New Orleans Artist Lillian Wilkin is made of Americana

Lillian Wilkin is a costume designer, hair stylist, booking manager, and chairman of Fstop504, an organization that promotes opportunities for the New Orleans community to participate in free photo walks all across the city. Or, if you ask her, she’s a “mover and a shaker, and a costume maker.” She was the first friend I had made during college and I have watched her grow and progress as a person with her career, personal aspirations, and relationships. Not only has she been one of the most influential people in my life, as my roommate, best friend, and creative collaborator, but we still keep in touch as long-distance friends. This interview took place over Facetime. 

“My childhood was influenced heavily by my grandfather who was a music professor. I would write notes on blank sheet music and he would read them back to me. He would be my accompanist when I competed playing piano. He was also my vocal coach. He directed the musical Oklahoma off Broadway when I was a child. Later as a teenager, I auditioned and got the lead at school, with him directing the show. “ 

After moving to the Midwest as a child post-Hurricane Katrina, her life became more isolating and transient. She was able to find music in a place where there was little to do besides spending time in the woods or eating steak and shake. 

“I loved classics and Americana. I grew up on Route 66 with movies like American Graffiti and Greece. It affected my style and aesthetic as an adult. I was around a lot of classic car culture and car shows. I had a really clear vision of my American dream.” 

While attending car shows as a teenager, she was able to find a group of like-minded women called “The Hott Totties, a pin-up modeling collective of women around the area of all ages who would perform at those car shows. 

“Classic car culture is not really made up of the best type of people. They tend to glamorize the 1950s, hot rods, old 50s Chevys, and Ford trucks. My Dad and I would drive around in a model T- roadster with a huge motor hanging off the front and they would all comment on it at the gas station.” 

Moving back to New Orleans for university was a huge homecoming moment for her. 

“I grew up in New Orleans going to city park and spending time with my grandma in her garden in Slidell. Moving back here toughened me up. There’s always something happening and a very crazy sense of pace. Even a normal day here includes someone playing trumpet, or open carrying at the grocery store. My biggest strength is that I'm very type-A and creative. I work well with different types of people and can talk to professionals, band groupies, local businesses, and creatives. I can communicate with all sides.”

Her aspiration after recently graduating from Loyola is to open a musical venue.

“I’m running on spite. I get what I want because I make it happen.”