Fashion Fanatics

The Fashion Fanatics photography + interview series is an ongoing project exploring the delicate lines between fashion, identity & individualism.

This photography project celebrates individuals for whom fashion is not only a way to facilitate, but also to express their individuality. Clothes, styling and a sense of self are intricately linked — they simultaneously sustain and strengthen one another. For this series the portrayed Fashion Fanatics chose two different outfits that they feel represents their style and are subsequently photographed in a location of their choice. Afterwards, they share their views on fashion and provide some an insight into their signature style development. This “interview” isn’t an interview in the traditional sense, but rather a place where the people featuring in this series have complete freedom to write whatever they want to share.

This project’s aim is to explore what individuality and self-expression can mean to a diverse set of people, and how this translates into an embodiment of style.

fashion fanatics photography series by lola noir

TALITA

VIEW ON FASHION //

Fashion, to me, is being able to experience the freedom and pleasure to wear whatever feels good. Whether this is about emanating a certain sense of power, a form of beauty, or way of taking (back) control.

What you wear, and how you wear it, is personal expression. It’s the creation of an identity which reflects how you wish to position yourself in our world.

SIGNATURE STYLE //

Creating a certain tension with the use of different fabrics and a variety of styles coming together in a new mix is what most characterizes my personal style. A combination of girly/cute and badass in general probably fits me the most.

Talita for the Fashion Fanatics photography series by Lola Noir

I love exquisite details: that one pearl-ish button or the shoulder pad blouse with the perfect fit. These are the elements which draw me to certain garments.

Being conscious of what, where, and how often we buy clothes is something that’s certainly important to me. Whenever grandparents of my friends pass away I like to look for hidden gems in their wardrobe! I prefer to re-discover items and find a new purpose for them instead of supporting the toxic fashion production cycle of our time.

LARA

VIEW ON FASHION //

Fine Feather Make Fine Birds

I remember the turning point in my view of fashion very well. I had bought a peach-coloured polka dot blouse which I wore on a black, somewhat puffed, hotpants. Next to that I also wore one of my mother’s black scarfs in my hair. I must’ve been just 16. Before that time I tore out all the pretty magazine photos and posted them on my bedroom door, but this outfit was a turning point for me as I realized that with this look I was truly showing something of myself.

Fashion is not just clothing or accessories. Fashion is style, which one takes a little further than the other. For me, fashion is one of the greatest sources of inspiration in life.

SIGNATURE STYLE //

Around my 20th birthday I had a black period. I wore all black outfits about 6 days a week for 1.5 years. I’ve come back from this. I’ve been working in retail since I was 17, and when I took a break I noticed that I was much less involved in fashion. Looking back I think I lost my fashion spark a bit. For example; I wore a lot of comfi outfits with sneakers, even though I’m not like that at all!

Now that I’m working in retail again, I’ve got it all figured out again. I have the feeling that in terms of fashion I’m more daring than ever before. I have a rule though: I only buy clothes when it’s vintage (and sometimes shoes or accessories in a normal shop, but only in the sale’s sale).

My style consists of contrasts, hence the oversized blazer of thick fabric with the transparent lingerie body underneath. I like little wacky details as well. I love eye-catchers like hats, glasses, bags, and glitter.

DIMKE VAN HARTEN

VIEW ON FASHION //

How does one achieve eternal bliss? By saying fashion. How does one become famous? By saying fashion. With a noble gesture and delicate propriety. Till one goes crazy. Till one loses consciousness. How can one get rid of everything nice and right, tinkered, moralistic, europeanised, enervated? By saying fashion. Fashion is the world soul, fashion is the pawnshop. Fashion is the world’s best oily-milk soap. Fashion Mr Rubiner, fashion Mr Korrodi. Fashion Mr Anastasius liliestein. In plain language: the hospitality of the wise is something to be profoundly appreciated. And in Questions of aesthetics the key is quality.

