Earlier than even the utterance of a phrase, Kaamilah Thomas spoke for herself. A heat vitality and eclectic type radiated from her, ft away from me, as my co-worker — now pal — referred to as me over to introduce us. That was nearly a 12 months in the past. Subversive tailoring, textured materials and a daring silhouette instantly made it clear Thomas labored in style, however in what capability? Styling. It made sense. In a world oversaturated by minimalism and monochrome, Thomas’ layered patterns and playful strategy stood out.
Thomas doesn’t costume for anybody gaze; she attire to specific her most genuine self, an ethos that seeps into her work — constructing characters, increasing narratives and crafting complete moods. “I love to experiment and let the clothes guide me,” she says. “Sometimes I start with a story, and sometimes the clothes speak to me.”
Now, practically a 12 months later, we meet once more — lengthy overdue — this time at her new house: a Nineteen Twenties transformed horse secure tucked within the coronary heart of Koreatown. The property, as soon as owned by an artist, has been remodeled right into a patchwork of bungalows and stables housing multigenerational creatives. Her neighbor, an actor, is soft-spoken and type. The entire house appears like a secret, a spot that’s been inhabited by artists who’ve allowed it to form them.
Thomas’ path into styling wasn’t linear. She explored numerous artistic corners earlier than discovering her rhythm as the non-public stylist to singer Fousheé. That collaboration cracked one thing open, a possibility to stretch her visible language on a bigger stage. “Fousheé allowed me the freedom to be weird,” Thomas says. “To try things I wasn’t sure would work, and then realize they did.” Nonetheless, even because the stakes shifted — from Nike campaigns to editorials — her strategy remained grounded in storytelling. Her references are instinctual: the curve of a staircase, the shiny web page of {a magazine}, reminiscences of watching her mom preparing for an evening out with girlfriends.
Thomas’ artistic work begins with an outfit — her outfit. And it begins in a closet — her closet. Earlier than you may create visions and construct worlds with different folks, you should perceive the minute particulars for your self. Relating to getting dressed, the main points are sometimes within the equipment. A easy necklace or beloved leather-based bag — in Thomas’ case, a number of leather-based baggage — could seem inconsequential when envisioning a narrative, however equipment are conduits for setting intentions and constructing id. For Thomas, her items maintain reminiscences (that point she felt like Rihanna) and are vessels for confidence, experimentation and self-expression. Her equipment are time stamps in type, every one particular and value its personal story.
Anna Sui black sea nymph sequins beanie 
Kaamilah Thomas wears Anna Sui beanie with Dad’s military hat, Gen2 tee with Chan Luu sequin bra, Levi’s denims with Gil Rodriguez shorts, Dirk Bikkembergs purse, and Brook Callahan pendant.
Among the many small piles of garments scattered throughout Thomas’ furnishings, with phrase that there’s a closet upstairs housing a lot extra, an announcement Anna Sui beanie lies in my periphery. It has silver sequins and is semi-transparent — one thing out of the movie “The Devil Wears Prada,” however a recent piece, bought someday this 12 months. “When I have this on, I feel like that bitch,” Thomas states. Confidence ensues. “I went to Living Room in West Hollywood, by Milk Studios. I walked out and I saw Miguel, and I was like, ‘Oh wow, this place is it. This is a crazy spot.’ I went all out that night [style-wise]. […] I was making my entrance past these girls with my little translucent sequined beanie — an introduction. One of them said, ‘I love your outfit.’ I felt like Rihanna at the CFDA Awards [2014]. I felt like her in that moment.”
Chloé Silverado snakeskin bag 
Classic Hanes prime, Alaïa footwear, Save the Queen belt, Chloé Silverado purse and Brook Callahan pendant.
“I don’t know if you know about this bag,” Thomas leads with. I don’t, however I positive do wish to. She launches into how she likes to type her brown snakeskin Chloé Silverado bag — with “one of those skirts that you can cinch and pull up a bit” and “gladiator sandals.” For an on a regular basis bag that she’s had for a 12 months now, it stays a staple, aligning with the current resurgence of Chloé. “I had it shipped to New York,” Thomas notes. “I wore the f— out of it.”
Dad’s Iraq military hat 
Kaamilah Thomas wears Anna Sui beanie with Dad’s military hat, and Mango footwear.
An adjunct that has taken on a lifetime of its personal, this military cap, with light lettering spelling out Yoursie and rusted grommets, initially belonged to Thomas’ dad through the Iraq battle, when he carried out stand-up comedy for American troops. Thomas now incorporates it into her wardrobe frequently. “He gave it to Rasheed [her boyfriend]. But I stole it from him. It looks better on me.” Whereas the military cap has been in her household for years, she solely just lately acquired it, permitting her to carry on to a chunk of her father’s previous. “It’s just lived in, and I love it.”
Dirk Bikkembergs brown leather-based bag 
All eyes are on this bag with neon yellow shoelace tassels as Thomas reaches for the worn leather-based strap — a patina that each leather-based items proprietor hopes for, particularly in a reclaimed classic treasure. “The first night I wore it [sometime last year], this girl came up to me and was like, ‘Is that the Dirk Bikkembergs bag that you bought on Poshmark?’ I was like, ‘Yeah.’ She said she was going to buy the bag. I was like, ‘Too late.’ I’ve learned that when you see something, especially something this rare, you have to just buy it. I’d have too much regret.”
Gianfranco Ferré purple leather-based shell-beaded bag 
Anne Valerie Hash jacket, Levi’s bottoms, Gianfranco Ferré purse, Maryam Nassir Zadeh belt.
In my lap is the bag that Thomas clutched the evening of Miguel’s cameo. That is now the third bag she’s shared with me at the moment. For Thomas, there are by no means too many baggage, as she’s consistently lending them to purchasers in her showroom, and every bag fulfills its personal want, from errands to an evening out dancing. I hand her the purple leather-based, shell-beaded Gianfranco Ferré bag, with a horse-bit-like deal with that she purchased final summer time — a classic discover. I would like this bag. “That [bag], I’d take to the club. And I have.”
Save the Queen belt 
Like many grails, you may’t cease admiring them. This sentiment rings true for the ‘90s Save the Queen metal belt with dangling blue and red beads, which Thomas expresses deep love for. It’s a new-ish relationship that began someday this 12 months, however already feels wealthy with historical past. Whereas others lean into “quiet luxury,” Thomas embraces a maximalist strategy to type, guided by her playful sensibilities, quirky standpoint and colourful childhood. “Growing up, I always loved belly-dance belts. It has that shimmy, where I can dance a little bit.”
Three-layered metallic beaded necklace
Thomas purchased this versatile, metallic beaded, three-layered necklace over a 12 months in the past, marking the beginning of her boho period, an amalgamation of all the pieces she loves: eclectic equipment, pure textures, and a free-spirited ethos. “This is the vibe I’m resonating with, and this is the vibe I want,” she declares. “I sort of style my looks around it. I can top off any outfit with it.” Like her different favourite equipment, this piece grounds her, permitting her truest self to shine by way of.
Michael Anthony Corridor is a Los Angeles-based author, filmmaker, curator and multidisciplinary artist. Their artistic observe explores the complexities of id, queerness, tradition and artwork to determine shared connective tissue.
