Q&A_Princess Julia : Charlotte Troy

Q&A

Princess Julia
[2021]

Multitasker: DJ, artist, writer, model, muse. I like to set myself
challenges and find in the current climate adapting is everything.

Who are you and what do you do for a living?
I'm princess Julia aka Julia Fodor and I do a variance
of things for a living… DJing, a bit of writing on occasion,
some modelling, appearing in videos, online campaigns.
Things you do for a living means you get paid for them
doesn't it? That means I do a whole load of things for
pleasure too as I don't seem to get paid for those.
Perhaps I will in the future.

Do you trust yourself?
Isn't there a proverb attached to that something
like ‘If you can't trust yourself who can you trust?’ Did I just
make that up? You got to trust your own sense of judgement
even if it turns out a bit skewiff I suppose that's the learning
curve. You've got to take that leap of faith in yourself,
what else have you got. Oh and don't worry if you actually
do fuck it up.

What have you done since you woke up this morning?
Not being much of a morning person I’ve set a vague routine
but also includes endlessly scrolling on social media and
thinking about what to post or reposting other people's stuff.
Then I like to do some exercises to maintain myself. Emails,
paying bills, admin. Then it’s lunch.

Please list the contents of your fridge
Various vegetables, vegan cheese, sauces condiments.
Frozen stuff: spinach, oven chips, fruit, peas.

What is your earliest memory?
Falling down the stairs and splitting my head open which I
didn’t have stitches for. I still have a very faint scar in the
centre of my forehead I can feel. I remember slipping and
knocking my head of the sharp corner of the arm of a settee,
the sensation of warm blood trickling down over my face
and a sense of panic as a plaster was secured over the gash.

Please describe the place you are currently in, or the view
from your window
I live in an ex-local council block flat, it’s quite a solid concrete
and brick building built in the mid 1900s. It's on two levels with
a small Juliette balcony overlooking a rectangle of grass and
a park on the other side of the road. I quite like looking at the
history of the area and the park opposite was built on the
remains of a Victorian gasworks.

What do you like the look of?
Living in a whole house with a garden. A small dog. Wearing
interesting clothes with a backstory attached to them. I like
looking at books, reading, delving into gossip. Looking at art
and having art around me. Watching TV of all kinds. Other
people’s way of dressing, makeup and expression. I like the
look of everything!

Were you a popular child?
No, I was excruciatingly shy. Very quiet. As I worked things
out I kept myself to myself, observing the world going on
around me. I was never in a gang or really had a best friend
in my school life. I was insecure, frightened of saying anything.

What sustains you?
The idea of doing something that communicates something
positive or reflects something other people can relate to.
Creating stuff, discussing stuff. Laughing a lot. Being amused.

Do you scare easy?
Not sure, I think I’ve built a barrier up around me as protection.
I learnt to deal with predators, I’ve put past frightening
experiences to rest. I’ve not really dealt with some of them
but I'm trying. That's scary, just dealing with scary past
experiences. Life’s one big scare fest on occasion.

Who was the first cultural figure to influence you?
I’d say Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz.

Where is love for you?
What kind of love? I love my friends, I love things around
me, talking to people I love.

Are you lucky?
I wouldn't say I’m lucky, not sure I even believe in luck,
I think I'm a realist in that you are the instigator of your
destiny. There's something to be said for manifesting your
dreams. No one is going to hand anything to you on a plate
as much as it might seem. Being in the right place at the
right time, now there's something in that… I’ve just
changed my mind, fate, destiny luck, roll the dice and see
where life takes you.

What is the most magical, psychically charged item
of clothing you own?
I always find this type of question hard to decide on.
I love all my clothes for different reasons. The hang of
hem, the craft entailed, the general look of a garment and
functionality. The back story to a designers concept is always
a revelation. I'm interested in process.so in answer there's
no one garment because they all have something that
attracts me to wearing them.

Do you subscribe to a particular belief system?
No, I detest any sort of organised religion. These things
are big business and ways to brainwash and control the
mass. And yes I've done the research and quite understand
why humans find solace in their chosen belief systems.

What two colours should never be seen?
Nothing is out of bounds for me. In the past style etiquette
was of the utmost importance, things like matching handbags
and shoes. And I love this idea being an avid fan of anything
camp. The ritual of dressing has evolved and style boundaries
are forever shifting. I love a fashion clashion.

What do you have planned for when we are able to
be together again?
I shall be working, my work is quite social so there's that.

What one thing would improve the quality of your existence?
Money makes the world go around.

What do you predict for London post-pandemic?
An initial splash and then a slow revving up as this country
emerges post pandemic and the realities of Brexit Britain
under the Tory government. Everything seems to be all about
control under of the spread of Corona which I get, but also
some basic human rights, protest laws, travel, higher taxes
etc. that whoever voted for Brexit we are now dealing
with, it’s all intertwined. London will be a less busy place,
less visitors and less people wanting to live in London as it’s
so expensive to live here and actually you can live outside of
London and do the same things with a semblance of balance.

What is your number one priority?
Laughing… Surviving mentally.

Why do you do what you do?
What else is there to do? I like to do things that challenge
me, stretch my imagination. Motivate me and create
something fruitful.

What is your most marked characteristic? What traits are
you most grateful for? Share a defect?
Quite enthusiastic about creating stuff, gossiping, trying to
make things go forward always learning, being open minded
and seeing different points of view. Not being stuck in any
one place. I’m probably quite bossy and impatient, I want
things to happen yesterday but I’ve learnt to pace myself.

What would you like to be better at?
Learning to be comfortable in my own skin.

What is your favourite smell?
Tuberose.

What is sexy?
Actually being true to yourself.

What is your favourite sound?
Don't think I’ve got one favourite sound. I’m attracted to
different kinds of music electronic mainly. The sound of
nature is always a relief.

What are you reading?
I tend to dip in and out of book reading. I like a research
book or personal accounts. Man Enough To Be A Woman
by Jayne County reprinted on Serpent Tail books.

In a parallel universe, what are you doing right now?
Hard to imagine a parallel universe that isn't idyllic isn’t it.
Humans always wish for some perfect existence. Some
Valhalla, a utopia somewhere with no pain or anguish.
Problems wafting away.

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
Dealing with personal anguish, the cruelty of the human
experience. That bloodthirsty & territorial side of humans.

What do you regard as your greatest achievement?
Just being able to exist with humility.

Do you collect anything? If so what?
Subconsciously I do collect things, mostly clothes,
art objects, music. I try to edit things as I go along,
I'm terrified of hoarding. There’s a fine line from
a hoard to an archive.

Which work of art do you most covet for your home?
I’ve got a few treasured art pieces.

Where do you find most pleasure?
Achievement, succeeding. Communicating and being part
of something. Dressing up and finding new treasures to
wear. Getting a look. Haha I love the ritual of dressing.

What’s your favourite public place in London?
Do you know what… I really enjoy a cottage tour via
the parks.

What is humanity’s biggest failing?
Not tapping in to nature. Humans’ hideous and basic traits,
killing each other in the name of religion, land, the earth’s
riches. Not making good and considerate decisions.

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