“I’m a real low-baller because I’m picky when it comes to spending money on clothes. I often wait months before I take the plunge and actually buy something. My aim is to still be able to wear everything that I own now in five years’ time.”

Seito Thor Shinohara

Fiona Bingel, 22, studies psychology.

‘Right now, I’m trying to avoid anything that could be described as “fast fashion”. That can be difficult sometimes because the price obviously makes a huge difference, but I think that the higher price tag is worth it when I can do my bit to help protect the environment or not support child labour. For example, I’d encourage everyone to buy clothes from Vinted. I take my inspiration from what I see around me and what appeals to me. I love music. There’s hardly a minute in my day when I’m not singing or listening to music, whether that’s ASAP Rocky, Rihanna or Kanye West. My favourite item is my arm band, which I wear every day. I got it from my mother, and she got it from my father’s mother, so it’s got a lot of sentimental value to me. It’s like I can keep them with me all the time.’

Seito Thor Shinohara, 22, studies musicology and philosophy at the Goethe University. He also works as a model and makes music.

‘My style is inspired by all the things that have fascinated me ever since I was young. The first thing I think of are all the manga, anime and J-dramas I watched as a kid. I wear lots of accessories that my friends and family have gifted me. Each and every one stands for something. Either there’s a special story attached to it, or it’s just very close to my heart. There are only a few things that are more valuable to me. Shopping? Grailed, Vestiaire Collective, eBay and vintage shops.’ 

“I’m a real low-baller because I’m picky when it comes to spending money on clothes. I often wait months before I take the plunge and actually buy something. My aim is to still be able to wear everything that I own now in five years’ time.”

Seito Thor Shinohara

Fabijenne Laura Andrijevic, 22, is a student at the Offenbach University of Art and Design and a content creator on Instagram.

‘If I were to label my style, I'd call it “retro-futuristic”. I take a lot of my inspiration from retro icons like Grace Jones and Marilyn Monroe – strong, female figures who shape our present and will shape our future and who revolutionised the image of women. It's all about glitz and glamour. When I have a specific vision in mind, I seek out the perfect elements to create an outfit. Online stores like ASOS or online second-hand shops like Depop and Vinted are my first ports of call. As a trans woman, I’m always exploring my femininity and thinking about what it means to me. I want to be a role model for other women, who, just like me, have a story to tell and want to take their destiny in their own hands. Make it happen, girls! Shock everyone!’ 

Georgios Latrovalis, 23, studies, writes and makes short films.

‘My style is all about pushing the envelope of my own comfort zone. The 1930s vintage trousers that I discovered in an antiques shop in Paris are one of my favourite pieces. I mainly buy second-hand and ideally from local sellers, but I’m also a big fan of shopping in concept stores. I really hope they don’t fall victim to people’s increasing obsession with online shopping. So what inspires me? While it might look like we’re all breaking down the barriers between us and getting “smarter”, I perceive – especially among younger people – a growing sense of isolation and a lack of direction, not only when it comes to jobs and careers but also in life in general. We need to talk about this more and do something about it.’

Fiona Bingel, 22, studies psychology.

‘Right now, I’m trying to avoid anything that could be described as “fast fashion”. That can be difficult sometimes because the price obviously makes a huge difference, but I think that the higher price tag is worth it when I can do my bit to help protect the environment or not support child labour. For example, I’d encourage everyone to buy clothes from Vinted. I take my inspiration from what I see around me and what appeals to me. I love music. There’s hardly a minute in my day when I’m not singing or listening to music, whether that’s ASAP Rocky, Rihanna or Kanye West. My favourite item is my arm band, which I wear every day. I got it from my mother, and she got it from my father’s mother, so it’s got a lot of sentimental value to me. It’s like I can keep them with me all the time.’

“I don’t care what I wear. The most important thing is that I feel comfortable.”

Fiona Bingel

Richard Debra, 22, makes music and his own clothes.

‘My style is inspired by the music I listen to and artists like Theophilus London, ASAP Rocky and ASAP Nast. The motorcycle jacket is one of my favourite pieces because I bought it in a vintage shop in Paris, which means it’s really rare. I buy more when I’m in other cities because they have more vintage shops. Otherwise, I’m always checking out Vinted or smaller online stores, because I’m not the kind of person that likes to wear what everyone else is wearing.’

“Inspiring and reaching out to other people motivates me to become the best version of myself”

Louise Leissner

Louise Leissner, 19, is a student and model and juggles three jobs.

‘Inspiring and reaching out to other people motivates me to become the best version of myself – on the inside and out. This always reminds me of the person I wanted to be when I was at nursery: a princess. Someone who’s always accommodating and helpful to everyone. My absolute favourite items are minerals and crystals, energy stones that help me to find my balance. I try to buy my everyday clothing from sustainable outlets – so second-hand via Vinted, for example. For special occasions, I like to hire rare vintage designer clothing or individual pieces from new designers to help support local creatives. Lately, I’ve been buying a lot from Jessy Stuchly. She makes unique clothing and bodysuits using tulle and glitter. Totally my thing!’