From Iceland — Fancies: Deff Starr

Words by

Photo by

Art Bicnick

Fancies is a Grapevine series where we highlight an individual with supreme style. Our latest subject is Deff Starr, or Neville J. Ingley (29), who is a local drag artist. He will soon be leaving Iceland, but you can catch his goodbye show, ‘Deff Is Not The End’, on February 1st at 21:00 at Gaukurinn.

today’s look

Deff is wearing:

Neon lace dress by Auland
Kimono from MYRKA Iceland
Leg warmers by Auland
A pink ribbon neck piece that was Miss Gloria Hole’s old dress
Jewellery from Góði Hirðirinn
Cables from the KEX Hostel lost and found
Wig was given to me by Dramatík, which I customised

style q&a

Describe your style in 5 words: Cosmic. Chaotic. Supernatural. Spiritual warrior.

Favourite stores in Reykjavík: Spúútnik and Góði Hirðirinn often have a lot of nice vintage things that you can take apart or customise. I also really like going to Kiosk and having a look at what Icelandic designers are making. I’m a big fan of MYRKA Iceland there. Having the occasional designer piece really brings a look together. I’m currently working with Daren Mark on a piece and he’s great. I also like to go into KronKron regularly to get inspired. I told the lady there that when I’m rich I’ll come back and buy everything. I think she thinks I’m joking.

Favourite piece: For stuff that I have made, it is probably my shaman poncho jacket with pom poms on it. Everything was from a charity shop and I made the pom poms myself. I didn’t have a sewing machine so I had to staple and hot glue it together. Other than that, the headpiece I wore at the last Drag-súgur show, which was made out of a Japanese fan, silk cherry blossoms, glitter-covered sheep jawbones, and more. It’s between those two.

Least favourite trend: I don’t like it when people try to look like they are from some old time, the 30s or something. I like modern fashion. You can wear tweed, but reinvent it in a new way instead of literally copying and pasting an old look. I like to challenge what you can put together. Wear tweed but wear neon with it as well. Then go dancing.

Lusting after: An outfit by Comme des Garçons, maybe a coat or kaftan.