Inside the wardrobe of a leopard print-loving DJ, Juicy Romance
image via @juicy_romance/INSTAGRAM
WORDS BY DAISY HENRY
“I love being overdressed for every occasion β except when Iβm at the pool, where I prefer to be scantily clad.”
We know personal style is a journey (Iβm looking at you, Tumblr years) and our series Hey, I Like Your Style! dives into the fashion psyche of our favourite creatives. Weβre talking about the good, the bad and the 2007.
While the internet has made our fashion icons feel closer than ever before, even the most effortless outfits came from a closet with some (well-dressed) skeletons. Clickable product tags, photo archives and lives chronicled in 30-second clips just donβt tell the full story.
For more fashion news, shoots, articles and features, head to ourΒ FashionΒ section.
These are the stories behind the wardrobes, exploring how we develop our personal style. Thereβs a brilliance behind the way we choose to express ourselves, and we know every outfit has a story. This week, we enter the wardrobe of London-based DJ Juicy Romance.
Originally hailing from the Victorian countryside, Juicy’s party-girl style came from humble beginnings. From her tree climbing days decked out in her brother’s hand-me-down skivvies and gumboots, her personal style now is defined by whatever makes her feel “sexy, feminine and bossy”.
Although she currently lives in London, Juicy is back in town for a string of shows in Australia. If you happen catch her on stage, you can expect to see her wearing anything from hot pink micro shorts and a leopard print halter to oversized Cavalli sunnies and a feather boa.
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Hey Juicy! Tell me about yourself and what you like to wear.
Hey FJ! Iβm Juicy Romance and Iβm a producer, pop diva and DJ. I like to wear anything that I class as sexy, naughty, saucy or iconic β my favourites being animal print or anything Roberto Cavalli circa 1998 to 2010.
What has your style evolution looked like?Β
Growing up as a rock-skipping, tree-climbing country girl, my youth was spent sporting my brother’s hand-me-downs, skivvys, gumboots and a bob. Although I am gagging just writing that sentence, it’s nice to illustrate how, from humble beginnings, something incredible can be born. Despite decades of awkward fashion years, I’ve definitely come into my style and love dressing to make myself feel sexy, feminine and bossy. I love being overdressed for every occasion β except when Iβm at the pool, where I prefer to be scantily clad.
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Have you ever felt like you needed to fit into a particular fashion box?
Absolutely. There were many tragic fashion boxes I was desperate to fit in in the past, as I’m sure there were for all of us. Special mention to skinny jeans with Vans, Jay Jays, pleather, those Windsor Smith sandals with the tassel at the front from 2013, rainbow crochet ponchos and knee-length boardies for chicks.
I went through many phases through my teen years wanting to fit in with the hot, cool, popular girls. It wasn’t until quite a way into my twenties that I started to feel more confident in myself, which made me feel more daring when it came to my wardrobe selections.
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As I grew older, I become a lot more confident in my body and looks, after years of wishing I was skinnier, more petite, had smaller feet or just looked different. Now, I dress skimpier, sexier and in a way that illuminates my figure more than I ever have before. And although I think we’re all influenced by trends to varying degrees, no matter how individual we may think we are, I’d like to think I’m now dressing for myself and according to my own taste, rather than needing to fit into a fashion box.
Take us back to those awkward teenage years. Do you have any fashion regrets?
No regrets. My tragic fashion moments were crucial in my journey towards being the MILF-chic, leopard print-loving, bikini-clad woman I am today.
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What are the most expensive and least expensive items in your wardrobe?
The least expensive would probably be my leopard print bikini. Sheβs in tatters after being worn to death at the Ibiza beach clubs all summer and seeing as sheβs a terrible quality and cheap lil piece, I never expected her to last long.
The most expensive would maybe be my vintage Maison Margiela coat, vintage Dior bike sunglasses or this insane vintage snakeskin handbag with a silver metal fringe that I bought in Paris. Most of the clothes I buy are vintage, usually from Paris. Whenever I play a show there, I have a few spots I go to religiously. I also shop a lot at the charity stores in West London, where you can find insane gems.
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What is the most meaningful fashion piece you own?
My mum gave me a black knitted backless dress with pearl clasps at the neck that she wore a lot in the late ’70s. It’s insanely sexy and one of my favourite pieces. And of course, itβs very nice to carry the flame for the dress, from my mum’s permed party girl days at the disco to the London cocktail bars and pumping nightclubs I find myself in at 6am most weekends.
Who or what influences your style?
Many things and people influence my style. Adriana from The Sopranos, MILFs around the world, my own songs, my mum, runway collections from the 2000s, John Galliano and the lady that owns my favourite vintage store in Paris. The store is mostly her own collection from her youth and it’s absolutely insane.
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What’s your favourite thing to perform in?
My hot pink sequinned mini shorts, my heeled black boots, my Blumarine black tee that says ‘Blumarine’ in diamante across the boobs, or my leopard print halter top and either my big black Cavalli sunnies or my Dior bikes. And my black vintage Kenzo handbag which fits my headphones, USBs, phone, lipgloss and Juicy Romance pocket manifesto (coming soon). Oh, and my vintage, hot pink, swan feather boa.
What fashion piece are you saving for right now?
Oh babe… everything, always and all at once. I have a weakness for shopping that has my bank account in a chokehold. Top of my list is a pair of really hot, cool, sexy track pants I can wear on the plane. Ideally, a pair of Juicy Couture bottoms that say Juicy on the ass but Iβve been struggling to find the right pair that arenβt tacky, are wide-legged enough to be streety and swaggy, but tight enough on the ass for me to get a free upgrade.
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I always want more bikinis but I want to make my own for Juicy Romance merch. Aside from that, audacious mini skirts, booty shorts and cute heels. I struggle to find cute, bitchy shoes in my size, so I am always on the hunt.
What are the wardrobe items you wear on repeat?
I like to sleep around with everything I own and not play favourites, but that can be hard sometimes. At the moment I’m loving this vintage John Richmond top and skirt set from 2004. It’s super beach babe-y and has a blue flower print on it.
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Also, another vintage top and skirt set that I bought from a store called Predilection in Paris. It’s sheer black with gold sequins stitched into the fabric. The top is a low-cut halter, low back and has a matching tight knee-length skirt. And, my pink sequin mini shorts which I love to wear with my distressed orange singlet that says ‘sexy’ in silver across the front. It’s the best piece.
Who are your favourite local designers?
Melbourne-based designer Wackie Ju is incredible, Karlaidlaw, Raga Malak and Pig Suit, who is responsible for these insane pink bedazzled nipple brooches that I have and absolutely adore. They’re one of my favourite things to wear at shows.
Keep up with Juicy Romance here.
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