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11 creatives on how they cultivated their signature style

IMAGE VIA @STELLAMORISON/INSTAGRAM

WORDS BY RUBY STALEY

On building a look that’s uniquely yours.

It’s easy enough to buy into fleeting fashion trends and replicate curated Pinterest boards, but cultivating a truly individual style – that’s tough. It takes years of dedication, listening to your own creative voice while choosing to ignore the popular noise.

There’s something special about those people who bring out their inner uniqueness in their outfits. For me and many other fashion lovers, developing a clear-cut signature style is still a dream. I’m currently in my experimental era, figuring out what I like without the influence of trends and marketing… but I’m not there yet.


For more style suggestions, head to our Fashion vertical.


To help me speed up the process of deciphering my signature look – from trialling a ‘disco ball era’ to tapping into my inner ‘bombshell’ – I asked some of my favourite dressers to explain how they developed their own personal styles.

Keely B, she/her, content creator

I’ve always been into fashion and loved experimenting with it. I said at the start of 2022 it was my ‘disco ball era’. I just wanted to wear what I wanted, and I think I’ve really stuck to that. I had a patch where I was really unsure of my style, but I used Pinterest as a big inspiration. I love to look at outfits and try to make them my own with what I already have.

I’ve also made a big effort this year to shop (almost) exclusively secondhand and small businesses. I love it because I can find pieces that feel really true to me. When I feel comfortable in my style, I try to push myself and style outfits I wouldn’t usually wear. I would’ve been so scared last year to be a ‘skirt over pants’ girlie but now I love it. I used to hate wearing black… I’d always feel uncomfortable in it. Now I love it, I incorporate it [into my outfits] to make whatever else I’m wearing stand out.

@k__eelz

Trinity, she/her, model, makeup artist and creative

I love my style. I think it’s fun and unique; vintage but also timeless, I’ve always been very inspired by bombshells. Since I was young, I’ve looked up to icons as my inspiration: my mom, Kimora Lee, Pam Grier, Pam Anderson, Cher, Mariah and Lil’ Kim.

I love the drama, it’s so fun and extra. Big coats, big shoes, big hair – it’s so glamorous to me. So sexy. I try and embody the bombshell mindset with every outfit, whether it’s wearing a rainbow snow set I made with matching leg warmers to the club or a pearl top and Jean Paul Gautier Burlesque Skirt to dinner.

I try to be the most ‘bombshell’ version of myself in each environment I’m in. It’s something I learn from my mother! I have lots of images I save to [help me] when thinking of an outfit to put together… images of old icons and new bombshells. Meg The Stallion is one who allows me to sit in my outfits and know they’re meant for me. Recently, I’ve really started appreciating layering to add more spice to the fit.

It makes me feel like I’m creating a character. When I travelled, it was really hot so I enjoyed layering differently – more jewellery, colourful shoes and hats. I think my style has no limits – I’ve worn outfits now my kid self wouldn’t have dreamed of. I love the rush of putting together a new fit at the end of the week. I love to push myself with my looks and reach new highs. That’s a bombshell to me – a fox.

@foxxy.brownnn

Jackson Crook, he/him, content creator

My style has really become my own over the last two years. Before that, I was wearing a lot of blacks and whatever was trending. Like everyone, I started to experiment with fashion over lockdown. [The] ’70s stuck with me as I’ve always loved pieces from that time.

I started to find vintage shirts at op shops and as I got more into it, my partner’s dad gave me his vintage safari suit… it just took off from there. I found some staple pieces like flares, cowboy boots and shirts, all at op-shops, vintage stores or online. I’ve never felt more comfortable in the clothes I’m in – even if they are extremely tight.

@worming_chocolate

Sam Todd, content creator and fashion designer at The Volt

For me, I see the way I dress as an extension of who I am on the inside. I want people to be able to tell what kind of person I am just by looking at me and what I’m wearing!

Elements of my style have remained the same for as long as I can remember: bright, fun, colourful and comfortable. But as I get older, I choose the pieces I bring into my wardrobe with more care.

I think, ‘Can I see myself wearing this at 30, 40, maybe even 50?’. I don’t plan on ever giving up on fun fashion, it’s one of the greatest joys in life. So if I can picture myself in a piece of clothing forever, it’s welcomed into my wardrobe!

