3 Stylish Tastemakers On Self-Expression And Embracing Their Personal Style
To mark Pride month, three stylish tastemakers talk to COLLEEN ROSS about using clothes to connect to their most confident and authentic self, the style icons that inspire them, and how they’ll be celebrating Pride
Koko Divine Barno, model and boxer
“Pride Month is all about love and truth, but it’s also time to lift up the T loud and proud! It’s about honoring trans voices, lives and brilliance, and making sure everyone gets the space, respect and celebration they deserve. Trans folks, this month and every month.
“My style’s a fresh mix of sporty vibes, laid-back chic and timeless elegance, always switching it up depending on where I’m at and what season’s serving. Right now, I’m living in booty shorts, oversized bomber jackets, classics tops, sneakers and anything with a pop of color. If it’s comfy, bold and a little flirty, I’m into it.
“I’m all about color – it shifts with my mood and keeps my vibe alive. One day it’s bold and loud, the next it’s soft and dreamy. I mix, match and layer like it’s art. Boring? Never.
“When I want to feel my most confident and like myself, [I’ve got to] feel sexy and powerful. I love rocking booty shorts that show off my curves and bring that fun, fearless vibe. It’s all about owning my strength with a little sass and a lot of confidence. When I’m in that zone, nothing can stop me.
“Fallon Fox [is my queer style icon]. She’s a pioneering transgender woman and former mixed martial artist who broke barriers as the first openly trans woman to compete professionally in MMA.
“[For Pride this year] I’ll keep [my look] simple but with bold colors and pieces that make me feel confident and proud.” @kokobarno
Daniella Kallmeyer, fashion designer
“Pride Month is a reminder that my pride is a protest, and a privilege. Not one that is given or can be taken away, but one that is a right I earned myself. It’s years of self-discovery, 365 days a year, and one month to celebrate a lifelong journey.
“So much of queerness is about being perceived. Throughout the years, my personal style is tied closely to my inspiration as a designer; it has run the spectrum of wanting to be perceived as more masculine or more feminine; more casual or more formal. Ultimately, I feel the most comfortable with how I look when it’s a reflection of how comfortable I am with myself. That strength and confidence has the same sexiness and sophistication from a gown to jeans.
“I’m usually in some variation of the same thing – jeans or pants, an oversized button-down, and a coat or blazer. Some of my favorite pieces to wear right now are our ‘Clemence’ or ‘Wesley’ pants, ‘Chloe’ button-down shirt, and the ‘Alyse’ skirt, but there are too many to choose from!
“I tend to feel like myself when I’m in more subtle colors. Kallmeyer has added more color and pattern to our collection recently, and I love to pair color with what we call ‘non-color color’.
“My queer icons include Sarah Paulson (she just came shopping with us and she just wears clothes so well), Tilda Swinton, Janicza Bravo, Hunter Schafer, Katharine Hepburn, Emma D’Arcy, of course our muse Louisa Jacobson – it goes on!
“Pride always falls on my birthday, so I’ll be away in Italy this year with my girlfriend and some of the most beautiful, smart, powerful, stylish women I know – almost all of whom happen to also be queer, and hopefully we’ll all be in Kallmeyer.” @kallmeyerofficial
Memphy, DJ and model
“To me, Pride means being unapologetically proud of where you come from and the journey that has taken you to being who you truly are.
“I would say my personal style, in its early days, started out much more experimental and colorful. But, over time, it has become way more classic and monochromatic. I love showing skin, but I’m noticing myself tapping into my covered-up, chic era a bit more.
“When I’m feeling most confident, I am usually wearing my favorite designers (mainstream or not). Brands like Balenciaga, Isabel Marant and Rick Owens definitely help me feel my best. I also love finding and supporting younger designers who are less high fashion.
“My favorite way to style color and print, if I do end up wearing it, is by usually styling one print or bright color with an all-black or white outfit. I love the way that it makes the color or printed pieces stand out within the outfit. For example, I’ll wear a black body-con dress, and a black heel paired with a neon-yellow bag. Or I’ll wear an animal-print piece styled with all-black accessories.
“My current queer style icon is Stephanie York. If you don't know who she is, you should. She is an icon within the ballroom community and is known for her fabulous head-to-toe designer and amazing archival looks. You can find her on Instagram @stephanie_york_72.
“My plans for this year’s Pride are quite busy. I was super-excited and honored to play this year’s Outloud Music Festival at WeHo Pride thrown with Summertramp, [which happened] in Los Angeles, California on May 31.” @memphy