SIGNATURE STYLE //

Medusa / $H€11

instagram // @mysterious_girl_1996

VINCENT THEUNISSEN

VIEW ON FASHION //

For me fashion is a way to express myself; it speaks a language without using words. I think it’s interesting that the way you dress enables you to communicate with your environment. A certain style can make you part of a subculture, or show that you have certain ideals or maybe a particular mind-sets. Most of the times I like to play with this concept — One day I may look like a skinhead, the other day I’ll have a nerdy look. Occasionally this raises questions from my surroundings.
When it comes to the fashion industry I actually am quite against it. Not because I don’t like fashion but because it’s not a sustainable industry at all, especially the fast fashion industry! Of course media, advertisement, and trends also influence me and sometimes I get those longings and I’ll feel the need to buy new stuff. My solution is to buy everything –or at least most of my belongings– second hand. Since many years I’ve been working part-time at a second-hand clothing shop in Amsterdam and in my free time I love to visit markets and thrift shops. This makes my wardrobe a mix of (vintage) designer items and second hand trash(ures). For me it’s almost become a lifestyle and I can’t really imagine buying clothing in normal shops.

Vincent for the Fashion Fanatics photography project by Lola Noir

SIGNATURE STYLE //

It’s hard for me to describe my signature style. It truly depends from day to day, it’s influenced by my mood, the weather, and/or the occasion. Overall I think my signature style is best to describe as a cocktail. It’s a mixture of styles, brands, and different time era’s. Because I buy all my clothes second-hand its easier for me to mix and get the best of everything, When you go to a certain shop, which sells a specific brand, and they only have the current collection I think you actually can put limitations on yourself. Besides that, these pieces are also accessible to everyone. When you buy second hand it sometimes really feels that you bought something unique; a one-of-a-kind item. Of course this isn’t always they case but at least it feels like it!

instagram // @vincentt90

Nike Danae for the Fashion Fanatics photography series exploring individuality and personal style by Lola Noir

niké danae for fashion fanatics by lola noir

NIKE DANAE

VIEW ON FASHION //

For me, fashion is the way we choose to present ourselves. The way we dress communicates what we like, don’t like, and let us relate to similar individuals without saying a word.

It feels a bit shitty to say that the desire for self-expression through fashion is so important that I feel really “naked” in the gym because sportswear does not suit my identity. Realizing this, I get a bit scared because I do not believe in the famous quote ” You are what you wear ” and I do not subscribe to the idea that materialistic objects possess me.

Besides this personal perspective, I see fashion not only as a form of self-expression, but society as a whole. Fashion is a big part of our culture and reflects the zeitgeist. Even now it seems that subcultures are melting together, I think that when we look back in a few years, we discover/ recognize new patterns that are representative of our time.

Since I study/ work in fashion, I see fashion as a huge industry. I find it super interesting how brands let us choose their clothes; how it becomes part of our identity. Getting to know this kind of philosophy behind fashion brands makes me more aware of my decisions about fashion; it definitely changed my view.

SIGNATURE STYLE //

Actually I never think about my signature style. It just happens. However I like mixing juxtaposing things that create questions and I don’t like basics. I need clothes to cheer me up and I feel the most confident in black.

It sounds a bit cliche but if I need to summarize my style I would say: classy with an edge, or edgy with a touch of class.

instagram // @nikedanae

FREDERIQUE BOS

VIEW ON FASHION //

For me, fashion is a way to describe your personality and to express your feelings and emotions. But fashion is also a form of art, and it is timeless. That’s why I have an obsession for designer clothes like Maison Martin Margiela, Lemaire, Helmut Lang, Isabel Marant, Acne Studios and Christian Wijnants. Especially the clothes designed by Maison Martin Margiela are genuine pieces of art. Back in 1988 Martin Margiela’s designs already were anti-fashion and radical. What I like about Maison Martin Margiela’s brand philosophy is that they don’t want to please others and listen to the system, they believe you have to diversify yourself from the norm. Today a lot of people follow all the same trends and are wearing the same clothes, that’s something I think of as quite boring.

