"Who's that girl?" // Holly Duncan

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.

https://www.instagram.com/steelthelight/

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Who's that Girl? - Vanessa Matic

Age: Vampire 

Ethnicity: Croatian/German

Currently live: Los Angeles

Day job (what pays the bills): Poetry/Art/Fashion/Acting/Editing

Hobbies/Aspirations: Music/ Painting 

Education/Study: Journalism

What was growing up like for you? 

I grew up in Seattle, it was mellow, I did ballet when I was younger but that wasn’t till I moved to New York and my family moved back and forth a few times. I have/had a well traveled childhood and life. My mom and dad are both really interesting, they’ve always influenced me my parents are both very into art, my fathers a professor and did a lot of writing in Europe, my mom was a lawyer but then became a house body to take care of me. 

Have you always been drawn to words and more specifically poetry? 

Since a young age but the first time I really felt I was writing something important was at age 16, I wrote something called bumblebees.. and the end of the song/poem was simple ‘’and you might find a place to be a king and I a queen, we use to be like bumblebees; I wrote this listening to Yann Tiersen soundtrack… I got into a lot of obscure stuff early 

I was very inspired by Neruda, Nabokov, Sylvia Plath, Hunter S. Thompson, Burroughs, Ginsberg but then also people like Rowland S. Howard, Leonard Cohen, lyrics were to me a big connection to poetry. 

 Did you undertake any “formal” study in writing and/or literature? 

Journalism for two years but I never believed you had to follow rules to be a good writer. I’m like that’s for the editors only now everyone is kind of an editor first. 

Alongside your words it’s very rare to not also have an image. How do you explain the connection between the image of yourself you share and the words that coincide?

 I don’t know what people see but I see myself like a fucked up virgin mary symbol, like when Bauhaus wrote rose garden funeral of sores. And I also believe we can change and manipulate image so much that it is a distorted reality of many things that are inside of ourselves, many emotions, and in time maybe it changes and our faces fade in different shapes. Also I just think words are the ultimate extended dream and they have nothing to do with image, they just become their own thickness; Their own air. Every day we’re inspired by more than ourselves, the dreams of words are fantasy and reality. 

Sexuality, feminine power, madness, lust and catharsis are all ongoing themes through your work. There is also a very primal element to what you write. How would you explain or describe your own work? 

Weird, not with rules; It’s definitely different from most poetry imperfect but perfect. It is music without sound. Done out of all emotions we carry within ourselves. 

Is your process of writing more organic or do you sit down and write with a piece in mind? 

Usually it just comes and goes, I have my notebooks but I also, guilty.. Write 

on my phone little notes here and there, and it always comes from all inspirations, friends, love of my life, music, movies, books, scents that remind us of certain moments. 

How difficult have you found it to get recognition for your work and find outlets to submit and publish your work? 

It’s not easy poetry is very big but also not very big, I’ve been doing it since myspace, and before.. but that was the first time I blogged things and posted my material. C-heads found me first and I started to work for them. 

What does writing mean to you? For me it’s a personal bloodletting with less mess. Would you say it is a cathartic experience for you also? 

Writing is like letting out a ghost you believe will haunt a few people if they are greedy enough to get into the words and conjure the demon. Like magick, it always feels like I lost a breath after something I write and it helps me with my own conscience. 

Your work as been featured in various publications such as C-Heads Magazine, Nakid Magazine and BLEND Magazine. Are there any plans to publish your own book of work?

 There is of course, I’ve always wanted to publish a book I think I want to wait a little, maybe I will self publish but I would really like to wait and have them find me, Robert Montgomery was my mentor a few years back and we sat at Bowery Hotel I was drinking a Bellini and he said “You’re the best poet in the states.’’ and I gave him a funny grin I remember and I said “No I’m not’’ and he said “Well what do you mean?’’ and I wasn’t trying to be cocky but I couldn’t help myself I said “I’m the best poet of our generation.’’ I have a lot of fans actually I get a lot of fan mail for my poems, it kinda shocks me sometimes I hardly make an effort to answer all of them, because I don’t know what to say often. I’m escaping pieces of reality every time I write, so I try not to talk about it too much. And maybe one day more people will understand what I am doing as much as the fans and will let me do it more and more, till the world fills with poetry and is made into beautiful music. 

 Model, artist, poet… You have no shortage of talents. What’s next for Vanessa Matic?

