Madison Wild

Vintage Vibes and Modern Muses: Madison Wild on Crafting Personal Style

In a world where fashion often dances between fleeting trends and timeless expression, Madison Wild emerges as an exponent of authenticity and creativity. With a style that effortlessly blends eclecticism and nostalgia, she navigates the intricacies of personal expression, drawing from rich influences that span from childhood memories to contemporary culture. In this candid conversation, Wild reflects on the meaning of style as a form of communication and shares the inspiration behind her deeply personal videos, revealing how vulnerability can forge genuine connections with audiences. With a passion for artistic expression, Madison contemplates future aspirations and the desire to create beauty in all forms. Come along as we explore her unique path, revealing the experiences that interlace a life filled with artistic expression, meaningful connections, and an unwavering quest for self-discovery.

How would you describe your personal style, and what influences have shaped it into what it is today?

I’ve always thought of style as a way of communicating something about yourself to the world, and I usually want mine to feel inviting but interesting enough to start a conversation. I try to allow myself to follow whatever is peaking my interest most at that time, but I always come back to eclectic, lived in pieces with interesting shape or texture. My style is always changing as I go through different stages of my life, but I think there’s a consistent thread that always runs through it. Clothing has always felt like my way to get in touch with the person I want to be, but who I am now and who I’ve been exist within that. Growing up playing in moms closet, and being entranced watching her get dressed everyday, she was definitely my first influence. She had this refined classic style with a western edge to it, and I think I’ve adopted that in my own way with always wanting contrast of new and vintage pieces in my outfits. Most days I try to remind myself to have fun getting dressed like that girl did.

In pop culture and fashion, there’s always a race to define the next “it-girl.” In the age of the internet, what do you think that concept really means, and how do you navigate it?

The concept of an it-girl is so interesting to me because while they’re usually seen as having an exclusivity to them, I don’t think that has as much to do with what they’re wearing as we think. Anyone could pick out things about them and wear the exact items or makeup, but they’re impossible to replicate because clothing itself has no meaning until given one. The difference is in what they communicate, and to me that’s usually a sense of how abrasively themselves they are. No matter what they’re doing or wearing, good or bad, you can’t look away because you connect with it. I don’t think it’s because we want to be exactly like them, but we want to be more of ourselves. I think it-girls make people comfortable, and they light something up inside of you that makes you want to explore yourself, and know that it’s possible. I don’t think it’s really exclusivity of what they’re wearing, but what feels so exclusive is their ability to tap into this raw part of themselves despite all the noise of the internet and culture at large.

Your video “The Last 6 Months in 6 Minutes” felt deeply personal. What’s it like sharing such vulnerable moments with the world, and how do you handle the reactions from your audience?

That video was almost completely about my friends, and how much who they were had affected my life. I have this kind of intense sensitivity in me that makes me analyze my life constantly and I always wondered why I was like that. I’ve kind of come to the idea that it’s here for a reason, and maybe that’s to share it with people and hope they feel a little deeper in their days too if they don’t already. I was having a conversation with a friend recently about what we want from life, and I realized that as much as I want certain tangible forms of success, what is really the most fulfilling to me is connecting with people. With my friends, with an audience, I just want to make people something, and a positive reaction from someone letting me know someone did is all I could ask for.

Are there any style icons or role models who have had a significant impact on you? What is it about their presence or persona that you find magnetic?

I always find myself entranced by people with an intense sense of self who keep a consistent style for years that is immediately recognizable. My inspirations change pretty frequently, but Helena Bonam Carter and the Olsen Twins have been on my mind the most lately. I’m always looking at 90s runway shows, and I’m constantly inspired by music, wanting to translate the way it makes me feel into an outfit.

What’s the most recent piece of art or film that left a lasting impression on you, and why did it resonate so deeply?

It’s not all that recent, but I always come back to Fiona Apple’s last album, Fetch the Bolt Cutters. I’ll never forget hearing it for the first time, and I still get chills listening to it now. It’s some of the most unique and engaging production I’ve ever heard. Her lyrics are poetic and abstract, yet you completely understand what she’s saying. There’s this captivating conviction in her voice, like all of these feelings have been bottled up inside and there’s nowhere else for them to go but into those songs.

During our photoshoot, you displayed incredible command over your body language and expressions. Have you ever explored acting or other disciplines that helped you develop such strong body awareness?

This is such an interesting question, because I’ve never noticed that about myself. I’ve never acted, but I’m open to exploring that in the future. If I had to guess where it comes from, I think it may be just how deeply I feel everything. I’ve never been able to hide my emotions and I’m almost aware of them to a fault, kind of always marinating in them. And when you were giving direction it felt pretty easy to know exactly where to go emotionally, and turn on a time in my head when I was sitting in that specific feeling.

Where do you see yourself in ten years, both personally and professionally? What’s the next chapter of your journey?

My on-paper plan is to start a clothing brand and expand into home items, but honestly, I think I just want to make beautiful things and work with inspiring people in any way I can. I see myself in a home with exposed wood everywhere, with a revolving door of friends coming in and out. I imagine a studio and office with an amazing team of people who I can help be part of their own creative journey. I have these plans and dreams, but I’m still figuring it out and I just hope to stay open to pursuing any way I can feel creatively fulfilled and have a sense of community.