Brands + People That Are Doing It Right
Content absence, coming back to my senses, brands + people that I can't stop thinking about
The more time I spend Instagram/TikTok consuming content, the more out of touch I feel with my own likes and dislikes. For example, spending so much time on the internet and constantly seeing the same things/outfits/styling/branding over and over and over again, really f*cks with your POV, or at least it did with mine.
So, my solution was to stop scrolling these 2 apps for a hot minute… which is seemingly more difficult than it sounds *especially when this is my FT job, and source of income*. I stopped posting, unless I had an obligation to, I stopped doom-scrolling, I stopped opening them in my free time. I focused on Pinterest, and Substack to consume my content (going cold-turkey on all content consumption seemed too daunting). This was perhaps the most difficult thing I’ve done in a WHILE...which is actually quite embarrassing. I have myself hardwired to pickup my phone and start scrolling TikTok and Instagram from the minute I wake up to the minute my eyes shut at night… I say it’s for “work”. I genuinely did not know what to do with myself. I was forced to be inspired but things again, to read, to actively save and to consuming my content consciously, instead of mindlessly…
Here’s what brought me back to life during my TikTok/Instagram half-assed hiatus:
Getting dressed for me, and only me. *Not feeling pressure to “look cool” and take a picture every time I got dressed was genuinely rejuvenating*. Reading columns on Substack in full- not just glancing at the pictures. Seeing ads tailored for me based on my search history, not just cause the algorithm assumed I would be interested.
This led me to really think about who and what were inspiring me within the space currently:
Some of it was e-comm styling. Some of it was influencers/stylists/founders who I think are the absolute coolest people within the space. And some of it was just damn good branding (makeup/skincare and haircare companies are doing the coolest shit right now). But here’s what I narrowed in on:
LESET
Everything that they’re doing just gives me full body chills. The draping, the shapes, the colours, the simplicity. This is exactly how I describe my style, chic, masculine, and minimal. LESET’s e-commerce made me excited to get dressed again.
some of my favourite LESET pieces include: Kyoto Pant, Margo tee, and James Short Sleeve Polo.
OZMA
I recently just bought my first piece from them, the shore pant, and it was the only bottom I wore for a week straight. I’ve been a fan of theirs for a while, and they really know how to capture the essence of minimal, effortless dressing.
HALFDAYS
This should come as a surprise to absolutely no one. But their recent SPRING/SUMMER shoot, left me feeling warm and fuzzy inside. Styled by my friend, Julianna- (she will have her own section on here because she is seriously one of the coolest people I have ever met) - who hits the nail on the head every single freaking time!
This collection embodies how I feel about outdoor dressing, and that you can still look chic, and super f*cking cool while doing activities.
My fav’s from the collection are the Chapelle fleece, Nan Field Jacket and Bastille Trail pant.
STILL HERE
Still Here is one of the only companies to me that just produces hit, after hit, after hit- and continues to show up in new, innovative ways every single time.
I especially appreciate their ode to vintage muses, minimalism and their casting of real people for every campaign.
Shooting with them has been on my vision board since 2022 and I will not rest until I check this off my never-ending “goals list”.
Some of my favourite Still Here pieces include: the cool jean, the everyday jean, the sweatshirt, and the 2tee.
Special shoutout, co-founder and creative director Sonia Mosseri for being one of my style-muses, and the queen of denim.
JAMES STREET
An industry leader in creativity, styling and product quality. Everything James Street screams luxe, while still being comfortable and wearable on an everyday basis. They have never missed a beat in terms of styling, design and overall campaign imagery.
Their Spring collection launches on March 16th, and I can’t wait to get my hands on this new denim shirt, and the blue sweater with cocoa trim at the neckline.
My summer muse. Alivia’s style oozes comfort, colour and minimalism to me. She uses textures to her advantage, and makes literally everything look chic and put together.
Stylist extraordinaire. Quite possibly the chicest dresser I know, and the blueprint for accessorizing accordingly. She opts for mostly muted tones, which I resonate with, and has cracked the code for sporty tailoring.
A dear friend of mine, who has been one of my styling muses since we worked together in 2019. Carys’ wardrobe is primarily second-hand, and she’s one of the few people I know who consciously makes an effort to re-wear her clothing in new and innovative ways. She’s been a voice in my head (even though she might not know it), to consume less, and play in my closet more.
The near-email limit warning always scares me… so here are some other brands that have incredibly inspiring creative direction, know their audience, and make me freaking excited to begin creating again:
PLUDO LABS (also how do I get this in Canada)
What all these companies have in common: utilizing print, sharing REAL people, vintage nods, invoking nostalgia, and knowing exactly who their consumer is.
chat soon xo
-CM
Chefs kiss of a list
Absolutely loved this!!