 I’ve made a short film as well in Berlin “Animal You Hide’’ I act, I also like film and screenplays. I don’t know what’s quite next.. I love music, I’m not a great singer.. decent unique one. Maybe I do that it’s the most nearest connection to poetry, like Cohen writing A thousand Kisses Deep. 

© Kenny Elkin

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Who's that Girl? | Kitty Noir

Age: 34

Ethnicity: Caucasian 

Currently live: Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Day job (what pays the bills): Hair Artist 

© Brittany Juve 

Hobbies/Aspirations:  

Sewing,Antiquing,Treasure Hunting, Modeling, Cat Loving

Education/Study:

Hair School/Hair School 

© Brittany Juve 

What was growing up like for you? 

I lived out in the country where my closest neighbor lived 3 miles away. I attended a tiny Country school, graduated with a high school class of 20. Just one brother, raised in a lil brown single wide trailer home out on a passed down generational owned beautiful country side. Small town girl, wasn't a farmer or anything, Thank god cause I would totally suck at milking cows and collecting eggs. But I can for sure appreciate the little simple things in life. 

Do you see yourself as a Model?

Not really I guess, I love doing shoots, the art of photography is just a pleasure to be a part of. But when people say to me, "oh you should be a model" I hate to say "oh I actually am a model" I just accept the compliment and say Thanks!! I hate to be that girl that's in the sea of (every girl is a model these days) Yet it's something iIabsolutely love doing. 

When did you become involved in modeling and what do you love about it?

I started modeling more officially for biker calendars and local car shows, signing posters and representing a local tattoo artist/airbrush shop. Then getting hired to sit on people's freshly painted bikes for ads and whatnot. 

Of course it's fun to be a model, to work hard at a shoot and be able to get the proofs back, looking on the photos with a proud eye. The feeling of looking at the photos and not even feeling like "that's me?" in the pics, pulling on another persona for the certain look of the set. Its definitely a confidence booster.

When did you start getting into hair styling and what was the aim initially? 

Initially I was a clothing store manager, loved customer service and understanding how to treat the public with respect. After 8 years of that I wanted to be my own boss, more creative and not being owned by a cooperation. I then decided to go to hair school. I wanted to get into styling hair for runway fashion shows, then realized my favorite part was being one on one with my customers, behind the chair. Leading into close relationships and having the trust with special people in my life by keeping their hair awesome. Owning my own space and operating my business. 

© Brittany Juve 

How has the experience of social media brought positive experiences in to your life and what are some of your highlight moments? 

Social Media is such a great tool to reach the public. Either your selling a brand, or the brand your selling is You. Being on social media through MySpace days, at times I feel like a pro, ha. I guess the highlights of social media for me is truely just getting my work out there. Being recognized by Hair Company's that I respect and other Stylists and Influencers that I love. These are lil moments that make my week. People leaving sweet comments giving love to a hair photo, or on modeling photos means a lot. Meeting some of the raddest chicks on social media is definitely been a highlights as well. It's the little things that pushes me to get off my ass to post more interesting content. 

You are a modern retro girl with a spooky twist. What is it you love about vintage style and how did you redefine it in your own way?

Vintage style...where do I even start. Obviously I am a vintage clothing hoarder, pretty sure I have issues, ha. My favorite thing about antique/vintage clothing is there usually is only one of each out there these days. No one else is wearing it, so vintage is always extra special. I feel like my body type fits it well, it's easy to alter and manipulate the sizes to make fit. Redefining the style is fun for me, adding lace or leather crosses, shortening the hem, mixing it with spooky jewelry or makeup. 

How would you describe your personal style? 

It's basically 100% Bipolar. Pretty sure I just dress myself per daily mood. There will be a week I wear Black everyday, other days I wear pastels and bright colors. Then poof...dressin like your grandma...or grandpa. I have no boundaries or stereotypes around what my personal style is, of course it's all rooted from being a lil goth girl growing up. But everything I dig to sum it up is quite "Vintage Vamp Witchy" like if Bewitched and The Craft had a baby, that's me. 

What do you admire most in other women? 

I admire when other women are warm and kind and secure and original in their personal style. When they just do what makes them happy vs doing what Pinterest influences them to do/wear/make. Women that have personality and live free. 

Who is Kitty Noir?

