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.
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