MY STYLE: Lydia Thies draws inspiration from art, past

Lydia Thies, 25, Iowa City

Sales @ Velvet Coat

Lydia Thies' fashion is inspired both by the art world and the past.

As a salesperson at Iowa City's Velvet Coat she has firsthand access to fashionable finds.

But as an artist she can't help but put her own touch on them.

“I have been working on altering pieces for sale on my Etsy page, Etsy.com/shop/zashavonbraun, where I have handmade jewelry, deconstructed vintage, and I am hoping to add my own line of altered shoes for sale soon,” she says.

Q: What are you wearing?

A: I am wearing a 1960s wiggle dress in ivory wool with zipper detail on the sleeves. The wool cape is from a vintage store and has a label that says Amana Woolen Mills, Amana, IA, but I added the fur collar, also found in a vintage store.

Q: Where do you get your style inspiration?

A: My style is vintage inspired, but I am also an artist and I love clothing that has a very sculptural and structured look that is more costumed and futuristic.

Q: Who are your style icons? Why?

A: I am always drawn to images of Tilda Swinton because she has a svelte look that I admire even though I know I could never pull it off being only 5-foot-3-inches. Despite that, I love her look and I have copied her haircuts from time to time. I also borrow from her gender neutral style, even though you'd never guess that from the pictures of me here.

Q: What is your staple go-to store for fashion finds?

A: I spend a lot of time sifting through the inexpensive pieces at Goodwill and I get a lot of my basics, such as layering pieces, at Kohl's and Gordman's.

Q: What will you splurge on?

A: I pride myself on getting the best deals out there, but I will splurge on boots because they are the one thing that can make a million different outfits special and can still be worn everyday from September to April.

Q: What is the one fashion item you can't live without?

A: I think shoes are my favorite part of my wardrobe, and I am always looking for new pairs online everyday.

All photos by Cliff Jette.

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Watch a video of Lydia:

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