A 100% Chance of Sunny Rain

Welcome back to The Velvyt!

Today we are interviewing the musically talented and fashionably gifted Sunny Rain! Sunny is an artist out of St Louis, who has a musical sound that is so unique that no one but her could pull it off. Besides being an amazing musical artist, Sunny has an incredible sense of fashion. The way she puts outfits together is art in of itself. Hands down to fly, simply as majestic as a butterfly. Let’s check out this forecast shall we?

After the Rain, there’s the Sun

Hello Sunny! Thank you for joining us today. For starters, you’re a musician. I listened to a few of your songs, and you have a very unique sound. I think your unique sound goes along with the unique way you dress. Do you think the music you make and the clothes you wear play off each other regarding your style?

Sunny: Oh, absolutely. Because they’re all kind of like an offspring of me. The music kind of pulls at my heartstrings in the same way that my fashion does. I like to blend in and stand out at the same time, which inspires the kind of music I make. I have more of a rap sound, a rap cadence, but my style is different. I prefer a style-over-fashion vibe when I’m getting dressed. What am I feeling like today? I think that’s a good offspring of me. They’re both an offspring of my different personalities.

I definitely feel that. When I listen to your songs, I get that rap feel for sure. But I also notice that they’re high-energy, which I love. Your songs are unique and hard to categorize. Each music genre has its own specific look. Since your music floats between genres, does that influence your fashion sense to float between genres as well?

Sunny: Yes, yes it does. I think about that a lot. I think of myself as a melting pot. I encompass a lot of different styles and variations. My music influences my style by pulling from different areas, whether it’s runway fashion, street fashion, or Korean fashion, which I love. Smino was my muse for a long time when deciding how I wanted to present myself as an artist.

I can see that. You have your own thing, but Smino isn’t afraid to be different, even in his music. I get that same energy from you. From when you started making music to now, you’ve definitely evolved. Do you feel like your sense of style evolved with your music?

Sunny: I think so. The hardest task for me was translating my music to a new audience. As I created music and music videos, I learned more about myself and extended my style and sound. The core of who I am evolved with my music.

How would you describe your style, both musically and fashionably?

Sunny: It’s such a melting pot, very alternative but still hip. It’s still in the know and cool. Most people think alternative is far from the norm, but my style and songs aren’t so far from the norm. They’re a play off the norm. You know what I’m saying?

Yeah, it’s like you tweak it here and there, making small changes to keep it different.

Sunny: Yeah, I see what’s going on, see what people are doing. Then I take my magic wand and make it me.

Fashion-wise, I’d categorize you as very androgynous. Is that intentional? Have you always dressed that way, or did it develop as you matured?

Sunny: You know, I get this question a lot. I’ve been like this my entire life. [chuckles] I’ve always had an androgynous approach. It’s not on purpose, but it’s my norm, who I am. It’s what makes me comfortable. I don’t shop by gender. I just pick what I like. I’ve always had a mixed style and presence.

We All Need Balance

Some people have never heard of the term androgyny before. I’m glad you balance both feminine and masculine well. You wear makeup but also have a masculine swagger sometimes. Is living in that middle area where you’re most comfortable?

Sunny: Yes, that is my bag. Even my audience is split 50/50 between sexes. I’ve always balanced femininity and masculinity. It’s very comfortable for me because I’ve grown with it my entire life, figuring out how to present it and what makes me feel best.

You’ve mastered it. It can be hard to do androgyny without looking like you’re trying. You pull it off effortlessly. You also have a line of hats with the St. Louis logo and your tagline on the back. How did you think to put all that on a hat and make it work?

Sunny: I started the idea two years ago. I’m known for wearing cool hats, so it sparked the idea. After years of music and appearances, I wanted to see if people would buy into me. Hats were always complimented. A guy made custom hats for me, promising not to use the butterfly design elsewhere. The “you can’t have the sun without the rain” idea came from people asking about my name, Sunny Rain. It means you can’t have darkness without light, sun without rain. I put it all together, adding butterflies because they make me feel free. Each hat has different custom-picked butterflies, so no two are the same. It’s a message of being free, being yourself, and being beautiful.

So, no two hats are the same? That’s really thoughtful, creating a game for collectors. Have you thought about expanding your merch?

Sunny: With winter coming, we’re considering hoodies. My stylist and I are working on ideas. I believe I’m my best advertisement. People get to see me represent these items, grabbing inspiration for their fits. We’re deciding on colors and fonts, but hoodies are on the horizon.

Will you keep the Easter egg trend with the butterflies for uniqueness?

Sunny: Yes! That’s what’s causing the delay. I want to do it in a fly way, so people get excited and collect them.

I think the hats are a great interpretation of you. Will you keep the masculine and feminine balance throughout your brand?

Sunny: The balance is my brand. It’s a major part of everything I do, including music and clothes.

With androgyny, inspiration comes from somewhere. Outside of Smino, do you have other big inspirations?

Sunny: Yes, my mother. She’s super fly. Even if she didn’t agree with my choices, she’d help me style them. She taught me my silhouette, which is important in getting dressed. She helped me encompass my personality and fashion sense.

Speaking of your silhouette, you are on the curvier side. Do you find it harder to balance masculine and feminine clothes?

Sunny: Yes. I buy pants bigger so they fall on my body rather than fit it. My style and curves make anything my size hug me, so I size up.

As someone curvier myself, I get that. Being curvy can make clothes look hyper-feminine. It’s admirable you avoid looking overly feminine or sexualized. Do you focus on that aspect?

Sunny: Yes, as an artist, you need a bit of sex symbol appeal. I buy shirts and customize them to fit my vision. Most of my items are adjusted to look and form better on me.

It’s An Industry Darling

Do you feel you need to be more adventurous in your style now, or are there limits?

Sunny: My style is plain but fly. I like basic items made super fly, relatable, and not runway extreme. The industry hasn’t changed my style much. My stylist and I pull items, but if it doesn’t work, it doesn’t work.

Is it hard having a stylist with such a unique style?

Sunny: Yes [chuckles]. My stylist sends me several looks, and I often combine pieces. Professionals can do too much or too little, so we balance her ideas with my style. It takes time to get comfortable with that.

In your journey to improve your style, have you found new inspirations?

Sunny: Sometimes I see cool pants or NBA, NFL, and WNBA fits that inspire me. I base everything on presenting myself best.

Your mom’s support was pivotal in helping you with your style identity?

Sunny: Yes, she built my confidence, teaching me to be authentic. My style, hair, makeup, and house feel very authentic because of her support.

Have you felt any pressure from the industry to conform?

Sunny: No, thankfully. I’ve been accepted for who I am. I’m open to change if it seems beneficial, but my confidence leads me to trust myself.

I love that! Thank you, Sunny, for letting me interview you. I enjoyed it! Any closing words?

Sunny: Thank you! I enjoyed this. My closing words: Just be yourself, get comfortable with yourself, and stay fly! Put that sh*t on! Whatever feels good to you!

Now Back to You at the Studio!

We love and embrace individuality and freedom of expression here at The velvyt and Sunny Rain rally exemplifies that. There’s so many sources of inspiration for you to pull from. Sometimes you yourself can be that inspiration. Sometimes your extremely well dressed mother can be that inspiration. Regardless though, the inspiration can be wherever you find it, just always remember to do you!

And while you’re find your inspiration don’t forget to get you a hat and stream some of her incredibly dope music!

Sunny Rain’s merch can be fount here!

Stream Sunny Rain’s music! And Stream here too!

And don’t forget to follow Sunny on her socials so you can stay hip to all her endeavors and her dope outfits! Twitter and Instagram!

Talk again soon friends!