Many question the growing number of young women who are opting out of maturing into the "respectable" (read: conventional) 20-30 year-old dress code and instead are choosing to revert back to trends and looks that were fashionable before they had even reached puberty. This new craze has left people wondering what the hell they’re doing and if such dressers are immature or attention seeking. Why would an adult woman choose to present herself in such an infantile way?
One argument in the case for girliness is that millennials have witnessed pop culture reach the pinnacle of sexy first hand on our screens, because sexuality in the media has gone as far as it can go. When we were growing up it was Christina Aguilera's Stripped and Madonna and Britney kissing at the VMAS; more recently we've seen Rihanna and Miley Cyrus fighting to show more flesh on stage. How much more could we bring sexy back before it became unsexy?
Personally, I think those opting for a cute dress code took all that sexiness they have been exposed to and flipped it on its head and said, 'Ok, we can’t get any more naked so let's not; let's cover up and go back to a time before sex existed; let's be cute!'
Cultural movements come about when a generation of people are exposed to the same things and somehow through a stream of collective unconsciousness, we've created this new look. Last year we saw the cute thing begin trending in different ways, as the kids of Instagram, such as Charlie Barker and Candy Ken showed us Hello Kitty and 50 Shades of Pink. The music world reacted too, with people like SOPHIE, Hannah Diamond, QT and LIZ y2k creating a new sound that took elements of childhood and created a soundscape which could be described as the complete opposite of a sexy beat; the Guardian coined the genre 'cute’. Fashion also had its voice through designers such as Ryan LO, Ashley Williams, Moschino, Chanel, and Sophia Webster making cartoons, anime and all things girly a wearable trend.
I like to play around with my style and bring in elements of childhood, girliness and irony, and my work reflects these things too. I love to work alongside animators and interactive teams who can add entertainment, fun and fantasy to my ideas. It's not to everyone's taste but whether you love it or hate it, here is my guide to dressing cute.
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Lol hair don't care
I always have fun with my hair and have a colour that I think represents me. My original inspo for the colour was the real Erin Brockovich. It's Malibu Barbie style, and to get this two-tone effect, I have my colour done at Hare & Bone salon. The owner is Sam Burnett who does hair for the designer Thomas Tait, and musician Charli XCX.
Playing around with hair pieces and extensions are key to looking cute. My extensions are done by Louise Bailey who is an expert in her field and just launched her own pieces too. I'm also really into the fun hair pieces that Hair Rehab do that can change your look instantly.
Play with animation
Lots of designers collaborate with cartoons and use animations as part of prints and in their designs. This Fyodor Golan collaboration with My Little Pony was one of my favourites last year; I wore it to their show and I love this look.
Moschino recently made these Powerpuff Girl clutches and I really want one, they're so cute, I love Powerpuff Girls!
Accessories are everything
Linda Farrow is my favourite shop for sunglasses. They always do the best collaborations. I’ve been wearing a pair of Dries Van Noten x Linda Farrow. The colours are sick and the style is very Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion.
I have fun with kitsch accessories too. This Hello Kitty headband cost £5 from Claire's Accessories but I wear it all the time. It looks like a classic Alice band but up close you see the cartoons, so it's kind of subtle and funny.
Moschino just about anything
Jeremy Scott is the instagram generation's designer – everything he does is insta-ready. His designs are forever ironic and fun and for that I love him. I have a great relationship with the brand Moschino and the guys over there have always supported what I do. They dress me for lots of occasions and I love all their designs so much that I own a lot too.
Ryan Lo is my king
Ryan Lo is one of London's hottest designers and he takes inspiration from girliness and innocence. I got this awesome faux fur, white doll-like jacket for winter. When I wear it I feel like a snow queen.
Ryan Lo SS16
Pink to make the boys wink
A staple of any cute style is the colour pink. This Fyodor Golan dress was awesome, I wore it to the LOVE magazine Japanese party.
This pink jacket was made for me by Clio Peppiatt, an up and coming London designer. It's so sweet. She made me a matching skirt which says my name on it too!
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