Interview: Sofie Royer

Who are you, what do you do and what drives you?

I’m a musician and artist, and the burning desire to create is perhaps my biggest driving force. 

What is your connection to fashion?

I enjoy fashion as a means of self expression, self individualization.

Which role does fashion play in your profession as a musician?

What you wear on stage or in music videos furthers what you are trying to convey; and I’ve also been lucky enough to work with some really wonderful designers on dressing me for concerts. 

For the AFA Movie Club you chose Giulietta degli spiriti by Federico Fellini. Why?

I love this film for a multitude of reasons. First you have to know, this is Fellini’s first color movie. Him and his DOP, di Venanzo, drop acid with this in mind and in preparation of storyboarding and figuring out the mise en scene. Every single use of color makes absolute sense in this movie; and the psychedelic influence doesn’t go unnoticed. Second, it stars Fellini’s wife in a truly heartbreaking role and potentially his mistress in another. If you’ve ever read Fellini’s Book of Dreams this is the most like one of his dreams he sketches and describes; totally feverish, somewhere between nightmare and godly spectacle but all in the subterfuge of a totally human story; that of a relationship falling apart and unrequited love. 

What does a good look look like?

Personally, I just like being able to embody a different character depending on my mood; and if someone’s doing something or wearing something where I can see them doing that, I love it. I also love a good uniform people discover for themselves, like a videogame player default outfit. 

What’s the most important thing you are looking for in fashion?

Self expression! 

Which story do the clothes you wear tell?

I have no idea; must be all over the place, mixing a nightgown that’s falling apart with gym shorts whatever I guess! 

Do you have any favourite Austrian fashion designers or labels?

Susanne Bisovsky, Knize, Rendl, and Song! They’re all doing their own thing. 

Who is your style icon?

I don’t really have one in particular; I’m more inspired by certain looks in films or people from the past I love; like Cicciolina, Jane Birkin, Carolyn Bessette Kennedy. 

A guilty pleasure you could share?

A morning cigarette! Sorry! So gross! 

What do you wish you had known earlier?

Perhaps to care less what other people think of you. Still working on it!