Art and Fashion Collide: What People Wore to the First Day of the Frieze Art Fair

Name: Ajani Russell
Occupation: Visual artist, arts educator, college professor
Tell me about what you’re wearing today. So the jacket is Mugler. The hoodie is from a KORN concert I went to in London. I’m wearing Allsaints leggings that I turned into a top, the red pants are from a jumpsuit from some Brazilian brand—I didn’t like the top, so I cut it off and made them pants. And the skirt is from Aritzia.
OK, Mugler! I actually did a Mugler takeover for Vogue, and they sent me this.
What’s your general approach to style? I’m a very method dresser. I love a theme. I get dressed up for whatever I’m doing that day. Except today I woke up when I was supposed to leave the house, so I just put on all of the clothes that were on my couch. And I was like, “Oh, it’s red. Oh, it’s black. Okay. I’m putting it together. I’m going outside.” And then my raincoat, because I thought it was going to rain today.
Are you a big red person generally? It depends on the weather and my mood. But I’ve been in the spring melancholy, so I’ve been wearing a lot of blacks and reds.
Oh, we’re sad about spring? Well, it’s a season of transitions. And I don’t like changing, and everything’s happening so fast.
What sign are you? Pisces. So, you know. Emotional, sensitive.

Ajani RussellPhotographed by Amir Hamja

Name: Hillary Lincoln
Occupation: Nurse and fashion and art lover
What kind of nurse? I work in the PACU, so recovery nursing.
Do you watch The Pitt? Yes, I do, and it’s oddly realistic.
What are you wearing today? So this dress is vintage Comme des Garçons, Junya Watanabe. I got it in Seoul, Korea. And this is just a little bomber jacket, a vintage Prada purse you can make into a clutch, and some gardening clogs. I got this ring from Rio.
What’s your approach to dressing outside of scrubs? I love to mix and match. I knew this dress was a little bit more dressy, so I paired it down with just a windbreaker and the clogs. I love pattern, color, texture—just mixing and matching. I love vintage designer. I’ve been trying to build my collection up over the years. But anytime I travel, I love to source different pieces that I probably wouldn’t find here in the US, or at least, for the price. I like pieces that you don’t see every day, and then just pairing it back with pieces that are a little bit simpler. But, usually, I need to have one standout piece when getting dressed, and then I work around that.
The Junya is really fab. Yeah, and you can unbutton it and roll it down, or wear it off the shoulder. It can be a few different things.
And you’ve got great hair. I think the messier look also adds a little bit to the style as well. So you don’t always look so polished—you add some texture and, just, a vibe. I think in the spring and summer,, it’s just nice to have braids in.
Plus, I’m sure you have to have it pulled back for work. Totally. It’s nice when you’re actually a real human, being outside of work, to show who you are.