1. When do you feel at your most attractive?

When everything is in its place: good haircut, good shoes, a skirt that fits - and good, non-flaky make up!

2. Do you notice women on the street? If so, what sort of women do you tend to notice or admire?

Of course I do - I notice each one of them, even the poorly dressed.
I mostly admire those girls/women who dare to have a personal style (even if I wouldn´t wear it myself) and do not stupidly shop the newest stuff at H&M.

3. What are some things you admire about how other women present themselves?

To be overdressed
To be underdressed
To be sexy and deadpan cool in one
Not to care about cheap "fashion"

4. Was there a moment in your life when something “clicked” for you about fashion or dressing or make-up or hair? What? Why did it happen then, do you think?

The women I grew up with (my mum and grandma) were aware of their outward appearance any moment of the day - that definitely made an impression on me. They never left the house without make up and told me not to wear my "good clothes" at home.

And then there was Debbie Harry (I was nine years old): my first fashion- and role model - still valid until today :-)

5. What are some shopping rules you wouldn’t necessarily recommend to others but which you follow?

Don´t go shopping when you have the feeling of something´s missing in your life. You will definitely buy stuff you don´t need.
Don´t buy anything at cheap retailers - it´s not good for you and not good for the rest of the world.
Don´t go shopping with your hubby and/or child - and don´t expect good advice from them.
And try not to search something but to find!

6. What are some rules about dressing you follow, but you wouldn't necessarily recommend to others?

Always try to reach a complete "look" or style - which doesn´t mean that anything has to match. Just turn away from the boring jeans-and-shirt-wear.

Decide for one major colour and NEVER mix dark blue with black or brown with black.

Don´t think you´d look good in beige - you will never.

Always wear beautiful jewellery and accessories - but not too many pieces at a time. Make a statement with your necklace or handbag.

Don´t be afraid of "loud" colours.

Have a look at the ladies you like - is there something you´d like to copy? Try it.

Always wear something with a little or long history - dressing is much more than just covering yourself.

7. What is the most transformative conversation you have ever had on the subject of fashion or style?

As a teenager I was part of a girls clique - the others were constantly lamenting about how ugly they were, how their eyes were lacking expression, how strange their knees would look and that they were tired of the colour orange.

I left them.

8. Do you have a unified way of approaching your life, work, relationships, finances, chores, etc.? Please explain.

Sigh.... No.
Just keep on keepin' on.
And being sure: if one thought will repeatedly pop up in your mind, it would be good to follow it.

9. Are there any clothing (or related) items that you have in multiple? Why do you think you keep buying this thing?

I´m always looking for the perfect black jacket or the perfect fitting jeans. Or the perfect shirt for summer and, of course, for the one pair of shoes that will make everything alright.
As I already mentioned at # 5, finding is better than searching. So I´m definitely a failure at this point.

10. Have you ever successfully given someone a present of jewelry or clothing that you continue to feel good about?

I still like the little red kindergarden bag I gave my little niece - and I hope she still likes it, too.

And my little son successfully robs all the jewellery out of my treasure box - I have to borrow things from him :-)

11. Is there any fashion trend you’ve refused to participate in and why? 

Lots of:
No white garments for me,
no hippie or boho style,
no maxi skirt,
no high heels,
....

12. Can you say a bit about how your mother’s body and style has been passed down to you, or not?

My mother was a slim and delicate gypsy-style-woman with thick, black hair.
I am chubby with fine, thin blonde hair.
Any questions?

My mother´s style passed down on me in reverse: I refuse everything she likes and vice versa ;-)

13. Have you stolen, borrowed or adapted any dressing ideas or actual items from friends or family?

Yes, various times - mostly as a young girl. One example: my best friend wore bermuda shorts at our graduation party. I was thrilled! I copied her style but never looked as cool as her.

14. Was there a point in your life when your style changed dramatically? What happened?

Yes, when I was in my late twenties and had my first steady job: I thought it was a good idea to dress more serious - which was only boring and dull and didn´t suit me at all.
The older I get the more boldly I become :-)

15. Is there anything political about the way you dress?

I try not to look like a stupid housewife or bombshell - I try to appear intelligent and stylish at once (don´t know if it works).

I try to act sustainable - I keep my things for a very long time (or give them away quickly if they don´t fit).

I try to buy things that were made under human conditions - but can you be sure? Don´t know.

16. Please describe your body.

Positive thinking: I´m rather small and chubby - curvy and cosy.
Negative thinking: I don´t like my back - it´s too wide, especially my hips.

Can´t change it anyway - I´m looking more like a dove than like a heron.

17. Please describe your mind.

Wide open - hopefully. Always interested in new things, in culture, art, music, literature and fashion.
Having a crush on anything glittering...

18. Please describe your emotions.

Very deep - but since I was a child I try to keep them underneath. Not always helpful.

19. What are you wearing on your body and face, and how is your hair done, right at this moment?

Face: make up, powder, mascara, kajal, eyeshadow, lipstick.
Body: Black cardigan, black skirt with green apple print, black tights, black booties with small heels, olive green corduroy blazer, apple green scarf.
Hair: short, not washed today, new haircut due in one or two weeks.

20. In what way is this stuff important, if at all?

I feel pretty and comfortable in it - which is good for my mood and therefore for my social behaviour ;-)

21. With whom do you talk about clothes?

With my colleagues, friends (female and male), my husband

22. How do institutions affect the way you dress?

A little: when I go out at night I surely dress in black.
When I go to the office I try to appear "correct" but fashionable.
When we go out for a walk it´s necessary to have good shoes.

