We know personal style is a journey (I’m looking at you, Tumblr years) and our series Hey, I Like Your Style! dives into the fashion psyche of our favourite creatives. We’re talking the good, the bad and the 2007.
While the internet has made our fashion icons feel closer than ever before, even the most effortless of outfits came from a closet with some (well-dressed) skeletons. Clickable product tags, photo archives and lives chronicled in 30-second clips just don’t tell the full story.
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These are the stories behind the wardrobes, exploring how we develop our own personal style. There’s a brilliance behind the way we choose to express ourselves and at FJ, we know every outfit has a story. This week, we’re taking a look inside Catherine Jia’s wardrobe, a Sydney-based sustainable fashion advocate and content creator, who runs the popular Instagram account Project Catherine.
One scroll through Catherine’s Instagram will likely have you feeling inspired and ready to take a needle to your clothes. Her ‘repair diaries’ for example, feature a series of reels with quick and creative DIY hacks to upcycle your clothes. She might be replacing buttons on her coat one day to add a pop of colour, or altering a dress she already owns so it fits her better the next.
However, Catherine’s considered approach to fashion has been a journey. “My wardrobe leaned corporate because of my job but as I embraced slow and sustainable fashion, I became more creative with my style,” she says. Through her Instagram account, she started tuning into the slow fashion movement and began thrifting, shopping at sustainable local labels, experimenting with outfits and sewing her own clothes.
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Fashion Journal: Hey Catherine! Tell me about yourself and what you like to wear.
Catherine: Hi, I’m Catherine. I’m a sustainable fashion advocate and content creator based in Gadigal Land, Sydney. I used to work as a client-side project manager in the property and construction industry, but I recently left the corporate world to channel my energy into my page and start a creative side hustle with a friend (stay tuned for more).
My wardrobe is a mix of pieces including hand-me-downs from my mum, pieces I’ve made myself, pieces I’ve thrifted and secondhand and slow fashion finds from independent brands. I love wearing neutral-toned fits with unique silhouettes, always adding a playful pop of colour or my go-to pattern: gingham!
What has your style evolution looked like?
My style evolution has been a long but fulfilling journey. My slow and sustainable fashion journey began three years ago when I started my social media platform. The account didn’t initially start with sustainability as a focus for the first year but I noticed my consumption habits were more mindful than the average person’s. I would re-wear my clothes, shop less to save money and naturally avoid trends.
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Through Instagram, I stumbled upon the slow fashion movement, which instantly resonated with me. As I dived deeper, I learnt about the significant environmental and social impacts of the fashion industry, which completely changed the way I consumed clothing.
Back then, I shopped mostly from fast fashion brands or companies that weren’t mindful of the planet. My wardrobe leaned corporate because of my job but as I embraced slow and sustainable fashion, I became more creative with my style. I started thrifting, experimenting with unique ways to style second-hand pieces, and discovering local, slow fashion brands making timeless silhouettes with vibrant deadstock fabrics.
Now, I finally feel like I’ve found my style! During my university years studying architecture, my wardrobe was dominated by black clothing. I’ve since realised how much fun it is to wear colour. Today, my wardrobe reflects a balance of timelessness, creativity and intentionality.
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Have you ever felt like you needed to fit into a particular fashion box?
I used to work in a corporate job Monday to Friday, often client-facing or out on construction sites, so I needed clothing that was both professional and practical – something that wouldn’t get caught on nails. Despite these limitations, I found ways to maintain my style. For instance, I would pair grey trousers with a colourful ruched top from Après Studio or add a pop of personality with red ballet flats and a gingham scrunchie from Katharina Lou.
There were also certain items I couldn’t wear, like denim. But I discovered dark-wash, sophisticated jeans from Madre Natura that don’t look like your typical jeans, making them suitable for work. It’s all about striking a balance between functionality and personal expression. I learned to get creative, even within the boundaries of a job.
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Take us back to those awkward teenage years. Do you have any fashion regrets?
There’s one outfit I remember wearing on repeat: a fluorescent, oversized shirt from Supré with a slogan in bright capital letters that said ‘Love You Long Time’. I’d pair it with Roxy board shorts and pink Crocs. I honestly thought I was the coolest person.
What are the most expensive and least expensive items in your wardrobe?
The least expensive pieces in my wardrobe are the clothes handed down from my mum. She wore them when she was younger and I’ve had them for a few years, so the cost per wear must be down to about 0.01 cents!
I’ll admit, I went through a luxury bag-collecting phase before I started my slow and sustainable fashion journey. About six years ago, I went to Paris and bought this beautiful Louis Vuitton Boîte Chapeau Souple leather handbag. I don’t wear it much anymore because it doesn’t align with my sustainability values. I’ve been debating whether to part with it. A few months ago, I did a poll on my IG and the results were interesting. Most people said I should keep it because of the sentimental value it holds.
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What is the most meaningful fashion piece you own?
My pink and purple gingham singlet is one of my favourites. It’s the first hand-sewn piece I made that I was really happy with and I still wear it today. My sewing skills have definitely improved since then but this piece still feels special. The fun colours and cute frilly straps just feel like me.
Who or what influences your style?
My style is influenced by the creativity and sustainability I see in the fashion community, especially from the fashion girlies in Copenhagen who have such a cool, unique style. I love how they mix timeless pieces with fun details and pops of colour, while staying true to sustainability. It’s all about finding a balance between personality and practicality.
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What fashion piece are you saving for right now?
Nothing at the moment, but I’m dying to sew a drop-waist gathered maxi skirt using locally made gingham fabric from Taiwan.
What are the wardrobe items you wear on repeat?
My reworked shirt from Riel, Djerf Avenue grey trousers and the comfiest ballet flats from Camper. I like to dress for comfort too because I cycle to work every day – rain, hail or shine (I learned to embrace the rain during my year in the Netherlands).
Who are your favourite local designers?
There are so many. Some of my favourite local fashion brands that prioritise both the planet and people are Madre Natura, The Social Outfit, Reunion, RNTR, Riel, Suku Home, Permanent Vacation, Après Studio, Kowtow, Katharina Lou, Ruby and Kuho Collective.
Keep up with Catherine here.
This article Hey, I Like Your Style! Project Catherine on slow fashion, sewing and supporting local labels appeared first on Fashion Journal.
2025-02-20 07:32:00
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