#390: Lumia Nocito

Vintage Baby Tees with Foul Slogans, Her Flip Phone, Stars, and more.

Perfectly Imperfect is a newsletter offering “A Taste of Someone’s Taste” from guests like Charli XCX, John Cale, Julian Casablancas, Ayo Edebiri, Lena Dunham, Mac Demarco, Dasha Nekrasova, Weyes Blood, Tim Heidecker, Michael Imperioli, Rayne Fisher-Quann, Mel Ottenberg, Chloe Cherry, Matty Matheson, Anna Delvey, The Dare, Caroline Calloway, Snail Mail, and more.

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Cool people like cool things, which is why we asked Lumia Nocito to share a taste of her taste on Perfectly Imperfect.

Lumia Nocito is a New York City-based photographer, model, DJ, and NY Magazine certified It Girl. She came up in the photo world as an assistant to Perfectly Imperfect-favorite Petra Collins, which eventually led to her spending some time in front of the camera too. Lumia’s work has now been recognized globally from the Met to Showroom MAMA and featured in the legendary art curator Hans Ulbirch's 2020 show “do it (home).” Nocito has also modeled for Marc Jacobs, Coach, Tory Burch, Converse, Bulgari, and more, and recently had a Nike Campaign + walked in Kim Shui Studio's NYFW runway show. Lucky for us, Lumia is here to tell us what she’s been into.

Without further ado

Lumia Nocito (instagram)

📞 My Flip Phone

I wanted to get a vintage flip phone to use on my days off, and ended up discovering that 2G and 3G service is basically obsolete within the US. Luckily, I found a cute phone that runs on 4G and even made some cute trinkets for it. I leave my iPhone at home during my morning walks, and on my days off, I’m only on my burner. I thought I needed a vacation until I started using my flip phone - 10/10, would recommend.

Why the flip phone? There are countless reasons. I think about this experiment often.

🧸 Really cute boys with good vintage tees and acceptance of the dirty bed sheets that come with them

Didn’t think I’d ever be cool with “outside pants” in my bed, but here we are. Kind of fun to be a rockstar about it, and the t-shirt additions to my wardrobe are a plus. Not sure what I expected - I’m dating Nick Hadad, after all.

🎀 Vintage Baby Tees with Foul Slogans 

Is anyone else into these? I collect vintage Juicy Couture (tracksuits, purses, tees, etc.), and it’s led me to start collecting vintage baby tees. Nobody’s upset about it except for my bank account, or me when my credit card declines.

“Boys are my favorite accessory” “Don’t be a jackass” “Not that into you” “My boyfriend said he wanted more attention so now I have two boyfriends” “Move bitch” “Don’t be a backstabber” “Ditch him” “I love shoes bags and boys”? Who could say no to a girl wearing a good tee? 

A good baby tee with a mini skirt and whatever kind of shoe you like and you’re ready to go literally anywhere except for like, a really formal meeting.

🎵 DJing

Not sure why I didn’t learn how to do this earlier. My music taste slaps - it feels like I’ve spent my entire life compiling an extensive music library, and it’s finally getting put to good use, gracing more than just the ears of me and my friends. You’re welcome. 

⭐️ Star Shapes

I’m making some sort of star sculpture at the moment, and I think this sculpture is what got me into star shapes. I’ve been into putting star shapes on anything I feel could use some personalization. They’re just good - I admire their simplicity. It seems they’re making a comeback.

👒 Leisure Centre (48 Hester Street, NY, NY)

Leisure Centre is a vintage shop on Hester Street in the Lower East Side. Frank, the owner, is a really cool, interesting dude - and his shop reflects that. It’s impossible to walk in there and not find something you like. It’s well-curated and well-priced; everything is a steal. I do damage every time I visit… my wardrobe is slowly turning into only pieces I’ve found here.

♟️ Chess

I was on the chess team in second grade; it’s a game I’ve been into ever since.

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