Hey, I Like Your Style! Inside the wardrobe of Sydney-based creative, Jai Kaldor
IMAGE VIA @JAIKALDORR/INSTAGRAM
WORDS BY IZZY WIGHT
“I’ve been drawn to leather, lace, denim and silk since I can remember, so there’s a whole lot of that.”
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 Jai Kaldor.
Working in the creative industries, Jai keeps her “mainly black” wardrobe interesting by switching up textures and playing with androgynous silhouettes. Jai cites Vivienne Westwood and her “iconic” mum as her guiding style inspirations, with her first black-and-green Vivienne bag being the piece closest to her heart. Read on to hear about her style journey so far.
Who are you and what do you like to wear?
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Hi! I’m Jai and I wear whatever speaks to me in the morning – comfortable, black clothing mainly.
What has your style evolution looked like? Do you feel like you’ve gained confidence in the way you dress?
I’d say my style has remained consistent since I left high school, though now all the garments are in black (my brother’s influence). My mum has always been a guiding angel for me style-wise, which helped me dodge a few horrific trends. I am very specific with what I do and don’t like – rarely can you change my mind if I’ve decided I don’t like the feeling or look of something!
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Confidence-wise… I’m more self-assured now than I ever have been before. I know what does and doesn’t suit me and my figure, which is something I struggled with as an awkward six-foot teen with much shorter friends. Also, it’s the summer of romance (with yourself and in general). Confidence is romantic, sexy and fun!
Personal style is a journey. Have you ever felt like you needed to fit into a particular fashion box?
Honestly, no. I truly like what I like, and that’s it! I’d also say my style is fairly androgynous?! I dress according to my mood and surroundings. There are days I’ll crave wearing a beige silky slip with baby pink satin flats and others I refuse to wear anything that isn’t black and oversized. Night and day! I’ve been drawn to leather, lace, denim, and silk since I can remember, so there’s a whole lot of that.
Take us back to those awkward teenage years. Do you have any fashion regrets?
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American Apparel disco pants. Although, they’re now kind of a vibe. Still won’t catch me dead in them. Oh my gosh, and the Bardot denim shorts that were practically undies. I also wore a Herve Leger teeny tiny bodycon dress to formal and absolutely hated every second of it, I looked like a giraffe in a Band-Aid.
What are the most expensive and least expensive items in your wardrobe?
I have a silly Balenciaga bag I begged my mum to buy me for my 21st birthday. So ridiculous. I hate it. It’s probably the most expensive item in there right now… But my jewellery is priceless and undoubtedly worth the most to me. The least expensive [would be] socks from Uniqlo. They’re the best.
What is the most meaningful fashion piece you own?
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Any of my gifted items. I’m an extremely sentimental person. All jewellery from my family and past lovers. My best friends recently gifted me a bag I was swooning over for my birthday, it’s very special to me… and my first Vivienne Westwood bag, she’s plaid green and black and I love her.
Who or what influences your style?
My mum, for sure. She’s iconic. She basically grew up in the fashion industry, so her opinion is strong and it matters! Vivienne Westwood – every interview, every collection, everything about her and her world. My environment is also a huge influence, for sure. In the city, I’m almost in uniform, but when I’m up in Byron or anywhere tropic, I transform into a fairy-farmer beach princess.
What fashion piece are you saving for right now?
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I’m on a strict halt as of 20 minutes ago. I just ordered three summer dresses and black leather flats for summer, I’m done. No more! If I was cheeky, I’d buy Dilara Findikoglu’s Corseted Swimsuit in red or black. I also adore the whole Camperlab FW ’23 collection.
What are the wardrobe items you wear on repeat?
Acne Studios black suit trousers, Cos black chesty singlet, Camperlab boots, Rag & Bone moto boots and Birkenstock Bostons. Literally any tight black top and tailored black pants. Self-made hardware jewellery and my Maniamania crystal jewel collection. A lot of leather.
Who are your favourite local designers?
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My friend Liv’s brand, Maison Essentiele. The feeling of the garments on your body is unmatched… [such] beautiful materials and cuts. Sister Studios also just dropped a beautiful lace collection, so sexy, dreamy, fun and flirty.
For more of Jai’s outfits, head here.
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