On Saturday, June 15, Hirshhorn will host it’s very first annual ball, an opportunity for Washington to “dress to express” and enjoy a surrealist evening of performances, vogueing, and more (including House of Sonique, who we know you all fell in love with last Friday). Your host for the evening? D.C. performance legend Pussy Noir. It has been six whole years since we last chatted about fashion with Pussy (take a walk down that memory lane here) – so we spent a very inspirational afternoon at the museum testing out lewks for June 15, and catching up. Get ready to have your breath taken away and see you all on June 15.
all photos: Nicholas Karlin, art direction: Exactly
BYT: Describe your personal style in a word or a sentence?
Pussy: I like to think of my style at Sexy 40 year old French woman. Well, that’s what I think I look like. It’s a mix of my eras and inspirations, but….always black.
BYT: What is the difference between style and fashion?
Pussy: Fashion is the way; which means the way you portray your identity. Style is the language which you use to communicate that identity.
BYT: When did you first become interested in fashion? How has that feeling evolved?
Pussy: Well, my mother loves telling the story about how as a baby I knew what I wanted to wear. For instance, she tried to put me in brown and I would have a meltdown. Which is true … I didn’t embrace brown till my early twenties. But that also shows how it has evolved . I always look for a new level to aspire to in my style a new experience to have so I’m constantly evolving every year.
BYT: What role does fashion play in your day to day life (Vs. performing life)?
Pussy: Fashion is my life. It’s how I communicate. My style is thought about in every aspect. From how I move in clothes act and what experience I will have or want to have that day.
BYT: Is fashion art? And why?
Pussy: Fashion is art, plain and simple. Art is a mode of communication, and so is fashion.
BYT: Tell me how did this collaboration between you and Hirshhorn come to be?
Pussy: I had an amazing experience a couple years ago working with Hirshhorn performing at Shadow Casters. I have stayed in touch as my nightclub and entertainment projects grew. They had a feeling that it was time to throw a huge fashion centric event and they asked. Of course I said yes before they could finish the word “fashion”.
BYT: What can people expect on June 15th?
Pussy: People can expect to be on display. By that I mean we are encouraging the guests to “dress to express” to show their most fantastic selves. In addition we are bringing downtown to uptown with host of queer performers and personalities. I think people should expect to be stunned at every turn.
BYT: You’ve lived in D.C. your whole life – how have you seen the D.C. style scene evolve?
Pussy: I come from a very long line of Washingtonians. Style in D.C. runs to two ways; weekend style that is very causal and work that is very conforming. However the style identity in this event really belongs to the true chocolate city residence. A blend of Americana, one-of-a-kind pieces, and an expert selection of accessories from jewelry to bags to watches and ties with a veil of vintage.
BYT: Who, in your opinion, are some of the best dressed Washingtonians? And why?
Pussy: I don’t want to name specific names but I will name scenes. For instance, the vintage scene is very strong ; you can go to a Swap D.C. event and see the most beautiful style from the guests. At the same time a Easter Sunday brunch in Georgetown you can catch the perfect WASP-y Georgetown Family in baring degrees of Ralph Lauren, like a magazine ad. It’s all style and very important style. I will say my queer friends really have it mixing genders prints and silhouettes; it’s definitely evolved for D.C.
BYT: Who, in your opinion, are some of the best dressed people period? And why?
Pussy: My favorite fashion icons include Catherine Baba who bikes in stilettos around Paris Fashion Week and Emmanuelle Alt who jay rocks black pants heels and a severe blazer or jacket .
BYT: Any favorite places to find unexpected finds in D.C. (And beyond?)
Pussy: When it comes to shopping in D.C. I tell everyone to shop EVERYWHERE! You never know what you’re going to find. Keep your eyes open at all times and have little money to treat yourself at all times. I tend to mix it up with shopping at Buffalo Exchange and Crossroads but I also shop online as well. I’m not to influenced by new collections from big brands as it all looks the same. So, I also go to estate sales with my friend and designer Evan as much as possible. We are rich with estate sales in the DMV area.
BYT: What song will you be playing while you get dressed for the 15th?
Pussy: It depends on my mood but most likely Yma Sumac ; I love the otherworldly glamour of her sound and it puts me in the couture mood.
BYT: Anything else you’d like to shout-out to (projects/music/etc?)
Pussy: I am continuously educating people of fashion and history i my weekly podcast on Full Service Radio at the Line hotel called The Beauty Archeo. It’s is fashion history comedy podcast
