Hey, I Like Your Style! Inside the wardrobe of Melbourne-based stylist, Molly Johnstone
IMAGE VIA @_mollyjohnstone/INSTAGRAM
WORDS BY DAISY HENRY
“I don’t feel myself without a statement piece of clothing, footwear [or an] accessory.”
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 Molly Johnstone.
Based in Melbourne, Molly is a renowned wardrobe and personal fashion stylist who has collaborated with notable names like Kyla Moscovich, Tones and I and even FJ on one of our most recent shoots. It’s not just her professional portfolio that has her at the top of our list for sartorial inspiration – Molly’s off-duty style is equally as impressive.
Beyond her careful curation of designer and vintage pieces, she’s a testament to the power of how styling can make your wardrobe come alive. Molly is masterful at restricting colour palettes and playing with proportion to craft outfits that have us taking notes.
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Who are you and what do you like to wear?
I’m a wardrobe and personal fashion stylist based in Melbourne. I love to wear a mix of high street vintage and pre-loved pieces. I generally reach for a baggy pant and a vintage leather jacket – something that’s comfortable but with a statement accessory.
What has your style evolution looked like? Do you feel like you’ve gained confidence in the way you dress?
Great question because style evolution never stops. I feel like, ever since I was younger I always loved wearing pieces that were colourful or left of field. I don’t feel myself without a statement piece of clothing or footwear [or an] accessory. Putting effort into the way I dress absolutely makes me feel my most confident self. I’ve never really cared about fitting into society’s ‘trends’. I’ve always loved following global trends and [never] been afraid of wearing a loud outfit.
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Personal style is a journey. Have you ever felt like you needed to fit into a particular fashion box?
I grew up in a small coastal town where personal style was all quite the same. Friends would dress in and create the same outfits, or be afraid of showing individuality due to judgement of trying something different. There was definitely an element of fitting into a societal fashion box.
As I got older and moved overseas to London after graduating from university, my eyes were widened with a plethora of inspiration. I felt like I could explore and express myself with style so much more. Since being home in Melbourne, I’ve continued to care less about following mainstream trends and [instead], wear whatever my heart desires.
Take us back to those awkward teenage years. Do you have any fashion regrets?
Not at all – if anything they have all come back and are cool again. I can’t recall any fashion regrets but I probably [have] beauty and hairstyle regrets, if anything. Wait – I’ve remembered one regret. It would be ever wearing Ugg boots out of the house haha! There’s something I find so lazy about it now.
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What are the most expensive and least expensive items in your wardrobe?
The most expensive items I own would have to be a Miu Miu bag I purchased in Milan last year on a work trip and a beautiful Prada dress that was a birthday gift. I’ll keep these forever. The least expensive item would probably be some handbags I purchased off Depop. I really love deep diving on Depop.
What is the most meaningful fashion piece you own?
It would have to be my beautiful late Nan’s colourful knit jumpers. When she passed, all I wanted were items from her wardrobe as I got my love for fashion from her. We loved to shop together. Her favourite purchases were mohair or cashmere sweaters. Putting one on makes me feel a sense of comfort that can’t be described. My favourite sweater I inherited from her incredible wardrobe is lilac. Purple is my favourite colour.
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Who or what influences your style?
I love watching international fashion week runways and guests’ street-style photography. My favourite influencers are in Copenhagen. The Danish are the best-dressed individuals in the world, in my opinion. They’re colourful and comfortable yet so chic and playful.
What fashion piece are you saving for right now?
I’m really trying to practise less consumption at the moment, but I have been eyeing the new large suede Prada handbag in brown. I’ve also been loving the new boot collection from Miista. I purchased a pair a couple of years ago and I still wear them multiple times a week.
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What are the wardrobe items you wear on repeat?
Hands down my Acne Studios x Kylie Jenner denim jeans, my brown Miista boots and my black leather trench coat I found on Depop years ago. It’s the perfect thickness and weight for everyday wear. Also my Adidas tracksuit pants because they’re so comfortable, but I can style them up with a blazer and loafer for work.
Who are your favourite local designers?
Dzo, Van Der Kooij, Effie Kats, Henne, Mode Mischief, Sage Avenue, Monphell, With Harper Lu, Raga Malak, Cult Ira, Scarlett and Sam, Gotham, Anna Rossi, Lem Wear, Briar Will, Kourh and Tild.
For more of Molly’s outfits, head here.
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