[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]

[ANDREA CASTILLO]

We are ever so delighted to invite you guys into the fashion world of Andrea Castillo. The 20-year-old Houston native has a flair that is second to none that even Ray Charles could have seen the artistic genius that makes up her wardrobe.

For as long as Andrea can remember, she’s had a fond interest in fashion, but during her senior year of high school, ironically enough, a graduation occurred in her fashion journey. “I figured out how much of a role I wanted it to play in my life”, she says.
           Following this epiphany, she acquired aspirations of becoming a designer. In an attempt to channel this ambition, she used a fashion design class in high school to experiment with different types of material.  However, this dream was short-lived, and a passion for styling was born. “I played around with different fabrics and silhouettes, and even made a prom dress from scratch. But I was more caught up with styling than sewing my pieces together.” This passion has led her to create her own style blog deerandthewolf.blogspot.com, where she showcases her personal style along with current obsessions.  

           Andrea’s peculiar music taste is where she garners much of her style inspiration. Right now she’s enjoying the indie band Beiruit, and has fallen in love with their song entitled Postcards from Italy. “Just from the song I can imagine an entire wardrobe full of classic pieces with simple make up inspired by the sixties.”

           As far as people go, she has a diverse group of style icons that she looks to for inspiration. Solange and Alexa Chung are two of her favorites. She greatly admires the creativity and boldness that percolates through the style of Solange, and has been inspired by the brilliance of Alexa Chung’s book “IT”, that is a unique collection of her writings, drawings, and photographs. 

           As you can tell, Andrea maintains a hairstyle that is absolutely remarkable, and it plays a precise role in her bravura. It’s usually the first thing people notice about her, and it has enabled her to reach new levels of confidence in her stylistic expression. “It definitely helped me get out of my comfort zone and pushed me to have more fun with what I wear. I get a lot of attention because of my hair so I kind of had to get over people staring or coming up to me which gave me more self confidence.”

This wasn’t easy for someone who is fairly new to the natural look, but she’s proud of the decision she’s made in going natural. “It fits my personality pretty well, and I can never feel boring with it.”

          Andrea, we wish you nothing but the best in all your future fashion endeavors. The best is yet to come!  

[You can find Andrea on Instagram @deerandthewolf]

[THE ANDERSON FAMILY]

     
     We have an addition to our book today that features the dapper and trendy Anderson family. We are delighted to boast about this incredibly artistic and chic threesome that is composed of Hannah, Sophia, and Joshua. They were born and raised in Houston Texas and each gather their inspirations from different avenues. 

     When Joshua’s inspiration is exhausted from the donuts, tacos, and pizza in his life, he looks to the highly imaginative Spanish artist Salvador Dali: “He inspires a lot of what I do,” says Joshua, as well as “Vivian Maier, Robert Cappa, and other current photographers that are doing well.” Color and light assist to amplify his creative energy. Anyone could witness Joshua’s desire for good design by observing what he wears. “I’m into looking at good design. I like looking at good things and I like wearing good things.”

     Sophia cumulates imagination and ingenuity from American artist Gloria Vanderbilt, founding father Benjamin Franklin, and the books that she inwardly ransacks. Walden by Henry David Thoreau is presently her favorite read and is playing a vigorous role in her creativity.  Sophia’s style is influenced by monotones, subtle colors, intriguing patterns and while she is the youngest of the three she states that 50’s and 60’s era have stylistically influenced her. “Marilyn Monroe, she inspires me.” says Sophia. Sophia recounts a time in her life when she was living out of only a suitcase by remembering that being confined to a minuscule selection forced her to tap into her fashion cleverness. “Living like that forced want to do more with what I had.”

     Hannah is inspired by culture and observing the demeanors of people: “That’s always fascinating,” says Hannah. Music, sounds and overhearing what people talk about also provoke Hannah’s vision. “Whether a song or something through what I wear,” says Hannah, who released an EP titled “From The Dust” that is available for download at hannahandersonn.bandcamp.com/. Although Hannah adores the ladylike influences of Audrey Hepburn and Alexa Chung, she is drawn to good-looking tomboy style.  Hannah immensely enjoys wearing upscale clothes, but for her time and comfort occasionally out rule fashion which she says results in her looking unlovely...we greatly disagree! 

     We can all concure that there are a plethora of influences involved in the Anderson Family’s style, but ultimately they seek to pioneer original style based upon their personalities. “I think I can speak for all of us when I say that our style is us just us being ourselves,” Hannah says.  “We've all had our phases where we try to recreate or emulate someone or something else and through that we've come up with personal styles we really like.”  Joshua confesses that there isn’t anyone in particular that influences the way he expresses himself stylistically. “I just like to put on my clothes,” he says. It’s safe to say that he does an amazing job piecing together outfits, as do Hannah and Sophia.

     Steeze effortlessly oozes out of the remarkably talented Anderson trio. Be sure to check out Sophia and Hannah covering Lana Del Ray’s "Video Games" at the end.  They not only dress well, but are also incredibly musically talented.  We are thankful that persuasive people like Hannah, Sophia and Joshua exist. Steezebook wishes you three the best in your future endeavors. 

[ steeze ]

[all photos provided by Hannah Anderson (@hannahandersonn), Sophia Anderson (@sophieandersonx), and Joshua Anderson (@joshuandrson).  for more information or to contact them, find them at joshuanderson.com and hannahanderson.net]

[WE NEED YOU]

     Steezebook is not simply a place for style, but more importantly community.  As we begin to write this book, our hope and desire is that this blog becomes a place for people to express themselves creatively, connect with people, and get inspired by others.  While we love searching for and finding people who are the definition of "steeze," we are also aware that our resources can only go so far.  In order to overcome this limitation, we, Steezebook, need your help!
     So, here is what we are asking:  If you know someone who you believe we need to contact and feature, or you yourself wish to be included in this book, LET US KNOW!  Either email us at steezebook@gmail.com or tag [ #steezebook ] on Instagram and lets do this together.  We love you guys. [ steeze ]

[boots by nike//pants by h&m//flannel by pacsun//photo by @filmorebouldes]