The Westword: How would you describe your style?
Jaralys Cordova: I would describe it as loose, either super colorful, or like an all black 2014 greasy emo—kind of like a grandmother.
TW: Where do you get inspiration for your outfits?
JC: I will get inspiration from social media and shows like Euphoria but also from random people I see outside. If I see a green car with purple rims and a bunch of stickers, I will not knowingly remember it and use that combo later.
TW: Who are your style icons?
JC: I have a lot, but my top five for sure are Chloe Frances, Rowan Blanchard, Ezra Miller, Lachlan Watson and Elizabeth Sweetheart.
TW: Favorite stores/brand?
JC: My favorite [store is] Goodwill, and basically anywhere I can buy affordable cheap clothing.
TW: What is your shopping process?
JC: If I am alone, I will spend hours looking for something that in my opinion, is not expensive. [I will get it] even if it is kind of ugly because I can [not] imagine an outfit without it.
TW: If you could pick one fashion designer to spend the day with, who would it be and why?
JC: Takashi Murakami for sure. He is a contemporary artist [meaning] he does fashion but also does so much more with anything from both commercial and fine arts media. Even though I would not be able to speak to him due to the language barrier, I would just like to see his process and the way his brain works when making any one of his pieces. He makes some crazy stuff that are all just out there and fun.
TW: What is one staple piece of your wardrobe you could not live without? Why?
JC: My necklace. It has an angel engraved on one side and my name on the other. I could not live without it because it was a gift from my grandpa when I was about one or two, and I have only taken it off for a total of, I am guessing, five times since. I also have my Hot Wheels keychain.
TW: What are you favorite current trends and why? What trends do you dislike and why?
JC: My current favorite trend is the comfort, confidence, and fluidity people have gotten to start wearing whatever they want. Whether it is makeup, nail polish, or anything else, [all that matters is they are] happy about it. I do not think I hate any trend. It is taste, just wear whatever you want and do not put others down for the way they dress.
TW: Are you trying to spread a message with your clothing choices? What do you want your clothes to say about you?
JC: I just want my clothes and the way I dress to say that I tried. I put on what makes me happy and comfortable that day, because I usually do not always dress the way I want to, so when I do, I want it to be noticeable. I try to wear what makes me happy.
TW: Do you think current social issues influence your fashion preferences?
JC: Yes, for sure. It is always better to get already-used clothes because it is the best way to [fight against] textile waste and not having to buy mass produced clothes that you might donate anyway.
TW: Outside of clothing what other interests/ hobbies do you have?
I really love art. I like to mess around with as many forms as possible like making collages, painting, sketching, and building.
