http://www.vogue.inVOGUEINDIAJUNE 127
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Nigeria
JENNIFER OSEH OKPEPE,
THE EXPERIMENTER
Twenty-fi ve-year-old Nigerian infl uencer Jennifer Oseh’s exu-
berant style is an exaggerated play on colour, texture and print.
“I’ve felt like people have been offended by my appearance,” she
laughs. Oseh (on Instagram as @theladyvhodka) is also in the
midst of launching her own label, WildKulture (author Chimam-
anda Ngozi Adichie is a fan!) and naturally her own closet brims
with pieces that refl ect a dynamic relationship with dressing up.
“I love putting together outfi ts editorially.” Her sartorial motto
is simple: “In a world of Kardashian lookalikes, don’t be afraid to
appear fl amboyant, to be individual,” she says.—Nisha Kanabar17
Italy
ANNA DELLO RUSSO, THE OG
Three decades in the fashion industry can pile up plenty of memories (and
clothes). In April 2018, fashion fi xture and architect of the street-style move-
ment, Anna Dello Russo, put her wardrobe up for sale on resale website Ves-
tiare. The size of her spring cleaning—not one but two apartments full. “I’m
recycling my clothing to see how it can have another life. I love fashion, but I
don’t want to be dying in my clothes! I really would like to see these outfi ts and
accessories take on another life with the young, new generation,” she told
Vogue.com. When asked about her aesthetic, she’s quick to tell us, “It’s totally
schizophrenic. I like to move with fashion. It’s a way for me to not get bored of
myself.” So, she wears Gucci, Prada, Chanel and tops it up with life-size hats
by Philip Treacy or metallic tasselled boots and big bows. Because, why not?
In her words, “When you get sad, put on a pair of high heels, a little dress and
go out and get another attitude.” For Anna Della Russo or ADR (her adopted
moniker that comes sprawled across everything from the XL swimming pool
in her Italian home to her phone cover), street style 10 years ago was a celebra-
tion inside and outside, on the catwalk and off the catwalk. “This has had a big
impact in the industry. Earlier it was just the catwalk, print magazines and
shops. Now there is street style photography, world wide web, YouTube, infl u-
encers, storytellers...” Thirty years later, she’s now creating content across all
these channels for maximum impact, of course.—Akanksha Kamath
18
Russia
“I believe in the power of couture. My introduction to it was beautiful pieces from the
ivory towers of Christian Dior, Valentino and Giambattista Valli. I fell in love with
what came out of these ateliers,” says couturier Ulyana Sergeenko. Not long after,
she started her own couture label. “Matryoshka (Russian doll) was one of my favour-
ite extravagant style periods—the midi skirts with fl oral prints, kerchiefs always
accompanied by sunglasses, extremely high heels are excessive elements...” At fash-
ion week, Sergeenko can be spotted sporting typical Russian embroidery, and for her
shows she brings an element of surprise and exaggeration. Her latest collabora-
tion—lace embroidered masks and hats created by the legendary Stephen Jones—a
look she’s brave enough to pull off herself (as seen here).—Akanksha Kamath >ULYANA SERGEENKO,
THE TRADITIONALIST