“Most people have an identifiable look or style – I don’t really have that.  I just like things for various reasons.”

Nancy Whang is a rare bird: a woman at the center of the decidedly male-heavy scene that surrounds DFA records in New York City.  As a core member of LCD Soundsystem, front woman for The Juan Maclean and a DJ, Nancy has toured the world countless times and has even acquired the deeply enviable status of Executive Platinum. How do you say upgrade in jealous?  Nancy grew up as a classical pianist, and found her way into the DFA music scene during her time at NYU.  But as you might imagine from someone so talented, she just happens to be great at whatever she does.  She worked at the high-end wood shop, Two Seven, for many years, and if you ask her to make something, she can.  Proof: she once built us an old fashioned stick-your-head-in-the-hole gag photo booth for a party.  It was perfect.  You and your friend could be photographed on the red carpet flanked by Donatella Versace and Karl Lagerfeld, flash bulbs a-poppin’.

Over the years, Nancy has worked tirelessly to perfect the science of maximum-cool stage looks and minimal packing, which for a woman in a touring band can be quite the massive trick.  The solution?  Why, jumpsuits, of course!  She has amassed a somewhat insane amount, with several custom made for her by her friend, the designer Mandy Coon - pockets for in-ear monitors included.  Mandy also made Nancy two incredibly special looks for her final LCD Soundsystem show at Madison Square Garden.  A “jump-xedo” (a jumpsuit tuxedo, le duh) and a surrealist crystal-encrusted ballgown several feet too long for Nancy – she wore it standing on a stool center stage under a spot-light for a moment of glamorous drama mid-set.  But when not wearing custom gear, Nancy can rely on her collection of YSL, gifted to her by none other than Stefano Pilati himself. Pretty fabulous, if you ask moi.  

Nancy invited let me rummage through her closet and house – wheeeeeeee – where I discovered a few things: she is a shoe hoarder, has more jumpsuits than a state penitentiary, 4,586 pairs of black jeans and a pair of fuzzy mice earrings.  Enjoy the tour!

by Starrett Ringbom