Gigi Guerra
Lower East Side

Gigi says: “The vintage jacket is batik; I got it in New Mexico. I almost lost my mind when I saw it. The vintage and thrifting in New Mexico is out of this world. I love anything in a red, white and blue palette, and it has these cool hand-hewn wood buttons that remind me of Tramp Art. And you can’t go wrong with a dolman sleeve. I’d pretty much wear this outfit anywhere.”

“Years ago there was a cobbler in midtown I used to take my shoes to, and for some reason he had this stash of amazing costume jewelry—primarily gaudy-in-a-good-way pendant necklaces—for sale near the register. I have no idea where he dug them up, but they were astoundingly well priced, at about $10 each. I bought as many as I could carry, one of which was this chain-swagged filigree creation. It made me so happy, because I actually collect tacky pendant necklaces from the ’70s.”

“My favorite look at the moment is this sort of earthy, lo-fi mix of vintage and new. I’m really into texture and neutrals, and the dress—which is from Madewell—is made of patchwork linen, which I can’t get enough of. I love the combination of different stripes, which creates a cool pattern—almost a collage of old pillow ticking. Plus it has pockets, which are essential.”

“My personal style is all over the place: One day I’ll go a little hippyish, the next I’ll shun color and go moody, and the following I’ll wear a carnival-like polka-dot dress. There are no boundaries. I’ve always wished I was one of those people who could perfect a signature look, but I’m just too much of a spaz. One of my coworkers summed up my look best the other day when she said I was very ‘art teacher.’ Like, circa-1978 kindergarten art teacher. I took that as a compliment.”

Interviews by Nina Christensen, Lauren Shopp and Allison Steinberg

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