she's an unorthodox rainbow: an interview with holly rivers

*Note: this interview was conducted a few months ago. -Britney F.
1. What inspired your eccentric, unorthodox style? 

Eccentric and unorthodox? Me? Really?!!

 I have always been interested in clothes and design so I guess my style has just evolved naturally over the years. I experimented with the obligatory cliched skater girl, indy kid, grunge chick looks as every teen girl does, but eventually I just let myself be inspired by a wider range of sources and it made manifest in the ecclectic outfits i like wearing today! Today I'm inspired by an mish-mash mixture of Japanese culture and design, children's books, retro toys, the 80s and 90s, music, street style, pattern, colour, texture, monsters, comics, illustration and whatever else crosses my path each day. I feel very comfortable in what I wear and getting dressed is a lovely part of each day for me.

2. Why did you decide to start your blog?

To be honest I was unemployed and bored and needed something to keep my creative juices flowing! I had also been getting stopped a lot in the street  for photographs so thought it would be a good space for me to document my style like a visual diary. I have always blogged for myself really and I'm very humbled and glad that other people like following my sartorial adventure too. 

3. Who are your main inspirations, not only style-wise, but in general?

OOOH SO MANY! Bjork is a massive inspiration in every sense - her unique music, her originality, her passion, her incredible style, her attitude to work, her ability to grow and change so organically without seeming contrived, and of course her one-in-a-million voice. In terms of style and design I get fan girlish about Fred Butler, Fam Irvoll, Zandra Rhodes, Lazy Oaf, Bernard Wilhelm, Meadham Kirchhoff and Pam Hogg. My girlfriend, family and friends also put a massive cheesy smile on my face every day.

4. What blogs do you frequently read?

To be honest I'm shite at reading other blogs! When I first started out and had loads of time on my hands I read loads of other blogs as inspiration, but now I don't seem to find a spare five minutes as I have a proper grown ups job! I also find that the internet is over-saturated with watered down, copy-cat, style blogs these days and therefore a lot of them blend into one these days; I prefer to read books and graphic novels when I want to relax or go people watching if I want to be inspired. 

5. What are your favorite shops?

I shop in a mixture of charity shops (or thrift stores as you yanks call them!), markets, boot sales, online, boutiques and the high street. I'd love to dress head to toe in bespoke pieces but until that lottery win comes in I like to get a bargain. I also love to customize pieces and adding my own spin to plain garments - can't get enough of pom-poms, ribbons, paint, studs and buttons.

6. What books would you recommend? 

I adore children's books and I'm attempting to write my own at the moment so I'd have to say anything and everything by Roald Dahl...the man was a complete genius...dark and twisted stories that don't patronize children! Other faves are Geek Love by Katheryn Dunn, The Wasp Factory by Iain Banks, Snake Rope by Jess Richards, The First Book of Calamity Leek by Paula Lichtarowicz, Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne, A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess  and A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snickett - I love stories that are hyper realistic with a dark undertone! 

7. And finally, what are your goals for the future?

I like having fingers in lots of pies and I keep myself busy with so many things! I'm not a 9-5 kinda girl and get bored fairly easily. I'm restarting my career in acting at the moment and I just got cast as a 1977 punk in a short horror film this month, as well as embarking on a 2 month UK theatre tour of Alice in Wonderland this Autumn; both of which are insanely exciting. I'd like to write and publish my children's book in the next couple of years, maybe design a range of clothes at some point, have some babies, do more traveling, get more tattooes, buy a house boat......so many things to tick off my list. As long as I keep doing creative work and don't turn into a beige wearing, PTA attending, cookie baking,  home owner then I'll be happy!

rock widow coming clean and indecisive feet (another liebster award!)

                   
                                                       (Two recent obsessions: Spin and Courtney, although I have conflicting feelings about her sometimes)

Salut! I'm so excited to return to blogging and I still need to get everything together (I have too many drafts and so little time), so until tomorrow, enjoy my answers for another Liebster Award awarded by the incredible Miriam, whose blog you HAVE TO READ. I'm very serious, she's amazing. I've nominated people in the past so this time I'm just answering the questions. Enjoy! 

Where do you get inspiration for outfits from?

So many places! Women's Wear Daily, Tavi Gevinson (this is such a typical blogger answer but I'm not just saying this, she's been in my life since I was about 9 or 10 and actually knowing her is even more of an influence), Arabelle Sicardi, the entire punk/goth subculture and movement, the 1990s, Ruby Book, a few other bloggers, CDG/Maison Martin Margiela/Vivienne Westwood/Yohji Yamamoto/Ann Demeulemeester (esp. their a lot of their work in the 20th century), Courtney Love, different pieces I see, art, the human body, the Nine Inch Nails "Closer" video, bands I like, Nirvana/Kurt Cobain, music styles, etc, etc. I don't only get inspiration from other clothes, I get it from people I look up to, television shows/movies, etc. 

Street style or catwalk?

Honestly, I've become so sick of street style that I'm going to have to go with catwalk. People tend to think of "stiff" and "unoriginal" when the latter is mentioned but it's quite the opposite. It's amazing how much styles from the catwalk have influenced the world.

What kind of shoes do you prefer?

Right now I'm trying to get a pair of T-strap flats and I've been obsessed with combat boots for years, but I think my absolute favorite to see and to wear are kitten heels (preferably in leather form). I hate the name but recently I've grown very fond of them. 

Why did you name your blog as you did?

I love these questions so much! I can't remember my exact mental state at the time of choosing/thinking up "The Style Aviator" but I remember having a list of names in one of my notebooks and agonizing over articles on how to name blogs for hours on end. I think in the end the answer would be that I didn't want my blog to be just another one about style and fashion, I wanted it to create new ideas and bring up deeper meanings and express stories and thoughts through my outfits; I wanted to help lead instead of looking at someone else's blog and simply making myself a carbon copy.

Do you keep your blog a secret from people that know you?

I definitely wouldn't tell them unless they asked, but I wouldn't go out of my way to make it  a secret. If they find out I have one-which has happened-then oh well. 

What is the piece of clothing you would never go without?

This is so tough for me. I'd say some type of over-sized clothing, or my hair necklace (I know it's an accessory, shhhhh).

Do you go shopping for the pure pleasure of it or with specific things in mind?

Both, but the latter usually happens more. It's a bit hard for me to go into a store without maybe having one or two items in mind that I will search for, but the thrill of the hunt for an unknown piece is also very amazing. 

How would other people describe your style?

Eccentric x gothic x early '90s based. 

Dress up for outfit posts or show what you're already wearing?

Most of the time I do dress up for outfit posts not because those outfits are not what I'd wear outside but because it's hard to think of an intricate outfit with a good story when you wake up at 6 in the morning. It's complicated, but my outfits are very true to who I am.

It's your birthday and you get to choose one present from whatever designer collection you want. What present would that be?

                 

Comme Des Garcons, I can't remember exactly what season but I think these are from 2009 or 2010. You don't even understand how much I need these. I think I'll do a DIY because these are most likely not in my near future. 

Are you brave enough to ask random people on the streets if you make take a picture of them?

Definitely! I've done it once or twice before; I'd do it more often but for some reason I am never in the same area at the same time as the people whose outfits are so amazing/inspiring that I have to stop them and ask to take a picture.

    -Britney