Far from the cookie cutter and suburban wardrobes of her Michigan hometown, marketer and designer Nicole Morris feels that her rock n’ roll and bohemian-infused style that always stuck her out like a sore thumb has found a better home with the eclectic style of Salt Lake. “Everyone has their own little niche here,” says Nicole. With over 50 percent of the clothes she wears thrifted or refashioned by her own hand, Nicole feels all she needs are a leather pair of boots and a great shade of lipstick to complete her unique edge. “I feel most comfortable with where I am now with my style. It describes me the most,” she says.
Every month, SLUG Style features a distinct and unique member of the community and asks them why they do what they do. Exploring more than just clothing, SLUG Style is an attempt to feature the people who give Salt Lake City flavor through personality and panache.
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A heavy inspiration on Nicole’s style has always been the 1960s, namely 1960s rock n’ roll. “I love mixing the whole free-spirited aspect with the hard edge of rock n’ roll—making something light and airy go with something kind of scary,” Nicole says. Nicole also loves the psychedelic style of bands like The Black Angels and The Growlers.
On nights out, Nicole prefers to overdo her look rather than playing it safe. “I’m a little over-the-top, but I’m also an artist, so it’s more of self-expression and being able to mix up and match whatever you want to wear,” Nicole says. She loves to go out with her girlfriends to the Urban Lounge or Twilite, usually in a dress and heels.
Far from the cookie cutter and suburban wardrobes of her Michigan hometown, marketer and designer Nicole Morris feels that her rock n’ roll and bohemian-infused style that always stuck her out like a sore thumb has found a better home with the eclectic style of Salt Lake. “Everyone has their own little niche here,” says Nicole. With over 50 percent of the clothes she wears thrifted or refashioned by her own hand, Nicole feels all she needs are a leather pair of boots and a great shade of lipstick to complete her unique edge. “I feel most comfortable with where I am now with my style. It describes me the most,” she says.
Another influence on Nicole’s style is the weather—a big reason why her wardrobe has turned all black over the past few months. “A lot of people have been calling my friends and I witches lately,” says Nicole. “We think it’s hilarious.” The lit candles and animal bones around her apartment might have us convinced.
Because of the amount of stuff Nicole carries day to day, she prefers wearing little backpacks. Her new favorite bag is thrifted and black with delicate metal detailing. She always totes around a pair of gloves, sunglasses, lighter and other essentials.
Nicole’s closet, primarily filled with shoes and jackets, is something she treasures. “I’m obsessed with clothes. I’ve got a lot of shit,” Nicole says. We love how she displays her hats, collection of thrift and her own designs, making her wardrobe like a collection of art pieces not only when they’re worn, but as adornment in her home. “Refashioning clothing is a sort of high for me. It’s like making an ugly duckling beautiful with my own two hands. Nothing is better than change,” says Nicole.
It was also hard not to notice Nicole’s dog and roommate, Bella, who keeps her company on nights in while she sketches and sips on wine in her favorite ivory cardigan. After graduating with a degree in industrial design, Nicole created the Etsy shop, Omitted Youth, to keep her creative mind going. She designs and sells what she calls “reworked vintage”—thrift clothing she has altered and modernized. “I prefer secondhand clothing because it has character and quality you don’t see in clothing these days,” Nicole says. “The best clothes are the ones that have already been loved.”
Nicole’s favorite heels are a recently purchased pair that she admits “are kind of like a stripper platform heel, but they are awesome and are the most comfortable pair of shoes.”
Nicole cherishes creating an effortless bohemian look, reminiscent of the ’60s and the music that inspires her, with turquoise, lace and leather. “It’s the perfect combo because it’s balanced, yet so different,” she says. “Earth, wind and fire: earth equals turquoise, wind equals lace, fire equals leather.” Most the accessories Nicole wears are turquoise; she especially loves her rings, belts and necklaces.
One of Nicole’s favorite items are a pair of boots that are both comfortable and utilitarian. “My style depends on the way that I feel,” says Nicole. “I like mixing the old with the new.”
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