As Fashion Week rumbles on, attendees are soaking up every second of the spotlight. Photographer Liisa Jokinen (the founder of Gem and the lens behind Hel Looks and NYC Looks) caught plenty of stylish people outside of shows for Sally Lapointe, Coach, and Cynthia Rowley. Scroll down to see 20 of them — including stylists, writers, influencers, and designers — explain how they decided what to wear.
Katie Ruensumran, Creative Consultant and Art Director
“I’m wearing a Dries Van Noten top and coat and Comme des Garçons skirt, Prada bag, and Miu Miu shoes. My style philosophy: At any age, anything is possible. People interest me. I’m inspired by the people surrounding me.”
Instagram: @katieismonster
Urszula Makowska, Fashion Blogger and Actress, 25
“My tops are from an Italian brand called Naked Fashion. My shoes are from Shop Akira, and my jewelry is from Aurelie Gi. I believe fashion is a beautiful form of art. Our individual styles say a lot about ourselves. I love people-watching in NYC. We’re all different and it amazes me!”
Instagram: @urszulala
Corey Stokes, Stylist and Fashion Editor at Highsnobiety, 29
“My suit is by Nanushka, hoodie by Noon Goons, coat by Raey, shoes by Celine, hat by Carhartt, and glasses by Retrosuperfuture. My style philosophy: comfort above all. I’m the inspiration and the reference always.”
Instagram: @coreytstokes
Christie Ferrari, Content Creator and Psychologist, 32
“I’m wearing L’agence and Chanel. I dress based on my mood and how I want to come off — that is, what attributes do I want to portray? Take for instance this outfit: There’s nothing more confident-boosting than a power suit, right? But I also want to communicate my love for fashion, so I played with the prints.”
Instagram: @christie_ferrari
Heewon Kim, WWD Korea Contributing Editor and Fashion Consultant
“I’m wearing a Libertine jacket, Faith Connexion blouse, Laulhère Paris hat, Valextra bag, and Stephen Venezia boots. My style philosophy is to mix and match colors, details, and textures.”
Jhon Pierre Cornell, Fashion Publicist, 38
“Today’s looks were inspired by the spots of life. A look embracing the holes and obstacles that try and consume you.”
Instagram: @jhonpierreintl
Jian DeLeon, Editorial Director at Highsnobiety, 33
“My beret is Our Legacy, my coat is Mackintosh, my shirt is from Needles, the trousers are Engineered Garments, and the shoes are Nike. My style philosophy: If it’s free, it’s me.”
Instagram: @jiandeleon
Juliette Laura, Photographer, 25
“I’m wearing vintage with a Silvae top and Paloma Wool boots. I like to dress with a focus on sustainability and ethics, and keep my look elevated but still playful. Fine art inspires my style: Rodin, Picasso, Matisse, Klimt. I went to school for art history and that influenced it a lot.”
Instagram: @juliettelaura
Kei Lee, Buyer at Boontheshop in Seoul, 38
“I’m wearing a Raf Simons coat, Affix hoodie, Acne jeans, and Converse shoes. I like to mix and match color and style.”
Kellie Brown, Content Creator, Writer, 30-something
“I’m wearing a vintage Pele Pele jacket, And I Get Dressed top, and Sally LaPointe pants. My style philosophy is to have fun and wear whatever you want! Global street style inspires me.”
Instagram: @itsmekellieb
Therese Hellström, Elle Sweden, 26
“I’m wearing custom-made look and shoes, BOYY bag, and Bronté Amsterdam hat. I love sophisticated and colorful preppy looks. I’m inspired by the total opposite of the current market trends of les beiges!”
Konstantin Spachis, Chief Fashion Director at MADAME, 31
“My pants are Ami, my jacket is Jil Sander, my sweater is Mr P, and my shoes are Jimmy Choo. My look: American hustler meets Japanese monk.”
Instagram: @konstantinkonstant
Kristina M., Director of Special Events, 31
“I am wearing Nike quilted pants, Doc Martens, a Uniqlo turtleneck under a vintage blazer with assorted jewelry, and a Telfar handbag. I always look at shape and color, and always dress for the weather. I’m inspired by Black History Month.”
Instagram: @seniorita_tormenta
Whitney Bauck, Senior Sustainability Reporter at Fashionista, 27
“Wearing: vintage boots and bag, Maggie Marilyn coat, old Mr. Larkin turtleneck, the Summer House dress, and a Limnia earring. My style philosophy: If you’re not going to get at least 30 wears out of something, don’t buy it. What inspires my style: secondhand shops, small brands that do their research about their environmental footprint, and my friend Jack.”
Leah Brown, Model and Dog-Sitter, 23
“I’m wearing a suit from Jaded London with Bronx shoes. I believe in dressing for the day you want to have.”
Instagram: @leeuhgrace
Luke Day, Fashion Director of British GQ and Editor of GQ Style U.K., 43
“My jacket and trousers are by Balenciaga, my sweater is from Flaming Saddles, my boots are by Bottega Veneta, and I’m wearing a Mexican cowboy hat. My style today is Mexican cowboy in ’80s NYC.”
Instagram: @luke_jefferson_day
Chloé Luca, Fashion Stylist, 27
“I’m wearing a Coach moto jacket (personally deconstructed), Area FW 19 pants, a True Violet top, Mango leather boots, Gucci shades, and a 3.1 Phillip Lim purse. I’d say everyone should pay attention to material quality, find a tailor, and be versatile. I get inspired by materials and garment design and construction.”
Instagram: @chloethedx
Michelle Li, Fashion and Beauty Editor and Stylist, 25
“I’m wearing a Rejina Pyo hat (borrowed), Ganni coat (borrowed), Holiday the Label pants, Labucq boots, and a Baggu bag. Style shifts and evolves the same way you do. Dress how you feel and don’t think you have to commit to one specific style. I always try to plan my outfits ahead of time, but when I wake up in the morning I scrap the whole thing and end up wearing something completely different. Today I’m inspired by an older lady I saw biking down Sixth Avenue with pink hair, dropping off her compost in a bin.”
Instagram: @himichelleli
Stixx Mathews, Brand coordinator at Glossier, 28
“I’m wearing Burberry trench, Acne sweater, Dior button-down, Carolina Herrera men’s slacks, Balenciaga sneakers, and GoYard Bag. My style philosophy: Keep it simple, stupid! I believe in dressing in a style that only you as the individual could pull off. That’s very hard to do these days.”
Instagram: @_stixxinthecity_
Ella Adenaike, Influencer Marketing Strategist and Fashion Blogger, 33
“I am wearing a thrifted print jacket, a utility leather jacket from I Saw It First, a mesh bodysuit from Missguided, a scarf from Mango, sunglasses from Prettylittlething, an ASOS clutch, I Am Gia cargo pants, and a pair of boots from Russell & Bromley. I love to style pieces in unconventional ways. My personal philosophy is that if it’s the first styling idea that comes to mind, then there’s probably room to tweak the look and take it to the next level. I love to play with texture, prints, and details. More is more!”
Instagram: @ellasfashionfix