Welcome to Archer’s Queer Fashion Files! Each month, we’ll interview trendsetters and tastemakers, showcasing the diversity and talent of the fashion world. You can check out all episodes of our Queer Fashion Files here.

In Episode 17, Hailey Moroney chats to Kira Puru about their multi-disciplinary arts practice, neurodivergence, advocacy and managing their mental health on tour.

Kira Puru is a queer, Maori musician, and artist, living on Wurundjeri land, in Naarm, Australia. Their distinct vocal prowess, whip-sharp commentary, and innate ability to captivate audiences has earned her immense respect as an influential voice in the Australian Music Industry. Puru’s Molotov claimed the 75th spot on triple j’s Hottest 100, with recent offering, Talk With Me, achieving multiple stays at #1 on triple j’s most played chart and sparking a collaboration with avant-garde South Australian wine producer, VHS Wines.

Touring extensively since 2012, Kira has graced Australia’s biggest festival stages, collaborating across multiple genres with local heavyweights like Paul Kelly and Thelma Plum, and notably voiced the theme to critically acclaimed Australian television series, Redfern Now.

Serving as the creative director and primary contributor to all photography, videography, graphic design, and other visual content associated with her musical project, Kira has since expanded into creative consultation as well as screenwriting and acting, and is a qualified Intimacy Coordinator.

Hailey Moroney: Kira, hello! Your styling is how I found you, but when I looked into you as an artist, I saw that you’ve got an extensive list of credentials. It’s incredibly impressive. Can you speak to your process of following many, many creative routes all at once?

Kira Puru: Hi! Thank you. It wasn’t an intentional choice by any means. Between the unpredictable nature of gig economy living, and the enjoyment of work looking different each day (chronic ADHD!), multiple projects seem to converge on me incidentally.

Writing and performing as a musician was fairly primary until I stepped back from touring/releasing in early 2023. It took me a minute to move through the grief of that choice, but it’s made space for lots more dynamic work: photography, art direction, content creation, writing and acting, which has been fulfilling.

Commodifying your creative practice can come at the cost of passion and creative satisfaction, but I’ve found you can offset that a bit by not putting all of your energy into one place.

AMBFs Cover. Image: Giulia McGauran. Beauty: Kate McWilliam. Styling: Kira Puru. Assist: Jade Green.

HM: How has your gender and identity journey shaped your art?

KP: It doesn’t feel like there’s a singular through line specifically. Being a musician – on the other side of the camera lens – for many years, and through differing stages of contentment with my appearance, gave me a thorough understanding of what it’s like being a subject.

I’ve always loved portraiture, and the intersecting factors that inform my identity have helped me value the vulnerability of that space –maybe in ways some other photographers don’t. It’s an honour to be given the opportunity to take someone’s portrait; it’s both joyous and affirming for all parties when you get it right.

I grew up loving pop music but certainly didn’t see anyone like me making it at that time. In the height of my music career, it felt radical to take up space, particularly in that part of the industry, and doing so in a way that didn’t entirely revolve around my identity or hinge on me having to dredge up painful parts of my life for inspiration or buzz stories to sell the project.

It felt powerful somehow to be a fat, brown, queer, neurodivergent person making music that was simply crass, silly and fun. That’s not a comment on anyone that does, though, of course. The visibility of those stories is so important, and I’m so thankful to see a much more diverse industry nowadays.

Miss Kaninna by Kira Puru.

HM: In my research, I found an incredibly honest Instagram caption you posted about the duality of being in this field, while being an introvert. I identified with this in ways you couldn’t imagine – wearing outrageous outfits doesn’t always equal a very outgoing personality. Can you speak to this? I know many of our readers in our community are challenged with this exact thing.

KP: Ha! I suddenly feel very shy reading this! Thank you for saying that though. I forget that the things I say follow me around, but it’s nice to remember they sometimes resonate with others. 

Realising I’m autistic has helped me unpack this feeling, which until then felt like a dark, vague dissonance I was desperately trying to hide or overcompensate for.

For many years, I’d mistaken my natural ability to perform (or mask) as extroversion. I love fashion, and the theatre of socialising, but ultimately, I find it draining.

Through understanding my autism and introversion, I’ve learned better boundaries around how to take space to recharge. It feels tricky to get the language right, but talking to people about how I’m feeling, especially when struggling with social engagement, helps a lot. I think most of us are feeling more awkward than we let on, and speaking to it eases the tension. It’s comforting to know even the most confident and extroverted-seeming personalities feel this way sometimes.

And if all else fails, I resort to cracking jokes.

JADED (Jade Green) by Kira Puru.

HM: How do you manage your mental health on tour?

KP: I have an amazing, knowledgeable therapist who is good at keeping me accountable and present. I have some really smart and supportive friends, too.

Doing something creative always helps me feel better. And, if I was answering this truthfully, I might mention an unhealthy relationship with alcohol.

Thelma Plum by Kira Puru.

HM: The main reason I created the Queer Fashion Files was for queer youth to hear, see and read that there are non-traditional ways to be successful in creative industries. I feel like this is something we didn’t have while comin’ up on the scene.

Is there any advice or words of wisdom you want to throw out for young, queer, fucking fabulous artists?

KP: It seems obvious – almost cliche – to say, but the success you stand to gain by being slightly more palatable to the masses is never equal to the value of honing your voice and staying true to your natural inclinations as an artist. Making mistakes and “failing” at things is part of becoming a great artist/person – don’t do it on someone else’s terms.

Try new things and collaborate as much as you can. Even if the outcome isn’t good, collaboration can unlock parts of your artistry you might not find on your own.

Take your friends with you. Support emerging artists, share your knowledge, be intentional about creating community around you and maintain it however you can. A strong community and good friends will hold you through anything.

Ruby Mary Gill by Kira Puru.

HM: Would you identify as an activist? Would you like to speak to the causes/initiatives closest to your heart?

KP: I don’t know. I probably wouldn’t use that term to describe myself.

I do my best to be as informed as I can be and share information when I can – it seems kind of irresponsible to have a profile of any kind and not use it to at least talk about things that are important to you. But effective, long-lasting change requires action, and there’s certainly space for my advocacy to be more active.

Support mutual aid. Take part in BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions). Land back. Free Palestine. Fuck the Treaty Principles Bill. ACAB.

Thelma Plum, ‘Nobody’s Baby’. Image: Kira Puru. Beauty: Nadine Muller. Styling: Karinda Mutabazi.

HM: What’s coming up next? What are you working on at the moment? 

KP: Lately my focus has been on visual work: photography, film and creative direction. I did some acting late last year, and might keep that going if the right opportunities come through.

I’m trying my hand at screenwriting, just for fun. I’m trying to paint more to relax, and I’m always writing music. It seems like 2025 could be a good time to finally launch the bluegrass band I’ve been dreaming about too – I guess we’ll see how much I can cram into the year!

Kira Puru by Monica Sottile.

You can stay up to date with Kira Puru on Instagram.

If you want to pitch an idea for Archer’s Queer Fashion Files, email pitch@archermagazine.com.au with ‘QUEER FASHION FILES’ in the subject line. You can check out the rest of our Queer Fashion Files here.