ON STYLE: NEW CONSTELLATIONS
One of the things that I love most about WCKD Collective is that we get to connect with other humans who understand that style is so much deeper than surface level. In fact, a lot of the people that inspire your closet the most, likely inspire you beyond just your style choices. You might also like them because of their lifestyle choices, or the causes that they support. Maybe they carry the same energy of their clothing into their music or visa versa!
In this case, New Constellations has has been tickling our senses through all mediums but specifically music and style. The Portland, Oregon-based duo, comprised of Harlee Case and Josh Smith classify their music as indie-pop but we just classify them as badass. I caught up with Harlee admist the craziness of releasing a ton of new music, and asked her a few questions about how her personal style impacts her as a person but also an artist:
What does personal style mean to you?
I think clothing is such a cool way to wear your expression. Getting dressed feels like making a piece of art some days. It can change your mindset so quickly
Would you say that what you wear has a direct impact on how you feel about yourself?
Oh man, I'm either zero or a hundred when it comes to what I'm wearing. Sometimes I'm wearing the same sweats for like three days and somedays im in all gold sequins. If I'm being totally honest when I put the effort into feeling good about my overall look I do feel better. I also like to give myself alot of grace for all the times I just don't have it in me to get fully ready though.
How does expressing yourself through style further your creativity not only as a human, but also as an artist?
I think it can say a lot about who you are before you even start speaking, which I love. I wear a lot of bright colors and wacky prints and for me that feels childlike and approachable. This winter I was really going through it and I bought this fuzzy rainbow bucket hat. Everytime i would see it in the mirror or feel it on my head i would smile a bit and be reminded that life was still great even in a rough patch. I think giving myself this meaning that I attached to the hat was very inspiring for me.
Where do you draw inspiration from when considering what to wear?
I draw a lot of inspiration on what to wear from my best friend, Keasha Brown. She has the most iconic style that is constantly changing and evolving. For performing i like to draw from a mixture of Florence from Florence and the Machine, Sylvans Essos Amelia Meath, Bowie, and Keasha Brown.
Is there a specific style or outfit that you wear to perform in? What is it and why does it make you feel ready to take the stage?
I really like to have a mix of feminine and masculine. I love to wear platform docs every show, normally biker shorts, and some more feminine sexy tops, sometimes even a ballcap. This last tour i was on i realized that i always wear a cool jacket out and then take it off after the first song so i started searching for arm wear. I found a bunch of cuffs and bridal sleeves to add and it was a game changer. I like to mix the super casual and upscale a lot because I get to feel a little extra and cool while also feeling like i'm still performing at a house party or something.
Want more New Constellations? Give them a follow on Spotify! We’ve literally embedded it above for you so there’s no excuse not to. LOVE YA, MEAN IT!