If you look through any given street style gallery, chances are you’ll come across Justine Lee. The former Fashion Director for Hong Kong Tatler and freelance stylist is known for uncomplicated style and impressive list of clients, but works hard to make her clients look like themselves.
Her styling eye is amongst the best in the business, but what’s made her sought after is her relaxed approach to fashion. Now leading the stylist roster for PAKT Style, she dishes on her style icons, love of leopard and whose wardrobe she is coveting.
1) Describe your style in 3 words
Never too complicated.
2) What’s the most precious item in your wardrobe and why?
My prized possessions tend to be things that were handed down to me or items that will never go out of style.
There’s a fur coat that belongs to my mother that was handed down to her by her mother, that I like to borrow every now and then. I’m a jacket kind of girl, so the ones I have on heavy rotation are very precious to me. My Chanel little black jacket and Saint Laurent jackets including bombers, leather bikers and blazers.
3) What’s your go to outfit?
One of those jackets, a white t-shirt or a patterned silk button up shirt, and a pair of black skinny jeans. White sneakers — like Golden Goose or boots- either a low heeled cowboy boot or combat boots.
Photo: Daniel Murray (@danielmurraystudio)
4) Favourite piece you bought recently and why?
A couple things — Bottega Veneta combat boots (they go with everything), and an oversized khaki suit from The Frankie Shop.
5) What is the best fashion advice you have received?
Never let the clothes wear you. You should always be comfortable in what you wear, and you should be the one owning the clothes.
6) Who are your style icons?
From history — Cher in the 70’s, Bianca Jagger. Modern day — Rihanna, Emmanuelle Alt. I love how the girls from The Attico, Gilda and Giorgia, put their looks together, and also Evangelie Smyrniotaki from Style Heroine.
7) Personal style signifier
Lots of leopard.
Photo: @justinelee425
8) Less or more?
I used to take the more is more approach, but after moving out of my old apartment, less is definitely more. You never realise how much stuff you accumulate until you pack them up in boxes.
9) If you could have anyone’s wardrobe whose would it be and why?
Cher’s closet from Clueless. Everything was digitalised (just like PAKT) and her revolving rails in her closet!
Photo: Daniel Murray (@danielmurraystudio)
10) If you were an item of clothing what would you be?
An Alaia knit dress. It will never go out of style.
11) Where do you love to shop?
I spend a lot of my work day often working with clothes, so over the weekends, the last thing I want to do is to be shopping in a mall. I tend to do a lot of shopping online, and more so lately on mobile. Apps are my best friends.
12) Favourite fashion apps?
Vogue and Vogue Runway for news and show images. For shopping — Net-A-Porter, MatchesFashion, Moda Operandi, Vestiaire Collective are on heavy rotation.
13) If a museum asked you to donate one item from your wardrobe that represented you what would it be?
It would definitely be one of my Saint Laurent blazers, probably the leopard one(s).
Photo: Daniel Murray (@danielmurraystudio)
14) What will we never find in your wardrobe?
I don’t wear a lot of pink, but never say never.
15) What’s your number one fashion rule?
There’s a quote that my friends framed for me, and it goes “If the shoes fit, buy them in every color”. But jokes aside, be happy and comfortable in what you wear — it should be fun!
Follow Justine Lee on @justinelee425 or leejustine.com
Justine Lee
