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[title]RECOMMENDED: Most stylish New Yorkers
Emmy Wildwood, 28; Williamsburg, Brooklyn; president and owner of Tiger Blanket Records & Vintage Boutique (421 Graham Ave between Frost and Withers Sts, Williamsburg, Brooklyn; 520-977-6913, tigerblanketrecords.com) and lead singer of rock group Velta (velta.bandcamp.com)
Her personal style: “Glam-rock Americana: beautiful tulle prom dresses mixed with torn-up concert T-shirts and leather motorcycle jackets.”
Her inspirations: “I take inspiration from legends like Wanda Jackson, classic girls in rock & roll, and leading ladies from old Hollywood. I loved Marilyn Monroe as a kid and to this day wear a red lip.”
About her shop: “The store stocks clothes for men and women, mostly from the ’50s through the ’90s. All of the dresses have a cinematic feel and all of the pieces we carry are, overall, very dramatic. You can, however, find basics with a twist, like Levi’s jackets from the ’70s, high-waisted Lee jeans from the ’70s and ’80s and killer leather motorcycle jackets.”
Favorite stores: “Metropolis Vintage (43 Third Ave at 10th St; 212-358-0795, metropolisvintageonline.com), because I don’t have to dig through a bunch of junk to find something I like. They also have the best selection of vintage shoes I’ve ever seen. 10 Ft. Single by Stella Dallas (285 North 6th St at Meeker Ave, Williamsburg, Brooklyn; 718-486-9482) is enormous and filled with great things. They know what they’ve got, though, so it’s not always the cheapest. But if you have something vintage in mind that you’re on the hunt for, they are likely to have it. Beacon’s Closet (locations throughout the city; visit beaconscloset.com) is a buy, sell and trade set-up, which I love because I like to turn over what’s in my wardrobe often. Once a month I pull together a bag of stuff, take it to Beacon’s and trade it for a few new pieces.”
Her signature items: “I always wear a red lip. If I’m wearing a dress, I’m wearing a pair of Converse. My style was born from functionality and playing live onstage. I can’t worry about falling over while playing; the shows get rowdy and I can’t very well stomp a distortion pedal in a pair of high heels.”
Favorite NYC designer: “Michelle Garrard (styledbymg.com) creates one-of-a-kind custom studded pieces like leather clutches or denim jackets. I often wear her items onstage when playing with Velta.”
Her New York style icon: “Courtney Love in her Lower East Side days, but I always borrow a style cue or two from Patti Smith.”
How her style has evolved: “I’ve embraced my femininity more. In rock bands, you’re surrounded by men and tend to adopt their low-maintenance ideology when it comes to playing onstage. But you dim your light as a beautiful lady when you do that—you gotta use what God gave you to shine.”
Her favorite hairstylist: “Kelsy Osterman (kelsyosterman.com) works at Cutler Salon (465 West Broadway between W Houston and Prince Sts, 212-308-3838 • 47 W 57th St between Fifth and Sixth Aves, second floor, 212-308-3906 • cutlersalon.com) and also does freelance hair styling. She was the last person to cut my hair and did it in my store standing in the fitting room. She is incredibly creative and forward-thinking.”
Favorite spa or salon: “I’m not much for getting pampered; I’m too busy. I’m a big fan of face masks at home and tweezing my eyebrows in a rearview mirror. Sometimes I treat myself to a Shellac manicure for special occasions because it lasts longer. I go to Polished (321 Graham Ave between Ainslie and Devoe Sts, Williamsburg, Brooklyn; 718-384-1100)—it’s only $25 bucks for the OPI Shellac and they do a really great job.”
How she describes New York style: “It’s a mixing bowl and incredibly inspiring. We’re in the hub of what’s happening in fashion. Since this city is highly concentrated with musicians and artists, that is often reflected in everybody’s personal style.”
Follow Rachel LeWinter on Twitter: @Rachel_LeWinter