Donja Love + Kiesha K.

Styling themselves — and each other

Published: Mar 24, 2010

Donja Love wears
  his own hat from
Neal Santos
Donja Love wears his own hat from "some South Street store"; thrifted shirt, belt and shoes; tie "stolen from some friend"; jacket and jeans from Urban Outfitters. Kiesha K. wears her own hot shorts from American Apparel; top from Urban Outfitters; print stockings from H&M; shoes, jewelry and watch from Steve Madden; and giant bow made by Emily Taylor. Assistant: Sarita Evans.

Click here for alternate shots and behind the scenes outtakes by Neal Santos
Without any entrenched fashion authority to lead us, Philadelphians have developed interpretations of style with mixed-up influences: hip-hop to bicycle culture, art school to the frugal ways of thrifting and DIY.  Stylist and playwrightDonja Love, Fabric Horse owner Carrie Collins and designers/Topstitch owners Linda Smyth and Tina Nguyen have all been featured in our pages before for their unique personal style and fashion perspective. We asked them to come up with looks that represent key trends and pieces for the upcoming balmy weather. And they delivered, each bringing a different eye and aesthetic to a gritty city photo shoot. -F.D.

gig

DL: Co-founder, The Lyrical Playground (nonprofit after-school poetry program for children); independent stylist

KK: Independent stylist (LaKiesha Kearney on Facebook)

inspirations

DL: The '60s, hip-hop, guerrilla warfare

aesthetic

DL: Pretty in Pink's Duckie meets a Black Panther

KK: Old Hollywood glamour with a modern twist

current project

DL: Director/playwright of stage play The Nigga Files

go-to shops

KK: Thrift stores, American Apparel, Urban Outfitters

haunts

DL: My bedroom, my mind, The Lyrical Playground

KK: Naked Chocolate Café

secret passion

DL: Singing

KK: Poetry

key piece

DL: Hats, hats, hats!

KK: A good shoe goes a long way.

past life

DL: A rock sitting next to God's foot

KK: Burlesque dancer

soundtrack

DL: "Viva la Vida" by Coldplay

KK: Janelle Monáe, "Violet Stars Happy Hunting"

never have i ever

DL: Worn a Wonderbra

KK: Worn white shoes

forecast

DL: Gothic, dark, plaid, My So-Called Life-style

KK: Things are going to be more simple. Less is definitely more.

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Linda Smyth + Tina Nguyen
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