Three chic fashion insiders share their style journeys

Catwalk images (clockwise from top): Christian Dior, Stella McCartney, Y/Project and Fendi

Your designs are a celebration of women. Why is that an important part of your brand?

Wearing jewellery is the most feminine statement ever because it is, in a way, quite unnecessary. Clothes and shoes have a function; jewellery is frivolous. When the time came to create my brand after spending so many years working in fields that weren’t made for me, I felt liberated. It was time to make my brand as feminine and audacious as possible. Being a designer for my own label and not for somebody else’s brand allows me to design at my own pace and to make all the creative decisions I want in terms of branding.

How has your personal style evolved?

People say 30 and 35 are comparable, but in my case I feel like a different person and I want to dress differently. At 30, I finished Central Saint Martins and wasn’t sure what my future would look like. I would still dress to impress the opposite gender, or wear quite extravagant pieces to convince myself or others that there was something cool about me. This was probably because I hadn’t yet accomplished what I wanted to creatively, and expressed this through daring, loud outfits. With age, clothes have become a comfortable envelope in which I feel myself, not an armour that tries to prove something.

What items are always worth investing in?

Coats – we are in London; we wear them eight months a year. I bought a cashmere Roksanda coat last year and couldn’t sleep for a few days wondering if it was a crazy idea because it cost an arm and a leg. I don’t regret it, though – it looks spectacular and motivates me to work harder, because it’s difficult to go back to lower quality after owning such a wonderful piece.

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‎Solange Franklin

Editorial and celebrity stylist

@solangefranklin

This New York-based stylist, editor, and brand consultant was pre-med at university in Midwest U.S. when she began interning at fashion publications. A highly-coveted styling assistant position with Giovanna Battaglia Engelbert secured her standing in the industry, and Solange went on to serve three years at the helm of Paper Magazine as Fashion Editor-at-Large. She now splits her time between editorial and celebrity styling, with clients including Solange Knowles, Serena Williams and Susan Sarandon, to name just a few.

Catwalk images (clockwise from top): Jacquemus, Valentino, Miu Miu and Rejina Pyo

2020 has been a year of big change. Has your approach to fashion altered?

My convictions have deepened because the stakes for those we’re supporting with our hard-earned money feel more urgent. And why? Intention, intention, intention. I want purchases to make sense environmentally and financially. I also still think dressing for joy and escapism is just as important as shopping for comfort.

In what ways does your wardrobe reflect your values?

It’s mostly vintage, designed by people of colour, or has been in my closet for quite some time.

Describe your perfect outfit…

Something with texture and colour that can be accomplished in one step, such as a dress or a jumpsuit.

What items are always worth investing in?

Jewellery, chic flats, and independent designer pieces.

What role does fashion play in today’s world and how can it be a force for good?

There’s an immense ability, and therefore accountability, for the entire industry to use its influence for good. We touch all sectors of humanity and consumerism: the environment, racism, gender parity, entertainment. Tackling even one of those verticals influences the others, for more equitable and joyful living.

Complete the sentence “fashion opens doors to a world of…”

… informed agency. Whether we specifically use fashion for dreaming, community support or political messaging, it’s a clear vocabulary that we can control.

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Lainy Hedaya Hoffstein

Creative consultant

@lainyhedaya