Glad Rags: Lia Metcalfe of The Mysterines

Get your glad rags on gang! Glad Rags is a column where we chat to some of our favourite musician's about their best garms. This week we're joined by Lia Metcalfe of The Mysterines!

How important is clothing to you for a stage presence?

Clothing to me has always been a big part of who I am as a creative, and a Libra woman haha - it’s another direct form of expression. I love visuals and aesthetic in every sense, with film, with clothing, with art, and I think if you can incorporate that into your being, you suddenly become a physical representation of what you’re creating musically…

___STEADY_PAYWALL___

Do you have a different style on stage compared to off stage?

I’d say I wear something leopard print 50% of the time, and some sort of suit attire, usually just suit pants. I suppose it is different, it’s definitely more refined, but I think of them as my 'creating clothes', rather than the clothing I wear to perform what it is I’ve created.

Do you think image is important for musicians wanting to be successful?

I mean like I said before, anything visual I really enjoy. It’s funny how much clothing does actually affect (your) association with artists subconsciously. There are some artists who don’t necessarily make an obvious connection with clothing however, when you think of them, you usually picture something they’d be wearing - even if it’s just a jumper and jeans, but specific to them.

I do think it’s important because again, it’s another form of expression and whatever you’re trying to achieve out of your career as a musician, whether it be understated or it be loud and in your face, the clothing artists wear usually and corresponds with that.

Who are some of your style inspirations as an artist?

Françoise Hardy, Bob Dylan, PJ Harvey, Debbie Harry, Hope Sandoval, Karen O… I take inspiration from film characters too. I love Alabama in True Romance, I love Wednesday Adams, I love Frank N Furter from Rocky Horror, I love 80s films like The Goonies for fashion inspiration, I love pretty much any David Lynch film for colour palette - especially Blue Velvet, and some of my favourite designers are The Vampire’s Wife (Susie Cave), I love Alexa Chung’s line, Pam Hogg, obviously Vivienne Westwood.

There’s some really amazing independent designers on the rise that I’m loving. A very talented woman called Fennuala designs these beautiful handmade corsets, under her name of Fennuala Belle. I suppose you could say they are quite Victorian-esque, they’re really beautiful. Very playful and sexy but haunting too. It’s amazing that she makes them herself. There is also a company called Queens of Archive, run predominantly by two women called Nic and Sarah, and they make some of the most beautiful and impressive dresses. Keep a look out for both of them!

What is your favourite piece of clothing to wear on stage and why?

I think the leopard print has definitely become a statement piece / pattern at this point. I love wearing it as I think it compliments the stage presence in a unnerving way - as you’d expect me to be like a super punk energetic front woman with a pattern like that, but if you pair it with a very reserved but strong stage persona, you sort of become like a literal leopard in the wild, hunting its prey haha. I think it’s quite intimidating but endearing for people to watch.

What is your favourite piece of clothing to wear offstage and why?

I love a good pair of great jeans, and I love good jumpers. The ones that seem to last you a lifetime. You can’t beat them. I’m always wearing Jadon Docs and I actually wear a fair bit of Fred Perry - again, great jumpers!

Do you think people look down on musicians who like fashion too and if so, why?

I don’t think so. I mean, it’s more important now than ever right? I think it’s pretty counterproductive when any artist looks down on another due to other forms of expression. I say just let people do their own thing, and if it’s something you don’t like or agree with, I guess it doesn’t concern you and wasn’t meant for you.

How has your style evolved alongside your journey as an artist?

I’d say it’s become more consistent, like when I mentioned the leopard print association earlier, it’s definitely something people think of now when they think of the band. I suppose that happened by accident. Our/my style will continue to evolve with the music, you never know, next album we could all be wearing latex morph suits haha, even the lads!

What advice would you give someone struggling to find their image as an artist?

I’d say get inspired by previous artists. You dig someone’s music, check out what they’re wearing too, there’s tons and tons of amazing ways you can find your image without having to feel you’re going super out there into the depths of the abstract abyss. Just take a look at Patti Smith on the front cover of Horses, you can’t get much cooler than that.