“Why do something basic when you can be stunning?” Muse of Christopher Griffin, best known as Plant Kween. From nine to his five, the assistant director of his LGBTQ+ center at NYU is behind the desk. In their off hours, they’re hopping around their Brooklyn apartment in sequined gowns, showering everyone they follow with botanical knowledge (via @plantkween). Nestling in the house’s jungle, you’ll find not one, but three closets. One acts as a catchall, the other is for vintage and the last one specifically houses the designer his fashions. The latter is essentially an ode to Griffin’s most admired designer, Christopher John Rogers. Grow up girl! “is the cover of “[His clothes] Bold, colorful, playful, shapely, daring, brave, courageous, never seen before… And they’re not the only ones. [items] Clothing is a work of art. I don’t wear them lightly. If it wasn’t for Christopher John Rogers, Griffin would either save on clothes (an antidote to an ‘expensive sweet tooth’) or use his fashion purchases to support people in the LGBTQ+ and black communities. .

Aesthetically, these purchases often have a dramatic flair. Griffin doesn’t dress flashy, but she draws inspiration from the vibrant Queen in her outfits. That said, their first taste of this bold creative expression came from the black church they grew up in. “Fashion show,” they say. “Rich outfits, sequins, blazers with shoulder pads, hats that defy gravity and architecture.” Griffin’s grandmother, a churchgoing woman, connected these dots early on. Naturally, her closet provided a certain refuge. “I was in my little world in her closet,” thinks Griffin.

The esthetician vividly recounts a particular memory of clicking down stairs in a pair of kitten heels during a family gathering at a very early age. “Everybody went quiet. And my grandmother was like, ‘Oh my God.’ Isn’t this precious? you look very nice I think at that moment she let my family know that this was normal. This is what I needed to do and what I was allowed to do. That outward acceptance gave Griffin the permission he needed to explore self-expression outside of his gender binary.

Coat: Fabrice Silhouette

Granny, the “original green goddess,” also gave Griffin the green thumb. “[She made me] We understand that gardening is so important to our family heritage.”Now our relationship with plants is inherently philosophically skewed.A first-generation college student and avid learner.” Griffin, who has created his own classroom of botany, where he is both professor and student. I need it to survive on different levels of .Plants have a deep connection with human existence.Plants provide a way to be a reflector to so many different ways that I can take care of myself.”

Of course, Griffin has become poetic in the clothing realm, and other loves as well. As nonbinary people, gender is their playground. I like hopping, skipping, hopping and doing different things. Clothing to me is just one of the many ways I can express myself and appear the way I want to. ” Its manifestations are constantly evolving. “Unfortunately, as a non-binary person living in a very temporary place like New York, [can’t hide]There are also safety days. I don’t want to experience transphobia today, so let’s blend inAnd the other day I seem to fuck it. I want to be myself And I’m going to show you who I am. Fun silhouettes, playful patterns, and bold colors are key when you’re feeling good and grounded in your identity. ’ Their work adds a layer of responsibility to this decision. Griffin works at her LGBTQ+ center, where she unapologetically encourages all students to be themselves. “I think it’s also important that we live our work while we work,” they say. “We have to set an example for our students.” That is, heels and dresses are common in corporate wardrobes. “As Ru[Paul] “We are all born naked. The rest is drag. Why not have some fun with it?” Keep scrolling to explore Griffin’s overflowing closet.