My Style: Elina Halimi
Interview: Foivi Gkertsou // Portraits: Nabile Quenum — J'ai Perdu Ma Veste
Is comfort an enemy of style?
I don't think so, but sometimes we need to make sacrifices for fashion and style.
Please describe your style in three words.
Street, rock, and couture.
Do you believe in role models?
I don't believe in role models or icons, but I do think it's important to have and show respect to everyone that has made a difference in the world of fashion, people such as Diana Vreeland.
What are your favourite fabrics?
Silk and cashmere, but it always depends on what kind of style combination I wish to create. I believe that the most interesting outfits happen when we mix fabrics of the past with modern ones like neoprene.
Which city has the best-dressed women?
I don't want to be unfair to any city with my words. I think all the important capitals of fashion have very stylish and interesting women. With that being said, I have always felt a little in favour of the way women dress in London.
Would you say that you are conservative or bold?
Definitely bold.
What are the rules in the way you dress?
My rule is to not have any rules and only wear clothes that fit me.
Celebrities and style...
Is something that depends on the celebrity. There are celebrities that have style and others that don't. Even when it comes to choosing a stylist (something important for almost every celebrity) it is essential to find someone who really knows how to do the job properly.
Name one garment/accessory that you can never have enough of?
Shoes.
A woman should always look like…
How she is inside.
Who taught you what you know about style?
My mother. She was the first one who made my design dreams come true, even at an age where fashion was not that important.
How do you select your clothing every morning?
It depends on the circumstances and my mood. I always build a look around a whole image and never in separate pieces.
What is your biggest regret?
I don't have regrets.
The three essential things a woman should know about style are…
How to feel good about herself, to take risks, and to never copy but develop her own style.
Do you have any shopping rituals?
Not really, I always choose what I will wear each season six months in advance at the défilés.
We will never see you wearing...
Never say never.
Which new designers do you follow and why?
I really admire a new Ukrainian designer, Lilia Litkovskaya. She has an authentic taste of style.
Who is the most stylish person you have ever seen?
Marlene Dietrich. She once said, "I dress for myself. Not for the image, not for the public, not for the fashion, not for men." And Audrey Hepburn. Street style was born with her.
What is the first thing you notice on a woman?
Her aura.
What are the most treasured items in your wardrobe?
It's an Yves Saint Laurent costume from his «Russian ballet and opera» collection. For me, Saint Laurent was the biggest creator of all times. It is not a matter of price but of emotional attachment the reason why this piece is a treasure to me.
The one image that defined your approach to style...
It's all the images of Diana Vreeland when she worked at Vogue. She was the first that used models from Japan and exotic sceneries in places like Alaska. Her work was extraordinary and really innovative at the time.
Which fashion house never fails to impress you?
Chanel shows are always a surprise.
One article of clothing that a woman needs to pay close attention to is…
She should pay attention to everything, but a white shirt will always look fabulous. Karl Lagerfeld changes it many times a day so it always looks clean, ironed, and amazing.
Who would you like to recommend for My Style?
Inspired shoe designer and friend Alessandra Lanvin.
The best words of advice you have ever heard?
“Be yourself always”, from my mother.
