Melanie Hernandez and I have been friends for over a decade after singing in choir in college together. It just is a happy coincidence that she now spends her time filling her instagram with Geek Fashion Photos as she models for several brands and works as a manager at Hot Topic. So Geek Fashion is a huge part of her life when she isn’t singing. She describes her style as double-sided… “There’s a tomboy side and there’s also more of a classy side…my personal style is gamer geek some days and other days it’s classy but with a fun, geeky twist“. We took some time recently to hear about her influences and favorite places to shop.

FN: Who is your style icon real or fictional?
MH: I don’t really have one, as there’s so many fictional characters I can draw inspiration from. I have however drawn a lot of inspiration from marvel super heroes and spooky characters such as Jack Skellington and Wednesday Addams.

FN: Does your instagram have a specific brand, theme or color scheme?
MH: Yes. I model for different geek fashion websites. Much of my photos have to do with shoots I’ve done with them or shoots I’ve done wearing their clothes. I also do a lot of ootds as I have so many geeky clothes aside from those brands I model for.  My ig is also very seasonal so I like to post clothes I’m wearing based on the season but also combine it with my geeky interests in mind 

FN: How has your love of Disney effected your style?
MH: Disneybounding is always fun, especially when going to Disneyland. Putting together clothes that resemble Disney icons is bound to turn heads. Also now that Star Wars and marvel are also Disney, so much of what I wear is actually Star Wars or Marvel related.

FN: Who is your Disney Style Icon?
MH: My Disney style icon though would probably be Jack Skellington.

FN: How has your love of Harry Potter effected your style and who is your HP fashion icon?
MH: I’ve tested into every house except Slytherin. But I love to play with Harry Potter fashion no matter what house it is. I like to think of myself as more of a Gryffindor and Hufflepuff – however, you’re most likely to see me repping Gryffindor, as Harry Potter is my Harry Potter fashion icon.

FN: What Fandoms would people be surprised you are into?
MH: Gargoyles the TV show and Tekken the videogame.
Gargoyles was one of my favorite TV shows growing up and I’ve collected almost all the funko pops for both fandoms. Tekken was and still is one of my favorite fighting game series, aside from Smash Bros which is a given. We need more fashion based on these. Some awesome t-shirts would be nice.

FN: Name some of your fave brands
MH:
Hot Topic,
Her Universe,
jordandene,
goldbubbleclothing,
Vera’s eye candy,
dollskill,
forever 21,
h&m

FN: If you are shopping for the following, where would you go?
MH:
Athletic: Hot Topic, Pink
Formal: Macy’s (lots of departments to choose from) windsor
Maternity: Target or find some cool, geeky maternity clothes online
Kids: box lunch and target
Plus size: torrid
Swim: target and hot topic
Men’s: hot topic , boxlunch
Work: h&m
Shoes: vans, hot topic online, doc martens 
Accessories: hot topic , forever 21, Francesca’s, Etsy
Babies: target, Amazon, Etsy
Make-up: Sephora, Mac

FN: What’s your fave piece in your closet currently?
MH: Love my jordandene bomber jackets. Not only do they have great messages printed on them but they’re also very soft and you can wear them with anything. I got them using a discount code, which they always have available. 

FN: If you want to invest in something unique but more expensive that you’ll get a lot of wear out of what would you get?
MH: Gamer sweaters. Even gamer holiday sweaters. Or gamer jewelery and gamer themed skirts. More of these need to happen.

FN: If you didn’t have a lot of money to spend but wanted to add several pieces to your wardrobe what would you do?
MH: I’d go to hot topic. Most of my clothes are from there and they always have tons of deals and forever 21

FN: Any Fandoms you are dying to see licensed collections from?
MH: Final fantasy

FN: Do you participate in fashion challenges?
MH: Yes! I love them. My favorite has been the ones posted by Sartorial Geek. I especially love Halloween challenges.

FN: Name some other instagram accounts we should be following
MH:
@Htcitywalkla for universal hot topic latest merch and deals/hot topic in general
@jordandenenyc
@goldbubbleclothing
@koalaartdesign
@_eyecandy
@sartorial geek
@abner5_creations

FN: Any collections you’ve been disappointed/blown away by?
MH: I’m never really disappointed in a collection , however whenever Vans comes out with a collection of fandom inspired shoes, I’m always blown away.

FN: Do you have a line or a collab you are working on?
MH: I do not have a line of my own but I’d love to learn to sew and start of making skirts and hopefully learn to make my own cosplay in the future

FN. Any advice for young people trying to find their own style?
MH: I know it’s easy to wear what other kids think are cool. You’re trying to find yourself and you’re also trying to fit in. I’ve had my phases. I’d dress preppy one day, punk another day and a combination of both another. And you’re trying to see how people react and where you fit in. I want you to think about what you really like, not what others might like. There’s only one you. And your interests and passions matter. Flaunt what you love whether it’s video games or bands or super heroes. You are special in your own way. So you be you and the right people will come around you too for just being you. 

Thank you so much to Mel for her time and if you know anyone we should feature let us know in the comments.