We recently connected with Lynxx Zaphiar and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Lynxx , thanks for joining us today. Has your work ever been misunderstood or mischaracterized?

As a queer, androgynous woman navigating fashion, acting, and entrepreneurship, I don’t always fit into the traditional mold people expect. Early on, people didn’t know how to categorize me, so they’d try to minimize or reshape what I brought to the table. I’ve been told I was “too much” or “not marketable enough,” simply because I didn’t look or sound like what they were used to.

There was a time I pitched a fashion collection that blended sharp tailoring with raw emotion—masculine and feminine energy all in one. I was proud of it, but someone on the team said, “I don’t know who this is for.” That stuck with me. Because I did know who it was for—it was for people like me, who never saw themselves fully represented.

The lesson I took from that moment is this: when you’re different, people might not understand your vision right away. That doesn’t mean it’s not valid—it just means you’re introducing something new. And sometimes, new makes people uncomfortable.

But I’ve learned to stand in it. To trust that my authenticity will resonate with the right people. Because the more I’ve leaned into who I really am, the more I’ve connected with others who feel seen through my work.

Being misunderstood taught me patience. It taught me resilience. And it reminded me that I wasn’t put here to be easily explained—I was put here to shift something.

Lynxx , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Lynxx Zaphiar. I’m a queer, androgynous model, fashion designer, actress, content creator, and founder of Blackbyrdxx, an unapologetically bold fashion brand that lives in the space between. I say “between” because that’s where I’ve always existed—between masculine and feminine, sacred and rebellious, seen and underestimated.

I got into this work because I didn’t see people like me represented. Growing up in the South, I often felt like I had to shrink myself just to survive—hide parts of who I was to be accepted. But deep down, I knew I was born to create, to be seen, and to speak through style and storytelling. My creativity became my voice when words failed. Every look, every piece, every project is a reflection of that voice: layered, soulful, fearless, and real.

Blackbyrdxx Apparel isn’t just a clothing line—it’s a movement. I design gender-fluid, statement-driven fashion pieces that empower people to show up exactly as they are. My clients are people who don’t fit inside the box—artists, outsiders, dreamers, disruptors—people who want to wear something that speaks before they do. I solve the problem of invisibility. I help people feel powerful, worthy, and represented in a world that often tells them to conform.

As a model and actress, I bring that same energy to every set and shoot—bold, intentional, and expressive. I’m not just here to take pretty pictures. I’m here to shift culture. To push boundaries. To make people feel something.

What sets me apart is my truth. I’ve lived the life I talk about—single mom, nurse by day, creator by passion, building my brand from the ground up. Nothing has been handed to me. But I bring all of that grit, experience, and soul into everything I do.

I’m most proud of how far I’ve come just by being myself. I’ve walked through rejection, confusion, and reinvention—and somehow, I still show up with purpose. That’s what I want people to know: you can make your own lane. You can be soft and strong, spiritual and stylish, complex and clear.

To anyone reading this—whether you’re a potential client, supporter, or fellow creative—I want you to know that this brand, this work, this voice… it’s all about freedom. Freedom to show up, stand out, and stay real.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

As a creative, my work is deeply tied to my identity, my experiences, and my healing. It’s not just business—it’s personal. So when people say, “Just post more,” “Make it go viral,” or “Why not do something more stable?”—they’re missing the fact that creating isn’t always instant or easy. It takes emotional labor, inner battles, and a willingness to stand naked in front of the world, hoping someone sees the value in your truth.

There are days when you question yourself, when you feel invisible, when the pressure to perform drowns out the joy of why you started. But then there are moments—beautiful moments—where your art touches someone, your story frees someone, or your presence gives someone else permission to be themselves.

That’s why I keep going.

Being a creative means you live in between worlds. You feel deeply, dream wildly, and still have to wake up and make rent. It’s not glamorous all the time, but it’s necessary. And for some of us—it’s the only way we know how to survive and make sense of the world.

If there’s one thing I could say to someone outside of this path, it’s this: respect the process, even if you don’t fully understand it. Because creatives are often the ones shaping the future before the world even knows it’s ready.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Creatives are the heartbeat of culture—we influence what people wear, how they think, what they feel, and how they imagine the future. But too often, we’re underpaid, overlooked, or expected to give away our work for “exposure” while still being told to “get a real job.” That mindset has to shift.

To truly support a thriving creative ecosystem, society needs to:

1. Pay artists fairly.
Stop asking for discounts or free work. Creativity is labor. Time. Skill. Emotion. Pay us like you would pay any other professional.

2. Invest in local and emerging talent.
Support Black, queer, and marginalized creatives at the beginning—not just when they’re trending. Give us space, grants, resources, and platforms to grow.

3. Include us in the decision-making rooms.
We don’t just create aesthetics—we shape narratives. Bring us into leadership, branding, policy, and innovation conversations where we can make lasting impact.

4. Respect art as essential, not optional.
Whether it’s film, fashion, writing, music, or design—art isn’t just decoration. It’s how we process life, heal, protest, and celebrate.

5. Give us freedom to be complex.
Creatives don’t always fit a single mold or lane. Allow us to evolve. To change direction. To tell uncomfortable truths. That’s where the magic lives.

At the end of the day, a thriving society is one that protects and uplifts its dreamers. Not just when it’s trendy—but because it understands that without creativity, everything goes flat. Creativity gives life color, soul, and possibility.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lynxx_zaphiar?igsh=OG8zaGU0ZDA2ZDI0&utm_source=qr
• Other: https://blackbyrdxx-apparel.myspreadshop.com/