Even the fashion obsessed know that style is so much more than the season's latest trends. It's about an attitude, a way of life, and how you share your personal story with the world. We're exploring the style journeys of three very different, equally fascinating women with our partner Bally to prove that style transcends the clothing you put on. Below, give a listen as Cleo Wade, Vashtie Kola, and Cara Santana speak about style.
Cleo Wade
As an artist, poet, and speaker, Cleo Wade dedicates her days to inspiring other women. When she's not creating swoon-inducing mantras from the powder-pink typewriter in her amazing East Village abode, she's out and about speaking on the secrets to self-love and success. Here, she shares why the women of the world inspire her sartorial choices and why keeping it simple is always chic.
On personal style icons:
"I get my style inspiration from the women in my life. From my friends, from my mom, from the women of NYC moving all around us."
On finding inspiration:
"Words really have the ability dictate my mood. There are some poems that make you feel very cozy; some poetry just makes you want to crawl into your softest sweater."
On why style is more than what you wear:
"It's one of the few things you can control in a world you can't control. Style can make you confident—like you can crush that interview and take on the world."
Bally Suzy Medium, $1,395, bally.com
Vashtie Kola
Music video director, designer, and DJ Vashtie Kola is no stranger to the downtown NYC scene. And although the It girl has broken many barriers in fashion and music (from high-profile performances to being the first woman to design a Jordan sneaker), her laid-back streetwear-meets-skater vibe feels instantly relatable. We sat down with the tastemaker to talk style icons and why New York City is always moving.
On personal style icons:
"The first person whose style really captivated me was Björk. Everything she did was always so different and daring. She inspired me to be more open and experimental with my style."
On finding inspiration:
"What I love about New York City is the energy, the history, the people, and the diversity of cultures. Just walking down the street is inspiration to me—there's so much to see and hear."
On why style is more than what you wear:
"It really takes a certain energy within yourself to put on a certain outfit—and this energy transcends with everything else. It's about your state of mind, who you are, your attitude, your personality."
Bally Suzy Small, $1,250, bally.com
Cara Santana
Actress, blogger, and CEO of The Glam App: Cara Santana is all that and more. We spoke with the sassy screen queen—catch her on Netflix's The Santa Clarita Diet—about getting into character and why everything is sunnier in L.A.
On personal style icons:
"My first style icon was my mother. She wears a suit to work every day and always manages to balance her strength with her femininity. I've always loved that juxtaposition of a powerful female presence."
On finding inspiration:
"L.A. is a melding pot of diversity and creativity; there's a lot of influence from the arts, which I really love. It's a very sunny place—and you see that [reflected] in the fashion with bold colors and fun patterns."
On why style is more than what you wear:
"Style is the easiest way to communicate how you feel and who you are without speaking. As an actress, the first part of creating any character is the way they look—their aesthetic. How you dress is an integral part of each character you're playing. It's inherent to that transformation."
Bally Suzy Small, $1,395, bally.com
