Sunday, May 4, 2014

[CAMILLA MAYER AND KARINA DE JESUS]

We know it’s been a while since we’ve last posted, but what better way to come back than with our latest additions? Allow us to introduce the sartorially elegant Camilla Mayer and Karina De Jesus. This eclectic duo resides in New York City, the epicenter of creativity where fashion inspiration is a radiating brilliance, where they first met at a church in Brooklyn.
Chicago native, Camilla, can’t recall a time where she didn’t express a love for clothing. Her stylistic, creative expression was birthed through [unfortunate] circumstance as she and her sisters had to use their imaginations due to lack of clothing funds. This often resulted in trips to the local resale shops after school, “We quickly discovered thrifting,” Camilla says. “We loved the thrill of finding vintage clothing. It enabled us to escape into other worlds.”
Camilla also recalls the classic VHS films, particularly the ones from the 1940s and 50s, that her father brought home. These films extended an invitation for her to dream, “I grew up watching actresses like Esther Williams in Million Dollar Mermaid or Grace Kelly in Rear Window. I knew through these films that there was a large world out there when it came to how one could dress. Clothing could be glamorous, lady-like, and transformative.” Fashion for Camilla is more than simply putting on clothes; it’s a form of expression that allows her to communicate how she feels during different seasons of life. Life in itself motivates her stylistically.  “Life is so large and there are so many adventures to be had. I'm always open to pushing my look. “
Karina hails from northern Europe, where she grew up in the Republic of Lativa. She moved to Ohio for college, but felt drawn into the creative culture that is NYC, “I frequently visited New York for Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. The energy here is incredible, and I always knew that one day I have to live here. Now is that one day.”
The city is something that is a constant inspiration for her, but she says her biggest inspiration thus far has been the Bible, “It always pushes me to be more, do more, but with a peace.”(We at Steezebook are especially fond of this, COME ON SOMEBODY!)
It was in Karina’s freshman year of college that her appetite for fashion began to develop, “My passion for fashion grew during my first year of college. I always liked fashion, but never considered it as a career. Then I volunteered for Cleveland Fashion Week, started modeling, blogging and the rest is history.”
Through time, she began to cultivate a style all her own, “At first I was following a lot of trends and my style was a bit all over the place which soon became frustrating. Then I came across some minimalist fashion blogs and realized I don't have to follow trends - my timeless style that I had before all the confusion was enough. All it needed was a bit of refining and confidence.”
Karina doesn’t consider herself an “artist” but she loves to use fashion as an art form and even finds joy in creating her own clothing.
Although these lovely ladies both agree that their styles differ, they find themselves endlessly inspired by one another. While Camilla plays with a colorful American aesthetic, Karina’s style is ultra minimal, with Scandinavian influences. Still, they both share an authenticity in their self-expression, “A true sense of style comes from knowing who you are and dressing in a way that reflects that. Karina has always been amazing as just being who she is.”
“It’s important for us, that despite all the trends we stay true to ourselves,” Karina adds.
Be expecting big things from these two in the fashion world, for they both have big dreams for their futures, “I see fashion bringing me into art, specifically painting. I totally fantasize about being an old lady painter with a billion cats in my studio and an incredible wardrobe, a Sonia Delaunay or Frida Kahlo of sorts,” says Camilla. Her vision doesn’t stop there though; she plans to start her own brand someday with her sisters, “The Mayer girls are all into fashion so it seems like it’s just meant to be.”
Karina dreams of running a platform for artists and creatives to connect, equip one another, and raise each other up, so that people in artistic communities such as the fashion industry as well as the general public can reach their full creative potential, “We shall see what happens,” she humbly says.
We are ever so excited about the future of these two girls, and are expecting nothing but the best for them. In a few years, the fashion world won’t know what hit them. Steezebook is honored to have had the opportunity to feature these wonderful ladies, look out world!
[follow Camilla Mayer on instagram @cvmayer and on her blog camillamayer.tumblr.com. follow Karina De Jesus on instagram @KarinaDeJesus__ and check out her website beachanddress.com]