"Jacklighting"

Glum and glamorous, with a disdain for over explaining, this set is for yours to comprehend. Sitting in suitcases and a human sized bag, The Goat Dancer teaches us what it takes to be a self-proclaimed goat.

Over email, the artist broke down how she started in the whirlwind of the fashion industry (by wearing her underwear over pants as a kid), the phases that have helped shape her, and how to stay yourself despite any forces saying otherwise. 

From researching your name, Google leads us to your work that is peppered throughout different routes within the fashion industry. It’s clear that you are independently driven and a master at creating thoughtful, fantastical content. Where do you believe this derives from?

Self absorption. I was always dressed up as a kid, my best friend and I used to go shopping in fancy dresses or I would have my underwear over my clothes and people would politely let me know thinking I’d made a mistake, before I really knew anything about fashion in a technical sense but I was certainly living fashion. Growing up in an age when documenting everything was so accessible I was art directing and featuring in my own shoots before I even realised it, I guess now I just do it a little more seriously. I love the immediacy of doing things on my own, having studio space at home means these spur of the moment ideas go from conception to realisation within the hour. I suppose initially it started off with me doing everything because I knew I wanted to create and didn’t know who to ask but now it's because I was like, erm, I’m kind of great at this and I really enjoy it. I love to be able to say it's all mine.

Have you always danced to your own beat?

Yeah, a wicked dancehall beat. I wonder what high school friends must think when they come across my Instagram now, I guess I was always off beat but I've certainly evolved over time into The Goat Dancer I am today. 

This editorial is shot inside of a suitcase for the most part. Where do you imply you’re headed in these shots? 

Heaven. There are no implications really, I oppose the idea that work needs an ulterior meaning or some sort of pensive reasoning to be successful. It makes me think of school when you had to justify or explain each choice you made to get the marks on a question. I just thought I'd look great in a suitcase. 

If you were able to go to the place that brings your essence all the way out, where would you go? Have you been there before? 

Maybe like 15th century Florence and I could be Botticelli’s muse, plus explore the Vasari corridor and other secret passages in Palazzo Vecchio. I would also j’adore to go to Jamaica but I’d probably (definitely) want to stay forever. 

Tell me about the styling in this shoot. How did this outfit come to be chosen for the final fits?

I try not to overthink, trial and error, my trusty friend. Usually I begin with a really concise idea for at least one element and let the rest stem from there; I knew I wanted the suitcases and that I wanted the framing to be a confrontational overhead angle. I have amassed such a huge wardrobe over 10 years of obsessive charity shopping, though I've matured, investing in designer here and there. I used named brands here for some cute credits but I can do just as well with no budget, it’s how I’ve always worked. I try to work from feeling so once I had the outfit on I asked myself which case would this goat most suit. Omg case they most suit, suit-case. Gosh I'm so good, available to book for weddings and christenings. 

What was the inspiration for the less is more approach to this shoot? 

Maybe a) lazy b) genius c) both. Least effort, most impact. Of course secretly I do put effort in but I'm just into more minimalistic and literal pictures at the moment, especially in the styling, its reflected in my day to day ensembles too. I'm still a big fan of over the top layering, prints, high glamouuuuuurrr looks but I'm going through a fleshy phase, sticking to interesting key pieces and the beauty of the body. 

We’re four janky months into 2020. How are you finding the change of the century? Does creating self-timed shoots occupy your time typically or how do you go about spending your days currently? 

I’ve been fluctuating. It does occupy most of my time, most of the time. Pre-quarantine I loved to be home shooting but at least knowing I had the option of leaving home. I enjoy long walks to the bathroom and Easter eggs are on sale now so it's not all bad.

What has been a light-inducing moment recently? 

Drinking Lidl Champagne and dancing to the Pussycat Dolls with my house sisters all dressed in Easter themed looks. Discovering my building has a roof then securing it on possibly the hottest day of the year so far to yourself with an iced coffee, reggae and a Veuve Clicquot pillow you graciously borrowed from a hotel.

Lastly, any advice you can part with for all the cooped up creatives around the world? 

Don't force it. I haven't been feeling that inspired recently, putting pressure on myself to use my time "wisely" and not to "waste" it but I never create good sincere work when I approach it like I must do something incredible today, all of my best ideas come to me without warning. Most of my shoots are manslaughter, not murder. They lack premeditation.