I have been following Dee Goldberg (deeegoldie on instagram) ever since discovering one of her first posts several years ago. A few months ago I had the chance to meet and photograph her outside one of my book signings in Melbourne. Sometimes I get stronger reactions, both negative and positive when I post photos of more unconventional dressers. Stye is a personal choice and I want to celebrate a wide range of personal expression. I asked Dee to share a little bit about her love of wearable art and how her style has developed over time:

“My clothes are my wearable art. My cupboards are minimal so I decided to display my stuff literally on my curtains, walls, bathroom, and slowly it evolved into some kind of gallery! The first port of call for me in the morning is my washing machine in the laundry– on the way I pass my many hats. I plonk one on my head and start from there. It’s not unusual to see me running around stark naked except for a hat perched on my head!

Humor and paradox plays a huge part in my creations. I am amuse myself and the ripple effect is that many people laugh too! But there are lots of quizzical looks and comments too. Politics, sport, Christian celebrations, Jewish holidays, all give me the opportunity to celebrate all aspects of life!!( I am about to “frock up” in my frog outfit for Passover)!! Even the American election got me going.

My outfits are no accident. Time, energy, and money go into each idea. Every outfit has a theme and is never 100 percent finished- there is always room for more and nothing is off-limits. My eccentric and colored style unfurled like a rainbow when I created different outfits for the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000. Since then it’s evolved into an expression of joy and appears to be contagious.There is no such thing as matching or complementing colors it’s how the mood takes me. My life motto is “more is more.”

Age has definitely made me more comfortable and given me permission to “rock” whatever “floats my boat”. I have found my voice since I have gotten older. I am sensitive to what people say about me as a person and my character- but my clothes are just a part of me. When you are creative like this not everyone is going to like it- one has to have a sense of humor… it’s a great ice breaker and a terrific  way to disarm people.My advice to people who want to dip their toes into the “colorful pond”- is to “give it a whirl and the sun will still rise the next day”!! There will always be a conversation for me and it’s brought pure joy to my life.”