Age: 30
Ethnicity: 1/2 Italian then Scandinavian and Scottish
Currently live: Bay Area
Day job (what pays the bills): Selling vintage clothing! On my own and I also do consignment for the best vintage shop in Austin, TX called Laced With Romance.
Hobbies/Aspirations: Thrifting and antiquing are my biggest hobbies, one day I hope to put that obsession into my own shop.
Education/Study: I was the worst student in the world. I barely made it out of high school, I just hated school so much. I love learning, but it’s gotta be on my own terms.
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What was growing up like for you?
I had an amazing childhood. I grew up in the beautiful Bay Area and Sonoma County. Honestly couldn’t have picked a better place to grow up. I have the best most supportive parents anyone could ask for. Most of my memories from childhood are filled with amazing music like The Beatles, ZZ Top, Bad Company, Tom Petty, Scorpions… the list goes on. Lots of camping trips and time spent outdoors. To say I am a perfect mix of my parents would be an understatement. Took me a little while to appreciate that fact and was kind of all over the place while figuring out who I was while I was growing up but I have nothing bad to say about my childhood. I was very lucky.
Who is Holly Duncan?
Man what a difficult question...who the hell am I? I’d say I am made up of my passion for music, my incredible friends and family and my love for all things outdoors. But I also hate the sun. I’m incredibly sarcastic, but I’m humble. Loyal as fuck but maybe sometimes to a fault. I’ve become who my friends run to when they need a therapy session. I love meeting new people but I don’t know how many times a day I say “I hate everyone”.
Looking through the sea of leather jackets and band tees, you are very much a metal rock kind of girl. What is it you love about music and the aesthetics surrounding it?
I was lucky enough to grow up completely immersed in music, the good stuff like I mentioned before. Music is everything to me. It’s the best kind of therapy. The culture surrounding the music I love is a whole thing in itself. The aesthetics of it are whatever you make it and that’s what I love about it. Everyone takes what inspires them and twists it into something all their own. That’s amazing to me and excites me to no end.
Fave band tee ever?
Oh fuck this is a difficult one. Probably my Iron Maiden “Number of the Beast” 1982-83 tour shirt. Maybe 3 or 4 years ago at a flea market I came across this man who was selling a bunch of worthless shit but he had a rolling rack and this grey shirt just thrown over it. My radar went up. I grabbed it and low and behold it was an original Iron Maiden shirt. I quickly asked “how much?” not trying to sound too eager. “Ten bucks?” Ten fucking dollars. He went on to tell me how he bought it at the show in Oakland and how it was a life changing show but his beer belly had prevented him from wearing the shirt. I’ll never sell it.
Another aesthetic that follows you around of course is old school gothic - from trips to cemeteries to your amazing gothic home décor. What draws you to the dark and macabre and what do you love about it?
I’ve always loved all things morbid and dark. I mean, I wanted to be a mortician when I was younger. I’ve been obsessed with mummies as long as I can remember. I love old horror films and I feel like all that is reflected in my home. I think what draws me to these things is that it forces you to come to grips with the darker side of life, which to me is the most beautiful. Not everything is sunshine and happiness, especially these days. We all have inner demons and I guess I don’t really like to hide mine.
Where do you draw inspiration from?
I’m the most inspired by all things old and not of this time. A more simple, slow paced, intricate time. Old architecture, the cemeteries I tend to frequent. Anything that takes me out of this shit hole we are living through now and into another, better time.
How would you describe your personal style?
Give me all your leather and wrap me in chains.
Are you a fashion brands girl or do you just wear what you like or what’s comfortable?
No I’ve never been one for brand names. I do love some amazing designers but I could never bring myself to spend a bunch of money on one piece of clothing. Not to say I haven’t spent hundreds on an old band shirt but to me that is a part of history and it has lived a long life that I want to add years to. I just wear what I like, a lot of times it’s the same thing but comfort is what I seek.
What are your top 5 fashion staples you cannot live without?
My leather jacket is practically an appendage. My platform boots. My bullet belt. My Ovate Valhalla hoodie. And one of my leather harnesses or chokers.
Favorite places to shop?
Thrift stores always. And any vintage shop that doesn’t price gouge the living shit out of their customers.
Who would you say is your style icon?
Rob Halford, no question. That man’s confidence alone makes him a style icon.
What is it that you love most about being a woman?
Our power! Which can be defined differently from woman to woman. We are complex creatures. We have the power to choose to bring life into this world, I can’t think of anything more powerful than that. Our skin is as tough as nails, but our hearts are of the purest kind. If this world was run by women I think we’d all be way better off but that’s a whole other subject.
What do you admire in other women?
I admire truly confident women. Women that let no one define them. Women that have a strong head on their shoulders and who aren’t afraid of voicing her thoughts and opinions.
What do you find sexy and desirable about yourself and those around you?
I’m a proudly confident woman. It took me awhile to find that confidence so I wear that shit like a badge of honor. I guess that could be seen as sexy or desirable. I tend to surround myself with people who have a similar mindset as mine yet we all define confidence and strength differently and wear it differently and I think that’s incredibly sexy.
From the outset you come across as not only a gorgeous woman but a strong, smart and confident one. Would you say that's an accurate perception of you and what are your key tips for loving yourself and learning from yourself?
Ahh thank you! I’m happy to say that that is accurate. I’ve had to go through hell a few times to have turned out this way. We all have horror stories that we’ve lived through but I think it is so incredibly important to not let those things define you. I was in an abusive relationship and while I was still in it I remember thinking “ok, I get why people don’t leave, I get why this changes you forever” but I snapped myself out of it, left and was and still am determined to grow from that experience and I do that by being open about it. So to me, being open and honest is the best thing you can do for yourself. It can be daunting for sure but it’s also so empowering. Don’t hide your experiences, just don’t let them dictate your life.
When no one is around what are you usually doing? Is there a public and private Holly?
I’m very much so a homebody. I love being at home watching movies or my favorite shows. Listening to records, smoking weed. I also love to cook! And if I’m not at home I’m probably at the gym. I go for drives along the coast a lot since I live so close to the ocean. I think I’m pretty open about my life for the most part.
