Like wildflowers in a field of grass, local alternatives bloom into their true selves with their fashion sense. Whether it be dyed hair, piercings, tattoos, body modifications, jewelry or clothing, alternative fashion is expressed all throughout Newbury Park. The term “Alternative fashion” refers to styles deliberately diverting from mainstream trends, often associated with music and political subcultures: emo, goth, punk, scene and more. The values of alternative fashion subcultures are universal: fun and authenticity.
With rock music on the speakers and a casual, comfortable atmosphere, clients of all ages and styles go to Misfits Alternative Hair Salon at Kimber Plaza, a haven for the alternative community.
Busy styling clients to fit their style, Carlie Wright, young cosmetologist, was grateful to find Misfits early in her career.
“I’ve always felt compelled towards alternative fashion, alternative styling and finding the communities for that. [Community is] so important because then you’re not a little fish out of water, you’re a fish with a bunch of other guppies that have cool rat tails and raccoon stripes,” Wright said.
Alternative communities go beyond fashion statements, but expand to an ideology of acceptance and inclusivity.
“If you’re my neighbor, I’m your friend. I feel like that’s the mentality that really boils down the punk mindset,” Wright said. “You should be able to walk around with a mohawk that’s bright green, and then go up to your neighbor who has a blonde balayage and be able to have lunch together. We’ve been so divided as a country; I like spaces like [Misfits that are] meant for everybody,” Wright said.
Arianna Tangora, owner of Misfits, created the salon as a space where people can express themselves without feeling pressured to fit into mainstream expectations.
“I named the salon ‘Misfits’ because everybody kind of feels like a Misfit at some point in their life, where they don’t fit into whatever they’re doing. I wanted to create a place [where] everybody feels comfortable and confident,” Tangora said.
Maryann Atar, cosmetologist and piercer, cuts, styles and dyes hair, greeting clients with a smile when they come through the door.
“We open [our] arms to anyone who comes through. We’re very respectful, and I think that carries through to our clients because our clients feel very comfortable here. They feel like they’re coming home,” Atar said.
Atar made her journey back to alternative style, with signature bright pink hair, piercings and tattoos.
“When you’re true to yourself, your own expression, you’re so much more confident. Being in my 50s, when I got older in life, I got to a point where I just wanted to be me,” Atar said.
Local salons like Misfits create a fun and comfortable environment for the local alternative community to express their style.
“We live in such a small town; it is very cookie-cutter around this place. So when you are given the freedom to be creative, it’s inspiring what comes from that,” Wright said.
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