Come On Lyric Shirt in Green by COME ON at Flying Solo
Seashell Gown in PISTACHIO by Odet. at Flying Solo
Bricia Colete Woman - 45271 by *𝒯𝓊𝓁𝓁ℯ 𝒥ℴ𝓊𝓇 𝒜𝓉𝑒𝓁𝒾𝑒𝓇* at Flying Solo
Earrings by Alexis Bittar
Headpiece by Kat and Clarese at The Confessional Showroom
Picnic Basket by Stylist Own
Renzo Flats by Journee Collection

Kelley Heyer, a New York-based queer actor, is originally from Honolulu, Hawaii. Over the pandemic when all acting work had to stop, she turned to social media and highlighted her personal style and love of fashion on TikTok and Instagram.

**Left:**
Earrings by Sculp at Flying Solo
Cascade Babydoll Tulle Dress by Victoria Tarallo
Scarlet Appliqué Gloves by Victoria Tarallo
Shoes by Badgley Mischka
**Right:**
Come On Lyric Shirt in Green by COME ON at Flying Solo
Seashell Gown in PISTACHIO by Odet. at Flying Solo
Bricia Colete Woman - 45271 by *𝒯𝓊𝓁𝓁ℯ 𝒥ℴ𝓊𝓇 𝒜𝓉𝑒𝓁𝒾𝑒𝓇* at Flying Solo
Earrings by Alexis Bittar
Headpiece by Kat and Clarese at The Confessional Showroom
Picnic Basket by Stylist Own
Renzo Flats by Journee Collection

How was your early life spent growing up in Oahu? How has that affected the way you see life now?
I am so lucky and thankful that I got to grow up in the most beautiful place on earth. That experience has given me the utmost respect for nature and how she should always be respected and cared for.

What is your favorite thing about New York, and what do you miss the most about home
New York is always exciting and fast-paced. Everything happens here, especially in the theater world. I love how collaborative and hard working all the artists I meet are. Every time it starts to snow I do miss the beautiful beaches back home. Also, and I’m not afraid to admit it, Hawaii has better food than New York City.

From film, theater, modeling, and fashion, what is your favorite way to express yourself and why?
My favorite will always be acting, particularly theater. There is something so special and electric about being on stage with a live audience. When I am acting and connecting with my scene partner, there’s almost this vibrational frequency, this energy, that hits a chord inside of me. There’s nothing else like that feeling.

Dress by Haleia at The Confessional Showroom
Earrings and Ring by Alexis Bittar
Gloves by Stylist own
Shoes by Dolce Vita

You’ve been featured in “The Cut,” “Input Mag,” “ID Mag,” “Rolling Stone,” “Elle,” and “Insider” for your personal style; how would you describe it now, and what causes it to evolve?
My style has really grown into whatever makes me feel the most comfortable and most like myself. At its core I think fashion should always be a form of personal expression and joy. Embodying many different styles and aesthetics allow me to express myself differently each day.

Who was your fashion icon growing up, and who is your fashion icon now?
Looking back, I realize now how influenced I was by all the theater I did growing up. I spent my summers and after school hours in dusty costume shops with vintage costumes. There are specific drawings of old opera and ballet costumes from the 1890s that I adore and would stare at them when flipping through old costume reference books. All of that gave me an appreciation for vintage as well as an understanding what makes a well-constructed item of clothing. Now I am constantly inspired by my fellow friends in fashion. I love seeing how people choose to express themselves and it inspires me to try new things!

What has been your latest favorite clothing creation?
My Halloween costume, but that information is currently top secret. I love going all in on Halloween, and craft a lot of vintage inspired costumes. This year I’ve got something really magical planned.

Multicolor Ruffled Button-Down Dress by Subin Hahn
Barbie Earrings by GAUDESS at Flying Solo
The Emerald Green Grace Bow by NANDANIE at Flying Solo
Shoes by Stuart Weitzman

Tell us how you got into the entertainment industry/what inspired you to start.
I always knew I wanted to be an actor. And I know that’s the most cliche line you can say, but it’s true. In high school I decided I would go to college and study acting and then start working in the industry. While the pandemic put a slight wrench on my ideal career timeline (like it did for most people), I still can’t believe I now get to work and act in my dream career.

How is your approach to acting differently on-stage vs. on-set?
No matter if it’s theater or film, my standard process is always to do any research I need for the role, always show up to set/rehearsal memorized, and bring a part of myself into every character. The only difference between film and theater acting is the size of your audience. Sometimes that audience is a group of people you need to reach in the back of a theater balcony, and sometimes that audience is a camera four inches from your face.

Green Fluo Fairytale Tulle Dress by Liina Stein at Flying Solo
Earrings by Alexis Bittar

What has been your most rewarding role so far?
I got to perform in a piece called “The Garden” by my friend Jesse Koehler at the Soho Playhouse. That particular production was a lot of us pulling things together ourselves and making a great show happen because we all loved what we were doing. I’m really proud of my work in that piece and it’s even better that I got to do it with my friends.

What is a project you could only dream of being a part of?
I’ve got too many to name. Like any actor I have a dream list of people I want to work with, theaters I want to perform in, and stories I’d like to tell.

Aside from acting, entertainment, and fashion, do you have any other hobbies that bring you inspiration?
I love playing “Dungeons and Dragons.” I’ve been playing in a campaign with my friends for more than three years. The game is a really great acting exercise because it’s all about improv and having fun. “Serious play,” is what I would call it. I’d love to one day be part of a professional campaign that people could watch.

What are some of your favorite aesthetics to embody?
I will have a soft spot in my heart for cottagecore. Nothing can quite compare to a vintage 70s prairie dress, they’re so beautiful! Recently I’ve also found a lot of inspiration from the 1960s medieval revival. And, of course, anyone who has seen my online presence knows I will never pass up the opportunity to dress up in a clown-inspired look.

Starburst - Gold by GAUDESS at Flying Solo
Ch251222 by Rosa Isela at Flying Solo
Shoes by Lhambi at The Confessional Showroom
Green Printed Skirt and Lace Furry Top by Pipenco Lorena

You're a beach girl at heart. Where do you see yourself living in a few years?
It’s New York and nowhere else.

What is something that you’ve been into lately? ((t could be anything: a book, a movie, a song).
I can’t stop listening to Chappell Roan’s new album “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess.” It’s nothing but bangers. I’ve also been enjoying the “Wheel of Time” on Amazon. I love anything fantasy, and the world building through costume and set design on that show is really fantastic.

What are some projects you’re working on now that we can look forward to?
If you’re in New York City I have a few readings coming up, as well as some other projects that I can’t talk about yet. I’m currently on strike from all major film work with the rest of SAG-AFTRA, but I have hope that the AMPTP will come to its senses and we will get the fair deal we deserve and work can start up again.

Social Media.
Instagram: @kelleyheyer

CREW CREDITS:
PhotoBook Editor-In-Chief: Alison Hernon
PhotoBook Creative Director: Mike Ruiz + @mikeruiz.one
Photographer: Shan Shi
Talent: Kelley Heyer
Fashion Stylist: Alison Hernon at Exclusive Artists
Hair: Luis Guillermo using Oribe
Makeup: Marisa Reif
Assistant Fashion Stylist: Shanelle Butler
Fashion Stylist Intern: Yanesza Rowe
Tearsheets by Daniel López, Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine
Interview by Renata Salazar, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine