Hey, I Like Your Style! Deana Stepanian on wearing exclusively all black for six years
image via @deanastepanian/INSTAGRAM
as told to daisy henry
“Anything too clean or polished never feels quite right.”
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 and It girls. We’re talking the good, the bad and the 2007.
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 diving into the monochrome wardrobe of Melbourne creative, Deana Stepanian.
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Although Deana has exclusively worn black for almost six years, she wouldn’t describe herself as a minimalist. Rather than leaning into colour or graphic prints, she prefers to experiment with layers, texture and proportion – letting the occasional neutral pop in.
From Ann Demeulemeester dresses to Comme des Garçons balloon pants, her day-to-day outfits look like they’ve emerged from an archival treasure trove rather than a wardrobe. “I gravitate towards tailoring, leather and styling that isn’t overtly feminine,” she adds. “I like things to feel slightly off or undone – anything too clean or polished never feels quite right.”
When it comes to sartorial inspiration, Deana looks far and wide, referencing anything from architecture and archaeology to her own mum. “Growing up in a home surrounded by beautiful Persian rugs and pieces from our culture and Armenia definitely shaped my taste.”
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Fashion Journal: Hey Deana! Tell us about yourself and what you like to wear.
Deana: I’m a Melbourne-based creative who’s worked across editorial and copywriting, social media and creative direction. I mostly wear all-black and natural materials, like leather and silk.
Have you ever felt like you needed to fit into a particular fashion box?
For sure! I was openly queer from quite a young age and, like most queer people, that led to a lot of experimentation with how I wanted to present myself, both to the world and to myself. I went through many stages, and towards the end of high school and for some time afterwards, I dressed quite masculine.
It was an honest expression of what came naturally to me during that time in my life. I think I was mostly just genuinely trying to find what felt most comfortable, while a smaller part of me wanted to be as visible as possible.
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Take us back to your childhood and teenage years. Who or what was influencing you at the time?
In my pre-teenage years, it was Stardolls (if you know, you know) and then Tumblr. Also, films from the ’90s and early 2000s. My best friend and I were obsessed with the movie Thirteen, so we both went and got our tongues pierced in high school. I was always rebellious and kind of emo.
How would you describe your style now?
I’ve worn almost exclusively black for the last six or so years, and have only recently started letting other neutrals creep in. So, natural and always a little dark. I gravitate towards tailoring, leather and styling that isn’t overtly feminine. I like things to feel slightly off or undone – anything too clean or polished never feels quite right.
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Where do you sit on the minimalist-to-maximalist spectrum?
I’m certainly closer to minimalist but I don’t think I’m a minimalist in the traditional sense. While I keep things more restrained, I’m often drawn to layering, and I consider texture and strange proportions.
What local brands do you love wearing?
Right now, St. Agni, and Kahe!
What’s a fail-safe pairing or silhouette you know always works?
At the moment, it’s a good quality V-neck paired with loose silk pants and some kind of leather thong (flat or heeled).
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What are some of the ‘investment pieces’ in your wardrobe, or items that have stood the test of time?
Most, if not all, of my vintage pieces, which I’d consider to be classic. I have this Gucci wool pencil skirt and a sleeveless turtleneck from Celine. Also, my leather trench coat is practically my second skin during Melbourne Winter.
What about your favourite secondhand find?
A ruched black silk skirt by Tom Ford for YSL Fall/Winter 2001. I got her on eBay earlier this year after eyeing and dreaming of her for weeks. She’s just… sexy, and less of an everyday piece. I’ll hold onto it forever.
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Where do you find style inspiration?
I find collecting and sorting through all sorts of images (both online and offline), usually unrelated to fashion, inspires me. Also architecture and archaeological objects and artefacts.
My mum has always had such a genuine sense of style too. She’s incredible when it comes to interior design. Growing up in a home surrounded by beautiful Persian rugs and pieces from our culture and Armenia definitely shaped my taste.
Whose wardrobe would you steal if you could and why?
Angelina Jolie in the ’90s for all her leather and black. Everything she wore felt powerful and witchy in an androgynous way.
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What pieces do you currently have on repeat?
I’m currently at the start of my trip in Tokyo, and I packed (somewhat) light, which has included two of my Ann Demeulemeester dresses and these leather Yohji Yamamoto boots. A more relaxed tailored pant is on rotation too, because it goes with everything.
Keep up with Deana here.
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