Every month, SLUG Style features a distinct and unique member of the community and asks them why they do what they do. Exploring more than just clothing, SLUG Style is an attempt to feature the people who give Salt Lake City flavor through personality and panache.
Ana Hardy is a digital content intern here at SLUG, and we couldn’t help but notice that every day she walks into the office looking sharp with her sense of retro style. She’s a writer and musician, and always looks like she would fit in with Holly Golightly singing “Moon River” on a fire escape—which is a very good thing. We sat down with Ana Hardy to talk about her style, but ended up talking mostly about books—go figure.
Special thanks to Finca, who hosted this month’s SLUG Style in their exquisite restaurant space. Check out our Finca Food Review, then head downtown to check out their awesome space!
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On reading SLUG’s vast back catalog (going back to ’89!), Ana Hardy says, “Oh my goodness, it is so funny to go through all the archives. There were no copy editors back in the ’90s, so you just come across the most ridiculous stuff and you cannot believe some of the things the writers would say.” Photo: Tyson Call @clancycoop
Hardy has always loved films, writing and books, which is what initially attracted her to SLUG Magazine. “I like to write fiction, so [I write] a lot of short stories,” says Hardy. “I do a lot of poetry and prose-type stuff” Photo: Tyson Call @clancycoop
“One of my favorite novelists is J.D. Salinger. He’s my favorite for sure. It is hard because I have lots of favorite authors, but there are so many books I want to read … I’ll just go through a bunch of different authors and just read one book [of theirs].” Photo: Tyson Call @clancycoop
On Salinger, Hardy says, “All of his characters are so alienated and they all have problems. I think a good way to put it is ‘dirty realism.’ I think that is what Salinger does best in his writing.” Photo: Tyson Call @clancycoop
On fashion: “I am really influenced by the French New Wave,” says Hardy. “I watch a lot of films. I love film. So you know, Jane Birkin—she’s a huge influence—and Jean Seberg.” Photo: Tyson Call @clancycoop
On her influences: “Of course, Audrey Hepburn will always be a shining star,” says Hardy. “You know, I didn’t know that Capote wrote Breakfast at Tiffany’s until I picked it up at Powell’s bookstore in Portland. I couldn’t believe how much darker it is. So, Audrey Hepburn, as cliche as that is—she is classic and I love her look.” Photo: Tyson Call @clancycoop
On her very neat style: “I don’t wanna say something that makes me sound pretentious, but this isn’t fancy to me, I guess,” says Hardy. “I shop all over the place and I used to thrift a lot—and I still do—but I also get a lot of clothing from my Mom who has three closets, and like a room of shoes. She’s consumed by clothes.” Photo: Tyson Call @clancycoop
Ana spends her days at SLUG Mag seeing the sometimes crazy things which have been put to print by the magazine over the years. You can check out issues all the way back to #1 in the Past Issues section of SLUGMag.com. Photo: Tyson Call @clancycoop
“I’m really influenced by the European style of the ’60s and ’70s, I guess,” says Hardy. “I spend too much time with clothes.” Photo: Tyson Call @clancycoop
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