Hey, I Like Your Style! Exploring the wardrobe of Melbourne-based model and stylist, Amara Ozougwu

“I like to wear things that I’m excited about and can’t wait to put on.”

We know personal style is a journey (I’m looking at you, Tumblr years) and our series Hey, I Like Your Style! dives 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 personal style. There’s a brilliance behind the way we choose to express ourselves and at FJ, we know every outfit has a story. For this instalment of Hey, I Like Your Style!, we enter the wardrobe of Amara Ozougwu.

A self-described “chronic op shopper”, 80 per cent of Amara’s wardrobe is pre-loved, costing between $5 to $30. As she’s gotten older and started dabbling in styling work, she’s become more confident in standing out and gravitates towards pieces that make her feel “confident and sexy”. Read on to hear about her style journey so far.

Who are you and what do you like to wear?

I’m a local fashion enthusiast, aspiring stylist and iron-deficient individual with four Virgo placements in my chart. I like to wear things that I’m excited about and can’t wait to put on. I love clothes that make me feel confident and sexy.

What has your style evolution looked like? Do you feel like you’ve gained confidence in the way you dress? 

My style has evolved so much over the years. The older I get, the more I’m getting to know myself and my body, so I’m able to pick pieces that feel genuine to me and accentuate my style. I’m also finding it less daunting to try new things. Where I grew up in outer North West Melbourne, it was very heteronormative and white. Everyone was very much dressed and looked the same.

At the time I lacked a lot of confidence and found it quite difficult to embrace myself and style. It wasn’t until after moving to the inner city when I was 21, and connecting with my BIPOC and queer community, that I felt confident to celebrate myself and wear whatever I felt like wearing.

Personal style is a journey. Have you ever felt like you needed to fit into a particular fashion box? 

Yes, I think when I was younger I was easily influenced by the people around me and wanted to fit in with them. Now I try not to overthink things too much, and wear clothes for myself, not for anyone else.

Take us back to those awkward teenage years. Do you have any fashion regrets?

I don’t necessarily regret anything. I don’t believe any teenager has a perfectly curated sense of style. When you’re young there are limitations and you just have to work with what you have. It’s all part of the journey of self-discovery. Don’t get me wrong, there are so many things I wore back then that I would never wear now. However, looking back at pictures of me as a teen fills me with a sense of nostalgia. I was just a girl doing the best she could.

What are the most expensive and least expensive items in your wardrobe? 

To be honest, I’ve never had a big ridiculous splurge on a piece of clothing. I’m quite a cautious and indecisive person when it comes to big purchases. Although during lockdown, when I was receiving JobSeeker payments, I purchased a brown vintage Moncler puffer jacket for $400 on Etsy. I still love it so much. I’m a chronic op shopper, it’s where I procrastinate most of my time. So like 80 per cent of my wardrobe probably cost $5 to $30.

What is the most meaningful fashion piece you own?

I love my clothes and accessories. They all make me happy and are super meaningful to me. But if I had to choose one thing, it’s probably my vintage Jean Paul Gaultier bag that my friends very generously got me for my birthday a couple of years ago, it means a lot to me.

Who or what influences your style? 

Everything and nothing in particular. I take inspiration from people in real life and online. Sometimes, it’s something I see someone wearing on the street. Sometimes, I’ll see a photo on Instagram and it’ll remind me of a piece of clothing I own and haven’t worn in two years, and I’ll try to recreate their outfit with it. Sometimes I’ll just brainstorm different outfit combinations in the shower.

What fashion piece are you saving for right now? 

I’ve been on the hunt for a big slouchy studded bag like the Gimaguas ones.

What are the wardrobe items you wear on repeat?

At the moment, it’s my Dolce & Gabbana fur collared jacket. I got it at a vintage market in Bangkok for $50 AUD, and it’s the perfect crop and keeps me so warm. I’ve also been rinsing this navy, pleated, Face Off mini skirt that I always wear over pants.

Who are your favourite local designers?

Wackie Ju, Maroske Peech, Metal Bender, Feaath, Saigey and Jules Bramley.

For more of Amara’s outfits, head here.