Frederique Bos for Fashion Fanatics, a photography project by Lola Noir

Maybe a lot of people are afraid to be themselves, but we are all unique individuals. I believe that in a perfect world we would all wear different kinds of clothes and have a unique sense of style, and not be afraid to stand out from the crowd. For me fashion definitely is a way to diversify myself from others and, in general, to be and express myself.

SIGNATURE STYLE //

My signature style is female, sexy, and French. I feel more confident when I wear sexy but classy clothes. However, the clothes I wear also have to be comfortable. I used to be a ballerina, so I think that’s why I have the need to move freely in the clothes I wear. I have a lot of Isabel Marant clothes, as it’s one of my favourite brands. All my Winter coats are by Isabel Marant. Some other items that I cherish are nice knitwear items from Acne Studios, and some blouses and dresses by Margiela, Vanessa Bruno, and Paul Smith. I also love my beautiful Helmut Lang boots and Stella McCartney loafers. I know these items are expensive, but I can wear them for years because the style is timeless and they’re high quality. I prefer to buy a few expensive clothes then a lot of cheap ones. Another brand I really like is Rouje. The clothes from Rouje have the ‘Parisienne’ style I like and they’re affordable to buy.

Sometimes I also like to mix my clothes with cheaper brands like & Other Stories and COS. My style can be described best as “Parisienne”. I think the “Parisienne” style suits me best, because I am petite and skinny. For instance, one of my favourite go-to outfits is flared jeans with a sexy blouse or satin top and a nice pairs of heals. But I also love to wear dresses, namely dresses with v-line, slip dresses, and jumpsuits. I love wearing heals as it can give something extra to a otherwise simple outfit. When I go out I like to wear my favourite black slip dress with v-line. I’ve noticed that sometimes people can be really judge-y when you dress sexy, but I am super proud of my body, so I like to show it when I go out.

instagram // @frederiquebos

ANU STARDUST

VIEW ON FASHION //

I think fashion is the most personal thing about somebody. It’s literally the way you choose to decorate your body and the way you want to be seen by the world. How you choose to present yourself to the world means so much. The way you dress is so personal and so special to me, therefore I don’t understand when people dress basic and trendy. I always wonder with trendy people if they really like their clothes because they think it’s pretty, or because everyone else thinks it’s pretty. People should learn to dress for themselves, not for the eye of others. What other people think about your style doesn’t matter because they are not the ones wearing it. Take pride in dressing differently.

SIGNATURE STYLE //

I’m a goth. And I really love kawaii fashion, vintage children’s dresses, and modern-day-goth aesthetics. All this together creates a look with pigtails, knee-high socks, and metal. I also love and take pride in my piercings and one tattoo, still counting. I love looking cute yet dark.

For my outfits I went with an everyday look and a party look. My makeup is usually very doll-like. With the first outfit it’s clear that I really love metal details. I do not believe that less is more. Also, knee-high socks and pleated skirts are a must in my wardrobe. My second outfit is a vintage children’s dress. I collect vintage dresses and this one is probably my fave. I love the way the flowers on the dress look; it makes it gloomy, yet the collar is so dainty and child like.

My style is best described as dark and girly.

instagram // @anu.stardust

MIJODA DAJOMI

VIEW ON FASHION //

I, as most people, see fashion as one of the nicest incidental things in the world.

It is everywhere — from the way a person talks to the color of his shoelace back to the building he lives in.

It has always been here and will always be here — iterative — , like everything else on earth.

As a fashion design student, I try to capture the bigger picture, I’m not a fan of fast- , mainstream- and trendsetter/influencer- fashion.

