Amy Spalding, the creative force behind SLT, first rose to fame on the queer dating TV show I Kissed a Girl. But since her time on screen, she’s forged her own path in the world of high fashion with a bold and unapologetic collection of rings that celebrate queer creativity. Her latest campaign, Dykonic Times, cements her reputation as a designer and visionary to watch. We sat down with Amy to talk about her designs, the inspiration behind her campaign, and what’s next for SLT.
Amy’s Dykonic Times campaign is anything but ordinary. Inspired by the current “Sapphic Renaissance” it’s a striking mix of camp, satire, and high fashion, with a storyline that gives every ring its own distinct persona. WE LOVE IT!
“We wanted the collection to be birthed from the Dyke ring because lesbians have never really been at the forefront like this,” Amy explains. The campaign, presented as a faux tabloid newspaper, is packed with playful, outrageous headlines tied to the rings. “If you look closely at the newspaper props in the photos, they’re filled with fake, campy articles that tie into my personality. It was so much fun to create.”
Collaborating closely with her business partner Rupert McMinn and stylist Gareth Valentino, Amy brought the vision to life with a mix of storytelling and bold, unapologetic visuals. From the She-Wolf of Wall Street Dyke to the Slut Who’s Always the Life of the Party, each ring’s persona reflects a unique facet of queer culture.
Amy enlisted some of the UK’s most exciting queer icons to embody each ring. Cat Burns, a close friend of Amy’s, perfectly represented the Dyke ring. Rising star Lozeak brought the Slut ring to life with her effortless confidence, and Tayce, a suggestion from stylist Gareth, embodied the Cunt ring.
“We had this idea of giving each ring a personality,” Amy shares. “For example, the Dyke is a classic forex trader who’s always late to dinner but sends flowers to make up for it. Cunt is the office siren eyeing the SheEO spot. Diva is the off-duty celeb pretending not to call the paparazzi, and Slut is the girl grabbing chips after a wild night out.”
These personas, combined with Gareth’s high-fashion styling and a touch of satire, make the campaign a true celebration of queer culture and individuality. Not only has the campaign been featured in queer publications such as GayTimes, but it’s also been featured in top fashion publications such as Dazed. We’re so here for this shit!!
While Amy’s rings have become a massive hit, she’s keeping her focus on jewellery for now. “I’d love to branch out into other accessories and even collaborate with brands like New Rock,” she reveals. “But right now, I want to perfect what I’m doing with rings.”
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Although the production process has scaled up due to demand, each design retains Amy’s personal touch. “We now use moulds for production, but every ring was originally handmade by me. It’s given me the chance to dive deeper into the craft.”
And lastly, in personal news, Amy confirmed she’s officially in a relationship! While she prefers to keep her partner’s name private, she playfully adds, “This diva is finally tied down.”
Thanks for chatting with us Amy!
The Team Behind Dykonic Times
- Creative Directors: Amy Spalding & Rupert McMinn (@amy_spalding & @rupertmcminn)
- Creative Producer & Stylist: Gareth Valentino (@gareth__valentino)
- Photographer: Danni Jones (@danniijophotography)
- Photographer’s Assistant: Emily Jane (@emilyjanefilm)
- Makeup Artist (Amy): Emily Carey (@makeupbyemilycarey)
- Nails (Amy, Lozeak, Tayce): Maylene Yuen Miller (@nailsbymaylene)
- Hair (Amy, Lozeak, Tayce): Dan Adams (@danadams__)
- Newspaper Prop Design: Alex Johnson (@apjdesign)
- Custom Latex Skirt: Finley’s House (@finleys_house)
If you haven’t yet checked out the Dykonic Times campaign and the rings, head to the SLT website.
Much love,
Team Nonchalant x
This article was written by one of our creative team writers here at Nonchalant Magazine.
