Today we’d like to introduce you to Parke Ballantine
Hi Parke, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Throughout my life, I have always been drawn to artistic and creative outlets as a way to express myself, feel a sense of belonging and experience wonder. In my youth, I gravitated towards photography, poetry and music as outlets to survive a chaotic time. A classic Gen X/millennial cross over, I spent countless hours by the radio, waiting to hit record and create the perfect mixtape, delighting in discovering and sharing rare musical gems. Music always had a profound way of speaking to me, serving as a powerful tool for inspiration, connection and self-expression. Over the years, my love for music has become an integral part of my creative practice.
After studying film and ethnic studies in college, I began my career in media production driven by a passion for creating content using technical insights and process as a means for enhanced equity and storytelling. Film became my primary medium as it allowed me to collaborate with other creatives and expand my skills. Over time I took on more leadership roles, helping to bridge project management and communication between the business side and the creative side.
Fast forward a couple, two, three (and many more) years and I find myself as a full-time multi-media creative. I work as a Creative Director and wardrobe stylist for media, brands, and personal clients and co-own a boudoir studio with photographer Blair Conner. I DJ and host three radio programs on KOOP 91.7FM. These include Mood Ring, a weekly show that explores music as a tool to elicit a state of being through a weekly mood, Around the Town Sounds, a collective show with DJs Lorrie Darlin and Tim Hertenberger dedicated to showcasing local Austin music, and Sweet Tea, a bi-monthly talk show that shines a spotlight on queer life and style in the South. Additionally, I share my vinyl collection at various gigs around town, playing a blend of new wave, R&B, pop and disco.
I’m honored and grateful to have a life filled with creative practice and people. Austin is a unique experience in the artists world, allowing for the freedom to experiment and the community support to launch new ideas. My hope is that through all my work, there are greater opportunities to shine a light and uplift the work of so many powerful queer, trans, BIPOC and woman leaders and artists here in Austin and beyond.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road has not always been smooth. I had a fairly challenging youth and young adult years which on one hand has given me a lot of richness and life experience and on the other made the north star of wellness, success and a fulfilled life seem foggy at best. I had an unstable home and moved around a lot, dealt with addiction, dropped out of school and became independent at 16. All of which didn’t paint the picture of a child prodigy ripe for creative success and often made me feel like I was deficient and behind in ways that seemed insurmountable at times. Yet, I did find a path, stability and community which helped to hold me and guide me towards more options in life.
I was able to get my GED, attend a community college and transfer to a 4 year college. Upon graduating I joined many others in the era of the Great Recession but managed to work in an organization that helped me grow both personally and professionally. I left to move out of state and in doing so found myself in a bit of a spin searching for a right fit for many years. It wasn’t until I went out on my own that I found what I was looking for. Entrepreneurship is its own rocky road but it’s been the 100% right answer for me and has given me a lot in terms of values alignment, leadership I respect and creative freedom.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I identify as a multimedia creative. I have many areas that I work in but my primary mediums and skills are as a Creative Director, Wardrobe Stylist and Radio DJ. In my creative direction I’m known for bringing together a vision and teams that add a bold edge to projects, leaving room for inspiration beyond the brief, adding unique aesthetic to commercial and editorial projects that distinguishes the final look from the mainstream. The same goes for my styling where I’m known to be a mirror for clients to be their most authentic self and bring in new elements which open up possibilities and visions of embodied power. With my DJ work I’m known for sharing and pairing the unconventional, digging for independent and obscure artists and tracks across time period and genre.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
So much is changing in all creative fields with the advances of technology, I can only imagine what might be possible in 5-10 years in production and creation on a digital level. I see people moving in both directions. On one side there’s a growing experimental space with AI, creative templates, quick cuts, etc which allow more people to access and gives time to focus on concept work and creation at high volume. On the other side I see a large interest in analog, using materials and methods which require more equipment and detailed technical knowledge like shooting with film or playing vinyl which can be expensive and more inconvenient.
As with the larger society I think both music and fashion are going to have a large generational leadership turnover. Trends and changes come fairly rapidly, but I think the creation methods and the next generation of makers will have a big impact on where the industry goes with growing importance placed on inclusion and sustainability. I’m excited to see new people, ideas, looks and sounds moving front and center.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.parkeballantine.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parke.ballantine/
Image Credits
Portrait for Highroller Magazine, shot by Eric Morales
Portrait in chair, shot by Blair Conner
Self Portrait with headphones, shot by Parke Ballantine