Mijoda Dajomi for the Fashion Fanatics photography series exploring individuality and personal style by Lola Noir

SIGNATURE STYLE //

I wouldn’t say i have a ,,signature style“.

I wear what i want, whenever i want, wherever i want.

If you have the passion and the eye for it you are going to end up well dressed anyways.

– Authenticity is the key –

instagram // @dajomi

GARY KWONG

VIEW ON FASHION //

Fashion is when culture, history, and aesthetics collide.
More than that, it can be politics, science; everything.

Always know what your outfits and items stand for, their cultural meanings and personal values. Fashion has been a way to find my own identity and groups I belong to by wearing what empowers me(vice versa). Embrace and commit to the identity by wearing it and getting more insights about the corresponding scene.

Gary Kwong for Fashion Fanatics by Lola Noir

SIGNATURE STYLE //

This one look is Gay, kinky and submissive yet Bold, open and intimidating. It might sound a bit contradictory but I can be pretty extreme. I go to Church and do vanilla. I go crazy at parties like a raver and am not always in the scene. I can dress designers and no one would believe I study fashion the other day. Techno parties are my favorite and yet I also like commercial pop. My fashion hence can go polarized-different with the lifestyle. I pull off both sub-culture-inspired and commercial/‘influencer’-like outfits. Sometimes, I do have an identity crisis, but it is also a result when someone is exploring and experimenting.

My style is often solely called ‘minimal’, which urks me sometimes (How minimal can you be when your favorite brand is Versace?). I am minimal, glamorous, experimental and ironic.

instagram // @kky_27

Candice K. for FASHION FANATICS, a photography series by Lola Noir

VIEW ON FASHION //

Fashion, to me, is a way to express my mood and feelings, but also one of the most fun things in life; it’s something I can play around with. My style has been changing a lot over the years but still there is a definite red line between everything that I wear and style. Oversized and masculine combined with a feminine touch has been my signature style for a long time now. One of the reasons for that is that I don’t believe in stuff made especially for “men” and “women”. We are all free to wear everything we love, right?

SIGNATURE STYLE //

Making the most out of mens and womenswear that exist since the 70ies.

My Signature Style in four key words: Feminine, Masculine, Prints & (a touch of) Color.

instagram // @cancocoo

CECILE LOREEN / COLORPLEASE

VIEW ON FASHION //

Fashion means for me being free; expressing yourself through your whatever you like to wear. Fashion can take you on a journey, maybe by a fashion collection that talks to you, it creates another world you didn’t know existed.

Breaking boundaries by asking questions through provocative designs or by doing the opposite people expect in a certain time. It can be about communication without words, because fashion talks a language on its own.

SIGNATURE STYLE //

Personally I have always loved fashion for its power to push boundaries and to dare people to open up to the new. When I was studying fashion design in AMFI I found out that many people were dressed and making things in only black. Personally I knew that I always liked pink. In fashion school they taught me that if I liked something, I should go for it, and do it all the time, in order to make other people understand what the color pink stands for. Hunting down these pink and pastel clothes got me into 80s fashion because they used to make a lot of color clothes back in those days. Going to Japan a few years ago in my 80s style outfits got so many people saying ‘kawaii’ all the time, I did not expect to find a world matching my lifestyle so well. So from then on 80s fashion, Japan and the kawaii lifestyle became a big influence in my signature style. Meeting Rosa in fashion school meant the beginning of our brand CECCI, she is also a big enthusiast of pink and the kawaii lifestyle. We both have a hard time finding the clothes we love and therefore we decided to start our own dream closet in which everything is handmade with love. Recently we finished our first collection ‘Too Cute to Kill’, in which we invite everyone to join our cute movement!

instagram // @colorplease
instagram // @ceccifashion
CECCI // www.cecci.nl

Elio Heres by Lola Noir for Fashion Fanatics

ELIO HERES

VIEW ON FASHION //

I believe that fashion is ‘the’ way to express yourself. To let the world see who you want to be, what you stand for and what you want to achieve or change. For me that’s being a colourful and happy person, who stands for acceptance and mutual respect.

