There is much more to our clothing choices than we might imagine. For many people, what they wear is merely a matter of habit, but when we dress in the morning it might pay us to be a little more careful in the choices we make. Doing something different with your clothes might be a way of changing the impression others have of you. Your personal sense of fashion describes your personality to the people around you. It’s an art that is naturally difficult to master, but that can bring a lot to your life when done right. Creating your own fashion style is a way of breaking the mold and setting yourself free from the high street designs. In this interview, we sit down with Katerina Leroy, brand ambassador, who runs the very popular on Social Media and has a huge growing audience of nearly 408 thousand fans. She is an optimistic futurist, and passionate advocate for using digital platforms for social good. Among her cooperation partners are numerous fashion brands of the premium segment.
Follow Katerina at @katerina_leroy
How do you feel about the state of fashion at this moment?
The nature of the fashion industry is that it’s always changing but the speed of that changing is getting ever faster. Brands are adopting different business models, other than the traditional seasonal approach. Many now sell direct to the consumer rather than wholesaling to retailers. To thrive in this environment, companies must think strategically, sharpen their decision making, and keep their fingers on the pulse of customer demand. They need to get digital right and to address consumers increasingly concerned by the climate-change agenda. At the same time, they must cater to local tastes across multiple markets and cultures. One size will not fit all.
What trends should we watch out for in the coming years?
The fact that it will reflect the changes in our society. The need for freedom, the need for anonymity, the need for not being connected, the need for being connected, the fact that I think fabric will be the new device. We are always used to having the smartphone in our pocket but the next step is to not have them in our pocket because we already have the textile on our body. So maybe it’ll be our sleeve that is our device but we will no longer need those smartphones. So this is something that is very exciting about the future. There’s a lot of investment & development going in to developing sustainable fabrics and smart performance fabrics. Consumers are increasingly looking to buy customized or the ability to personalize clothing.
Where does your style come from, and where do you get your inspiration?
Most people don’t believe me when I say this, but I get a lot of style ideas and inspirations through my fellow influencers. I follow a lot of „Fashion Blogs“ and „Instagram Feed“ that I get inspired to try out new fashion styles, make-up, shoes & jewelry. Other great platforms to get inspired by are sites like Pinterest. The great thing about the digital age is that now we can all shop our favourite looks in seconds which is just amazing.
How to Create The Own Signature Fashion Style?
That’s why your style process should start with gathering sources of inspiration. This can come from anywhere you like: friends, celebrities, brands, you name it. At this point, don’t worry about organizing or evaluating your choices; just collect fashion ideas that you gravitate towards. To determine your color palette, you need to assess your hair, skin and eye color as well as what colors you feel you look the best in. Ask your friends about their opinion on which color suits you best. Try to understand what are the distinctive features of your “style idols”, the way that I did for Marilyn Monroe or Victoria Beckham. Identify what they wear more often, e.g. military coats like Victoria or Capri pants with flats like Audrey Hepburn. Look at the color palette your “idols” use in their outfits, as well as at the separates they combine.
What do you think about the statement “You are what you wear”?
The type of clothes you wear – and the kinds of accessories you use to either jazz them up or tone them down – says a lot about the people, where you’re from, what you do and how you feel about yourself and others. To me, the black color is perceived by others as an indicator of prestige, power, seriousness, and intelligence. Brown is the color of the earth, the color of something reliable, strong and stable. That’s how people who often wear brown and its shades are perceived by others. People who wear a lot of blue live by their own rules and are independent. Green is also a calming color. The color is associated with healing, generosity, and an enlightened state of mind. People who wear green often care about the feelings of others. Finally, like blue and green, pink is also a very soothing color and is the ultimate symbol of femininity. Red has always been a clothing color that has emphasized confidence. It is a color that allows women to feel empowered. Not only is it the color that represents aggression, but it also symbolizes sensuality, passion, and boldness.
How do you keep up with fashion trends?
Fashion brands and designers have shows twice a year at designated “fashion weeks” in various cities around the world. While it is difficult to gain access to these events, there are many resources available online that recap the shows with photos, videos, and written reviews. Even without a subscription, many prominent fashion publications have free and accessible content. These websites are tailor-made for regular people trying to keep up with trends. I also follow many bloggers, models and designers, who use Twitter and Instagram to share information about their favorite trends and sources of inspiration.
