Hey, I Like Your Style! Inside the wardrobe of Melbourne-based digital creator, Ria Chhina

“Fashion feels like a representation of myself and my internal growth; it’s evolved over the years to fit who I am in that moment.”

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 stepping into the experimental, post-apocalyptic Melbourne wardrobe of digital content creator Ria Chhina. Having just started her journey as an online fashion and styling personality, Ria’s deconstructed, subversive aesthetic has already made an impact on Naarm’s creative community (I mean, just look at this DIY Miu Miu skirt set).

Beginning her style journey in Queensland dabbling in ‘attention-grabbing’ ravewear, Ria spent the better half of the last five years dressing to bring ‘some excitement to her life’. One pandemic and a move to Melbourne later, Ria says she’s ‘the most confident in my style I’ve ever felt’. Read on for her style journey.

Who are you and what do you like to wear?

My name is Ria Chhina and I’m beginning my journey as a fashion and styling content creator for TikTok and Instagram. I enjoy being experimental with clothing; focussing on a neutral colour palette with an industrial/reworked aesthetic.

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

Fashion feels like a representation of myself and my internal growth; it’s evolved over the years to fit who I am in that moment. When I’m undergoing growth and change in myself, I’ll change styles in a way to shed off the old me.

From 2014 to 2019, I wore a lot of festival/rave gear and was focused on doing eccentric looks that were attention-grabbing. I just wanted to be the star of the show. This period of my life felt like such a drag, stuck in a routine in a city that offered nothing. It felt like I chose to dress like this to bring some excitement into my life.

After I moved away from my hometown in 2020, I experimented a lot to figure out my personal style. I tried crazy hair, streetwear, pastels – a lot of things I’d never wear now. I felt like I had much more expressive freedom in a larger city than I ever did in a small town.

And now, I feel the most confident in my style I’ve ever felt. I think this is tied in with the fact that I feel the most secure and happy within myself I’ve ever felt as well. My personal style at the moment is heavily focused on black, paired with an industrial/reworked/experimental approach.

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

I’ve always felt super uncomfortable with labelling or boxing myself in my identity. I prefer the freedom of choice over everything in my life. I like being known as and viewing myself as just Ria. Even if I grew up trying to fit in more, I didn’t see that as me fitting into a fashion box – I was just on my own personal journey at the time.

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

I grew up in a tropical environment so fashion wasn’t really an option. I feel like I grew up just trying to survive the heat. Maybe this is a good thing because there’s nothing I regret.

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

My most expensive would be my Reykjavik X18s; they’re vintage rave shoes for $450. I only really spend money on small brands/designers to support their work. My least expensive is probably my cargo pants I thrifted for $4 and wear every day!

What is the most meaningful fashion piece you own?

I recently sold most of my festival gear, but I held onto it all for so long because I felt like it connected to where I was at the time. Sometimes, the act of growing more into yourself requires completely letting go of your past self!

Do you take your style inspiration from anywhere or anyone in particular?

I buy all of my clothes from Depop. I currently have a Cop Copine buckle top that can be changed into a bag, a PAM warped hoodie and a repurposed bondage skirt in my cart. I like having a few outfit options in my head before buying items.

What are the wardrobe items you wear on repeat? 

Day to day, I always wear low rise baggy pants with platforms. I like the versatility for both summer and winter!

Who are your favourite local designers?

The Naarm labels I’m currently keeping an eye on are Jules Bramley and Enso Studios. I’ve always been more inclined to support smaller creatives and their work. I can’t wait to see the progression of their designs!