I’m trying to change the way people think.

People still think too much in labels and limiting boxes like gender, religion and skin-color. They way I dress myself makes people second guess those labels and boxes. I also believe that fashion is very personal and is based on feelings, personal believes and emotions. That’s why I’m not really a trend follower. In a way following a trend is letting someone else dictate what you wear.

SIGNATURE STYLE //

My signature style is genderbending, vintage, chic and extravagant. My inspiration comes from everything around me. I’m in love with the seventies but every decade has it’s charm and I’m not afraid to experiment. I also don’t limit myself in fashion. I truly think that if a person likes something, it should be free to wear it. I think that style is something that constantly organically grows with a persons view on fashion and life for that matter.

instagram // @elioheres
make-up & hair // @thebeautybankHQ

Elio Heres for the Fashion Fanatics photography series by Lola Noir

Lola Noir - Fashion Fanatics Photography Project

MARKO K.

VIEW ON FASHION //

Fashion to me is not just clothes, it’s character. It showcases someone’s identity but it’s also a reflection of what’s going on in society as a whole. Fashion can also be very distinct in different nations, neighbourhoods or social groups. I grew up in Poland and on the streets you could see a very particular post-sovjet fashion style.

A part of me doesn’t like that this Eastern European style is now super trendy, sometimes I feel like it’s lost its authenticity. Clothes and accessories which are super ‘in’ now were cool in my country a few years ago — on the one hand it’s nice because it reminds me of my friends and culture but on the other hand those outfits were also a symbol of the situation in Poland a few years ago. It feels a bit strange to see that style on the streets of Western Europe.

SIGNATURE STYLE //

My sense of style is partially inherited from my parents but equally influenced by my friends back in Poland. That’s why I often mix classic items like suits with contemporary ones like dr. Martens. I also like to create a more a-typical silhouette by wearing oversized clothes or buttoning shirts asymmetrically. Some things I always seem to go back to are denim (especially total-look), leather, heavy boots, oversized suits & sunglasses.

You can wear pretty basic clothes but with a nice bag or shoes and some sunglasses, you’re gonna rock it!

instagram // @markofrompoland

Marko in double denim for Fashion Fanatics by Lola Noir

JOA / HERR HITPASS

VIEW ON FASHION //

There are so many aspects of fashion that have an impact on my life. Both personally and professionally, since I work as a fashion stylist. Personally speaking I feel fashion has great transformative and empowering merits. Basically, fashion can make my day. Even on days that you wake up not feeling to great, your outfit can be your armour – getting you through the day. For me it really works that way. Wearing a strong suit is like wearing an attitude, and with a baggy look you can get your swag on. My outfits are either an extension of my mood or a cover-up thereof.

Mood swings aside; fashion is also very facilitative in showing where you stand. I personally feel no ambition to assimilate and fashion helps a great deal in establishing that. A stand-out’ish style sets you apart from the majority, and that is exactly where I place myself – apart from the majority. Simultaneously it can make you part of a subculture, creating a feeling of solidarity amongst you and other outcasts alike. These individualist and collective virtues are super interesting, I think.

SIGNATURE STYLE //

Workwise I feel so blessed to be able to be working as a creative in fashion. I hope to create fashion stories that are inspiring and relevant, that say something about the time we life in, about what’s going on in the rest of the world. Fashion as a reflective showcase of the social discourse is what does it for me. Where are we coming from, where are we now, and where are we going? Fashion holds it all.

I do not have a particular signature style – not at least when you think of it in terms of styles such as sporty or bohemian. Most of my looks are quite ‘out there’ and stand-out’ish, but differs from day to day reflecting my mood at a particular moment. So whenever I got my nineties mood on I’ll be wearing that leather Versace jacket and cap, or a turtleneck and Dior trousers whenever I’m feeling artsy and intellectual.

