Hey, I Like Your Style! Inside the wardrobe of Australian costume designer and stylist, Ntombi Moyo
PHOTOGRAPHY BY FELIPE ESPINAL
WORDS BY FASHION JOURNAL
“I think style is something in you and not on you. You either have it or you don’t.”
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 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. For this instalment of Hey, I Like Your Style!, we enter the wardrobe of Australian-born, New York City-based costume designer and stylist, Ntombi Moyo.
An advocate for exploring your personal style over blindly following trends, Ntombi is drawn to vibrant, eye-catching designs and high-end bags, shoes and sunglasses. Her favourite pieces are custom-made, so you know that any outfit she curates will be one-of-a-kind and full of personality. Below, Ntombi shares her style journey so far.
Who are you and what do you like to wear?
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I am Ntombi Moyo. I like to communicate my state of mind through clothing. Many versions of me exist and fashion lets me let that out without words.
Personal style is a journey. Have you ever felt like you needed to fit into a particular fashion box?
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My style evolution definitely has been very explorative and I can look at a photo of myself and be surprised that I had the courage to wear that. I love who I was expressively in my early twenties. I am now stepping into a more seasoned woman; I’m more into tailoring, archival and timeless pieces now.
Take us back to those awkward teenage years. Do you have any fashion regrets?
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Fashion regrets… I love that I was so wild and explorative with my hair. I certainly wouldn’t feel a pull to do any of those styles now but I love that I did them all. The print clash, maximalist bright coloured outfit choices definitely are hard to stomach now but I still love the carefree girl that lived in them.
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I definitely regret uncomfortable heels, there are so many cool yet comfortable shoe styles that I prefer now. Way more unique too than the coveted strappy heel. Still love a high strappy heel though but I’ll choose which events to suffer and endure them for.
What are the most expensive and least expensive items in your wardrobe?
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The most expensive items in my wardrobe would probably be custom looks sourced all over the world. I will forever love a custom till my dying breath! The least expensive but very loved are probably random accessories like ties or quirky hats that I fall upon within my travels.
What is the most meaningful fashion piece you own?
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The most meaningful thing I own is always gifted pieces. I am a sucker for a thoughtful present in remembrance of someone. Jewellery, sunglasses and bags that I receive as gifts that have a story behind them are always top-tier.
Who or what influences your style?
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My style is definitely influenced by my body shape currently; I know I would dress differently if I looked different. I want to complement my figure as opposed to taking a look worn by someone who has a different shape and vibe to me.
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I lean heavily into collecting what feels timeless and not trendy now. I also think style is something in you and not on you. You either have it or you don’t. The girls that get it, get it.
What fashion piece are you saving for right now?
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Right now I’m trying to re-up my bag collection and add some collectibles in there.
What are the wardrobe items you wear on repeat?
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I wear a lot of black on repeat but I make sure to lean into textures. I’m very big on different textures and how those look together. I also feel great in white and nude tones. I love colour but I also love the feeling of it feeling special when I put it on… kind of like wearing black four days in a row and then popping out in a red monochromatic look. The impact is larger.
Who are your favourite local designers?
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My favourite local designers are Millie Savage, Shekudo, Dion Lee, Maticevski, Camilla and Marc and many more.
To see more of Ntombi’s outfits, head here.
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