Style Spotlight: Kasia Chinery
My style is best described as a mixture of the 70s and classic tailoring. Think a good shirt, jeans and boots – I like to look both effortless but still put together. Because my hair is pretty out there, my clothes need to be toned down to balance it out.
My fashion icons are Gloria Steinem, Patti Smith, Francois Hardy, Jane Birkin and Farrah Fawcett. All four are very different but what unites them is they can put an outfit together with minimal effort. I love the classic tailoring that dominated that period. I draw on Instagram a lot for style and outfit inspiration, too – it's such an easy and convenient tool to find out what looks cool.
Alexa Chung’s style is timeless, too. I always admire the way she dresses – she embodies that classic 70s style I really relate to. I also admire brands with a distinctive direction like Rouje, Rixo and DÔEN – I love seeing how they style up their designs.
The way I dress for work is different. As a florist, my outfit needs to be practical, so that’s usually jeans and a jumper, plus some converse or some New Balance trainers. It can get messy, too, so I tend to avoid anything too precious.
In recent years, I've honed in on a consistent style. In my younger years I went through a few dodgy stages style-wise. As I've grown older I know what works for me and what I feel most comfortable in. When I'm working with flowers I need to think practically but when I'm modelling I can play around a bit more.
Shoes and bags are usually worth the investment. They complete every outfit, which make spending a little bit more money all the more worth it.
My favourite piece in my wardrobe is an Understated leather jacket – I bought it years ago and have barely taken it off since. It's the perfect shape and thick enough to keep me warm in the winter. I style it with jeans, boots and a simple jumper or shirt – you really don't need much else.
My favourite brands are Celine, Loewe and DÔEN for a bit of a splurge – I’ve got my eye on a new Loewe basket bag this season – I adore their fun bags and accessories, plus, they're at a decent price point. DÔEN is a Californian brand I've loved for some time now – its very ethereal and I've just bought a few pieces for spring/summer that I'm sure I'll wear for years to come.
On the high-street, I love & Other Stories for basics and denim – I really love their 'Mood Cut' jeans, which are the perfect flare. Mango seems to be really coming into their own and it's a great alternative for when you want an affordable update but have already exhausted Zara! I just bought a great pair of dungarees and a few spring blouses there. And Free People is my favourite brand for a good dress – I'm quite particular about dresses as I wear them so much for modelling. I like block colours or the occasional subtle print – nothing too over the top. As for smaller brands, check out Bailey Nelson, Holiday The Label and Meadows.
On my spring wish list you'll find woven bags, printed mules and, of course, puff sleeves. I wear my basket bag all year round – it fits everything and goes with everything. Mules are great for the summer when you want to feel a little dressier but don't want to wear heels. Finally, I just love a puff sleeve – it's such a feminine and fun shape to play with and it instantly elevates any outfit.
Sustainability is really important to me. Like many, my shopping habits have changed over the course of the pandemic and I’m making more of an effort to buy better and buy less. There’s no point having items in your wardrobe you don’t wear. Before you buy anything, try to imagine yourself wearing it in a few different situations.
A sustainable brand everyone should have on their radar is Soame. The company is based in Paris and make the coolest ethical basket bags.
My favourite look from the shoot is the double denim look with the cream blazer – it completely embodies my personal style.
Follow @KasiaChin
Photography by Frances Davison
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