Gaby Beck
When you think of fashion, what comes to mind? For Gaby Beck, a fashion enthusiast, fashion is a form of freedom that allows you to communicate how you feel at any moment in time. Fortunately, we were able to meet with Gaby and delve into her personal fashion style, wardrobe necessities, inspirations, thrifting, and her own fashion club as well as the misconceptions that surround artistic occupations and her opinion on fast fashion.
Have you always been interested in fashion?
Yes. Always trying to look through a creative lens and see things outside of the box to achieve my own vision. I feel like being in such a confining town, I was driven at a young age to stray from what everyone else is wearing and kind of create my own look. I always liked sewing and crocheting-I was always making stuff.
How would you describe your style?
I wouldn't say there's a particular category for it, I don’t like when people use the word aesthetic because I think it’s kind of confining and you don’t always necessarily fit into one aesthetic. I would say right now I’m using a lot of menswear and androgynous looks. So combining aspects of masculinity, especially I’m a huge vintage gal, so combining menswears especially baggy jeans into it, so not necessarily so feminine.
Wardrobe necessities (basics, accessories, etc)
A classic pair of 501 pair of vintage Levis, black turtleneck, corset, black corset, a cool pair of vintage sunglasses, and a classic signet ring.
Fashion icons?
Bella Hadid is definitely one of them. I feel like Kamala Harris is gradually becoming one. Definitely Harry Styles. I feel like he’s always defined gender norms and he does his own thing. Zoe Kravitz. In terms of older people, Julia Roberts.
What is your goal with your fashion club?
I feel like now because we’re all living out of our house it’s so confining, and to provide a creative space in the midst of all this calamity and to together form such an inclusive community, because prior to TikTok, there wasn’t this movement to just be who you are and just do what you want. You know, if I had that in middle school I would have had a really different experience, but now that eveyrones really embracing who they are, what they want to be, and their eccentricity and quirks, doing that in this club and also I think people limit fashion a lot to just clothes, in which it’s really such a vast thing, how it confluences with photography and music, pop culture, and just taking your own direction with it, not limiting it.
Do you want to major in fashion in college? Would you consider an occupation in fashion?
To be honest, I would see it more as if I already developed some kind of mainstream traditional notion of success, and then in retirement kinda creating some cool lady brand.
(Follow Up) So, you definitely consider fashion to be more of a hobby right now than something to study.
I wish it wasn't that way, but yes. I feel like there's such a high pressure to do all of these traditional notions like college, SATs. I feel like now creative energy is really valued in the college process.
(Follow Up) Would you say these expectations come from society, or your parents or…
Everywhere. Even myself. And sometimes, I feel like when I say I’m really passionate about fashion there’s kind of a stigma and shame with it. I feel like people consider that [fashion] as something to minimize, or something that’s not as substantial or intellectual as researching a parasite.
What does fashion mean to you?
Freedom. I feel like the term “just be yourself” is so ambiguous because you’re a new person every day. Literally the moment you wake up, you are a new person, you have new knowledge and facts. So, we’re still adjusting, expressing how we feel at the moment. That’s why I can’t describe myself, because I’m always changing. So, fashion is my ability to communicate how I’m feeling and develop my sense of identity.
Do you thrift? If so, what are your favorite places?
I was one of those “cool” girls who started vintaging three years ago. I think because it is so mainstream right now, everything is overpriced, and there’s such limited options. But if I had to choose, my favorite place of all time is L-train Vintage in Bushwick. I know everyone goes there, but it hasn’t lost its glory on me. I also have a favorite store in Chelsea. It’s called Eye Candy, the coolest vintage jewelry and deadstock vintage sunglasses (major Julie Roberts Notting Hill vibes). I also find that rural places have the best Goodwills, especially in Tennessee.
Do you have any pieces from thrift stores that you love?
I feel like corset tops are such a big thing right now, so I love finding the perfect corset top or the perfect pair of baggy jeans that fit you because there’s such an array of fits on people, especially the way it fits your waist, and people have different preferences on the “vintage look.” You know, searching for the pieces that you wouldn’t usually spend money on that you find that you love like men’s denim shorts that are really long, I love that. Pretty much experimenting.
What are your favorite mainstream brands?
To be honest, I’ve been trying to stop shopping mainstream because I don’t agree with a lot of the agendas of fast fashion. If I’m going to shop, it’s going to be reformation, and I like to not impulse shop. I like to really think about it before I buy clothing items. I feel like a lot of my style is classic stuff that I elevate with accessories.
What are your favorite trends?
My favorite trend is beaded jewelry because I make a lot of my own. I do like fingerless gloves, I’m absolutely for it. I am very here for androgyny and defying gender norms. I also love cowboy boots. I’m here for the all leather look, like the leather blazers. I think embracing colors you don’t normally wear is super cool: I love orange. I’m also into making weird color combinations, suede long jackets, and square toe boots. I love low-waisted jeans, I know some people are not for it, but I do love the whole y2k look.
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