Original Style: Locals Share Their Influences

I recently started an online boutique after years of working in fashion. With this comes the pressure of making sure that what you are putting out there to the public is the latest and the greatest.

Marketing fashion can be so cliche at times. I have never been one to follow too many fads, in fact just the opposite, if something becomes too trendy it typically leaves a dull taste in my mouth.

So where does my style come from? I guess you could say it’s developed from experiencing culture; a combination of film, books and art that I have enjoyed, and last but not least, the experience of music I love and how it touches my soul!

I figure it doesn’t matter what trends come in and out of style over the decades. I’m always looking for new inspiration, but overall my “original style” stays the same. I wanted to see how other stylish locals found their style — and several came to mind.

Here are some thoughts from three humans about their style, and what influenced it.

Photo by Melissa Arens
Alison Alison, a page at the Fayetteville Public Library, can normally be found expressing her own style through simple, functional, high-quality-material clothing with an emphasis on neutral colors. On her lap sits her dog, Oberon.

Alison Alison

Alison Alison works at Fayetteville Public library as a library page. Before moving here, Alison worked at Pike Place Market in Seattle and then a Sous Chef at Cheznous, a French Bistro in Austin, Texas. I felt Alison displayed “original style” because she is always dressed in simple, functional but high-quality-material clothing with an emphasis on neutral colors. She has natural silver hair and she wears it well. I asked Alison some questions about her past life experiences that lead up to who she is today and how she expresses herself through her style.

Q: Do you have a favorite artist or art style?

A: I am definitely influenced by Gothic architecture, being that my father studied it as I was growing up. I am also very fond of abstract expressionism.

Q: Who are some of your favorite bands and from what era would you say made an impact on you and your “original style”?

A: I would say the late 70s to early 80s and I loved the early club dance scene. I was a dancer for many years as a child and young adult, with an emphasis on jazz, ballet and modern. I really enjoyed dancing in clubs for fun as I got older. An all time favorite was the Talking Heads. I also got into the music scene in Austin and really enjoyed seeing musicians like Bill Frisell with a jazzy feel.

Q: Can you tell me a quick story about the first time you felt influenced by another person’s original style?

A: I remember when I was 14 years old and my brother had this long distance girlfriend. She was two years older and her name was Sandy. She had long, natural sandy blonde hair and was visiting from Florida. She went to unpack her suitcase and I was intrigued by her vintage case she kept her clothes in. She had all of her toiletries and jewelry in these tiny little beautifully decorated paper envelopes and woven boxes. She also mailed him a mobile that she had made as a gift for him. It had sea shells and pieces of her long sandy blonde hair incorporated. I was intrigued.

Q: If you were to name one culture that your style is influenced by, what would that be?

A: Scandinavian culture. I am drawn to the simplicity of their culture.

Photo by Melissa Arens
Jennifer Linton, formerly the owner of Snap Dragon Shoe Store on Dickson, enjoys decorating her home in a mid-century modern style, and is influenced by Italy’s culture.

Jennifer Linton

Jennifer Linton was my very first and most favorite local fashion hero in Fayetteville. The title may sound sound cheesy, but it’s the truth!

She started and owned Snap Dragon Shoe Store on Dickson Street from 2000-2008. This is when I was just hitting the local fashion scene here and my local fashion sense was deeply influenced by her store that was full of eclectic shoe style.

Her home is located on the South side of Fayetteville and it definitely displays “Original style” ! With handmade stairs designed and constructed by herself and a local architect Aaron Gist, an amazing overall color scheme and unique light fixtures, Jennifer’s home is a work of art. Jennifer has a BFA in painting and drawing and a minor in art history from Indiana University. Now that the draw for eclectic funky shoes isn’t as in demand, she enjoys the stability of running the embroidery department for Acumen Brands.

Q: What art style would you say influences your overall “original style”?

A: Early Renaissance Era. A favorite is artist Piero della Francesca.

Q: What culture has influenced you the most?

A: Italy.

Q: What are some of your favorite musical influences? What decade had the most impact on your original style?

A: I would have to say the late 70s punk movement for sure! I Loved Patti Smith, The Smiths and David Bowie.

Q: Can you tell me a little about how Snap Dragon was born?

A: I worked for Hillary at Cheap Thrills managing (right when vintage was peaking) in Fayetteville, back when it was still located on Block Street. I helped her expand the costume section and we would take trips to Korean Market in New York and go funky shoe and bag shopping. Eventually I felt it was time to move on and do my own thing and I noticed there was a huge need for funky, eclectic style shoes in Fayetteville. This was back when all that was offered for designer shoes was Warrens in the mall and this was before online shoe shopping like Zappos even existed. Rent was actually reasonable back then on Dickson Street, so I found my little spot and Snap Dragon was born.

Q: I know that you put a lot of your creative energy into your home. Can you tell me what your favorite interior decor era is and a little about how you decorate?

A: I really enjoy pieces from mid-century/modern. I like well-made 1910 decade pieces. I like to mix modern pieces with an antique color pallet.

Photo by Melissa Arens
Anna Wise is a journalism student at the UofA and works in downtown Fayetteville. Some of her style influences include Bjork and the art of Freida Khalo.

Anna Wise

Anna Wise (pronounced OHN-uh) changed the pronunciation of her name when she was a child because she liked the way it sounded better. She is the roommate of my oldest daughter Cloey Grote. I was drawn to her “original style” through her long, natural dark brown hair that reaches her waist and her bangs are super short — like tribal/Bjork short — and she keeps up with cutting them herself!

She has an “I thrifted my clothes” style with a tinge of witchy. Wise graduated from Haas Hall and she is studying Journalism at the UofA while working part time at Vetro 1925 and French Quarters Antiques on the Fayetteville square.

Wise’s apartment is deeply decorated with eclectically chosen magazine clippings and fun art. It smells of homemade Thai food and there is an overall frisky energy from Anna’s new baby kitten Isobel that all screams original style!

Q: What culture influences your taste in art and fashion?

A: Spain and Central America. I love New Mexico because it has influences of Mexico and Native Americans. Some favorite artists are Freida Khalo and Gustav Klimt.

Q: Who is your favorite author?

A: Toni Morrison. I specifically enjoyed “Beloved.”

Q: What about a favorite film?

A: “The Shining.”

Q: What musicians have influenced your “original style”?

A: Bjork and Kate Bush.

Q: If you could name a human that deeply influenced your style, who would that be and why?

A: My mother for sure. She was a buyer for Neiman Marcus in the late 80s and early 90s, and that style is definitely my key decade style. I specifically remember and having been influenced by the high wasted Armani pants suits!