by Carmen Boeser

Jill Firns is not afraid to march to the beat of her own drum. And it’s got quite a rhythm: loud enough to grab your attention, yet soft enough to be easy on the ears – even if it’s not something you are used to hearing. Whether Jill is expressing herself through personal style, the tunes she selects at regular DJ gigs, or advocacy efforts for the queer community, one thing is clear: she’s got the beat.

Jill first started making some noise in the St. Louis fashion community as a writer for the popular blog, Stilettos on Sunday Morning. Readers and social media followers enjoyed her fearless approach to vintage style. “I’m a sucker for individuality,” she explains. “By shopping at vintage stores, you’re able to find more unique pieces.” Fast fashion frequently draws inspiration from trends born in the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s. But for Jill, those designs don’t provide the one-of-a-kind thrill that comes from wearing clothing that actually came from that time period. And, she notes, donning a retro piece allows one to easily pay homage to decades that offer fascination, fond memories, or both. One of her all-time favorite vintage garments was discovered at May’s Place: a leather jacket with split zippered cuffs and fringe.

While Jill was busy striking a chord with readers as an influencer, she discovered another passion: music. After chats with her DJ friends and countless internet tutorials, Jill decided to try her hand at mashups. Being one of the few regular female DJs in St. Louis was not without some snags, however. A male DJ urged her to quit deejaying because he believed she was only “doing it for the photos.” She also found it difficult to penetrate the local DJ crews, as they felt like “boys clubs.” So true to form, she decided to stop worrying about whether she “belonged” and focused on honing her craft. Nearly 6 years later, DJ Jillian has racked up an impressive roster of engagements. She has spun tunes at the Saint Louis Art Museum, Grove Fest Fashion Stage, the designer competition Pins and Needles, and even a wedding. Her specialty is mixing seamless transitions and pairing unexpected tunes together.

Through blogging and deejaying, Jill aims to offer hope and support to fellow members of the queer community. Her original blog morphed into The Switch, an online platform in which she highlights “the beauty and challenges of queer life.” Jill and her partner also host SWITCH, a monthly dance party for LGBTQIA+ people to hang out without fear of judgement. She describes the queer community in St. Louis as “extremely varied” in terms of experiences and membership. Jill encourages allies to get involved with non-profits or attend events that feature queer persons. She also offers allies a helpful tip: “If you're in a LGBTQ+ space, please remember that you are in a sacred space for queer folks. In fact, you are taking up literal space there! Be mindful of that—be respectful!” To learn more about this vintage vixen/daring DJ/advocate for inclusion, visit www.switchstl.com.

Want a chance to shake your groove thang to the tunes of DJ Jillian? Come to the upcoming SWITCH party on Saturday, November 16th! Hosted at Livery Company from 9pm – 1am, adults 18 and up can enjoy FREE entry. As temperatures drop, come cozy up in flannels and beanies and lean into that dreamy fall vibe. Cash-only bar will have both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks available. RSVP or get more info on Facebook.