@samtodd

Ed Moon, he/she/they, musician and performer

My style is a pure amalgamation of things that give me strength and make me happy… it’s how I experience freedom. Growing up queer and [as a] POC put me on the outside of social circles and made it imperative for me to have an escape. One of these was music, the other was dressing for the career I wanted. Each new outfit was another opportunity to express myself in the way I’d always wanted.

In recent years, my approach to style is ‘androgyny’. This word exemplifies the camp-ness and sensuality in my style, it breaks the gender binary and allows me to colour outside the lines. I’m not the first to wear a skirt, but when I do I feel a tingle of rebellion a tinge of guilt… ultimately, I feel powerful.

@edmoonmusic

Sofia Stafford, she/her, founder of Sabatucci

I’d describe my personal style as a combination of sleek silhouettes, androgyny and a predominantly black colour palette. The most significant influence on my style has been the music and dance scene in Naarm. I love the practical utility of this style and how it’s designed for comfort and convenience but has its own way of being expressive.

While most days I look ready for a hike, when I glam up my style follows the same principles. This Minming Zhou dress layered over pants and a skivvy is my go-to for winter. While my personal style is pretty practical and minimal, I get to express my feminine, playful side through my designs for my brand, Sabatucci.

@sabatucci___

Katharina Mildren, she/her, designer at Katharina Lou

I’d describe my style as eclectic, dramatic and colourful. I’m very lucky to have a super stylish mum who I can attribute a lot of my style to. She’s kept some amazing pieces over the years from the ’80s and ’90s that are staples in my wardrobe today… for a school formal, I wore the vintage ‘Covers’ dress my mum wore to her Year 12 formal in the ’80s.

Rewearing what Mum felt special enough to keep has definitely influenced my style and taught me the value of buying quality clothing. I don’t buy on-trend. Instead, I’ve built my wardrobe around standout pieces from different decades that start conversations. I’ve recently acquired a vintage Pucci jumpsuit online, I can’t wait to wear it in the warmer seasons.

My closet now consists solely of vintage pieces, my own label and other small labels I follow. Here, I’m wearing my own Katharina Lou Cougar Skirt worn with Mum’s vintage ’90s Kenzo shirt and ’80s Chanel sunglasses. It’s a perfect combination of all my inspirations.

@katharinamildren

Calvin Eissens, he/him, stylist and creative director

I operate within the hues of earthy colour palettes, [but] I’m not averse to the use of optimistic or bright tones throughout my outfits. I draw [the inspiration for] my unique style from the fluid nature of the ’70s glam-rock scene, focusing on the proportions of my outfits rather than the pieces themselves. I employ the groundings of formal wear and layering in my outfits, twisting traditional perception into my own unique style.

@cowboycalvin_

Stella Morison, she/her, vintage reseller and freelance stylist

My style has been described as ‘luxe, sexy and mildly ironic’. I gravitate towards ’70s crimplene, scuba sunglasses, my Z-coil sneakers, stiff, structured vintage denim and leather. But sometimes I just want to be a ‘no thoughts’ vessel for something serendipitous I op-shopped that week or trawled for on eBay.

I love showing skin in weird places (like a bit of knee) and pairing designer with an archive Liam Payne T-shirt. My approach to fashion is informed by pop culture, a tactile textile obsession and the thrill of the chase (by that I mean me, dosed up on antihistamines for my dust allergy, sorting through bales of vintage for that one twin flame piece).

@stellamorison

Annie Brooks, she/her, stylist, model and influencer

My style is eccentric, theatrical and ever-evolving. I’ve developed my personal style over time based on my desire to repel conventional beauty standards. My style is my way of communicating without words. How I dress revolves around what I’m trying to express about myself at that moment.

My style is a reflection of the art, textiles, media and energy I’m consuming. All of my outfits have a story. I like to communicate that story in a way that’s as abstract as possible.

@sausagelord

Sandy McIntyre, they/them, actor, producer and writer

I was asked the other day about how I’d define my style and the first three words that came to mind were ‘effortless, unique and timeless’. I remember having a vision of how I wanted to dress as a child but having absolutely zero clue on how to execute it. As an adult, I’d say there are three pieces that help create my style: an open blouse or corset (it’s important my chest is forever the main character), a high-waisted bottom (a skirt, trousers or shorts) and black boots.

The bottom, to be fair, is usually a kilt. Being Scottish and non-binary, it was the first item of clothing that allowed me to pay homage to my history, yet also become a gateway to dressing more feminine. Although my styling choices can often place me in danger, they also make me feel the most empowered.

@sandymcintyre_

For more on building a signature look, head here.

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