And so I can't recommend it enough, really.

I was terribly bullied as a kid, you know, queer black kid on the south side of Chicago and not really having formed my identity and trying on different expressions to find out who I am.

And I think having a look sort of gives you courage to navigate the world.

And it can also be a form of armor as well.

Yeah, totally.

I think we're so, through advertising, especially post-World War II advertising, a lot of us are shamed if we're not a certain body type or if we don't have certain features.

And especially someone like myself, being a black trans woman of color, I've never had, I call it mirrors of affirmation.

And so you can't be what you can't see.

How was fashion growing up in your household? Who influenced you?

Well, like many.

So I come from a pretty middle class African-American family in Chicago.

I was born and raised in Chicago.

And, you know, a lot of my parents are post-war, you know, grew up in the 60s and 70s.

And like a lot of black people, when your humanity is stripped from you, you express it through dress.

That's how you give yourself courage and self-worth.

And what happened with your wardrobe after that moment? I mean, it's such a big, amazing deal.