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"It's kind of like I fell into it but it was what I was meant to do," explained DJ Caroline D'Amore, on her transition from modeling to getting behind the decks. "Modeling is what I do to pay the bills. Music was something that I always wanted to be a part of."
Since her early days on the ones and twos—under the tutelage of the late DJ AM—D'Amore's career took has taken off. She's traveled the world playing music festivals and clubs, and she has produced her own tracks. As far as her personal style goes, D'Amore is a self-proclaimed Gemini who is both a tomboy and fashion plate. Recently, she made the bold transition from natural brunette to bleach blonde, which has her channeling either Marilyn Monroe or Kurt Cobain, depending on which mood strikes.
Later this year, D'Amore will be collaborating with Billboard as a host and producer of DJ Diaries, a TV series which will provide a behind-the-scenes look at other top DJs such as Steve Aoki, Afrojack, The Crystal Method, and more. In the midst of festival season, D'Amore spoke with ELLE.com about her style, packing for a tour, and shopping on the road.
Outfit breakdown: "The flannel and jacket I've acquired from my husband's closet. He gave me the flannel because I reminded him of a female Kurt Cobain (when I bleached out my hair and my roots came in). He didn't really have a choice with the jacket. My friend pulled it for a show he had coming up, and I jacked it right after his gig. I'm completely that girl who wears all her man's clothes. Every day I'm wearing something of his. He's a skinny rocker so it all fits perfectly."
More From ELLEIf this outfit were one of my songs, it would be: "My latest single "Music Man." I wrote it for my husband, Bobby Alt. Since I wear all his clothes, I was most likely wearing something of his when I wrote it."
My personal style is: "I'm a Gemini, so I literally have two different styles combined in one. One is the more girly '90s vibe; I'll wear a slip dress and combat boots. The other girl is a bit more fashionable and glamorous. That's when I put on the stiletto heels and the dress, and really rock it for the night. But no matter what, there's always a slight tomboy edge."
I always pack: "A red flannel, like Kurt Cobain. I wear a lot of vintage too. I always have my products like facial cream. I don't leave the house without putting on my M.A.C. Strobe Cream. Even if I'm up the whole night before or exhausted, it really makes you come to life."
You'd never catch me on stage wearing: "Little dresses are what I try to avoid. I wear more body suits, leggings, and tights. I don't think you should ever be on stage in something you might wear on a red carpet. It needs to be a bit more out there and exciting. I definitely try to be a different person. I'm more of a character on stage."
My pre-tour shopping stop: "If I'm in L.A., I'll go downtown to all the funky fabric shops in the fashion district. They have all these sew-on attachments like studs. You can grab ten different embellishments to sew onto your outfit."
The best on-the-road purchase I ever made was: Last summer, I got these kickass boots by Free People. They're black, studded all the way up the sides, and look dirty. On the road, you end up in places like Coachella that have dirt fields where you want to look cool but still brave whatever elements. For festival and DJ shows, you can't be rocking heels.