Portraits of Beautiful Humans: Lovisa
Lovisa Linnea Photographed by Ronan McKenzie
SO WE KNOW WHO YOU REALLY ARE, DESCRIBE YOURSELF USING ONLY EMOJIS:
WHAT DOES YOUR IDEA OF FASHION FREEDOM FEEL LIKE?
Being able to represent yourself in a fashionable way and dressing like you feel in the moment. It’s about feeling comfortable in and out of your clothing. I would walk around naked if I could because it makes me feel connected to my body, but I want that feeling to translate to what I wear every day. I think it’s also about being creative and pulling out a fire outfit with whatever is available, or around you. When I was a kid, me and my siblings would share clothes, borrow our mum’s stuff, and have to make it work.
WHAT EXCITES YOU ABOUT FASHION TODAY?
OR THINK 10 YEARS FROM NOW - WHAT DOES THE FASHION INDUSTRY LOOK LIKE?:
The diversity - and I think in 10 years it’ll be even more. So many kids are coming from the hood, and they’re going to run this industry. I can see now how many of my friends are winning at what they’re doing when it comes to fashion and creativity - they’re actually getting recognition for thinking about fashion differently - and that’s what this industry needs. I also think the size range is going to continue to expand across every style. Streetwear, for example, usually only comes up to XL, while other - more feminine - styles are available in a huge range of sizes. It’s just not what I want to wear - I don’t want to be in my grandma’s clothes.
IF WE GAVE YOU $200 TODAY, WHAT WOULD YOU BUY?
I would definitely go to a thrift shop and buy loads of clothes instead of buying a bunch of fast-fashion. I prefer to shop that way. There are so many amazing pieces - nice clothes. To me, the whole fast-fashion industry is fucked up. Especially brands that say they’re “for women,” but they’re using women in low income countries for cheap labor and barely pay them. When I buy clothes, or even get clothes for free, I want to be 100% honest about what I’m wearing. If I can’t stand behind a brand - their opinions, their beliefs, their mission - I’m not going to wear it. By wearing brands that are against my opinions or belief system, I become complicit in what they’re doing wrong - and I’m not about that.