As it starts to rain on campus, there’s a flurry of activity as the stalls at the campus market are hastily packed away and anything that could get wet is quickly covered. Students dash into the food plaza. Amid the crowd, Kevin Barkmeijer (24) strides through in sturdy, square-toed leather boots. Tall, with bleached white hair and thick black eyebrows, his face lights up as he begins talking about his outfit. He combined comfort – a casual blouse – with a misjudgement of the weather, hence the denim jorts. He rarely plans his outfits in advance. This morning, after a long night at Maassilo, he quickly threw it together. Getting dressed is easier when he’s a bit hungover: “Fewer inhibitions or something.”
Sad little frog
Kevin aims to express a certain intention with his look. No pride means no confidence. By feeling good in his fashion choices, he communicates who he is: extroverted, grungy, and queer. Friends, clothing, and identity are all interconnected. He grew up in Assen: “Being queer is quite a thing there.” During his bachelor’s at Leiden University, he began pushing his boundaries. Friends introduced him to the joys of fashion and challenged him with new accessories. A small, sad frog hangs from his bag, along with a button that reads ‘Everyone thinks you’re a cunt’, both gifts from friends.
Now, Kevin might be the perfect person to help his new fellow students come out of their shells. He loves helping people, which is why he’s starting a master’s in Social Inequalities. Among his fellow students, he immediately feels at home. They’re people from all over the world, just like him, ready to meet new people. Kevin glances curiously around at the damp crowd in the food plaza. He spots a few people he’d like to get to know better. “I like it when they have style, curls … and a presence.”
