Angie Rawls is far from timid. She is an ambitious Rock ‘n’ Roll fashionista who is a singer, songwriter, artist and self-proclaimed jack-of-all-trades from Philadelphia, Pa. She has her own fashion blog and online shop. She describes her online shop as if “Spanish Moss and Nasty Gal had a love child.” Angie may look 19, but she is actually 28 and currently works as a freelance photographer. She is talented and plans to fuse all her talents, so that she can showcase them on her blog for her readers. She loves music, which she strongly incorporates in her outfits with her classic band tees and skinny jeans. Her blog is mintvintagejunk.blogspot.com.
Tell us about your personal style. Where do you get your inspiration?
I’d call my style grunge gypsy surf rock. With a little tomboyish swag. I have my days. Some days I feel like a rock groupie and other days I feel like an old Hollywood American Indian gypsy. If there is such a thing. Lol. I guess what I mean is that some days I feel hard and some days I feel soft. I’m always being tugged between the two personalities. I’m a rocker girl at heart but I love the girly things like sheer fabrics and lace and frill. Mostly I guess my look is inspired from old vintage rock attitude. I hate looking too perfect. I like to appear as if I just rolled off a tour bus at all times. The overdone look seems so fake to me. Nobody looks like that naturally. I’m all about natural. I try not to wear too much makeup. Just the basics. Eyeliner and lipstick. They pump up my whole grungy vibe. If I’m having a soft day I’ll still grunge it up a bit. Also, I hate for a piece of clothing to make me feel self-conscious. If I feel like I’m going to have to adjust myself all day I’m not going to buy it. Almost everything I own is not clingy. As far as what inspires me I like signature styles. A style that is unmistakable and totally recognizable. Like Amy Winehouse (R.I.P). Her style is just so unique. You can spot her a mile away. I love that. It took a while for me to find my true style but once I did I felt so comfortable in my skin.
What are staple pieces in your wardrobe? What are staple pieces you think every girl should have in their closet?
Ok this is kind of hard since my style changes directions like the wind. I’m totally a jeans and t-shirt kind of girl so I guess for me currently I can’t live without a good pair of light blue and black skinny leg jeans. Definitely a rocker staple. As well as a perfect fit band tee. I own a billion. So much easier to get up and go that way and still feel like myself. Also a leather jacket and a jean vest. Makes everything instantly cooler and I can literally live in a jean vest all year. You can throw it over anything. These are pieces that are convenient, versatile and totally able to be worn all year —well maybe not the leather jacket, which is vegan by the way. Lol. But I also think everyone should own an awesome vintage dress, a good pair of ankle boots that can go with anything, a nice oversized button up blouse, fly sunglasses and I’ve recently discovered that I can’t live without maxis. I’m not the biggest fan of my calves so they are the perfect dresses. Not to mention the fact that they make you feel so womanly and graceful.
Who are your fashion icons?
#1: Hands down Mary-Kate Olsen. She has multiple fashion personalities just like mine. She can go from boho to grunge to chic in a snap and somehow still be Mary-Kate. I like that. #2. Vintage Stevie Nicks. All that lace and those gorgeous flowy dresses! Gasp. I die. #3 My newest obsession: Gillian Winser. She has ‘effortless’ surfer chick down pat. I’d kill for her hair color. And #4 and #5 Alice Dellal and Lady GaGa. They push the limits. The key to originality. I actually worship Lady GaGa in a way because she is so bazaar, yet so over the top couture. She knows exactly what she’s doing.
What inspired you to make a fashion blog?
Basically working at a thrift store, buying way too much clothes and getting upset that I never had time to actually style and wear any of it. Just didn’t make sense to get cute and dressed just to go to work and get dirty. I basically wanted to prove that I’m a little different than the average Philly chick. So at the urging of my best friend Lauren over champagne and marshmallows together we started our blogs. I wanted to showcase all my different styles; grunge, Native American, southwestern, rock groupie, Greek goddess and boho chic.
What is the meaning behind your fashion blog name?
My blog name has changed at least 4 times but it has now found it permanent name as THE LINT. When I started my vintage clothing site, Thelintshop.com, I took the name and applied it to my blog. It basically means ‘vintage’. Leftover fabric from decades long ago. It just finally felt right and the name stuck. I’m beyond obsessed with all vintage from the 1940s through 1980s and I feel like I should have been born in the 60s. Over the last couple years I’ve been gradually morphing into this sort of 1960′s band groupie activist and its like that decade just calls me. Almost every post in my blog is labeled vintage everything because 99% of what I own is vintage. Down to my couch and my lighting fixtures.
Which do you prefer blogspot or tumblr? And why?
I like them both for different reasons. I just recently started my tumblr (which I suck at updating) and I like how quick the response is to the things I post but I have to say I like blogspot better for two reasons: one you’re able to customize it, so that you basically have your own website for free and two you have to earn your respect. There are no easy ways to gain followers or views. You simply have to get involved and actively blog to get the response or notice you want. Plus the community is so large and the word of mouth is awesome. You end up with amazing opportunities just like doing this interview for you guys!
What is the future for your blog? Are you planning any fashion collaborations? Designing?
