAT ASPECT OF FASHION EXCITES YOU THE MOST?
K: Fashion is just fun. I started dyeing my hair when I was a lot younger than most people I know. I started when I was probably seven, I would guess. I had a full bright red bob when I was eight. I've honestly done most colours! I remember one year as a kid, I wore a wig to school & people were just like "What the hell are you doing?" Looking back, it's funny cause it was literally just another blonde wig on top of my already blonde hair! It made no difference at all. When I got home to my mom, I remember being like "I was just having fun!" I guess the aspect of fashion just being fun is what I like the most.
Q: FOR YOU PERSONALLY, WHAT FINAL DETAIL CAN MAKE OR BREAK A LOOK?
K: I feel like it could literally be anything...like any big statement piece could do that. For me personally, I'm more of a boot or shoe person. Adding a cool pair of shoes definitely brings something special to what I'm wearing. I feel a bit more ready to face shit when I'm in my boots!
For me, getting ready is just thinking about what I need to do & how I can feel good while I'm doing it.
THE PROCESS
Q: WHAT DRIVES YOU TO GET READY?
KIERAN: Most days, I like wearing clothes that I can do shit in. I like feeling capable! I enjoy being in something that I feel confident to do whatever I'm doing that day. A lot of the time, I'm pretty lazy so I'll just wear a baggy T-shirt & shorts. But I do love pulling out my fun statement pieces for a night out. It's fun to finally have a chance to wear them! For me, getting ready is just thinking about what I need to do & how I can feel good while I'm doing it.
Q: DOES THIS PROCESS AFFECT HOW YOU PRESENT YOURSELF TO THE WORLD?
K: In general, I'm not super process oriented. I don't think about getting ready in terms of a process. But maybe if I'm about to go to an event, I slow down & put more thought into how I get ready. If I was going to go see friends at a park or something, I wouldn't necessarily want to just show up wearing something super boring because all of my friends are so glamorous! Putting more effort into what I wear can make me feel more confident for sure, but I wouldn't say that I put too much pressure there.
THE CLOSET
Q: WHAT ITEM CAN YOU NEVER LEAVE THE HOUSE WITHOUT?
KIERAN: An item of clothing? No, none. I do like always having my bag on me. I have my keys on my cool giant safety pin & having them around makes me feel secure. There's a swiss army knife on them which often comes in handy too! I'm not obsessed with the bag itself, it's thrifted & pretty basic, I just like having my essentials on me. But in terms of clothing, no, I don't have anything I can't leave the house without.
Q: WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE ITEMS IN YOUR CLOSET?
K: My grandma was a pro-knitter when she was alive, so some of the pieces that she made me, like this amazing knitted sweater-wrap, are really precious. Honestly, anything that was handmade for me (which is kind of a crazy thing!) or any special costumes that are kind of rare, would have to be my favourite items. The most precious things to me are really the ones that I would never wear...I just like owning them! If I had to pick three things that I would keep forever, it would definitely be sentimental items, which happen to be items that come from important people in my life.
Q: HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT SHARING YOUR CLOTHES?
K: I wouldn't necessarily share my super sentimental items, especially if they have more potential to get damaged. But really it's just clothing! To be honest, no one ever really asks to borrow my clothes! It rarely happens but I'm definitely open to it. Although, I do love giving my stuff away to people. It makes me super happy to give a gift to someone & see them excited about having my old clothes!
CONFIDENTIAL
Q: WHEN DO YOU FEEL THE MOST YOURSELF?
KIERAN: I feel the most authentic when I'm alone or when I'm with people who know me well & I'm comfortable with. I guess it would be in moments when it doesn't matter - like I can do & wear whatever I want!
Q: WHEN DO YOU FEEL THE MOST BEAUTIFUL?
K: Oh IDK. I don't often think of myself as super beautiful. When I'm hanging out with friends, not feeling self conscious, kind of just having a good time or when it's nice out & I'm in the sun, when I'm clean...those might be moments when I feel beautiful.
THANK YOU KIERAN FOR SHARING YOUR CLOSET WITH LION|OF|THE|CEA!
XX
PHOTOGRAPHY: CÉLINE BLAIS @babycealion
MODELING & STYLING: KIERAN STACEY @kmisks
OUTFIT ANTHEM: 100 BY DEAN BLUNT
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