Picture: Courtesy of Dione Davis
Stylist Dione Davis has a background in motion and ballet, which serves her properly when contemplating how clothes strikes and elongates the traces of the physique. She pulls from her personal model in addition to her dance profession: “I self-reference quite a bit, which I feel is a vital apply,” Davis explains. “Each period of your life is so completely different, so self-referencing isn’t repetitive — it’s evolution.” To Davis, styling is all about technique, which may imply including extra however often means taking issues away till a glance feels full. “I really like taking part in psychological Tetris with seems.”
You’ve got a background in dance/ballet, which has such distinct styling, how has that influenced your private model?
As a dancer I’d layer quite a bit, and I nonetheless love layers. With dance it’s purely purposeful, however what we see now on social media is numerous dancers actually taking part in round with styling. I nonetheless use numerous tights from Capezio and ballet flats like Repetto in my dance work equipment.
Picture: Courtesy of Dione Davis
So it’s all very sensible.
That’s why a wrap sweater is finest as a result of it offers the cleanest look in your physique. It’s important to be a seasoned dancer so as to have the ability to put on one thing cumbersome, as a result of your instructor would by no means enable it. It’s important to graduate to with the ability to put on warmups; it’s a standing image in case you can pile on layers.
Sylvie Guillem, one of many biggest dancers of all time, would put on a dishevelled T-shirt layered over bizarre tights, which is so out of uniform for many establishments. She would put on no matter she wished as a result of she was a genius and the most effective dancer on this planet. We might all attempt to seem like her and discover our private model.
What in regards to the impartial colours dancers put on?
Ballet pink initially was purposeful as a result of ballet lacked range on the time, so it was all about creating the longest, leanest line with the leg. Now dancers of shade have dyed-to-match tights and footwear, so all of the traces are elongated for the physique. It’s simply a way more flattering look. I nonetheless model with the road in thoughts; it’s actually useful once I’m working with celebrities who are usually not as tall as fashions. I’m at all times fascinated about the road and what makes individuals look their finest, too.
What was your journey to determining your private model?
It’s nonlinear. I’m nonetheless attempting to determine the best way to replicate my persona with my garments but additionally be very purposeful with how I costume. Once I was freelancing, working in an workplace, and taking pictures a restricted quantity, I wasn’t targeted on discovering the right garments for the set. With set clothes, you want one thing that’s not too valuable — if it’s a must to load up a truck at 6 a.m., it’s so not glamorous — what can actually translate that I’m actually stylish and love sharp tailoring with out destroying my garments attending to set. I’ll begin with an elegant sweatpant and alter into one thing else on set. For day-after-day, like, I get up and have to get cracking on a deck; so I want one thing that feels cozy at residence but when I have to step out, I don’t really feel like I’m scared to run in to anybody.
I’ve a extremely stable foundational wardrobe, so I’m not scrambling to drag a glance. I by no means wish to have one-and-done garments; I would like issues which can be purposeful, versatile, and virtually modular. I’m not somebody who’s upset about sporting issues twice. I’m going to put on it in a different way anyway. If a base outfit is nice, I’ll alter the equipment, and it turns into a totally completely different event.
What designers or traits are you enthusiastic about proper now?
Anthony Vaccarello at Saint Laurent, I really like something that appears ’80s impressed. I really like a shoulder pad and the bizarre jewel tones collectively. I’m loving lace particulars; boho is again in such an intentional and ladylike manner. Within the earlier years, once we nodded to the 2000s, it at all times felt very juvenile, however this 12 months it feels actually grown up. It’s all sporty and clear, which is all I’m about. I’m 50 % Emma Stone from Poor Issues and 50 % full-on Comme des Garçons tailoring.
You talked about loving an oversize blazer.
I’ve damaged up with the oversize blazer. We’re on a break, and I’m into extra fitted, clingy items. I’m single, so I’d as properly mess around with these measurements. I don’t wish to look company or like an workplace siren, however discovering one thing that’s tailor-made to me feels proper proper now. I spent the entire summer time coping with points with physique dysmorphia, and the second I altered my oversize blazers and performed round with one thing extra fitted beneath, I’ve been feeling higher. Your physique loves you if you adore it again.
Typically it’s not about throwing the whole lot away and ranging from scratch; it’s about altering what you do have. The important thing to being stylish is having a great tailor. I don’t wish to be somebody who’s throwing issues away or consigning issues on a regular basis. I wish to make this work. I really like good classic, and I’ll tailor my finds versus getting the costlier possibility off the rack.
Do you could have a manner you prefer to re-wear your fundamentals?
I put on issues the wrong way up on a regular basis, like blouses and cardigans you need to use the buttons. I’ll sometimes put on a blazer like a skirt. An extended sleeve or buttons are extra versatile, then you may actually play with it. I additionally love reimagining the slip costume. I really like layering a leather-based or tweed miniskirt over it. You probably have an exquisite classic slip costume that appears like lingerie, you may put a structured pencil skirt and have the silky slip costume hanging out from the underside; it’s scorching.
Do you could have any private model guidelines or stuff you received’t put on?
I’m not a mixed-print particular person and any time I put on it, I really feel like I seem like a French clown. Perhaps in my 20s, I’m just a bit bit cleaner now that I’m older. Perhaps once I’m in my 60s, there’s one thing a few combined print on an older girl that claims, “I’ve all these loopy items in my closet and an infinite finances.” There are individuals like Chloe King and Jalil Johnson who’re specialists at mixing prints. It’s simply not my vibe.
The place are you discovering inspiration?
I’m extra impressed by movie and numerous costume designers like Ellen Mirojnick. She did Deadly Attraction, Wall Road, and Showgirls; she has vary. She’s a powerhouse. Additionally, Edith Head is transformative. I’m a movie nerd; if I’m not working, I’m watching a film someplace. Lots of artwork, just like the Dutch masters. I additionally get inspiration from my very own previous, ballet, and uniform dressing. I at all times wished to change my uniform then and go to the mall and flirt with public-school boys and skaters. I self-reference quite a bit, which I feel is a vital apply. Each period of your life is so completely different, so self-referencing isn’t repetitive — it’s evolution.
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