Jan
Name: Jan
Occupation: Grad student
Jan says her style is in part a backlash against the UGG-and-sweatpants-wearing masses that inhabit her university campus. She likes to rock a natural hairstyle, which has gotten her several comparisons to singer Janelle Monáe. She’s wearing boots, tights and jewellery from Kensington Market, a belt, shirt and shorts from Value Village, and her bag and blazer are from Black Market on Queen Street West. When she’s not immersed in her studies, she likes going to indie concerts and art galleries, and she’s also a big fan of writers like Maya Angelou and Langston Hughes. She likes listening to the music of Forest City Lovers and Ohbijou.
Leah
Name: Leah
Occupation: Illustration student
Leah says she’s into punk style, with a particular fondness for band t-shirts and cool textures, patterns and prints. Her coat is from the Salvation Army (“I just wanted a coat that would cover my butt during winter”), she’s wearing a Crystal Castles shirt, Vexy leopard print bottoms, Converse sneakers, and she’s carrying a Loungefly bag. Her interests include zines, graffiti, and the Toronto art scene. Some of her favourite bands are Crystal Castles, Arcade Fire, Queens of the Stone Age, and Rasputina.
Novella
Name: Novella
Occupation: PhD student
Novella, an Italian exchange student, says her style is a mix of chic and sporty elements. She’s a big fan of accessories, and other than her newly purchased scarf, everything she’s wearing is from Italy. In her free time, she loves watching live music (especially blues and jazz) while enjoying some good beer or wine. She’s also passionate about theatre, and has done professional acting in her homeland.
Mugsie
Name: Mugsie
Occupation: Costume designer/custom bra maker
Mugsie, who’s from Chicago, is in town for a couple of months to study bra making. She says she likes to sew and make her own clothes, and she also gets a lot of pieces at thrift stores, such as her skirt and shirt. She’s wearing Doc Marten boots and her bag with the Andy Warhol print on it was a Christmas gift from her mom. She’s interested in gender activism and she likes listening to indie rock. Her favourite band is Sleater-Kinney.
Matt
Name: Matt
Occupation: Armour crafter
Matt says most people consider him to be a goth, but he basically likes to wear things that stand out. He’s wearing a Tripp NYC kilt, New Rock boots, and a sweater he may or may not have gotten from Walmart (he can’t remember for sure). In his free time, he likes doing artwork, going to clubs, and listening to metal and industrial electronica. His favourite bands are KMFDM and Pop Will Eat Itself.
Check out Matt’s work at madmattsarmory.com
Shauna Jean
Name: Shauna Jean
Occupation: Semiotic theory student
“I hang out with a lot of lesbians and we all kind of have the same style,” says Shauna Jean, whose wardrobe consists mainly of vintage items and stuff from thrift stores. Her interests include photography and collage, and she’s planning to start a publication about feminist theory and art. As for music, she’s currently into Chuck Berry and The Kinks.
Jen
Name: Jen
Occupation: Soon-to-be massage therapy student
Jen says she likes to do a lot of thrift shopping. She’s wearing a shirt and skirt from Value Village, Doc Marten boots, a hat from H&M, and glasses from Hakim Optical. The Nikon camera hanging around her neck isn’t there for nothing – she loves photography, as well as going to concerts, traveling, and reading history/fiction books. As for music, she likes 90s alternative and 70s rock. Nine Inch Nails is one of her favourite bands.
