Social media will get a nasty rap for being addictive, selling unrealistic requirements of perfection, and in some circumstances, even being a nationwide safety danger. (TikTok even faces a potential ban within the U.S. due to it!). However I want to view the web in a extra constructive mild: I see it as a spot to scroll and discover limitless model inspiration. Working example: My newest trend observe, who describes herself as a “maximalist cat woman,” is making me take into account taking extra dangers with my wardrobe—and reminding me to have extra enjoyable with it, too. Enter Eve-Lily Charlotte.
I first got here throughout Eve-Lily’s content material whereas mindlessly scrolling by way of TikTok one late night. In her video, the creator and stylist—who is predicated in Manchester—was making an attempt to model a black beaded prime. As she slipped on a vivid pink mesh prime and satin skirt beneath it, I used to be weary of the method—till she added a sculptural bolero, one single dangly earrings, and pointy Versace pumps. Mixed, the maximalist ensemble, in some way, labored. “I name it ‘eclectic maximalism,’ as my outfits are impressed by an enormous vary of aesthetics and many years,” the creator tells Vogue of her private model. “I’d say I rein it in somewhat greater than a number of maximalists, although: I’m fairly strict with colour idea and co-ordination, in addition to sticking to extra flattering silhouettes.”
Video: Courtesy of @evelilycp
I used to be immediately intrigued by her fearless method to dressing. A lot so, that I started to tune into increasingly of the creator’s TikTok movies. “I’ve two principal types of TikToks,” Eve-Lily says. “One is my get-ready-with-mes, that are much more relaxed and off the cuff; my different TikTok model has a better manufacturing worth, and these will showcase a spread of outfits, normally with some inventive transitions.” Regardless of the format, her movies are all crammed with superb more-is-more outfits. In a single clip, she is going to construct an outfit round an orange feathered hat; within the subsequent, she is going to channel a backyard occasion vibe in a sunflower costume—with the matching headpiece, after all.
Seems, Eve-Lily will get a lot of her assertion objects from the classic and secondhand world. “I’m nonetheless a charity shopper, in addition to supply pre-loved items on eBay, Vinted, Depop & Vestiaire,” she says. When she does search for new items—on websites like SSENSE and Farfetch—the creator enjoys perusing rising labels equivalent to T Label, Shone, and Shan Chen. “Chopova Lowena Carabiner skirts [are my weakness]—I’ve a set of six now,” she says. “And footwear: I at all times run to the shoe part in charity retailers, as a result of I’m obsessive about dainty classic kitten heels. I really like me a bizarre ugly shoe to raise a extra toned down outfit, and provides it a little bit of character.”
Video: Courtesy of @evelilycp
Watching Eve-Lily seamlessly navigate extra-bright tops or voluminous coats, there’s clearly no outfit idea too wacky or experimental her to attempt. It’s made me suppose rather a lot about my very own method to private model; why am I so afraid of venturing outdoors of the field? For spring, ought to I be difficult myself to include extra outré clothes into my appears to be like? Her content material has definitely acted as an important reminder that trend is supposed to be a type of self-expression.
Video: Courtesy of @evelilycp
Feeling impressed, I requested the creator the place she will get concepts for her new ensembles or styling concepts. “I really like recreating runway appears to be like from my very own wardrobe with layering, pinning, and creativity,” she says. “I additionally ask my followers on tales what they’d prefer to see me do.” Maybe I ought to take to my Instagram or TikTok to supply new outfit concepts. Truly, that sounds horrifying—however I’ll take her ideas for pulling off maximalism, ought to I embrace it. “Confidence, creativity, and the acceptance of haters,” she says, is the trick. “I spotted that having haters simply means I’m doing one thing completely different and fascinating, which is strictly what I need to be. That shift in mindset gave me a lot extra confidence in my model—which meant I carried it so significantly better, too.”
