Hey, I Like Your Style! Inside the wardrobe of Melbourne musician and model, Robert Baxter

“When I gained confidence and pride in myself, that reflected through 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 Robert Baxter.

A singer, producer, dancer and model, Robert’s many creative hats allow them to really experiment with their personal style. “I love mixing femme with masculine… and really doing anything I want,” they explain. But growing up in rural Victoria, Robert found themselves often dressing to conform, and feeling “terrified” to wear a crop top. It wasn’t until Robert moved to Melbourne that their confidence really soared. “I’m never hiding myself to avoid judgment,” they say. Read on to hear about their style journey so far.

Who are you and what do you like to wear?

My name is Robert Baxter (AKA Cupid). I am a singer, songwriter, producer, dancer and model based in Naarm/Melbourne. My mother is Taiwanese and I was raised in Yorta Yorta Country/Shepparton… when it comes to my personal style, I love mixing femme with masculine, relaxed with structure and really doing anything I want.

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

When I first started properly thinking about what I wore, I overdressed in bright colours and too many accessories – it wasn’t necessarily practical for an out-of-uniform day at school. I dressed as masculine as I could until around 16. I remember how scared I was to start wearing a crop top in a small town.

When I gained confidence and pride in myself, that reflected through my style. I was a full-time dance teacher so I mostly bought clothes I could move in, but I enjoyed that when I would do a shoot I could wear something more extravagant – it felt like an alter ego. Eventually, it all melted into just Robert.

Moving to Naarm and finding my community made my confidence soar. When I wear a dress I don’t feel like I’m dressing up anymore, I’m just wearing what I want when I want. I don’t do it thinking ‘Oh yeah, this will make people mad or look at me’. I just think ‘Wow, that’s a pretty dress I want to put it on my body’. I started to wear a lot of blazers and ties – something about the items that could make you look professional as a businessman being deconstructed is so fun.

I’ve come to understand and appreciate my body a lot more. I understand my silhouette, I like my legs and my waist – maybe having a more feminine figure has led me to wear more feminine clothes. Oversized tops make me feel like I’m hiding now, and I’ll put on a jacket to be safe on the street, sure – but I’m never hiding myself to avoid judgment.

I love borrowing from designer and stylist friends for events and balls because I know I really make a moment out of a look and probably won’t want to wear it again – this way is much less wasteful. Hair and makeup are 100 per cent part of the fit too, I love to extend the details.

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

Definitely. In my rural hometown, the style was very regular – at least for the guys. I didn’t feel very free to express myself, and I envied the girls in a way because it was more conventional for them to dress up. But I never was really able to truly conform, I didn’t buy the Stussy or the puffer vest or whatever was popular and expensive at the time. I guess on top of wanting to remain an individual, I didn’t think it was worth that much.

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

Okay, everything happens for a reason but like at around 12, I used to wear a graphic tee and board shorts every day and not in a cute way. I’d probably do that now and be able to make it look cute… the early 2010s were not it and I was part of the problem.

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

… The Nike Dunks I bid for like four years ago were expensive at the time, so maybe that. And then my little Cheep Store club crop tops.

What is the most meaningful fashion piece you own?

When I debuted as Cupid 007 at House of Devine’s Leo Ball, my sister Vixen helped me order a Hanfu and get it shipped over. I wore it to walk the runway category, with the theme being ‘royalty’ – it was a tribute to my culture and my mum. Vixen was showering me with flower petals, the community was getting so hyped and my parents were there to see. I think that moment felt like a rebirth to me.

What’s in your cart at the moment?

I’m trying to buy some more professional items [like] pieces to wear to a work dinner, etc. I bought a new long coat. I want some interesting blazers and dress pants, just to elevate everything a little. Summer is coming soon so I’m keen on mini skirts and waistcoats. Arms out, legs out, tummy out – let’s go.

What fashion piece are you saving for right now?

Something I want that I can’t dupe is a really good quality hoodie… [like] a Jean Paul Gaultier hoodie that looks super nice and feels like a hug. But I can’t really justify it yet because it’s a hoodie.

What are the wardrobe items you wear on repeat?

A cropped white shirt or singlet with my baggy Levi’s – it’s just that classic, effortless model-off-duty look.

Who are your favourite local designers?

Jules Bramley, Wackie Ju, Monroe the Label, Youkhana, Erik Yvon and Bourgeois+61 are a few that come to mind.

For more of Robert’s outfits, head here.