Kendal Hexamer: The Siren of Atama

   Atama is oddly placed at Mockingbird station, across from conservative SMU, this Japanese inspired Dallas pop-art gallery sticks out amongst the other shops. The colorful display of art draws costumers in who are soon to be bewitched by Kendal Hexamer, who also seems like a piece of the stores unique artwork. On any given day she may be wearing Cos-Play, a Bart Simpson dress, or draped in all black, always something expressive. Hexamers’ soul is very fairy-like, seemingly sweet in nature, but a force to be reckoned with, which is reflected in her style. Hexamer is a recent addition to the Atama team, and is determined to connect it even more to the social network with the cunning use of Instagram.

    Breaking into her bubble, I got to speak to her about future plans with Atama, as well as her sense of fashion.

Being so savvy with the internet, how have social media outlets influenced your fashion?

Social media has been a major inspiration for my choices in fashion, I come from a small town and I think without this outlet I would be a product of said “small town“. Luckily with the Internet and social media you have this beautiful little outlet to submerge and be exposed to so many other sub-cultures. I find my style heavily influenced by things I am not even aware of the true origins of. It’s not just “punk,” “grunge,” and this early 90′s thing anymore, due to how each culture biographically takes something and makes it their own has made it so much of a melting pot now, style is individualized again. My closet diversifies from what would be known as “hippie” all the way to “cyber-goth” to “Harajuku” there’s just too much I see on social media and I want to wear it all and make it my own.

Working at Atama, how do you plan to expand the franchise?

I’m lucky enough to work with a boss who is passionate about this store and Dallas, our success reflects on this. I want the store to be a staple of Dallas, I want it to become a part of Texas as much as it is a part of Japan where it originates from. There’s so much this little outlet could produce and I want to be here to nurture that. I love constantly promoting the shop on my Instagram, I love letting people know we are out here!

You wrote once about your curiosity of what famous people wore when they died, What would you want to be your last outfit?

Just the simple cliche, I wanna go out the way I came in, butt naked. Even when I’m old, if I die young at least I’ll go out looking fit.

What are your recent addictions?

Every fall I get back into my unicycling. I love this weather and it’s the best way to enjoy it. Aside from that it’s the normal, new toys, candy, anime, and clothes.

You’re very connected with Instagram, what’s you’re most interesting Instagram story?

Well, I met a guy through Instagram, we had a cute little long distance love story for a while and then one day I bought a bus ticket and took that leap of faith, despite the ending it was still a pleasant experience and a reason to smile anytime people asked how we met.

What’s your unique pass times?

Comic books, I love reading comic books, I don’t think I could buy enough to feed my appetite. Unicycling as previously stated. Ukelele to write pathetic little love songs. Photo shoots, and my outfit of the day pictures, I like capturing a mood or atmosphere as much as what I’m wearing that day, like little time capsules that trigger memories when I reflect on them.

What makes Atama different compared to most shops around Dallas? Who is your staff?

I think it’s the connection we have with our community and artists. We love talking to people who think these toys and artists are as rad as we do. Plus all the local art we put up and have shows for is what individualizes us, people can hang up local artists paintings and prints, but these people have become our friends and we all really care about this and work together a lot. There’s only three of us, myself being the baby of the shop. Josh is the boss, and Paul comes in to manage. But all three of us have a history with the product and an understanding of it. We just all actually give a shit about it. Which coming from an employee is so incredibly refreshing to get from an owner/manager.

Expect upcoming shows through Atama.

Atama Store Video

Website: http://shopatama.com/

Kendal’s Instagram: @Kendaloni