What is consistent about my wardrobe is that 99 per cent of it is black. Because of this monochrome wardrobe my outfits are about proportions, textures and silhouettes, rather then colour combo’s and prints. I’m the silhouette boy, someone told me recently. An over-sized shirt with skinny high-water trousers, or high-wasted pleated pants with a crop top, shit like that. But always black. What I love about that –corny as it might sound- is what it says and I think Yohji Yamamoto expressed it most accurately: ‘Black is modest and arrogant at the same time. Black is lazy and easy but mysterious. But above all black says this: ‘I don’t bother you – don’t bother me.’ True words.

instagram // @herrhitpass

Fashion Fanatics Martika / Snow White Lost in Wonderland - Lola Noir

MARTIKA BOERS

VIEW ON FASHION //

Fashion is art. Fashion is inventive. Fashion is conceptual. A form of self expression and tool to embellish yourself in a way that unleashes your inner fairytale, creating your personal wonderland.

SIGNATURE STYLE //

To me, that wonderland is dreamy and dark. Full of dark, goth grungy yet magical influences that create an enchanting, alternative fashion look that embodies a certain lifestyle. I love to play with contradictions. But also with darkness and light in a way how it’s not seen before. I aspire to do so by clashing them together to create an inventive, unconventional and somewhat contradictory image.

Fashion Fanatics Martinka / Snow White Lost in Wonderland - Lola Noir

For instance, with this photoshoot and look, I wanted to go all in. I thought, why not do a mad-dark-alice photoshoot at the graveyard, Cemetery & Chill style? Inspired by the ‘’not cute just really fucking psycho’’ kind of girl (like I, of course am too). I chose this location for the shoot aspiring to create the ultimate clash between darkness and light. By wearing an over-the-top-discoball-ish glitter dress (representing utmost light) and posing playfully I believe it clashes ultimately with a dark place such as a graveyard.

In short, my signature style is wearing something dark. My canvas on a casual basis is a high waisted black skinny jeans with a black top where my galaxy nails are the only highlights of the complete outfit. Black nails, embellished by silver glitters or a hauntingly dark lipstick. I daily embody all black everything, but there always is a little glimpse of light because darling, the way I see it, the dark is what truly sparkles.

instagram // @snowwhitelostinwonderland

VIEW ON FASHION //

This weekend I was at Awakenings Festival and a boy came up to me asked me if I was wearing a mens croptop. At first I thought he was trying to be funny but he was genuinely interested to hear the answer. It’s pretty weird that you won’t find a garment like croptops in any menswear department… why are croptops supposedly only for women?

Furthermore: who gets to decide this? Whenever I go shopping I visit both the womenswear and the menswear department. I enjoy combining garments from both divisions and mixing it up into one original outfit. This can be either a feminine look, which I’d rather wear to parties, festivals or other festive occasions, or a unisex / more boy-ish everyday look like the unicorn shirt + skinny jeans I’m wearing here.

My view on fashion: wear whatever you like most and stand up for who you truly are, without shame.

SIGNATURE STYLE //

When I was really young I used to wear my moms lipstick, play with barbies and prance around the house in my mother’s heels. Looking back I realise how special it is to have a mother who never told me off about this, or pushed me to be more ‘boy-ish’. Then puberty hit and I stopped, instead always pretending to be way tougher than I actually was. I tried to hide the fact that I really enjoyed doing girl things, and also that I often found way more stuff to my liking at the womenswear than at the menswear department.

