Troy Dylan Allen
Savannah, Georgia USA born and raised, Troy Dylan Allen describes himself as a “rodeo clown making clothes to satisfy your rhinestone cowboy dreams, all while searching for the ultimate party playlist.” Allen is focused on building an inclusive community through designs made for a good time. A community in which no one is too cool and everyone matters. Allen is interviewed by photographer and friend Jess Farren.
TROY: So we did this shoot a year ago. It was a week before I launched my online store and this shoot was a huge turning point for me. Prior to this shoot, you had photographed each of my collections, but this was your first time photographing the tulle pieces. You wanted to photograph them differently than they had been before. You always try to make me uncomfortable to push me. Do you remember this?
JESS: Yes! I think I always see your clothes a bit different because I envision how someone like me would wear them. I would wear your dresses with some busted sneakers and a chain and call it good. Your clothes have always been rooted in this battle between masculinity and femininity, so it was fun shooting them with more casual pieces.
TROY: This is when you introduced me to Haile, founder of Lidow Achive, a clothing rental fantasyland, she’s literally an angel! You know this about me, but some don’t - I never intended to sell the clothes. It was you who was like, “You should just start selling” and Haile, who was about to launch Lidow Archive, who really encouraged me to start taking the clothes more seriously.
JESS: We love Haile!! You and her are like two peas in a pod aesthetically, and I think she really understands your vision more than most people.
TROY: She really does! Whenever I tell her I’m going big, she wants me to go bigger, go further. I really needed someone like her.
RAPID FIRE
How would you describe your garments to someone who had never seen them?
Pieces that exude positive energy and take up space.
If your clothes could talk, what would they say?
We’re here for a good time not a long time.
How does your younger self inspire you?
I think about this often. Whenever I feel down or bad about myself, I try to think about how proud my younger self would be if they saw me now. Everything that I was told not to be is what I am now. I’m living so proudly and it is what has brought attention to my work. My younger self never would have believed that this would be possible.
What’s important to you right now?
Using my voice more loudly. Continuing to learn and educate myself on issues that aren’t my own. Also, making people uncomfortable in order to educate.
How do you want people to feel when they wear your garments?
I want them to feel confident and powerful. Not afraid to take up space and control the room.
What’s your favorite thing about yourself?
My ability to be present.
If you could dress one fictional character, who would it be? What outfit would you make them?
Judith and her Maidservant from the painting “Judith and Her Maidservant with the Head of Holofernes.” It’s one of my favorite paintings from the Baroque era. I love the camp of it and often imagine the painting in a colorful palette with these overly decadent dresses that are so absurd for the action they’re doing. I love it!
What does Troy Dylan Allen’s dream house look like?
Definitely a Victorian! I want the exterior to be 80% gray/black, but the interiors to be overly colorful/decorated and each piece to spark joy and make me laugh. Much like my current home!
Dolly Parton is invited to dinner, what are you cooking for her?
A turkey leg, of course! What says Dolly Parton more than a turkey leg?! - Which I have amazing memories of at Dollywood. My queen!
Last question! What can we expect to see from you in the future?
I want to keep building upon what I find missing in my wardrobe, which is why I started making clothes in the first place. I couldn’t find clothes that were in the non-binary sector that were accessible and fun to wear.
Photographer: JESS FARRAN
Model: JOHN NOVOTNY
Stylist: HAILE LIDOW
CLOTHING: TROY DYLAN ALLEN
