Meet Fashion's Favorite Owl
What do fashion and furries have in common? As Tyto Aeryn sees it: everything.
You’re scrolling and come across what looks like any other girl pulling pieces from her closet and putting together an outfit in front of her mirror. Then she turns around, and where her face should be is the enormous, heart-shaped visage of a barn owl. No, you’re not hallucinating—you’ve just stumbled into the world of Tyto Aeryn, the furry persona of New York-based artist C.C., whose get-ready-with-me videos have been doing the rounds online. Less than a year old, the alter ego’s become a way for the 24-year-old to wear the archival designer pieces she doesn’t usually reach for in her everyday life. And she’s been a long time coming, shaped as much by C.C. ‘s lifelong love of fashion as by her childhood fascination with these nocturnal birds. Below, we talk fashion, furry culture, and the case for putting a giant owl in the front row.
Who is Tyto Aeryn?
Tyto Aeryn is essentially a barn owl who got bored of the forest and moved to New York City. She’s chic, has expensive taste, and a deep appreciation for couture. We’re basically twins, except she wears everything in my closet, and I wear the same black outfit every day.
When and why did you create her?
I created her in January 2026, but honestly, she was a long time coming. Barn owls have been my favorite animals since I was 9 and watched Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole. That movie literally changed my life. At a certain point, becoming an owl felt inevitable, and creating Tyto Aeryn was the natural conclusion to that obsession.
Where did you source your costume?
Tyto Aeryn was commissioned. I worked with a fursuit-maker to create her head.
What’s it like being an owl on the Internet?
One of my favorite things is that it allows me to separate the art from the artist. People engage with Tyto Aeryn as a character and a creative project rather than focusing on me as a person. It gives me the freedom to experiment, create, and share my work without feeling like every part of my life needs to be public. I think that balance is really special.
“We’re basically twins, except she wears everything in my closet, and I wear the same black outfit every day.”
Have you made any friends?
Definitely. Everyone I’ve met has been so kind, and the amount of talent in the furry community is amazing. Being surrounded by that much creativity is incredibly inspiring.
What are some common misconceptions people have about furries?
I don’t know if I’d call them misconceptions, but people tend to fill in the blanks when it comes to Tyto Aeryn. Everyone seems to have their own explanation for why I’m doing this or what it all means. I think that’s part of the fun. If people want to read deeper into it, they’re more that welcome to. I like leaving some room for interpretation.
Why do you think it’s important to push it into the mainstream fashion world?
Furries often get reduced to stereotypes, but the reality is that the community is full of creative artists, designers, and performers. Fashion is one of the most accessible art forms in the world, so it’s a great bridge between niche communities and mainstream culture. By blending fashion with furries, people can engage with it through something they’re already familiar with. It gives them a chance to look past the stereotypes and appreciate the artistry and self-expression that have always been there.
Do you consider it performance art?
Yes, I’d say so, but also on a more practical note, she’s also an excuse to wear the absurd amount of clothing I own. At some point I realized that if I was going to keep collecting interesting pieces, I needed a giant owl to model them or else it would’ve just become a hoarding problem.
Do you make other kinds of art?
Yes. I’m primarily a painter and sculptor. My background is in fine arts, and Tyto Aeryn is just another extension of that creative practice.
When did you get into fashion yourself?
My mom is one of the most fashionable people I know, so I was exposed to fashion from the moment I was sentient. It’s something I’ve loved for as long as I can remember, and it’s influenced almost every creative project I’ve ever made. Fashion is my absolute favorite thing in the world. I honestly can’t imagine my life without it.
“At some point I realized that if I was going to keep collecting interesting pieces, I needed a giant owl to model them or else it would’ve just become a hoarding problem.”
How would you compare your personal style to Tyto Aeryn’s?
They’re complete opposites. In my day-to-day life, I dress almost exclusively in black and gravitate toward a very minimal, sleek wardrobe. Tyto Aeryn, on the other hand, is a maximalist. With the philosophy that more is more, her style is heavily inspired by John Galliano and Alexander McQueen in the 2000s with the dramatic silhouettes and theatrical details. It’s much more theatrical than my own.
What is your dream job?
I’m already pursuing it. I get to make weird things, wear beautiful clothes, and share them with people. My goal is to keep building Tyto Aeryn and see how far I can take her. Hopefully, one day she’ll become a recognizable name in fashion.