I hope that eventually I can incorporate all the projects that I do whether they be fashion or music related. I currently have a vast array of projects I’m involved in and I would like to show everyone all the things I do. In the past I’ve been frustrated with my blog because I felt my fashion followers wouldn’t be interested if I posted something non-fashion. I don’t want to limit my blog or myself anymore. I’m currently working with two independent designers also from Philadelphia. I’ll keep my readers updated as to when they can start purchasing their clothes from within my “Lint Shop.”
What do you think separates you from other fashion bloggers?
My quirky writing style and my originality. I hate to look like everybody else. Which is one of the main reasons why 99% of the time I get my clothes from vintage/thrift stores. This way there’ll be little to no chance that someone will have what I’m wearing. Also, my style, which is anything from Native American, southwestern, cowgirl to grunge, hippie chic is something that I don’t really see too many people embracing. You see a billion blogs of girls who dress chic and clean cut, but I’m more interested in the blogs that differ from the norm. I tend to gravitate towards the artsy type. I’ve had people tell me the whole rocker look is over or that I look trashy or dated. But style to me is creative soul expression. I show people who I am and what I’m interested in through my clothes and I like people who can do the same.
What are you looking to do in fashion? Is it a hobby or future career?
It’s a career. It would be great if my sister and I could be fashion moguls like Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen and my shop is doing well and reaching more buyers in the future. I would love to be able to make my shop my full-time job while having the free time to indulge in all my other art hobbies— primarily photography. Being a music video stylist/photographer would be ideal. Dressing and photographing people is so much fun for me. There are so many different styles and taste, so many different fabrics and textures and so many different backgrounds and settings; it’s freaking orgasmic. I always say people who can’t cook can learn. But when it comes to style and creativity you are just born with it. You either have it or you don’t.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Sitting in my New York loft, the sun breaking through. I’m sipping on brown rice tea in a vintage silk robe after just having won a Grammy award for Best New Artist. Lol. And if I were 20 lbs. thinner that would be nice too.
What are your top places to shop at?
For clothes: Vintage and thrift stores. I hit them all up. To stock up on jewelry I go to Forever 21. I’m a total jewelry hoarder and the prices are right. You get a lot of bang for very little buck. For shoes I’m a Jeffrey Campbell girl. Good quality and good price. Don’t forget original and trendsetting. Also a fan of UNIF and Mink Pink as well. I’ve watched them grow over the years and I’m hugely proud and am a big fan of all the underground independent designers.
What is something interesting about you that most people don’t know?
I’m totally ghetto and from the hood. I make corny jokes to cover my nervousness and test people. I’m endlessly playing records and I’m totally obsessed with The Strokes. Also, I’m a cat lady by default. Lol. I joke but this is true. But all jokes aside I’m a total animal lover and I’m also a vegetarian. I’m an avid astrology and card reader and have studied it independently for a long time. I host a Strokes podcast called 101.01 The One That Rocks and I’m also a singer/songwriter. I don’t write about it much but I’m currently trying to finish up my first EP and release it early 2012. Singing and starting a band had been a long time dream of mine.
What’s your favorite color?
Pink. Although none of my clothes are this color. I think it’s a zodiac thing. My birthstone is pink. It’s such a weird coincidence.
What do you spend most on?
Shoes. Good vintage shoes are hard to come by and I like shoes that I can walk a marathon in. So I need long lasting good quality shoes. Also Jewelry. I buy it in bulks. I get it from my mama. She’s a jewelry hoarder like myself.
What do you spend less on?
Probably clothes. I primarily shop in thrift stores so everything is fairly cheap.
What inspires you?
Music videos, child stars, my age, my mom, classic rock, Lady GaGa, the Beatles, true talent, black and white photos, sunny days while its raining, genuinely nice people, animal lovers, revolutions, the Strokes, girls who wear red lipstick, tattoos, authentic vintage albums and most importantly originality.
Tell us about where you live.
I live in the suburbs just outside of Philadelphia. I moved here 3 years ago from the city and I love the peacefulness of it all but I’ll be moving back to the city (downtown) in a month. I miss the busyness of the streets and the just the whole city atmosphere. Philadelphia is full of art culture but I think it’s underrated. In the last 5 years it’s been slowly making way for a fashion and arts rebirth. Not to mention all the new Persian renovations. I’m excited to see where and how it’s all going to change this city.
Anything else you’d like readers to know about you.
I get asked all the time what my nationality is and it’s Korean and African American. Also I speak, read and write Korean. Although you’d never know it from speaking to me. Also, I’m the oldest of 5.
What are you passionate about?
Creativity and peace. Nothing in this world gives me the rush I feel after I write a song or snap a picture or draw a face. My art is very important to me. More importantly, I’m all about world peace. I’m a Libra and so was my idol John Lennon. Do I even need to go on? Lol. He’s my activist soulmate.
Where would you like to visit/live in the future?
I would hope that I’d be lucky enough to go everywhere but if not I’d be happy if I could live in France for a while. It’s just so naturally feminine and romantic. I’ve always said that I must be a reincarnate of some sort and I’m pretty sure I was French in one of those lives. Besides, everybody knows I’m a French Victorian furniture hoarder.
What can’t you live without?
Cherry chapstick and my blackberry!
By: Cristina Horta
