Stevie Dance Talks Authentic Style and Moving Forward in Fashion

STEVIE DANCE is a wearer of many hats—being a fashion director at POP, a writer, stylist, designer, and photographer, she’s a powerhouse reveling in the indulgence of cross-pollinating throughout the creative sphere.

Growing up in the US and Australia, Stevie studied journalism and cinematography at the University of Sydney. Thereafter getting her start assisting for titles such as Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue China, and T Magazine in New York and worked as an intern for Australian magazine, RUSSH where she eventually climbed up the ranks as editor—tapping big modeling names like Jessica Stam and Karlie Kloss who were then just breaking into the scene. “I thought I would write film reviews or make documentaries until I fell into fashion,” she tells and shares her evolution developing a love for fashion through her natural penchant for the process surrounding it. “I was never so much into fashion growing up, but I have always been obsessed with images and image-making.” She adds, “I have always loved how fashion can help inform that process; how fashion can help translate a character or a particular momentum in culture, or even just someone’s point of view.”

“I have always loved how fashion can help inform that process [of image-making]; how fashion can help translate a character or a particular momentum in culture, or even just someone’s point of view.”

Eventually leaving that territory four years later, she now boasts an extensive resumé with contributions to major publications and working with Virgil Abloh and Off-White—styling both their women’s and men’s runway shows since Spring/Summer ‘16. The collaboration came organically—being two friends who would often see each other in Paris and New York and Virgil being a fan of Stevie’s eclectic take to style seeing her editorials for Vogue. One of the most significant elements in the creative scope is collaboration, something that Stevie deems vital in the field and one great skill she took with her from past experiences in the industry. “The most important, joyful part of the creative process is always the collaboration with others. That is the whole point.” With plenty of styling years and sartorial knowledge under her belt, Stevie’s vision towards style remains eclectic, authentic, and undefinable.

Trudging out from the glitz and glamor of runway shows and fashion editorials, Stevie put her designer hat on and developed a denim line called FEEL Studio Inc; initialized from the desire to create a pair of aesthetically vintage jeans that are sustainable and effortless. “To create a genderless product has always really been the ideal, so it is so nice it has taken this shape. The idea that anyone can translate it for their own persona and sex and energy is super appealing to me,” she notes, speaking of the inspiration for creating an inexplicably versatile piece that can bring out the confidence in anyone who wears it. “It’s been really exciting to see people in our jeans and t-shirts both women and now men. From Lily Rose Depp to Bella Hadid, to Kaia Gerber to my boyfriend, to the 65-year-old art mum who bought them after reading about them in the New York Times to my six-foot tall male hairdresser.”

“It is a really exciting time to cross-pollinate and cultivate different ways of collaborating and expressing one’s self and one’s ideas and vision with others. Never has there been a more fluid time with roles and occupations and ways by which to publish one’s creative output or start creative conversations.”

Juggling all of these disciplines, Stevie talks about stepping out of the box and the driving force behind her creativity as we speak to her about style, working with sartorial virtuosos, and overcoming one’s fears as an artist.

You’re somebody who possesses a lot of titles—from creative director to designer to stylist to photographer. How do you juggle all of these and what made you think about getting into these disciplines? Was it just something that came organically from working in your field?

It is a really exciting time to cross-pollinate and cultivate different ways of collaborating and expressing one’s self and one’s ideas and vision with others. Never has there been a more fluid time with roles and occupations and ways by which to publish one’s creative output or start creative conversations. A lot of people in the industry I’m sure are uncomfortable with the uncontrolled elements of such a premise. I’m really into it. Blurring the lines on how we each contribute and how immediate it is feels super contemporary to me. I started as a journalist. Then came styling and creative consulting and then I started working on taking my own photos. I like to explore all of these mediums in different ways, for different reasons and each part of the process came about, largely due to my own desire to express more. Photos, styling, writing, designing jeans are all just my conduit for connection to others.

What was the most difficult challenge you faced when you were working your way up and how did you overcome it? Would you say it’s easier for you now facing these challenges at work as someone who has been doing this for quite some time?

Actually, perhaps the most rewarding creative period, as well as the most challenging, and unchartered, is now. I have just launched a denim brand this year, FEEL JEANS, whilst being pregnant as well as photographing my first magazine cover and advertising campaigns. I guess the only way to overcome one’s fears is to keep one’s naivety. That’s what I feel works best. But I am a glass half-full type of person in practice.

You recently styled the Off-White show at Paris Fashion Week and regularly work with the brand. How did you start working with Virgil? How would you describe your dynamic?

I have been working with Virgil and his Off-White team, styling the Off-White Womens and Mens runway shows, since pretty much the very start of their Paris projects [in] 2015, so SS2016. We started working together in part because we were friends who would pass one another on the street in Paris or New York and say hi and in part if I remember correctly, because I had just put Kim Kardashian in New Balance sneakers and silk pyjamas with absolutely no make up for a Vogue editorial and Virgil liked the spin. Our ability to work together and throw around ideas run deep. I really value our collaborative dynamic and most importantly, our friendship.

“Perhaps the most rewarding creative period, as well as the most challenging, and unchartered, is now… I guess the only way to overcome one’s fears is to keep one’s naivety. That’s what I feel works best.”

What is your process like when styling for a runway show?

It’s about an open dialogue with the designer and using one’s curiosity to explore their work and in turn helping the designer to express their vision and core values.

Tell us about your denim line, The FEEL Studio Inc. What made you decide to jump into designing a fashion line and what were your inspirations in creating it?

The FEEL Studio Inc. all started from the desire to make a single, perfect pair of jeans for myself and then in turn, for everyone, a pair of jeans that were aesthetically like an authentic vintage pair, without having to hunt on eBay and in thrift shops to find them but with a moral compass, based on making them as sustainable an option as their vintage predecessors were. From there, The FEEL Studio Inc. grew. I have always been drawn to the premise of uniform dressing, in that I like to return to pieces that feel iconic and effortless and are without trend and ultimately just make you feel good. The FEEL Studio was an investment in creating a tool like that, for everyone.

How do you define style?

When someone is themselves. Ease, nonchalance, effortlessness and the unexpected.

As somebody who gets to work with designers firsthand, what is your perspective on the streetwear scene?

My take is a positive one. I love brands people can wear, fan out over, afford and share. I love brands that build community and encourage self- expression and inclusivity. Streetwear to me has emulated these practices which I value.

Where do you think fashion is going now? What kind of direction do you think it’s heading in?

Inclusivity and sustainability are the most interesting and important movements in the industry to date, both of which I am very inspired by.

Finally, what is next for you? What are your future plans and what else do you hope to achieve?

Taking photos, working on The FEEL Studio Inc., writing, styling. Same as always, but more. Keeping my eyes open!

Photos styled and photographed by Stevie Dance