Zia Luehrman is a queer female who currently lives in Brooklyn. Fashion judge Jonathan Joseph Ganjian deemed her the “Best Dressed” at Posture’s Black Tie Fundraising Event (our very first event ever!) back in August 2013 due to her offbeat and unique style. We love her look and wanted to get to know her a little better…
Where are you from? Has this affected how you dress now or were you always comfortable doing you?
Growing up poor in the midst of the Midwest, I adopted a thrifty mentality early on. My garage sale gleanings, combined with a flair for playing dress-up, made for some pretty eccentric outfits. And while experimental attitude continues to permeate my sartorial selections, my current wardrobe certainly contains fewer tutus and neon blue high heels.
How would you describe your style?
A mutated hybrid of English schoolboy and Kramer from Seinfeld.
We all know fashion is an expression of identity. Would you say this is a huge factor in your case? How do you identify or do you reject such a question?
Since most retail environments tend to marshal their clothing along binary gender lines, I’m confronted with my gender expression every time I go shopping. Since I feel more comfortable somewhere in between categories, a shopping excursion can often prove alienating. Which is why I’m partial to secondhand stores, wherein clothing is often extricated from its original gendered intentions, and classifications become more nebulous.
What are some of your most notable fashion influences (brands, blogs, stores, artists, actors, musicians, etc)?
Lately, I’ve been under the influence of model / musician Harmony Boucher and her androgynous, punk-tinged style. And, as always, my dad’s 80s rocker swag.
What do you do in your spare time (hobbies)? Do you have a passion for something in particular?
When I’m not slaving over a bright screen designing, I enjoy cracking terrible puns and then illustrating them.
Do you have specific stores that you love to shop in? If you’re a thrifter, do you have advice for people who take on the potentially overwhelming task of thrift shopping?
Though I do occasionally (and begrudgingly) supplement my wardrobe with new pieces, I much prefer the thrill of the hunt at thrift stores and consignment shops, or porch stoops and sidewalks. Beacon’s Closet is my favorite retail therapist as of late.
My advice to the thrifting novice: be patient, dig deep and learn how to sew (or start dating a tailor).
Related article: Style Profile: Jesse Crozier
