Interview with Jules:
I conducted my first interview for my article about artists and expressing their creative identity through style. Jules was great to talk to, she's an illustration major and has drawn out her outfits before she's worn them. Her looks match her artwork and she even "tests" or "prototypes" new looks using sketching. She attended a high school that required uniforms which is when she began finding new ways to express herself; from her shoes to her hair and makeup. Her expression has only grown since high school and now she can incorporate her choice of clothes for the day. She said that she generally dresses in two different ways- bright and colorful or edgy. The type of people who interact with her varies depending on the way she's dressed. She said when she dresses edgier she attracts more conversation from other creative types, but less conversation with strangers. On the contrary, when she dresses bright and colorful she seems more welcoming of conversation with strangers. You can tell what mood Jules is in based on her style for the day, like a mood ring. 

My research plan for my upcoming Urban Milwaukee article is as follows:

Continue researching articles about fashion, and learn my likes/ dislikes when it comes to  descriptions of style. I think fashion can be very floofy, but I want to take an artists approach and explore it more as a form of identity. I'd like to begin talking to my classmates who choose to express their identity (heavily) through stylistic choices. I've began compiling questions for my interviews and this is what I've developed thus far:
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1. Do you/ why do you gravitate towards certain colors.
2. Is there a message you're trying to tell
3. when did you begin using style as a way to express your identity
4. Does this identity reflect in your artwork
5. How does your artwork relate to your style
6. What is the general feedback from the public, and do you care

My goal is to show Milwaukee to be chill when they see someone dressed differently than what they consider "normal". Maybe if they read the article they will think, "hey, that person is probably creative and this is another way they're expressing their creative identity" as opposed to just thinking, "they're weird". 

Personally, when reflecting on MIAD style, I feel a sense of acceptance. I wake up each day confident enough to try new things because the environment at MIAD is very encouraging of that- or at least my friends are. I love my art friends because they are, in general, much more kind and openminded than the average person. I don't feel judged by other creatives, I feel like they just "get it", and are supportive. 

In one of my classes, which happens to be full of artistic fashion lovers, a group of friends showed so much excitement and praise when their friend arrived decked out in a LOOK. She was wearing a long silver wig, with a dope outfit and fly ass makeup to match. One of her friends exclaimed, "OKAY! GIVE ME LIFE THEN", you should see the inspiration to explore one's creative identity flow from one person to the next.