Hey, I Like Your Style! Talking Pleats Please and Paris Georgia with Australian model and beekeeper, Georgah Crane

Pale blue forever.

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 delving into the pale blue-laden wardrobe of Melbourne-based model and beekeeper, Georgah Crane. When she’s not clad in protective beekeeping gear, she’s wearing Tabis. With a penchant for clean lines, beautiful fabrications and local designers, her style exudes a kind of cool-girl elegance revered by the Australian fashion set.

Who are you and what do you like to wear? 

 

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My name is Georgah Crane and I like to wear pieces where I feel comfortable and hot at the same time, mostly vintage designers and independent designers.

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

My style evolution has really been informed by the internet, where endless scrolling of Tumblr blogs provided infinite inspiration. There was the indie phase where I wanted to look like Cassie and Effy from Skins, the skater skirt and grey melange-heavy American Apparel phase and the colour blocking phase where I only wore head-to-toe red for a good while.

I’ve absolutely gained confidence in how I dress. Every single day I feel like I know myself just that little bit more and have a touch more wisdom and life experience; I think that is reflected in what I choose to wear. I always gravitate back to simple shapes and a classic colour palette of black, white, neutrals and baby blue. I feel most comfortable in those colours and know which silhouettes suit my body and my moods.

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

 

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My personal style has been a journey for sure. For a long time, I couldn’t reconcile the style I wanted in my head with my actual wardrobe and limited budget. Thrifting opened up another world, but I lived in an uninspiring area that wasn’t very fruitful for op shop scores. It really wasn’t until I moved to Melbourne five years ago that I found my style.

I wouldn’t say I ever felt like I needed to fit into a particular fashion box, but I was just buying popular things when I was younger because I wasn’t sure what else to do. These days, I never feel the pressure to go and buy what others are wearing. I know what I like and I know that I look good so that’s all that matters to me.

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

So many! I really love looking at old photos, sharing with friends and laughing hard at what was once cool. It’s so important because if you can’t look back and cringe, then have you really grown? I guess I was going for some sort of preppy emo look as a teen.

For a time, I loved wearing thin bright plastic headbands with my fringe pushed down over my face with hoodies, skinny jeans and ballet flats. I was convinced that I started the trend of wearing ballet flats to school when in reality, it was just super popular at the time and everyone was doing it.

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

 

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The least expensive would probably be a Bonds chesty tank – you just can’t go past the classic boys cut. My most expensive piece would be a pair of Margiela Tabi sandals, they have a baby heel and cute ankle strap and look good with every single outfit. Definitely one I spent a lot of time thinking about before purchasing, but I’m so glad I did.

What is the most meaningful fashion piece you own?

The most meaningful piece that I own might be my vintage Celine trench coat. Now I don’t know this for certain, but I heard the previous owner bought it from a Celine sample sale in Paris. I think it’s pretty cool that it’s had many lives and will continue to after I wear it.

What’s in your cart at the moment?

Okay so I have a very long wishlist but I like to keep things on there for a few weeks/months to wait and see if I really want it or end up finding it cheaper somewhere else. Currently, I am on the hunt for a long black winter coat so there are about 50 Vestiaire tabs open but in the cart right now is this Paris Georgia dress and a Studio Marlene cardigan.

My philosophy now is to ask myself two things: ‘Do I really love and need this, or can I just appreciate a beautiful piece without having to own it?’ and, ‘Is it something that holds its value and quality if I ever wanted to resell it?’ If I can’t answer both of these convincingly, then I don’t need it and can save my coins for something else. Right now I’m in a big decluttering mood and don’t have room in my life for average things.

What fashion piece are you saving for right now?

 

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Very recently I finally purchased something I’d been saving up for – a Jil Sander Tangle Bag – as a little birthday treat to myself. It’s so perfect for leaving the house with just my phone, keys and lip balm. After that? Maybe another pair of Tabis.

What are the wardrobe items you wear on repeat?

Without a doubt, I wear my Pleats Please pieces almost every day. They are so versatile, easy to wear, and look good with pretty much anything. My Marni sandals have also been WELL worn and loved.

During the big lockdown last year, I scored an old Elvis T-shirt from the Goodbyes online store that I adore and throw on a few times a week. It’s faded and a bit tattered at this point, but it’s so comfortable and I’ll wear it until it falls off me. My mum was a big Elvis fan and I always feel a little closer to her when I wear it.

Who are your favourite local designers?

 

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Local designers I love include Paris Georgia, Georgia Alice (rip!), Lee Mathews, AnniEnoka and First Date. Honestly, most of my fashion inspo comes from overseas right now but I want to find more local designers doing cool things.

You can follow Georgah on Instagram here.