The world of theater is an environment where taking risks is applauded and nothing is ever too eccentric. As a contributor to the Stuyvesant Theater Community, sophomore Annalise Jorgensen Lockhart enjoys expressing her individualism through her fashion sense. She also designs her own clothes and is willing to sacrifice comfort for beauty. The Spectator sits down with Lockhart, co-assistant director of “Bye Bye Birdie,” at a rehearsal for the musical.
The Spectator: How would you describe your style?
Annalise Jorgensen Lockhart: I like to stand out. I think it’s important, especially in such a large school. We had to wear uniforms at my old school and everyone wore the same thing, so it was hard to express myself. I just took the opportunity when I came to Stuy to wear what I wanted to and be an individual. It makes going to school more interesting. I like looking forward to putting together outfits in the morning. It’s fun.
TS: Where do you get most of your clothing from?
AJL: I like Urban Outfitters for the basics. I also like shopping at thrift stores and little boutiques. My favorite thrift store is Metropolis in the East Village. I usually go shopping with my sister. She’s 13, but we’re almost the same size, so we can share our clothing. I’ll also borrow a lot of clothing from my mom. I’ll go to her closet and pick out the first thing I see and wear it. I’ll even borrow clothing from my dad sometimes. One of my sweaters used to be my dad’s. It’s this oversized gray sweater with a couple of holes in the elbow, but it’s really comfortable, so I like wearing it. I also make a lot of my clothing with my mom. We buy patterns at stores and my house is full of buttons, thread, sewing machines and fabric. I can pick any fabric I like and just alter it a little. I like to make dresses. I love floral dresses.
TS: What do you look for when you’re shopping for clothing?
AJL: I try to buy clothing that complements my shape. Just because one person looks good in something doesn’t mean you will. I like to use shopping as a source of inspiration. If I find something I really like, I’ll go home and try to make something like it. I try to stay away from shopping at chain stores because someone else could be wearing the same thing.
TS: What do you think is the biggest trend right now?
AJL: I try to stay away from trends because they can fade really quickly, but it’s hard. Everyone’s been wearing those canvas shoes that go with everything.
TS: What current trend do you like most?
AJL: I like headbands. I also like tucking my shirts into my skinny jeans. It adds definition. I also like scarves a lot.
TS: What was your biggest fashion faux pas?
AJL: I once layered floral fishnet stockings under glittery socks with checkered ballet flats. I was wearing high-waisted red shorts and a puffy floral shirt with a headband and a scarf. It was just too much going on at once.
TS: How has your style changed over the past years?
AJL: When I was younger, I’d wear what was the most comfortable or practical. Now it’s more about what looks good rather than comfort. I’ll wear something even if it’s uncomfortable because it looks good.
TS: How do you put together an outfit?
AJL: I like to pick my shoes first and work up from there. I wear a lot of black, so I try to balance it out by wearing one printed piece. Mixing too many different prints or colors together can look good sometimes, but it can also clash. When I find something I really like, I try to visualize what would go well with it ahead of time. What I wear is really influenced by my mood. I’ll wear brighter colors when I’m feeling really energetic and maybe a big sweater if I’m sad. I’m also really influenced by music. I think music and fashion are linked. I listen to a lot of glam rock, like David Bowie, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs and The Claxons. The artists always find a way to balance art and music and that really inspires me.
TS: How does participating in theater influence your fashion sense?
AJL: I’m really into directing and movies, both of which inspire me. I like how you can explore the fashion from different eras on stage. Watching it has allowed me to take different elements from different time periods. I like taking a little piece of each style in what I wear. I think it’s really important to have a good imagination for fashion and theater gives me enough inspiration to fuel that imagination.