Author's Note: For this piece, I interviewed fourth-year Media Studies student, writer, fashion designer, creator and friend, Ella Powell. Ella was born in Illinois before moving to Virginia at four years old. Later, she spent three years abroad in Japan before returning to Virginia her junior year of high school. According to Ella, her time in Japan has encouraged her to embrace her personal style, allowing her to come to UVA comfortable with her identity, confident in how she chooses to express it.
When did you start writing and why did you start writing?
I feel like I've always been the type of person to write in my journal. I remember when I was a kid, I kept a diary — the ones with a little lock on it. I've always been the type of person to just keep scraps of paper. I used to scrapbook a lot … I've just always been into stationery, and writing little notes to myself. I guess I've always been a writer in that respect.
In elementary school, I remember I would write poems for class. There was this one writing contest… we could choose to submit [a poem] to the competition or not. My idea was about the future. I wrote this whole story about what I envisioned the future would be like when I was in elementary school…[but] when I finished, I [decided] I'm not going to submit it to the competition. But then my teacher read it, and she was like, ‘Ella, you need to submit this, I seriously, really like this’, and I ended up winning the contest…little moments growing up, they really do stick out. And when I think about [moments] like that, I feel like I'm supposed to write in some capacity.
When did you start getting into fashion?
I've always been drawn to patterns and colors, and I've always just worn whatever brings me joy. It's been a process to accept my personal style for myself because when I was growing up I would wear certain things, and I remember…people would make fun of me for layering something or dressing differently. When I moved to Japan [in eighth grade], it was kind of a fresh start. I met new friends who were more creative and who I connected with more, and feeling more comfortable with my friend group, I felt more comfortable with myself as well. I just started falling into who I am — which aligned with my style.
What do you draw inspiration from in your writing and fashion style?
I was definitely inspired by Japanese fashion because they're just so creative and innovative with what they do with fashion and honestly everything. Going to the mall and seeing the different types of things they have to offer, seeing what people are wearing just around town, I feel like subconsciously it inspired me in some way. It's kind of ingrained [in me] as a part of my personal style.
One relevant voice on the topic [of both writing and fashion] was David Lynch. He passed away a couple weeks ago, and I've been seeing many inspirational messages from him, just on my Instagram feed. Even more so following his death, hearing everything that people are saying about him…he’s inspired me. He's definitely a voice that encourages people to follow their dream and do whatever it takes to follow your passion. And I think it's powerful to engage in those small acts of creativity on a daily basis.
How would you describe your writing style and fashion aesthetic?
Organized chaos… I feel like that's a good way to put words to my [writing and] creative process. With fashion, I wouldn't even say I have a super particular aesthetic because, on any given day I could be wearing something [completely] different than the day before. But I really love patterns, I love colors, I love layering, and I love shape.
What do you like to write about?
I really love writing feature articles. I think it's so fun because it really gives you a chance to find a topic that you're passionate about, and go out and interview people. I wrote an article about the DIY music scene in Charlottesville [which is now published in WXTJ Writes], and I got to interview a local journalist, Erin O'Hare who wrote this whole zine series about DIY music venues around town called Under The Table and Screaming. I just love learning from a direct source, and then just being able to write about that from my own perspective as well.
What sort of things do you think about when choosing an outfit and/or coming up with a story to write about?
I normally don't have an end goal when I’m writing… It's like every step of the way I'm making choices about what I want to connect. [It’s] kind of the same way as when I'm building an outfit, I don't necessarily know what the end piece will be right when I start; it's that active attention to detail which builds to the final outfit or final story.
Almost everything I wear is from a second hand shop — I can probably tell you a story about any one piece that I have. I [also] make a lot of my own jewelry. It's kind of hard to say where I get inspiration from for my jewelry pieces too because I just find a lot of my pieces from really random places. [When] I thrift my clothes, I'll keep an eye out for beads, wherever I go. It's kind of just like a continual collection process.
With writing too, I like to keep a curious mind. In a similar way to when I'm collecting beads or something, I really like to pay attention to small details in my day to day life, and [think] ‘oh, well, there is a story here’. I've actually been keeping a lot of notes on my phone, for little ideas that pop into my head… just observing things around, if something catches my eye or I feel like this relates to an article, I keep a log of [it]. Then I can go back to all these ideas and ask what's relevant right now?
What do you believe is the value of self-expression?
If someone is able to authentically express themselves, it definitely shows that you know you're comfortable with yourself and you have a deep understanding of who you are as a person. I always feel best when I am creatively attuned to myself and when I'm able to capture that [creative] energy and outwardly express myself, whether that be through fashion or making jewelry or whatever.
On the other side of that, I hate it when I lose touch with that part of myself. If I get wrapped up in what's going on with school, or politics, or I'm just stressed out about existential dread… there are so many things that can take you away from that place. But I think it's really important to find the spaces and the activities that can bring you to a place of creative expression.
To read Ella's feature on Jackie, see "Jackie's Journey"