23. Do you think you have taste or style? Which one is more important? What do these words mean to you?

Yes, I think I have both. People sometimes ask me for advice what they should wear, so I guess I appear trustworthy ;-)
Taste and style are similar to me so one is as important as the other.
These words mean a lot to me - but in the end we will all die.

24. Do you remember the biggest waste of money you ever made on an item of clothing?

Ssssssshhhhhhh.... during that time when I tried to look serious.

25. Are there any dressing tricks you’ve invented or learned that make you feel like you’re getting away with something?

-

26. Do you have style in any areas of your life aside from fashion?

Don´t think so. Definitely not in home decorating. Maybe in my record collection.

27. Can you recall some times when you have dressed a particular way to calm yourself or gain a sense of control over a situation that scared you?

-

28. Would you say you “know what you like” in the area of fashion and clothing? If so, do you also know what you like in other areas of life, that is, are you generally good at discernment? Can you say where your discernment comes from, if you have it? Or if you don’t have it, why or why not?

Yes... maybe... no :-)

I know what I like to wear and hopefully I know what suits me.

The older I get the more self-confident I become - and I do hope not only in fashion.

29. Did your parents teach you things about clothing, care for your clothing, dressing or style? What lessons do you remember? Or did you just pick things up?

They told me not to look "cheap" (= show too much skin).

30. What sorts of things do you do, clothing or make-up or hair- wise, to feel sexy or alluring?

-

31. Many people say they want to feel “comfortable,” or that they admire people who seem “confident.” What do these words really mean to you?

-

32. If dressing were the only thing you did, and you were considered an expert and asked to explain your style philosophy, what would you say?

Ouh...

Never say never - but don´t try to be someone else. Look at the others and define what you like about them and try to integrate it into your style.

Don´t try to look much older or younger than you actually are.

And, to say it with Lemmy Kilmister: If you think you´re too old for Rock'n'Roll then you are.

33. What is really beautiful, for you, in general?

A person with charisma - she or he doesn´t have to be a classic beauty. Just that little something.

34. What do you consider very ugly?

Porno-chic
Too much flesh and skin

35. Are you generally a good judge of whether what you buy will end up being worn? Have you figured out how to know in advance?

-

36. When you look at yourself before going out, and you are trying to see yourself from the outside, can you describe a bit about what this “other person” is like? What do they like, dislike, what sorts of judgments do they have? Is this “outer eye” based on someone you know or once knew?

-

37. What is your process getting dressed in the morning? What are you considering?

I try to prepare my clothes on the evening before.

38. What are you trying to achieve when you dress?

To have a look that appeals to others without being obtrusive or pathetic.

39. What, for you, is the difference between dressing and dressing up?

Dressing: to look okay
Dressing up: to look gorgeous

40. If you had to wear a “uniform” what would it look like?

Anything black

41. What would you say is “you” and what would you say is “not you”?

Me is black, combined with fancy patterns and bright colours.
Not me is white, feathers, frills, loops.

42. What is your cultural background and how has that influenced how you dress?

-

43. Do you remember a time in your life when you dressed quite differently from how you do now? Can you describe it and what it was all about for you?

-

44. What sorts of things do you do, clothing, make-up or hair-wise, to feel professional?

-

48. Do you find it comforting or constraining to have a uniform?

Both: It may give security, but is also limiting in terms of creativity.

49. What is an archetypal outfit for you; one that you could have happily worn at any point in your life? What do you like about it?

Black dress - you can´t go wrong with it.

50. Do you ever wish you were a man or could dress like a man or had a man’s body? Was there ever a time in the past?

Never.

71. What’s the first “investment” item you bought? Do you still own or wear it?

-

72. Was there ever an important or paradigm-shifting purchase in your life?

-

73. What item of clothing are you still (or have you forever been) on the hunt for?

-

74. What are your closet and drawers like? Do you keep things neat, etc?

I try but always fail to keep it neat.

75. Were you ever given a present of clothing or jewelry that especially touched you?

Yes - when my boyfriend gave me a green gemstone as a birthday present. I knew it was expensive and I knew that he knew that I loved it so much....

78. Do you like to smell a certain way?

Yes - green tea or figue perfume!

80. How does money fit into all this?

Not at all - always too less. But these are problems of the rich and white side of the planet, I guess.

81. Is there an article of clothing, a piece of make-up, or an accessory that you carry with you or wear every day?

my silver earrings and purple watch - all other things change daily.

83. Do you remember the first time you were conscious of what you were wearing? Can you describe this moment and what it was about?

When I was at school, six years old: I was wearing very uncool polyester trousers in navy blue and my classmates laughed about me (because they were wearing jeans).

What’s your birth date? 
Where were you born and where do you live now?

I was born in Frankfurt, Germany on 28 December 1968, now living again in Frankfurt.

Say anything you like about your cultural/ethnic/economic background.

White middle class, not very rich. I was the first in my family to achieve a baccalaureate.

What kind of work do you do?

Editorial assistant at a publishing house

Are you single, married, do you have kids, etc.?

LIving with partner, one child and one cat.

Please say anything you like about yourself that might put this survey into some sort of context.

Don´t you worry 'bout a thing!

How do you feel after filling out this survey?

A little exhausted (even if I let out lots of questions), but happy and satisfied, in a way.

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