THE CLOTHES THAT MADE ME

What does it take to develop a signature look? Is personal style something you’re born with, or a quality developed over time? We asked some of the most fashionable women we know to join the ELLE team in decoding the nuances of getting dressed

Women in fashion invite you on their sartorial journeys

Irina Lakicevic EDITOR

WORDS TO DRESS BY… ‘I don’t believe in mistakes. Don’t limit yourself; it doesn’t always have to be about being perfectly pulled together. I like to wear challenging silhouettes and

sizes, and I love to wear menswear. Failure is in the eye of the beholder and, as the fashion

industry is proving right now, there is no bad taste anymore.’ MY BEST INVESTMENT… ’I bought a Céline floral skirt when it was on sale, and it still cost more than I dare to think.

Two years later, I wear it constantly. I don’t regret a cent.’

Hikari Yokoyama

CREATIVE CONSULTANT

MY BEST INVESTMENT… ‘A Goyard tote bag. It seems like something a rich conservative woman would wear, but it is the perfect tote: lightweight, water-resistant, durable, spacious and foldable, so it’s great for travelling. Its print goes with everything.’

Susie Cave MODEL, ENTREPRENEUR

AND DESIGNER

HONING MY STYLE…

‘It’s not something you find – your look finds you. You collect things that make

you feel good. I’ve always had a strong desire to dress up. A lot of us find the things we love early on and repeat them in different ways; the best designers have a singular vision from which they never stray too far. When I was younger, there was a radical

promiscuity to some of the things I wore – or so I’m told! Although I’m extremely shy at times, I’ve never had an issue with attention being called to myself. Wearing conspicuous clothing can act as an armour. As I’ve grown older and as a mother, I’ve become a little more demure. One of the reasons I became a fashion designer was so that I didn’t have to buy my own clothes – I just lie back and dream

my wardrobe into existence.’

Annina Mislin

STYLIST

THE PERFECT UNIFORM… ‘Classic, minimal pieces are the building blocks of my look: suiting, denim, cashmere knits,

leather, men’s shirting. This is my grandmother’s influence

– she had an impeccable wardrobe and told me to be unafraid of getting pieces

tailored, because fit is everything. I experimented with trend-driven looks until I was 24, but then I stopped buying

into every trend. It was gradual, but I slowly built my closet to what it is now, and

it’s still growing.’

Zandra Rhodes

DESIGNER

DISCOVERING MY SIGNATURE LOOK…

‘I had a teacher at Medway College of Art who encouraged

me to be myself. The more I was photographed, the more I developed a standout look. When you work with models and clients, you have to find a way to hold your own when you are neither stunningly beautiful nor rich. I found my style in my third year at the Royal College of Art. I specialised in dress textiles, so I did a lot of experimenting. I had a thick skin; I could ignore people if they laughed or thought I was mad, but I got noticed. Style evolves, it doesn’t stay static. When I found my pink hair,

I knew it worked; my green hair even scared Diana Ross.’

Racil Chalhoub

FOUNDER OF RACIL

MY BEST INVESTMENT…

‘Figuring out my own style, what I feel good in or not, is by far the best investment I’ve ever made. My mother taught me that you should always choose pieces that suit you and your body

over what is in fashion at the moment.

She believes that clothes should make you feel and look beautiful, and highlight your good

traits, and not just look cool.’

Christene Barberich

FOUNDER OF REFINERY29

WORDS TO DRESS BY… ‘Show gratitude and be kind to yourself when you look in the

mirror. We can be cruel to ourselves in ways we would never treat others we loved. I try to be supportive, and not a total jerk when I’m getting my act together every morning. Practise kindness with yourself and it will show in your energy. It might just make you taller, too (maybe not, but

I’d like to think so).’

Roberta Benteler

ENTREPRENEUR

THE PERFECT UNIFORM…

‘Once you find your style, putting together an outfit is

totally intuitive and takes no time at all. For me, my uniform is made up of a pair of high-waisted trousers – I got into them about four years ago, when Hedi Slimane did them for Saint Laurent and I realised how

flattering they are for my shape. I also love men’s cashmere: it’s a discovery I have my dad to thank for, or rather his Loro Piana addiction. It’s better priced, comes in nicer colours, and the shape is cooler. Then there’s the Breton-striped top: it works for anyone and goes with anything. It adds a dimension to an outfit, where a print might be too much. And last, a tailored

Céline coat; pretty much all the tailoring I buy is Céline; Phoebe Philo knows how to cut a great coat.’

Jan-Michael Quammie

STYLIST AND EDITOR

HONING MY STYLE…

‘When I worked for Saks Fifth Avenue as a buyer in my early twenties in New York, I fell into a trap of dressing in a corporate way – Diane von Furstenberg wrap dress and Jimmy Choo pumps – even though it wasn’t me. As soon as I left, that’s when I started expressing myself more: getting tattoos, growing my hair big, being rebellious – and it felt good. Now, I’m my most honest self. I don’t have a blueprint for my look. It’s a feeling I have when I wake up; an emotional thing. I have an attraction to the Nineties look of Julia Roberts in Notting Hill in the beret and the platform Vans. Also, Princess Diana

– it’s exciting the way all her looks are resurfacing.’

Pernille Teisbaek

STYLIST AND INFLUENCER

MY BEST INVESTMENT… ‘I’m saving up for a small Hermès Kelly bag that I know I will treasure forever. It can easily upgrade a casual look like jeans, sneakers and a hoodie in the morning.’ WORDS TO DRESS BY… ‘Comfort comes first. It’s the worst feeling when you don’t feel comfortable in your outfit. Jeans, blazer and a pair of power heels are my go-to. I often choose my outfit based on the shoes that I want to

wear. Most of the time, I plan my outfit the night before so I don’t have to stress about

it in the morning.’

Sara Byworth

PR AND BRAND CONSULTANT

THE PERFECT UNIFORM…

‘It took me two decades to work out what I felt most confident yet understated in. Moving to New York when I was 34 gave me the confidence to be polished in a subtle way. Now, my wardrobe is less fussy and more reliant on beautiful pieces that transcend seasons. Chic separates in neutral colours, high-waisted wide-leg trousers, a slightly diaphanous silk shirt, a perfect white T-shirt. And always a statement earring: I have a pair by JAR that are deeply sentimental to me. I put them on and I can’t help but smile.’