“East’s Inspiration” is a recently developed series that will delve into a multitude of activities and admirable things that students do. Each article will approach different categories and subjects students are involved in. Feel free to find the writer of this article, Anna Wilcox, if you have any suggestions. My first interview was with Chloe Heck, who is in 10th grade. Her expressive and unique style really stood out to me.

Chloe, how would you describe your aesthetic?

This may be strange, but where my aesthetic is ever-changing, with some common themes like being from the past, I like to either describe it as “time traveler that stopped caring” or “14th century born immortal that enjoys the Victorian eras, the ’40s, and ’70s.”

Who has been influential in you deriving your style?

I would love to have a simple answer to this and just say, like, Marilyn Monroe, but it’s been her as well as Brigitte Bardot, Audrey Hepburn, and Cyndi Lauper, etc. The style icons that were either so classic that it stuck, or complete oddballs.

How long have you had this aesthetic?

I’ve always dressed a little bit–or a lot–differently, from other people my age. But I feel that it came into thrifted, vintage vibes with full force in 7th grade and has slowly gotten more dramatic.

Where else do you pull inspiration from?

If you know me, you know I’m a major nerd. Like: DnD, adventure movies, pirates, all of that. I pull that into my clothing a lot more than I’d like to admit. For more historical sensibilities I’ll look into gowns, and portraiture for simple things that I could adapt, because I love history and feel that it’s a grounding force in our lives as much as the arts.

Have you always loved expressing yourself through fashion?

I would say that I definitely have; as long as I can remember I have had either designs in a book, or a costume in the corner. I think it just came from being a highly creative child that was always around older women sewing things.

If you could have any clothing item right now, what would it be?

Practically, it’s a heavy wool burgundy skirt with black embroidery from the ’40s and the matching jacket. Impractically, I’d die for either a wonderful late Victorian evening gown, possibly a Worth gown that magically fit me.

If you could have clothing from any time period, which would it be?

I wear clothing going back to the 1940s on a day-to-day basis, but I feel that it’d be just majestic to have copies of Edwardian (1901-1914) clothing. Or Georgian (c. 1790- 1811). I would never wear the original–that’s blasphemous in accordance with any cares for dress history I hold.

Where are your favorite locations to get clothes?

Thrift stores, older family members, and places like Depop and Etsy are all nice. I like that it’s a bit of a treasure hunt; you never know what you’ll find but it’s sure to be an interesting search.

What other styles have you dabbled with in the past?

I’ve been everything at least one day, except maybe like bad ’90s gangster, or a lot of the more recent takes on the ’90s trends. I spent a while dressing with brighter ’80s style. I also have a stint of wearing brightly colored pants with equally bright flannels; I don’t recommend.

How does expressing yourself through clothing make you feel?

I just feel better about things when I am dressed like this, presumably because I feel like me. But depending on the day and the outfit, I either feel like just me, or like an ethereal being, or a pirate, or a 1970s businesswoman that has it together. Clothing can fuel your mood, like how costumes can make your mind soar. My entire wardrobe does that and I love it.

Do you have any suggestions for students wanting to express their own unique style?

Do it. Just go for it. It might take a little while for it to settle into something that suits you well, but when you do it’s worth it. If you want to be a steampunk doctor and wear a clock hat outside of school, do it. If you just want to be slightly out there and wear different colored Converse on each foot, do it. Do what you want and people will stop saying mean stuff about it the moment you stop outwardly caring.