Hey, I Like Your Style! Inside the wardrobe of musician and Melbourne Fashion Week ambassador, Thelma Plum

“Comfort has to be stylish, but it’s comfort that wins on the daily.”

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. And as an official media partner of Melbourne Fashion Week 2022, we want to spotlight the stylish people who helped make this year’s festivities happen.

This week, we’re exploring the wardrobe of Australian musician, creative and Melbourne Fashion Week ambassador, Thelma Plum. Growing up in Brisbane, the 27-year-old Gamilaraay woman has been making music her whole life. It was her debut album Better In Blak – a 12-track collection celebrating heritage, culture and transformation – that really put Thelma in the global spotlight. These days, she’s traversing the worlds of art, music and fashion; using a colourful wardrobe to reflect her ever-evolving identity as a creative. Read on for her style journey.

Who are you and what do you wear?

 

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I’m Thelma Plum, I like to sing and play and this year, I am the ambassador for Melbourne Fashion Week!

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

 

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Growing up in music means I can see my own style develop with me along this path – even outfits from concerts from a few years back can make me cringe! I’ve definitely noticed my confidence in fashion has lifted since working with my stylist Karinda Mutabazi though. She’s been wonderful for my fashion journey and for introducing me to incredible designers.

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

 

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Absolutely! Growing up I felt a lot of pressure to dress a certain way. I felt very uncomfortable in my body as a teenager and was constantly trying to ‘dress for my body’.

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

 

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Oh my goodness, yes! So many fashion regrets – especially around 17/18 when I was first touring the country. My mum has some hilarious pictures of the outfits I put together as a teenager!

What is the most meaningful fashion piece you own?

 

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An olive green vintage dress that belonged to my great-grandmother. I actually have a lot of her old dresses. She was so stylish and I miss her a lot. Having them makes me feel close to her.

What is in your cart at the moment?

 

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This really cute pink gemstone belly ring by MGN Jewellery. Their pieces are so beautiful! My best friend just finished her exams today so I want to buy it for her.

What fashion piece are you saving for right now?

 

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I really want a Hope Macauley knit. The colours are so beautiful!

What are the wardrobe items you wear on repeat?

 

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I travel most of the time, so there are items I grab from home to make sense of planes, taxis and hotels. Comfort has to be stylish, but it’s comfort that wins on the daily.

Who are your favourite local designers?

Sabatucci (obsessed with her bows), Erik Yvon, Sacreflux (always), Maroske Peech and Clothing the Gaps.

For more of Thelma’s outfits, head here.