Earlier than even the utterance of a phrase, Kaamilah Thomas spoke for herself. A heat vitality and eclectic model radiated from her, ft away from me, as my co-worker — now buddy — referred to as me over to introduce us. That was nearly a 12 months in the past. Subversive tailoring, textured materials and a daring silhouette instantly made it clear Thomas labored in style, however in what capability? Styling. It made sense. In a world oversaturated by minimalism and monochrome, Thomas’ layered patterns and playful strategy stood out.
Thomas doesn’t gown for anyone gaze; she attire to specific her most genuine self, an ethos that seeps into her work — constructing characters, increasing narratives and crafting complete moods. “I like to experiment and let the garments information me,” she says. “Generally I begin with a narrative, and typically the garments converse to me.”
Now, almost a 12 months later, we meet once more — lengthy overdue — this time at her new house: a Nineteen Twenties transformed horse secure tucked within the coronary heart of Koreatown. The property, as soon as owned by an artist, has been remodeled right into a patchwork of bungalows and stables housing multigenerational creatives. Her neighbor, an actor, is soft-spoken and sort. The entire house seems like a secret, a spot that’s been inhabited by artists who’ve allowed it to form them.
Thomas’ path into styling wasn’t linear. She explored varied inventive corners earlier than discovering her rhythm as the private stylist to singer Fousheé. That collaboration cracked one thing open, a possibility to stretch her visible language on a bigger stage. “Fousheé allowed me the liberty to be bizarre,” Thomas says. “To attempt issues I wasn’t positive would work, after which notice they did.” Nevertheless, even because the stakes shifted — from Nike campaigns to editorials — her strategy remained grounded in storytelling. Her references are instinctual: the curve of a staircase, the shiny web page of {a magazine}, reminiscences of watching her mom preparing for an evening out with girlfriends.
Thomas’ inventive work begins with an outfit — her outfit. And it begins in a closet — her closet. Earlier than you’ll be able to create visions and construct worlds with different individuals, you could perceive the minute particulars for your self. With regards to getting dressed, the small print are sometimes within the equipment. A easy necklace or beloved leather-based bag — in Thomas’ case, a number of leather-based baggage — could appear inconsequential when envisioning a narrative, however equipment are conduits for setting intentions and constructing id. For Thomas, her items maintain reminiscences (that point she felt like Rihanna) and are vessels for confidence, experimentation and self-expression. Her equipment are time stamps in model, every one particular and value its personal story.
Anna Sui black sea nymph sequins beanie
Kaamilah Thomas wears Anna Sui beanie with Dad’s military hat, Gen2 tee with Chan Luu sequin bra, Levi’s denims with Gil Rodriguez shorts, Dirk Bikkembergs purse, and Brook Callahan pendant.
Among the many small piles of garments scattered throughout Thomas’ furnishings, with phrase that there’s a closet upstairs housing a lot extra, a press release Anna Sui beanie lies in my periphery. It has silver sequins and is semi-transparent — one thing out of the movie “The Satan Wears Prada,” however a recent piece, bought someday this 12 months. “When I’ve this on, I really feel like that bitch,” Thomas states. Confidence ensues. “I went to Residing Room in West Hollywood, by Milk Studios. I walked out and I noticed Miguel, and I used to be like, ‘Oh wow, this place is it. It is a loopy spot.’ I went all out that night time [style-wise]. […] I used to be making my entrance previous these ladies with my little translucent sequined beanie — an introduction. Certainly one of them mentioned, ‘I really like your outfit.’ I felt like Rihanna on the CFDA Awards [2014]. I felt like her in that second.”
Chloé Silverado snakeskin bag
Classic Hanes prime, Alaïa footwear, Save the Queen belt, Chloé Silverado purse and Brook Callahan pendant.
“I don’t know if you already know about this bag,” Thomas leads with. I don’t, however I positive do wish to. She launches into how she likes to model her brown snakeskin Chloé Silverado bag — with “a type of skirts which you could cinch and pull up a bit” and “gladiator sandals.” For an on a regular basis bag that she’s had for a 12 months now, it stays a staple, aligning with the latest resurgence of Chloé. “I had it shipped to New York,” Thomas notes. “I wore the f— out of it.”
Dad’s Iraq military hat
Kaamilah Thomas wears Anna Sui beanie with Dad’s military hat, and Mango footwear.
An adjunct that has taken on a lifetime of its personal, this military cap, with light lettering spelling out Yoursie and rusted grommets, initially belonged to Thomas’ dad throughout the Iraq warfare, when he carried out stand-up comedy for American troops. Thomas now incorporates it into her wardrobe repeatedly. “He gave it to Rasheed [her boyfriend]. However I stole it from him. It seems higher on me.” Whereas the military cap has been in her household for years, she solely not too long ago acquired it, permitting her to carry on to a bit of her father’s previous. “It’s simply lived in, and I adore it.”
Dirk Bikkembergs brown leather-based bag
All eyes are on this bag with neon yellow shoelace tassels as Thomas reaches for the worn leather-based strap — a patina that each leather-based items proprietor hopes for, particularly in a reclaimed classic treasure. “The primary night time I wore it [sometime last year], this woman got here as much as me and was like, ‘Is that the Dirk Bikkembergs bag that you just purchased on Poshmark?’ I used to be like, ‘Yeah.’ She mentioned she was going to purchase the bag. I used to be like, ‘Too late.’ I’ve discovered that once you see one thing, particularly one thing this uncommon, it’s important to simply purchase it. I’d have an excessive amount of remorse.”
Gianfranco Ferré pink leather-based shell-beaded bag
Anne Valerie Hash jacket, Levi’s bottoms, Gianfranco Ferré purse, Maryam Nassir Zadeh belt.
In my lap is the bag that Thomas clutched the night time of Miguel’s cameo. That is now the third bag she’s shared with me right now. For Thomas, there are by no means too many baggage, as she’s always lending them to shoppers in her showroom, and every bag fulfills its personal want, from errands to an evening out dancing. I hand her the pink leather-based, shell-beaded Gianfranco Ferré bag, with a horse-bit-like deal with that she purchased final summer season — a classic discover. I would like this bag. “That [bag], I’d take to the membership. And I’ve.”
Save the Queen belt
Like many grails, you’ll be able to’t cease admiring them. This sentiment rings true for the ‘90s Save the Queen steel belt with dangling blue and pink beads, which Thomas expresses deep love for. It’s a new-ish relationship that began someday this 12 months, however already feels wealthy with historical past. Whereas others lean into “quiet luxurious,” Thomas embraces a maximalist strategy to model, guided by her playful sensibilities, quirky perspective and colourful childhood. “Rising up, I all the time beloved belly-dance belts. It has that shimmy, the place I can dance somewhat bit.”
Three-layered metallic beaded necklace
Thomas purchased this versatile, metallic beaded, three-layered necklace over a 12 months in the past, marking the beginning of her boho period, an amalgamation of every little thing she loves: eclectic equipment, pure textures, and a free-spirited ethos. “That is the vibe I’m resonating with, and that is the vibe I would like,” she declares. “I kind of model my seems round it. I can prime off any outfit with it.” Like her different favourite equipment, this piece grounds her, permitting her truest self to shine by.
Michael Anthony Corridor is a Los Angeles-based author, filmmaker, curator and multidisciplinary artist. Their inventive observe explores the complexities of id, queerness, tradition and artwork to ascertain shared connective tissue.
