Ruby Lewis is an aficionado for articles of clothing that are at least thirty years old.
It is not hard to spot the sophomore fashion major Ruby Lewis because she walks everywhere in Savannah in her London Jack Flag flares and red lipstick.
But it wasn’t until I visited Ruby in her hometown of Atlanta, Georgia that I discovered she has an extensive collection of ’80s leather goods (three plastic boxes to be exact) labeled as “high school.” She revealed to me that the fall tones, late ’60s pumps and flowing bangs Ruby that I know used to have an ’80s punk phase in high school.
“In high school I went to a small all-girls high school so on casual Friday I’d go all out.” Ruby refers to the teazed hair and graphic black eyeliner she’s put on paired with black mesh and pvc pants.
High school is also the same time that Ruby intensively listened to ’80s punk music and new wave which dictated her love for leather. “I’ve realized recently that my style evolves depending on the music I listen to,” says Ruby. Although, she’s moved onto purchasing corsets from the ’60s, back in her high school days she was mostly trying to channel Siouxsie Sioux and Nina Hagen.
“I think what attracted me most to the ’80s punk phase was that it was so diy and personal.”
Not only did she pull inspiration from female punk artists of the time, but also the club scene which Ruby thanks The Sex Pistols and Vivienne Westwood for creating. “I’d watch clips of The Batcave Club on YouTube for hours and pull outfit inspiration from the attendees,”—which is how Ruby did most of her research.
Confidence also played a major role for all her decade-inspired phases. Ruby remembers when she would steal her mother’s and older sister’s makeup and lock herself in the bathroom, practicing the perfect goth scene infused makeup after everyone went to bed.
Ruby makes it a point to note that she doesn’t dress for attention or to get a reaction out of others, though many heads turn. “I’ve always seen my style as an experiment, I like to push how historically accurate I can pay homage to whatever music I listen to that day.”
The crossover between music movements and fashion is prevalent in trends we see come back and forth. Ruby Lewis takes a different approach; instead of pulling inspiration, she’s made it her duty to be a walking fashion history encyclopedia.
Creative direction: Daniela Guevara
Styling: Daniela Guevara
Clothing courtesy: Ruby Lewis
Photo: Maruan Sampang