How do you get your hair like that?
My friend Paul does it once a week. He puts gel on my hair while it’s dry, and then he combs it through. Then he shapes it, and then I bake under the dryer for 45 minutes. It gets really, really solid, like a helmet.
What’s the inspiration?
I got the idea from the twenties and the thirties. I used to have a white, white mohawk, but it was just so damaging to my hair, so I cut it all off and went to Paul and was all, “What can I do with my hair?” I love it because when I wake up, my hair’s already done.
What about the rest of your style?
Well, this is just my day look. When I go out, I have a whole different category of looks and I’m usually corseted. A casual night outfit would be tights, a pair of heels, and then maybe a collared shirt with a corset and blazer over that. Some people would consider my style to be gothic, but those people just don’t get it.
So what is it, then?
It’s period-driven, but with a modern touch. The thing is, I’m kind of like a chameleon.
Where are you from?
I’m a southern boy at heart—I’m from Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
Do you bring this look down South?
The corsets are just for night and for New York, but I don’t feel like you should ever change who you are. Even if I walk down the street and get a lot of “What the fuck is that?”—I just smile, I keep on walking, and keep on doing it, because no one’s ever going to get it if I don’t.