McKay Bram takes a fearless approach to fashion – The Post Bulletin

As a jeweler, dancer, fitness instructor, and UI/UX designer in training, McKay Bram easily earns the title “Jill of Trading.”

McKay studied movement fundamentals and dance in college and received a diploma in jewelry making and repair during his gap year, which led to ten years of work in the fine jewelry industry.

She has taught Pilates at the Rochester Athletic Club for the past seven years and is currently taking online classes to get into User Interface/User Experience Design.

“I know that I will always practice and teach movement and emotion throughout my life,” she says.

After dropping out for college, McKay returned to her Rochester roots to immerse herself in the growing creative community.

“I wanted to be involved in the growing arts scene and contribute to making Rochester the place I dreamed it would be as a kid. There’s so much here now — it’s great to see all the arts-based businesses and cultural events happening in the city.”

Summarize your style.

Dynamic, artistic, functional (must allow full range of motion), slightly sci-fi/fantasy inspired, and evolving.

In what ways do you express yourself creatively through clothing or otherwise?

Every few years I like to try different hairstyles. I prefer short hair, but there are many ways to cut and cut it and it’s more versatile and manageable for me. Right now, I’m doing something Shag inspired.

Who inspired your style?

I have to give a shout out to my mom. I get a lot of my personal style from her, and I think she has great taste. My mom and I love to go thrift shopping together, and some of my favorite pieces are things she has in mind when she’s shopping for them.

Favorite gift items?

A lot of my favorite things were the rectangular glasses I got from my friend and art collaborator Danny Solis at a store in Chicago, or my new earrings made from a hanging spine from my friend Alison Jones. I also have a great t-shirt with a mothman in a sorcery card style from my friend Bridge Skyhawk. (I love Kryptoids)

Preferred colors/patterns/fabrics?

It may sound boring, but I wear a lot of black. I like to wear different textures in a black suit. When I’m not wearing all black, I like to mix styles and play some power clashes. Making sure the designs share a similar tone and color palette can make them work together.

Are there things you can’t seem to get rid of?

I know minimalism and capsule wardrobes have been a trend for a long time, but I’m not into minimalism. Especially when I’m in the performing arts, I often hang clothes for a long time just in case something special happens, and I’m usually happy to keep things.

How do you maintain confidence in your dress/style?

This is a little cliché, but knowing that it doesn’t matter what I look like. I try to have fun, and don’t mind if I can pull something off. Style is extremely subjective, and I think the biggest thing to “pulling something off” is confidence. I read an article years ago that was basically a defense of “correctness” and inspired me to not be afraid to look a little out there, weird, or even just a little.

Favorite warm weather yarns?

My favorite type of clothing is a big winter sweater so I’m not in my body in the summer. But my go-to for summer is a lightweight jumpsuit that’s like a quickie – super practical and easy to move and dance in.

Go to local malls?

I try to shop as much as I can when I own it, so I always check out our local thrift stores. A few of my favorite pieces are from a wine seller out of Winona called Sunday Post.

What do you think Rochester could use more of?

I think Rochester’s overall fashion scene is conservative, and I’d like to see more people embrace their personal style.

Any parting thoughts/advice?

Have fun and take some risks. I love getting feedback on fashion from my friends, and they encourage me when I need a little confidence boost. So my other advice is to encourage your friends. And take pictures of each other, offer to take pictures, be willing to be in pictures.

Do you know someone with a unique style? Send candidates.

life@postbulletin.com

With “Your style” in the subject line.