My Style: Ellinor Stigle
Portrait: Courtesy of Ellinor Stigle
Do you have any shopping rituals?
I shop fast and alone, I know what I want immediately. I am not impulsive at all. I never return anything and I treat my pieces well. I own nothing that I don't wear; elegance is refusal (as phrased by Karlo Steel in a conversation we had about style and old men in Chinatown). Shopping is not a social event, that concept is ridiculous to me.
Please describe your style in three words.
A black unisex uniform.
What is the biggest mistake one can make when getting dressed?
Neglecting the weather.
Do you believe in role models?
I believe in inspiring and being inspired.
What are your favourite fabrics?
I adore denim; the texture of it up close and the thick threads. I love to feel the raw stiff fabric against my skin and I also love how it changes and softens to eventually shape to your body.
Are there any style combinations that you object to?
No. Experiment and try new combinations.
Which city has the best-dressed women?
Stockholm. I am biased but nonetheless I persist.
Would you say that you are conservative or bold?
Bold within a conservative frame.
What are the rules in the way you dress?
The one rule I have is to complement my mood of the day. If I wake up feeling soft I dress in armour, if I wake up invincible I dress with open heart.
Celebrities and style...
I won't generalise.
Name one garment/accessory that you can never have enough of?
Blazers.
A woman should always look like…
She owns it.
Who taught you what you know about style?
My ballet teacher (it's all about how you carry yourself).
How do you select your clothing every morning?
I know the moment I open my eyes how I feel and I dress to match.
What is your biggest regret?
No regrets (but many mistakes).
The three essential things a woman should know about style are…
Every woman should know her body's proportions. Only buy pieces that make you look fantastic the moment you try them on. Know your colours.
We will never see you wearing...
Never say never and don't limit yourself, especially not on the internet.
Which new designers do you follow and why?
Right now it is Vetements. I was recently introduced to them and find the simplicity magnetic. Plus the dancing model on the website makes me crave that coat beyond control (and think of David Lynch).
Who is the most stylish person you have ever seen?
Phoebe Philo. Also Lauren Hutton, she was walking down Houston one day in washed out denim jeans with perfect creases, a white tee and an irresistible confident inward smile.
What is the first thing you notice on a woman?
Her presence.
What are the most treasured items in your wardrobe?
A black Alexander McQueen sample dress with Asian folds and open back. I went out with this cool guy back in 2002 and a couple of days after our first date he gave me this piece. He didn't know I nearly never wear dresses, but it was perfect. Oh, and that cool guy, I ended up marrying him.
The one image that defined your approach to style...
Robert Irwin's 'Scrim veil—black rectangle—natural light' at the Whitney.
Which designer never fails to impress you?
Ann Demeulemeester pieces up until now have always been in my closet. Her shoes and pants in particular. I hope for the best now that she has left. Maison Martin Margiela is another brand that I always wear. All the pieces fit my body perfectly and the shoes are really comfortable. Carol Christian Poell for the suits and shirts and the gorgeous details. The concept of breaking free from the typical seasons is something that resonates with me. I rarely buy clothes, but when I do, I keep them forever. Every new piece that is included blends seamlessly in with the old.
One article of clothing that a woman needs to pay close attention to is…
All shoes should be maintained and high heels need fresh soles, even if they wear out in a second on the streets of New York.
Is comfort an enemy of style?
Comfort is fantastic. Comfort is in your mind. I am comfortable in everything I wear. I think people feel uncomfortable in clothes that they are overly careful with. If you are relaxed in your clothes, you will be comfortable. The enemy of style is overstuffed closets.
Who would you like to recommend for My Style?
A very special friend, Karlo Steel. I am looking forward to his replies (if he agrees) as they will no doubt be much more interesting than my own. Although we see each other all the time, he continues to inspire and levitate the fashion sense of everyone around him.
The best words of advice you have ever heard?
Learn to love the process, instead of finding all the satisfaction in a project when it's completed. I'm inpatient, but getting better little by little.
