Style Q&A

Functionality, self-expression and vintage goodness summarises the NYC-based stylist’s unique dose of style. Cherry Kim jumped ship to the US a few years ago from New Zealand and in combination with her main gig as an assistant stylist at La Garçonne, she represents a fresh-faced sense of style reminiscent of nineties catalogues; with second-hand gems and a confident aura to match.

Hi, cherry! Can you tell us a little something about yourself? And about your personal style?

Hello! I’m Cherry! I moved from Auckland to New York ten months ago and am working as the Assistant Stylist at La Garçonne. I’m probably one of the most stubborn people you’ll meet, deeply passionate, curious and inconsistent in character. I love online shopping on depop and eBay, travelling and browsing fashion photography archives. My personal style is the nineties. My colleague recently said my style was reminiscent of 90s delias catalogues!

A styling tip

Wear what makes you comfortable in terms of both aesthetic and functionality. I’m a strong believer that what you wear really affects your confidence/aura. And expression through clothing can really make a difference in how you feel about yourself and how you’re perceived.

Do you have styling staples in your wardrobe that you keep coming back to?

My navy Costume National Suit - I somehow always end up wearing this to job interviews. Great cut and fits super well. Black Rothco Military Pants and Teal Dickies - easy go-tos for work.
My Prada Sport Moto Boots - they have an amazing sole and hits the lower calf which is super flattering. I wear them all year round. Green Issey Dress - when I’m feeling lazy, this is a good one that I don’t have to think twice about.

How do you transition your style during seasonal changes?

Spring/ Summer is definitely harder for me because I love outerwear and trousers! I feel naked without a substantial amount of layering. Over the warmer months, I’m probably in shorts or still in full-length denim or khakis, occasionally a midi dress and ALWAYS sneakers. For winter, love my black MA-1 bomber over everything and my Prada Sport Moto Boots, especially with the crazy snow in NY.

We would love to know your favourite stores in NY that we need to hip up next time we are there.

JAMES VELORIA! If you’re ever in New York, you have to visit this store. It’s in a random Chinatown mall, very discrete and small but the two guys that own it - Colin and Brandon curate the most amazing second-hand designer pieces - Prada, Miu Miu, JPG, Margiela etc. and there’s new stock every day!

La Garconne - my current work has such a beautiful store space in TriBeCa with both clothing and homewares curated in an open, neutral-toned room with wooden accents and amazing lantern lights.

Shop the break - super cute curated vintage store in Brooklyn and 10 Ft Single by Stella Dallas, a vintage emporium with deadstock denim, military pieces etc is good too.

Labels you’re really into lately?

Jean-Paul Gaultier, Prada, Alyx, Matthew Adams Dolan and Priscavera (I’d wear everything from their SS19 shows)

Your current Spotify playlist

The Internet, Eli Sostre, Dave B, wntr, Sango, Buddy, SiR.

You have beautiful skin. Are you able to share your skincare routine and products you use?

I LOVE Korean beauty products! I always use this random green tea moisturiser (that my mom got me into) after washing my face. I recently got onto the Fenty Soft Matte Longwear Foundation which I use as a base (so far so good!), MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Global Glow to add some glow and definition to my cheekbones, Soft and Gentle as a highlight. I really suit red tones for the eyes so I use Blackberry and Deception from the MAC Cool Neutral palette and then finish up with mascara and a tiny bit of vaseline under my eyes because my eyeshadow and mascara always ends up bleeding and this seems to hold everything in place. I’m all about less is more so I just use a simple drugstore facial cleanser in the morning and in the evening - my skin is quite thick and I never break out so I don’t like to pile products onto my skin that I have no clue about! And Burt’s Bees Lip Balm in Coconut and Pear for day-to-day, Fenty Gloss Bomb or MAC Velvet Teddy if I’m going out.

Thank you Cherry xx
Follow Cherry on Instagram here

Photography — Joseph Balestra
Interview — Zeenat Wilkinson

Cherry Kim