(Photo: Jake Chessum)

What do you do?
I knew you were going to ask that, but I’m weird about being associated with what I do. We all label people based on that, so what I do is, I’m a human living life, just like you are.

But how do you pay the rent?
Vocationally, I’m a fashion stylist and an artist and I’m multifaceted. And then I also work at Jeffrey in their women’s designer section. I’m in a space with four walls and other people, and it’s been very challenging to wrap my brain around that.

How do you describe your style?
It kind of comes from within. I think I was born in the wrong time period, because anything Victorian, Edwardian, and goth I love, love, love. Even the Elizabethan period I love. I think that dark things that scare people have a lot of beauty to them.

Where do you get your hair cut?
I cut it myself. And I don’t sleep, because I think it wastes time, so many times, late at night is when I feel the need to cut on my hair. I use anything with a sharp edge.

Where did you get those glasses?
They’re Cutler and Gross, and I’m obsessed with them.

Where do you come from?
It’s quite embarrassing, but I was born in a place called Normal, Illinois, which has haunted me for my whole life.

Related:

• Archive: “Look Book”
• Articles by Amy Larocca
• Table of Contents: Feb 4, 2008 issue of New York | Subscribe!