Now that I’m older, and a lot more self-assured & comfortable with myself as a person, I’m ready to embrace this side of me again. Not only for myself, but also to show that it’s perfectly fine for boys to wear garments from the womenswear line if they want to. This was not a overnight switch, rather a gradual transition. A little nail-polish at a festival, buying my first legging at Fusion, cutting old t-shirt up to a croptop. I don’t think wearing women’s garments makes me less of a boy. It’s something I used to hear people say a lot, and it made me quite insecure. Now it’s something that fuels my drive, gives me great power. Today I’m proud to be different from the rest, to stand out against the norm. Because let’s face it: ‘normal’ can be pretty boring!

instagram // @kennaa89

Lola Noir - Sanne van Baalen for Fashion Fanatics Photography Project

SANNE VAN BAALEN

VIEW ON FASHION //

To me, fashion is like a form of art. Someone might make a painting or take a picture, and then people look at it at a certain point in time and that is the moment where art and its audience come together. But personal style is always there. People are always confronted with someone’s personal style and that, to me, is its beauty. It is like a living form of art. It is a way of setting yourself apart from the crowd and expressing yourself. Whenever I see someone on the street with a clearly defined personal style, it makes my day. I really dig it if people can be totally devoted to a certain style. I often use it as a confidence boost as well. Whenever I feel down, I just make sure my outfit looks on point. It’s just a simple trick, but it can really cheer me up.

SIGNATURE STYLE //

My personal style is massively influenced by my taste in music and my current mood. One of the reasons I really admire people sticking to one style, is because I feel like my own style is all over the place. I can go full pastel colours, or all black. Sometimes I like to combine two or three statement pieces, sometimes I like to wear none. I recently realised that a lot or my style is quite gender neutral. I often don’t feel comfortable in very feminine or revealing clothing. My main pieces are band tees, high waisted mom jeans, slacks and chokers. My wardrobe regularly changes according to my current hair colour, since I like to wear contrasting colours. Lately I have been really into red, so that is pretty much all I wear at the moment. As I said, all over the place.

instagram // @sannevb_

NINE LOLA

VIEW ON FASHION //

Since I’m young I’ve been obsessed with fashion. At the age of 6 I was already running around in the neighborhood vintage shop, fascinated by dressing up and the different kinds of fabrics. I graduated as a stylist, designed prints for fabrics for a little while and have worked for years in vintage shops. The way you’re dressed says so much about you as a human being. It’s a way to express yourself, include or exclude yourself, celebrate or hide parts of yourself. Fashion can make you stand out in a crowd or make you disappear. An outfit can be true to you or a way to create another character for yourself. It says something about your mood, your options, your creativity and your boldness. If you take all these thing in consideration it’s undeniable a form of art. I can enjoy people’s effort for a look, even if it’s not close to my personal taste. It’s the love, effort and energy that’s been put in there what counts for me.

SIGNATURE STYLE //

Every so many months my style changes. I can almost calculate the next date it will happen. For me it feels like I’m evolving as a person but It can be pretty annoying if it comes to space in my closet. I basically live in my closet. (Almost) every item I own is vintage, because I like my pieces better if they come with a backstory or a satisfying treasure hunt. I love Marbles Vintage (my former job), RetroIn Style & Outstyle (my current job), the shops in Berlin / Paris / Barcelona / Tokyo, the occasional fleamarket and the second handshops in my home town Tilburg. When I don’t shop vintage it’s most of on Asos or small independent fashion brands.

I have stacks of hats, bags, big earrings, belts, kimono’s, crazy necklaces, sunglasses and a lot of black boots. If I had to have to choose a favorite style period I would say 70’s, 90’s and 00’s. At this moment I’m into bright colors like pink, red, yellow and orange. My favorite items are my kimono’s, golden Versace-like belts, a simple black dress and a pair of sneakers. I like the term ‘paradise bird’, feminine and crazy colored to describe my personal style. However when I don’t want to think about my outfit it’s very likely I will just throw on a black jeans with a band shirt. You can’t go wrong with that.

instagram // @fabulouslifeofnine

JOANNE MAALDERINK

VIEW ON FASHION //

As a little girl, I was already fascinated by fashion. I didn’t want to follow the crowd. Not just because I wanted to be different, but because I had the urge to be myself. Clothing was (and still is) a way to express myself. Fashion is full of creativity, imagination and some weird feelings. Once I read this quote from Sarah Mower on the Vogue site and it accurately described my thoughts: ‘’The essence of fashion – something that makes you feel a bit queasy and puzzled for a few seconds, but then, just as quickly shoots into the bloodstream as desire.’’ It’s just so much more than a piece of fabric. For me, it’s a feeling of freedom. Everyone with this kind of freedom of expressing himself should be grateful. Maybe it’s a beautiful materialistic way of self-love.

