Style Rider: Talking Spandex and Leather with Kim and the Created

Kim and the Created's live performance is nothing short of a full-blown exorcism. Remember that amazing scene in The Runaways where teenage Cherie Cury lip-synchs to David Bowie in full Ziggy make-up at her high school talent show, truly giving no fucks whatsoever? There's a moment where she looks out above the audience totally possessed by the sheer abandonment of reality and complete immersion into a glam rock alter-ego. This is what it's like to watch Kim House of Kim and the Created. Decked out in her signature catsuit, the toweringly tall blonde knows how to work a crowd. She thrashes around on the lip of the stage grasping at her hair and making faces as a backing band behind her transforms four-note bass-parts into a captivating garage punk recital along the lines of her beloved Shannon and the Clams or even The Cramps.

But for a style so conscientously crafted, there's obviously a formula. Think of rock's most fashionable paragons, whose commitment to a look ultimately became a part of the sound. Think of all of Stevie Nicks' shawls or Courtney Love's plastic barrettes as perfect examples. Kim and the Created's style is as bold and in your face as the music itself. We asked the swaggering punk rock beauty about a few of the essential go-tos to that help create the onstage Kim House persona.

"My absolute go-to is, of course, my catsuits! They empower me. They make me feel animalistic, sexy, and most importantl, comfortable to run, jump and crawl through-out the stage and crowd. Where do I get them? That's my secret."

"To compliment my catsuits, I go to gloves and Converse! Gloves make me feel like I'm in a costume, so I feel less inhibited and also sort of like a freak… And I like that. Converse is one of my sponsors and the only shoes comfortable for what I do & in my narrow dance feet. I have them in black, white and gold."

"Stage makeup is another go-to. I usually go for the dramatic look. Mac Cosmetics is another one of my sponsors. I have been a user/lover of their products for nearly a decade! With their strong pigments and massive collection of wild colors, it's the only brand I use. It holds up during the performance: blood, sweat and tears".

Photo courtesy of Le'Donne Morris

"All of my go-tos come together to make a costume for character that best portrays the emotions I am trying to evoke in the audience. The character comes from within me, but not without my go-tos!"

Kim and the Created tour relentlessly. Check out their website for tour dates and stream the EP above from a split tape with Prettiest Eyes via Lolipop Records. Buy it here or at Burger Records/Lolipop Records flagships.