Lawrence.com

Bonnie Cherry

Age: 26

Sign: Libra

Hometown: Parsons.

Time in Lawrence: Five years.

Occupation: Despot/factotum at the Lawrence Arts Center, and newest Astrokitten in training.

What were you doing when scouted: Showing up for work in lovely downtown Lawrence!

How would you describe your style: I design and construct a lot of my clothes, and tailor or alter what I don’t. My style is my own, and I think that it’s clean, whimsical and timeless!

Strategy for finding sweet deals at the sidewalk sale? I respect and understand the “why” of the sidewalk sale. I just can’t afford to buy it that day anymore than I could afford to buy it the day after. That being said, I’d like to score some sweet Le Creuset from the Bay Leaf. Or some vintage neckties from Wild Man.

What is your fashion necessity? I think fashion and beauty both require one thing: confidence. Whether it’s hideous, ostentatious, ill fitting, expensive or full of holes I am completely unapologetic about everything I wear.

Favorite fashion trends? I enjoy clothing which never goes out of style. I appreciate tailored and simple things you can mix with other simple things. Locally made jewelry.

Least favorite trends? Garments or accessories whose sole function seems to be advertisement. (Coach: I’m looking at you.) I’m not a fan of fashion trends which will end up being something hipsters wear ironically in 10 to 15 years.

Favorite way to spend a summer night in Lawrence? North Lawrence bike rides are the greatest. Watching trains and swatting mosquitoes are immensely satisfying. I love the river, I love our alleys, and I love the Dusty Bookshelf. And Percolator openings. A summer night should involve these things. And ice cream.

What would you like to see more of in Lawrence? More community organizing instead of just protesting. More letters to congressmen instead of just buying the bumper stickers. Change starts with actions which aren’t so glamorous or widely publicized, I think. I’d also like to see more stencils, more street art and more spontaneous conversations between strangers.

Less of? Condescension, irony. Poach my swagger ... but don’t mock my joy, dudes. Find your own: This is infinitely more rewarding.

Who are your fashion influences? Hubert de Givenchy and the wardrobes he constructed for Audrey Hepburn’s films will probably influence everything I wear and most things I create.

People say I look like: Someone from France. Only ... I don’t know that people in France look any different from people in Lawrence. Nevertheless ...

Tell us a secret: I used to be afraid of tornadoes as a child, and kept a paper bag next to the hamster cage I kept in my bedroom. I would run tornado drills where I threw my hamster into the paper bag, roll it up, and duck and cover over him in the bathroom. I timed them with an egg timer.

Shoes: A gift from an old boyfriend. Probably inexpensive. Certainly appreciated.

Skirt: Found on eBay for $18 and altered by me for free.

Sweater: Paid full price at Abercrombie and Fitch six years ago. I’m not sorry.

Necklace and Ring: Bought at the Arts Center Gallery Shop last summer for $38 apiece.Earrings: Purchased six months ago at the Lawrence Antique Mall for $3.

Hat: Borrowed from the Arts Center costume shop indefinitely.