Street Icons
Usually one person wears the crown of Greater Govanhill Style Icon but this time, we’re doing things differently. The streets of Govanhill are bursting with pretty prints, cool colours and faces rooted in many cultures. On a sunny afternoon, we captured a fashion parade full of creativity, confidence and community.
By giacinta frisillo | Photos by Stefan Krajcik
Usually I focus on one individual to wear the crown of Greater Govanhill Style Icon but for this issue, we’ve decided to try something different. The streets of Govanhill are jam packed with pretty prints, cool colours and fantastic faces finding their roots in a broad array of cultures. Spending a sunny afternoon in the neighbourhood, you’ll be inspired by the fashion parade that passes by.
Ros Bell
My sister had given me a sewing machine for my 30th birthday, eight years before, and I’d sewn one very crappy tote bag. Then, during lockdown I thought, ‘Well, it’s about time. It’s taking up room and I’ve always wanted to learn how to sew my own clothes.’ Being fat, you don’t get a great deal of choice. I’ve never really known what my own style is because you have to buy the clothes available. Now I have a real fabric addiction. There’s a great community around sewing and I love being able to create my own stuff.
Style Icons: Singer Beth Ditto and Tropico Photo founder Michelle Norris
Keng Keng, Lua, and Lu-Ray Tang
Our clothes are mainly second hand. Most of my clothes are picked by mum, but I like them. We’ve started sharing clothes now. We’re nearly the same height!
Style Icon: For this moment, the best style is intifada and revolutionary
Libby Lobberson
I’m wearing my partner’s socks. I got these boots in France ‘cause I was getting mad blisters from my other boots. They’re kind of nice but because they’re pure fabric, I just get soggy socks. This is my pal’s ex-girlfriend’s jacket. I get most of my clothes second hand or stolen from pals and lovers.
Style Icon: Myself
Des O’Sullivan and Fiadh (in-tow)
I’m trying to be a bit more casual because I was a bit too funky with my clothes. My daughter’s in primary school and I’m feeling the pressure to blend in more. I’m not wearing hot pink and I don’t have a mad haircut now but life just changes and I like to keep things fresh. My daughter loves her fashion. She’s got a wishlist on Vinted and she decides what she wears every day. She’s quite creative but I think they get a bit of peer pressure when they start primary school but she’s still got her own unique thing going on.
Style Icon: Elvis Presley
Gemma Jones and Bex Anson
My vibes today are Y2K. I’ve got Juicy Couture trackies on because I like to be comfy when I’m in pain. I’m wearing some Tiger Balm, too.
Style Icon: Rhianna, of course!
I got all my jewellery from Victoria Vaults – my favourite jeweller. My collar is from a really good friend of mine who is a costume designer. I’ve had it for 20 years.
Style Icon: I channel Leslie Winer from 1989 New York
Mandi McInnes and Hobbes, the half-Scottish Fold
Just about all of what I wear is from charity shops. It’s much better for the environment and you get things that are pretty unusual. I rediscovered my sunglasses recently – I’ve had them for probably over 20 years. I live on a really busy road and I don’t like to let him [Hobbes] out, so I take him out for walks in the pram. I had to train him in the house to put his coat and lead on. He used to go and sniff all the flowers on his lead but now he just sits on the bench. It’s great! I read my book for 2 hours and he just sits with me.
Style Icon: David Bowie
Rory Haye
I’m not very good at shopping and I’ve recently started buying more clothes for myself. Generally I buy second hand. I got this old Levis denim jacket from Glad Rags [in Shawlands]. The jeans are quite new to me and they were advertised online – a company called Older Best, a Chinese denim company. As an experiment during Covid-19, I bought some trousers from them and the quality was so good. I got most of my jewellery from a street market in London and am wearing a bit of a plumbing ring.
Style Icon: David Bowie
Gillian and Stephen
I’m heavily influenced by Venetian art and artists like Tintoretto. The work is so beautiful.
Style Icons: Venetian art. I just love Venice. (Gillian) Jimmy Page, I’m a guitarist. (Stephen)
