Looks of UniSA: In Conversation with Lucy Keatch

Tell us a little bit about you; what are you studying and what makes you, you?

I’m currently in my third and final year of a Bachelor of Contemporary Art, focusing mainly on ceramics. My final studio exploration has involved all things to do with peaches and peach seeds. I am currently working on a series of hand carved ceramic peach seeds. I have always loved art and art making because it allows me to be creative and express myself in the most beautiful of ways.

What do you love the most about clothing/ fashion? Is this an important means of your self-expression? Why or why not?

Fashion is a really important way for me to express myself. Similarly to creating art, choosing the clothes and jewellery I wear each day is a means for me to express my creativity and a way to translate my thoughts and feelings into something physical. I often find that I dress for the mood I am in.

Photo (left) by Nikki Sztolc, photo (right) by Stephanie Montatore

What decades/ eras do you take the most inspiration from through your fashion? Why?

I would say that my style right now would be mostly inspired by 90s fashion, but has hints of 70s fashion throughout. I find a lot of inspiration for the 70s, mostly due to my love for the rich earthy tones of the 70s. However, I think the real reason I am drawn to this decade (not only the clothes, but the music as well) is because it was the decade that my parents were teens and so there is this underlying connection and inspiration from them. I also find fashion inspiration from the 90s, mostly because I like the streetwear from this era and think it is one of the most comfortable styles of clothing. It also makes me feel confident and usually perfectly embodies how I feel most days.

Where do you find clothing of this style? Did you thrift/ scour the internet? What works best for you and why?

I thrift a lot of my clothes because I really enjoy the process of thrifting. It is almost like a hobby for me. I usually make a whole day out of it. I see it on the same wavelength as spending the day exploring art galleries, but instead at the end of the day you get to take all the cool things you have seen home! As for my jewellery, a lot are either gifted or “borrowed” from my mum.

Are there certain eras that you love the fashion from but don’t typically wear? Why or why not?

I do love the fashion of the Victorian era. The dresses specifically are so incredibly detailed and require so much technical skill and time; these clothes really are grand pieces of art. However, this is simply an era I appreciate from a distance rather than replicate.

Photo (right) by Nikki Sztolc, photo (left) by Stephanie Montatore

Why do you think vintage fashion continues to reemerge in the modern world?

To some extent, I think it is because as a society we have this love for the nostalgic, but at the same time fashion is very similar to music and art in that it is always finding inspiration from what came previously. I think styles are in some ways within this constant loop, reemerging with slight adjustments each time.

And finally, what are some of your favourite clothing pieces and why?

My favourite earrings are these gold fairy earrings from my mum because they have this super delicate detailing and remind me to imagine all the fun memories my mum probably had while wearing them. My favourite pieces of clothing are always fluctuating, but at the moment it would probably be this green oversized sweater which has a little golfer graphic on the front because it is the most perfect shade of pickle green and the blue and red button up shirt I wore in the tennis court photographs because it is my newest thrifted find!