Emily Perea is a multimedia artist who works in forms as varied as taxidermy and textile arts. She has a Dita-Von-Teese-meets-street-punk fashion sense, an elegant aura, and a roaring heart that comes across not only in her art but in the way she treats those around her.
You’re damn right, she’s cool. DGO had a swell chat with Perea about her swank, eclectic style.
“Every day is kind of like Halloween for me. I pick an era or style or genre of music to dress accordingly to, and roll with it.
I was 8 years old when the first episode of “Project Runway” came out. I would binge watch “Project Runway” for hours. Every season, I was addicted. I started making my own clothes because of that show. I never buy new clothes, always vintage, thrifted, or handmade. It makes sense in my heart and economically. You aren’t buying something that was made in a sweatshop. It’s not fast-fashion, cheap clothing that won’t last.
(My friends) say, ‘Oh, you look so retro!’ Someone said I looked like Amelia Earhart yesterday. That was pretty cool … My style changes weekly. Right now, I’m into World War II, aviators – especially female pilots, and ‘50s glam.
I absolutely love everything with a historical sense to it, like menswear to mid-century glamour magazines, military workwear, cultural customs from around the world, and street punk fashion. Every story can be conveyed through fashion and everything can be fashion. It’s fun to convey different emotions or to transport yourself or someone else to a different era when they look at you, a time when they probably weren’t around for. You can envelope people and bring them into a story by the way you present yourself.”
Interview edited and condensed for clarity.Got rad style or know someone who always looks fab? Send DGO a heads-up on who to interview next at [email protected].Patty Templeton
