Hey, I Like Your Style! Inside the wardrobe of Sydney stylist and creative director, Monica Morales
IMAGE VIA @monicacamorales/INSTAGRAM
WORDS BY MAGGIE ZHOU AND IZZY WIGHT
“I realised early on how much more respect I got from people because of my style.”
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 Monica Morales.
The Sydney-based stylist and creative director has made a name for herself in the fashion world with her penchant for eclectic, patterned pieces. Monica has been drawn to “the power of fashion” ever since she was a child – knowing it could influence people’s perceptions of her and allow her to be a “chameleon” of sorts. Read on to hear about her style journey so far.
Who are you and what do you like to wear?
My name’s Monica and I’m a commercial and editorial fashion stylist. I love to wear colour and literally anything that sparkles.
View this post on Instagram
What has your style evolution looked like? Do you feel like you’ve gained confidence in the way you dress?
My tastes and personal style are ever-evolving. What I’m into, what inspires me – not just from a trend perspective but just life in general – seeps into what fashion I’m drawn to. Literally, fashion is where I drew my confidence from since I was a little kid.
I realised early on how much more respect I got from people because of my style. As soon as they saw me in my fashion, people treated me differently and that felt really powerful as a teen. So the more I explored my style and learnt about fashion, the more strength and confidence it gave me. I [then] fell in love with how imaginative and multifaceted your personal style and experience with fashion can be.
Personal style is a journey. Have you ever felt like you needed to fit into a particular fashion box?
View this post on Instagram
Yeah, I’ve felt like that many times in my career. Even though I deeply understand fashion and [am] capable of executing any brief well, I’ve always had a kind [of] flamboyant and eclectic element to my personal style (which is not traditionally Australian). So while my look gained me respect, it also held me back commercially as some people didn’t trust I could execute something outside of my personal aesthetic.
For the first few years of my freelance career, I would dress according to each client I was meeting up with or styling (always a cool ‘fit though) and it really did help me have more commercial success. Now that I have a lot more experience and the trust is there, I just dress like myself for any job. But [I] definitely moulded myself to fit boxes I needed to and I suppose that’s also the power of fashion, being a chameleon when you need to be.
View this post on Instagram
Take us back to those awkward teenage years. Do you have any fashion regrets?
I actually have none. While I definitely had some truly awful outfits and makeup that make me cringe, I feel happy looking back and knowing I really took some risks and always had fun with fashion. But whenever Mum brings out the old photos, you’ll always hear me yelling “But that was cool then”!
What are the most expensive and least expensive items in your wardrobe?
Least, I have so many. I’m a big thrifter and have a lot of fab vintage jewellery finds that sit under [the] $3 mark. I actually recently found a $7 silver knitted oversized beach bag with silver crystals and beads all over it and I’m obsessed. I wear it on my day-to-day even though it’s traditionally for [the] beach.
View this post on Instagram
Most expensive would be all my Area NYC pieces. I’m a big fan of the brand and forked out a bomb on a season three crystal bra, which I’m still obsessed with and I think I’ll have forever.
What is the most meaningful fashion piece you own?
I’d love to say something handed down from my mother or grandmother, but nothing in particular comes to mind. I guess I’m not sentimental or nostalgic like that when it comes to fashion, I just like what makes me feel good.
Who or what influences your style?
Authentic people, authentic experiences, fresh ideas and music.
View this post on Instagram
What fashion piece are you saving for right now?
A few key pieces from Y/Project, Martine Rose and Blumarine. I also really want to buy this acid wash denim Marques Almeida coat with neon pink faux fur cuffs and colour.
What are the wardrobe items you wear on repeat?
Hmm, this winter it’s [been] track pants. I have ones from all over – Adidas, Fila, Asos, Sporty and Rich – then more designer ones from Loewe, Balenciaga and Wales Bonner. But my favourites are all my super embellished trackies from Area.
Who are your favourite local designers?
Probably Kourh (one of the most exciting designers in Australia right now, IMO), Alix Higgins, Ramp Tramp Tramp Stamp, Wynn Hamlyn [and] Briar Will. I also love all the jewels from Underground Sundae, and bags and sunnies Poppy Lissiman.
You can follow Monica here.
Liked this? You’ll love these...