Good question, I find this out more and more everyday. If it's a question of where did the nickname or title come from? Or really "who am I?" Not sure if there is enough space on your page. So I will answer both in a more simple fashion. KittyNoir- that name started back in my early 20s when I was a lil spooky raver girl, mixing records at party's. All my friends in the group I hung out in, we all had dj names. "DjKittyNoir" was born. Precious huh.

Who am I? Well I am an older version of the extremely carefree, crazy party girl I used to be. I still live in my own little world. But am more healthy, thoughtful/giving, making a heck of a lot smarter choices. 

You are a woman of many talents; be it hair, fashion, DIY or modelling. What excites you and keeps you passionate? 

I try to be a better me, than I was yesterday. I can somehow look at myself, stepping outside of my body knowing I can't be perfect, but I will sure try. How can I be a better colorist, stylist. Inspired by people that are killing it in the hair industry, I wanna be on that list. With modeling, I wanna be someone different each time, creating a certain feel or character. Pushing myself into things that make me uncomfortable. Facial expressions that give the viewer a deeper look into my soul. Figuring out how I can get eyes to see the art of my photos, without having to be naked is another struggle. Fashion is a huge part of my life so I still want that to be the focus of my work, with a mysterious face and shape underneath it. 

Where do you draw inspiration from? 

I would say fashion from the past decades is my biggest inspiration. Models from the past, Movies from the past. Those are times when there was still original life happening. These days it's just a "copy of a copy" if we dig into the past there is much to be seen and enlightened by. I try not to get carried away with looking at my peers too much, scrolling through Instagram is one thing, but looking at other girls with green envy and self hating thoughts, just isn't healthy. I feel this is a huge disaster in our females today. Love yourself!

Are you a fashion brands girl or do you just wear what you like or whats comfortable?

I really enjoy quality. I don't care for shopping the cheapy fashion stores, those are all just throw away clothes. I tend to keep and wear the clothing I acquire for many decades. So it's gotta hold up. Fashion comes back around, and with my mad alternating skills I can change anything. The things I buy are either $400 boots or a $4 thrift store dress. That sums me up completely. The stuff in between is basically mall stores, which I don't normally get into. Name brands for Makeup...Always. You get what you pay for motto is 100% true. Clothing...I personally don't want some brand name shit plastered across my ass or chest. 

What are your top 5 fashion staples you cannot live without? 

Vintage Dolly looking dresses, Black oversized beanie hats, chunky Necklaces, Boots, and Vintage 60s Coats (thank god I live In a colder climate). My winter coat collection is obnoxious. 

Favorite places to shop? 

Thrift Stores, Vintage Shops, and EBay 

Who would you say is your style icon? 

Currently - Old lady Iris 

Tales of love & lust? 

Hmmm this could escalate quickly into too much info...with my past. I have done it all, let's say. Now that I am not in my terrible 20s, Older and Wiser, I am crazy in love and getting married next year. 

What is it that you love most about being a woman? 

Being able to be who I wanna be everyday. The costume changes! Makeup! All the girlie stuff in life. Although the flip side of it, I love dressing down too, having the freedom to be completely Androgynous. Be who you wanna be! Why must we push ourselves in a corner because the boring society tells us we should, fuck gender fashion traditions.

What do you find sexy and desirable about yourself and those around you?

This may be he hardest question on here, I would have to say for myself, my Personality, sad thing is, until you meet me in person, not just in photos, my friends and followers online will never truly see that side of me. I am super silly, yet I can talk up a serious Oprah convo for days. I can go with the flow very easy. 

Humble confidence and a sense of humor is the sexiest thing about anyone around me. People that are negative, guilt givers, drama prone, Sketchy....those types are straight Toxic. 

© Brittany Juve 

When no one is around what is Kitty usually doing?

Talking really dumb to my cats like they are my only friends. I talk to myself more than what is probably normal, sewing & altering old clothes, buying something on eBay I don't need. Or straight chilling with some dumb series that has me hooked. I actually LOVE being alone, I am for sure an Introvert personality. 

What's your take on life and what advice would give any of your fans? 

There's only one YOU. Don't try to be someone else, it's already been done. Stop trying to please everyone, people will either like you or not, just the way you are. Be kind and thoughtful to one another. Think before you act or speak, everything you say and do can effect people more than you know. Be free from jealousy and anger, you will shine out of a crowd brighter than you even know you could. Looks fade, personality and heart is all you have in the end, love each other, you never know where your last moment lies.

Tattoos by @scottymunster

Instagram: @mskittynoir

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