Hey, I Like Your Style! Inside the wardrobe of Indian-Australian musician, Ashwarya

“I like change and feel most creatively fulfilled when I’m not bound to one look or one sound.”

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 Indian-Australian singer-songwriter, Ashwarya. Her style fuses comfort with cutting-edge street style, with the rising musician favouring bold, baggy silhouettes and an abundance of accessories.

For Ashwarya, outfits are generally built around a pair of oversized pants. “I feel like for me pants are always what I gravitate towards first in terms of silhouette and then I go from there, working through how I would style the outfit,” she explains. Below, Ashwarya looks back on her style journey.

What do you like to wear? 

My personal style for day-to-day is always comfort first with an element of street style. I personally gravitate towards black but every now and then mix it up with bolder colours. Sneakers are a must for me! And I like to incorporate looks that match with my shoes and vice versa. Another staple for me is ruched, patterned, baggy pants. I always go heavy on accessorising my fits, so even if it’s an everyday look I still like to add a pair of fierce sunglasses, some bling and my trusty ear warmers.

What has your style evolution looked like? Do you feel like you’ve gained confidence in the way you dress?

Definitely. I think confidence is the key to pulling off quite literally any look and a part of me enjoys the thrill of wearing pieces that might be a bit more abstract, particularly in their silhouette. I gravitate towards interesting and bold silhouettes to add a bit of drama and style and then contrast that piece with a more basic counterpart of the outfit. I feel like for me pants are always what I gravitate towards first in terms of silhouette and then I go from there, working through how I would style the outfit.

Over time, I’ve felt like my confidence has levelled up as a result of being exposed to so many different environments where I’ve either performed on stage or modelled for a shoot wearing pieces that I never thought I’d pull off. I think being in those environments and working with different people with their own sense of style, allows you to then apply that to your personal looks and also helps you become more decisive in your fashion choices. I believe that being in different environments and taking other people’s considerations and opinions, in terms of style, is the key to growth and confidence.

Personal style is a journey. Have you ever felt like you needed to fit into a particular fashion box?

Not really. I’ve always liked to play with fashion and use it as a tool to express myself and my music. I enjoy pushing boundaries with my music as I do with fashion so as my music evolves, so does my style and inevitably the visual world that I build for myself. I like change and feel most creatively fulfilled when I’m not bound to one look or one sound but I don’t feel like I need to match the fast-paced change in fashion trends as a result of social media. I like to keep certain parts of my style consistent and other parts mouldable.

Take us back to those awkward teenage years. Do you have any fashion regrets? 

Oh my god, don’t even get me started! There was a shop called Jay Jays – bless that store because it’s still low-key iconic – but I would go in and get all these T-shirts with various different Spongebob characters and wear those with jeggings. The jeggings trend was crazy. I also thought that wearing jeggings and Ugg boots was a look. But let’s be real, Uggs are still and will forever be iconic.

What are the most expensive and least expensive items in your wardrobe?

The most expensive item in my wardrobe is this Dion Lee skirt and matching corset which I got specifically for when I was supporting Dua Lipa last year in Melbourne. It was the perfect opportunity to splurge on one of my favourite brands. 

The least expensive item in my wardrobe is probably this daggy hoodie that I got in year 9, that honestly should be in the trash because it’s that worn out but I have some sort of sentimental attachment to it that makes it difficult to get rid of.

What is the most meaningful fashion piece you own?

My mum gave me this beautiful, red cashmere shawl that her mum gave her. It means a lot to me that I get to have that and wear it.

Who or what influences your style?

I think my music plays a huge role in how I style myself and then of course, I always look for inspo from local designers, Pinterest and thrifting with my friends which is always a great way to get opinions and find unique pieces.

What fashion piece are you saving for right now?

I recently discovered this brand called Rhycni. They make all their garments in India and they’re all so beautifully made with a really versatile collection. If I could, I’d buy everything in their store!

What are the wardrobe items you wear on repeat?

My trusty faux leather jacket that I’ve had for years can never do me wrong! I also have this Danielle Cathari x Adidas Originals set that I’ve been wearing for a while now. And of course, I have my favourite pair of baggy jeans that I wear all the time.

Who are your favourite local designers?

Inner Sanctum, Bourgeois+61 and DocG are all incredible local designers whom I adore and love repping!