Hey, I Like Your Style! Exploring the wardrobe of Naarm content creator, Ebony Binion
IMAGE VIA @EBONYMAI/INSTAGRAM
WORDS BY IZZY WIGHT
“My wardrobe mostly consists of vintage finds and special pieces reminiscent of 2000s and ’90s style.”
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.
This week, we’re taking a step inside the wardrobe of Melbourne-based content creator, Ebony Binion. A mismatch of ’90s-nostalgic and Y2K-esque pieces, Ebony’s wardrobe mostly consists of “vintage finds and special pieces”. Her style is all about having fun with fashion, whether that’s through playful colours, interesting textures or dainty accessories. Below, Ebony shares her style journey so far.
Who are you and what do you like to wear?
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Hello! I’m Ebony, a 20-year-old content creator from Naarm (Melbourne). I like to wear whatever the hell I want! I’d say my wardrobe mostly consists of vintage finds and special pieces reminiscent of 2000s and ’90s style, but it’s honestly hard to even remotely put a pin in it since my style is constantly changing!
What has your style evolution looked like? Do you feel like you’ve gained confidence in the way you dress?
My style is evolving and changing every day as I do as an individual! I’m definitely a big sponge to the people around me and am constantly stealing styling ideas from my friends, people I follow [and] the media I see – the inspiration is truly endless, which is what makes fashion so fun!
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I have absolutely gained more confidence in my style these past few years, and I’d mostly credit that shift to being surrounded by more fashion-oriented people within my social circles. I definitely used to feel strangely isolated in wanting to outwardly express myself the way I do, but then I realised it’s just not that deep and life is too short to dull your sparkle!
As a child, I absolutely loved playing dress up in the most outrageous outfits, and I was definitely robbed of this joy through my teenage years with a desire to ‘fit in’ (what does that even mean?). But I can confidently say I’m back in that place and now am playing dress-ups in my room for fun once again.
Personal style is a journey. Have you ever felt like you needed to fit into a particular fashion box?
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For sure. I always find myself overanalysing my image and that comes with an urge to put myself in a box with labels and constraints on what kind of person I am and how that means I should dress. There was a period of time when I felt a persistent need to maintain this super colourful, playful style because it felt like that was what I had become known for, but I felt myself shifting away from that which terrified me.
Not to say that my style is no longer colourful and fun, but over time I’ve tried to let myself lean into some more simple, muted-down looks and invited more neutrals into my wardrobe, which I am truly loving.
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I’m constantly reminding myself that style is fluid and I’m allowed to play around with my expression however I please, but I’d be lying if I said I find that easy to do! It’s something I’m working on every day and I’m sure I will be working on it forever as I continue to grow and change.
Take us back to those awkward teenage years. Do you have any fashion regrets?
I wouldn’t say regrets, but it’s easy for my confident self to look back now and bully teenage Eb for trying to dull down her style. Realistically though, I can’t blame my younger self for any of her fashion choices – she did the best she could and was just trying to feel confident in her skin!
What are the most expensive and least expensive items in your wardrobe?
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I think the most expensive is probably my beloved vintage Miss Sixty afghan coat. I bought it on Depop low-key impulsively last winter and I truly have no regrets! She is a wardrobe staple!
The least expensive items in my wardrobe are the endless pieces I steal from my beautiful housemate’s bedrooms cost-free! I live with four of my best friends and we essentially have a communal wardrobe, which means five closets for the cost of one! And they all have such iconic styles too… it’s the best.
What is the most meaningful fashion piece you own?
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I can’t name one specific item but anything that comes from the people I love always means a lot, whether it’s from family or friends. I have a few different handmade pieces from my besties, which are my favourite things to be complimented on so I can do a little plug!
Who or what influences your style?
The people I surround myself with more than anything! My friends are truly the coolest people I know and I love taking inspo from them on the daily. But my style is influenced by everything and anything around me. Today I am refusing to get out of my big cozy hoodie (Emergency Intercom merch, if you’re wondering), so I guess you could say Melbourne’s sad winter weather is influencing me today!
What are the wardrobe items you wear on repeat?
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This past year my most worn piece would probably have to be the tartan kilt I thrifted from the motherland (Savers). I get questions on it constantly and it always makes me feel super cute and cool!
I also am almost always wearing my Carvela boots that I bought from Selfridges during my London trip last September, they will never do me wrong. Shoutout to bestie Susie for putting me on those! Those two pieces I feel are going to last in my wardrobe for quite some time, if not forever.
Who are your favourite local designers?
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Naarm-based icons Karla Laidlaw, Maroske Peech and Sexiaz Lingerie have my heart! I find myself re-wearing the pieces I have from them again and again, I’m simply obsessed.
I’m also super keen to get my hands on a Felix Pear bunny hat this winter, and best believe I’m one mental breakdown away from dropping a bag on an Emily Watson tankini set.
For more of Ebony’s outfits, head here.
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