Hey, I Like Your Style! Exploring the wardrobe of Melbourne artist and creative, Aki Yaguchi
IMAGE VIA @akiyaguchi/INSTAGRAM
WORDS BY IZZY WIGHT
“I love the androgyny of workwear. You can dress it any way you want.”
We know personal style is a journey (I’m looking at you, Tumblr years), so we’ve introduced a new series Hey, I Like Your Style!, diving into the fashion psyche of our favourite creatives. We’re talking the good, the bad and the 2007.
While the internet has made our fashion icons feel closer than ever before, even the most effortless of outfits came from a closet with some (well-dressed) skeletons. Clickable product tags, photo archives and lives chronicled in 30-second clips just don’t tell the full story.
For more fashion news, shoots, articles and features, head to our Fashion section.
These are the stories behind the wardrobes, exploring how we develop our own personal style. There’s a brilliance behind the way we choose to express ourselves and at FJ, we know every outfit has a story.
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This week, we’re taking a step inside the wardrobe of Melbourne-based model, artist and creative, Aki Yaguchi. Growing up in Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, Aki never felt like she had the “typical surfer/beachy girl look”. But after discovering Japanese workwear, her androgynous personal style really began to flourish. These days, her wardrobe is a high-low mix of practical and playful; with equal amounts of floaty dresses and baggy cargo pants. Read on for her style journey.
Who are you and what do you like to wear?
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My name is Aki Yaguchi, I’m an artist/creative based in Melbourne. In my day to day, I like to wear functional clothing; the silhouettes are generally baggy and heavily influenced by Japanese workwear. When I go out, I love to play with more feminine silhouettes.
What has your style evolution looked like? Do you feel like you’ve gained confidence in the way you dress?
I always had an interest in fashion and clothes though I can say I’ve definitely made some questionable choices in the past. I feel like unless you explore like that, you won’t find what works for you. I don’t particularly regret any of my previous outfits, I just have to laugh.
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I think after finding Japanese workwear, I really nestled into a pocket I felt represented me best. I borrow the silhouettes most of the time – I live in big baggy pants. My Needles HD Fatigue Pants are the most worn item in my wardrobe. I also love my Sillage Hakama Pants.
I love the androgyny of workwear. You can dress it any way you want. Sometimes I feminise my looks with cute small tops, and other times I wear more boxy fitted shirts… it depends on my mood.
Personal style is a journey. Have you ever felt like you needed to fit into a particular fashion box?
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Yes, definitely! Although, I was brought up by a pretty cool mum who had her own style that I admired. I had a reference point to bring myself back to whenever I felt like I needed to conform.
I grew up in Queensland in the hinterlands of Noosa. The vibe is rural and not very open-minded (or at least when I was young). There was a certain beachy girl way to look and be. It was hard because I obviously didn’t have the typical surfer/beachy girl look to me.
Take us back to those awkward teenage years. Do you have any fashion regrets?
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Ugh… I look back on those years and I cringe, but I don’t regret it. It’s part of being young – how fun is it to look back and laugh!
What are the most expensive and least expensive items in your wardrobe?
Hmm, maybe my Mansur Gavriel ballet flats are my most expensive purchase; admittedly they don’t get as much wear as they should! And the least expensive? Maybe my Cotton On undies.
What is the most meaningful fashion piece you own?
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I can’t pick any one thing, but I do put a lot of meaning in the pieces that remind me of different times in my life; items that remind me of different people and places.
What’s in your cart at the moment?
Ah… I have too many abandoned carts. I don’t want to think about them; I need to save money! I’ve recently purchased a beanie from Bailey Goldberg and a mini orange Telfar Shopping Bag… that’s enough for now.
What fashion piece are you saving for right now?
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Honestly? I’m not. I’m saving for art and music projects… it’s expensive to be creative!
What are the wardrobe items you wear on repeat?
My olive Needles HD Fatigue Pants, my Luar bag and my trusty old Carhartt WIP Denby jacket.
Who are your favourite local designers?
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DocG Studios, Hello Sisi, All Is a Gentle Spring, Suku Home, Bugskin… there are so many! These are just a few.
For more of Aki’s outfits and art, head here.
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