How do I look?: Ali Gabut Youngblood, Musician, age 25

(Portrait by Doug Marke)

I'm half black, half Philippino. I was born looking pretty unique. No one can ever tell what nationality I am. I play off that. I wear whatever makes me look thinner. It's hard to shop in the UK. I'll see something but it's always one size too small. In the States you get plus-sizes; there are a lot of happy chubby people there. I'm a UK size 16. People think I look great naked! Why bother wearing clothes at all?

I like covering my face with my fringe. Everybody wants to see my face, so it's fun making them beg for it. I've worked hard on this fringe, because my mom wouldn't let me cut my hair. The headband is trying to keep my fringe down. I never do anything wild with my hair. Usually I just wake up and go.

I don't like wearing jeans. When I'm bending over I don't want to crack-out. Dresses are good. I've worn this one every day for ages. It's from Topshop and was under £20. I love wearing tights with dresses. Particularly black ones or even stockings, but stockings rip because I like to run around.

In London, everyone looks like they're in a band. I don't want to look like everyone else, so I dress a bit more plainly here than back home, in Jacksonville, Florida. There people dress really plain. That said, I don't sweat it if I don't look different to everyone else. In Florida I hit the thrift stores on military bases; you get the best vintage clothes and they're one-offs.

Cardigans are good. You get cold, you put it on. You get warm, you tie it around your head. You don't want to be carrying a big leather jacket round a club. This cardigan's from H&M and it was on sale. If I put something on and it feels comfortable and the fabric's really nice, it doesn't matter how much it costs. I wear things to death. But I would never spend £60 on a cardigan; not when I can get one for £10.

My father taught me that if you're wearing earrings, there is no need for a necklace. I don't like lots of jingly items. This heart necklace is from Urban Outfitters. I don't go there a lot. Usually I'll do one shop again and again, and then I'm over it.

Ali plays keyboards with Black Kids. Their debut album 'Partie Traumatic' is out now