V: What’s your background, have you worked in Fashion before CMIYC?
L: After high school I went straight to uni to study psychology. Everything fashion related is self-taught. I remember struggling with the vocabulary so much in the beginning, I still sometimes do. There are so many wonderful words for every type of pleating, knit, fabric manipulation. And don’t even get me started on the topic of sizing. Why is there so many different scales?
I would love to continue working in fashion, I don’t think psychology is really the field for me. Continuously expanding CMIYC but also dabbling in other fields here and there. I always loved photography and was thinking of maybe interning for a fashion magazine next year if I find the time.
V: What’s your favourite piece ever sourced?
L: You are asking me to choose the favourite amongst my children? I am a huge fan of Jean Paul Gaultier Homme, especially the outerwear. If I have to choose I’d pick the quilted puffer jacket from Winter 2003, the one with striped sleeves that look like the silk lining of a Blazer. I sourced it in two color ways, the peachy one I will never let go of but the black and green version will be available at Voo Archive now. It’s the perfect piece, the cut, the choice of materials, zipper and button placements are all spot on. Sometimes I just sit and look at it for a little dose of serotonin.
V: CopMeIfYouCan has a very distinctive selection that obviously also mirrors your personal aesthetic. Are there any eras you’re particularly drawn to?
L: I can’t get enough of the late 1980s. Something post-punk maybe a little gothic influenced. I love the strong silhouettes, the bright colours but also the appreciation for a good black boot, which also aligned with my personal style. Short upper body, long legs, wider shoulder - absolutely obsessed. The Junior Gaultier line was dominantly produced in the late 80s and early 90s and is one of my favourite labels to source.
It’s comfortable, they made a lot of different types of bomber jackets and worked with silver hardware, a lot of sex-appeal. It was the time of short skirts and shiny fabrics, but in a non-overwhelming way, if that makes sense. It was an era of non-serious fashion, completely unpractical pieces combined with the the comfiest utility wear. I resonate with that.