SIGNATURE STYLE //

My style is very dependent on my mood. Throughout the years I have tried so many different things. From super preppy to skater girl, from neon yellow pants to camouflage skirts. After all, most outfits were certainly not a big success, but I feel happy I’ve tried it all. Now I could describe my signature style best as edgy with a girly touch. I have this weakness for the color black (yes, I think this really is a color), but also get excited about clothing with a crazy striking print. Boys tees, denim jackets and jeans are my all-time favorite basics.

instagram // @joannemmm

SUZE KATO

VIEW ON FASHION //

My fascination with garments started when I was about 7 years old and always drew my very own “designs”. I even took sewing lessons to pursue my fashion designer dreams. I was the weird kid with the ballerina shoes with skulls on them and I loved it. In high school we had to visit universities to explore our future but schools like AMFI were just not for me. Instead I went to uni and studied the theory of fashion and its’s connection to identity in Stockholm. I am intrigued by the Scandinavian fashionworld and how progressive they are with gender issues and feminism. I still plan on working in fashion in the future, but heck knows where I’ll end up!

I would call myself a feminist and I get tired of people that feel intimidated by that term. It’s not a matter of becoming ‘better’ than men – it’s a matter of having the same human and normative rights. I feel like fashion can really improve things for everyone, not just women. I want to wear what I want, without being restricted to gendernorms. Why do we have to wear uncomfortable pencil skirts and heels to be seen as a professional? It’s about time that those outdated and unwritten rules are going to be erased. What you wear should define you as a person, not a sexe

SIGNATURE STYLE //

I don’t really know how to describe my fashion sense. I think it is a bit all over the place. You can see me wearing mom jeans and a wonderfully ugly vintage shirt, but on other days I love wearing floral dresses and big chunky boots or platforms. It might be a mixture of 90s inspiration mixed with new fabrics, prints and colours.

instagram // @suzecato

CATHELIJNE BLOK

VIEW ON FASHION //

I get a huge smile on my face when I see beautiful things and interesting people. I know I sound like a romantic but the most beautiful are the persons who are themselves. They’ve got something going on I can’t even describe in words!

I’m a real aesthetic and I can see something beautiful in the smallest of details. I love using small accessorises or jokes in my outfits to surprise other peoples, when they pay a bit of attention. It almost feels like sharing a little secret with someone by wearing a crazy tit pin or interesting jewellery like a Pussy Pendant -yes a pink vagina on a golden necklace- or an eye-ball ring.

SIGNATURE STYLE //

I got outfits from my extravagant grandmother and great-aunt and mix them with outfits from the cute and original store TITS. That store is amazing! For me it’s important, that the treasure for finding an amazing item is already an experience. I love to buy or wear something that has a story. So it’s not strange that I like to browse through the amazing vintage in stores like Marbles Vintage and Vijzel Vintage.

All those beautiful vintage clothes have their own unique story and must be worn again to create some new stories. When I am on vacation I also visit vintage shops abroad for instance in NY or Paris. The people working there, give me inspiration!

I can’t describe my own style in one word, but one of my best friends sometimes summarises me as ‘a futuristic glitter queen stuck between now and the 70s/60s’. For me style is something you love to create and wear and what makes you unique. Of course that is different for everyone, but that makes it even more inspiring!

instagram // @cathelijneblok