Working her way up the world of magazines before finding her niche, our latest Aje Insider says stay positive, stay eager. Describing her personal style as eclectic, colourful and happy, meet the woman behind Cool Pretty Cool, and New Zealand’s best export, the one and only Chloe Hill.
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Chloe Hill
Chloe Hill
Stylist
The Banksia Midi Strip Dress
DESCRIBE YOUR JOURNEY TO WHERE YOU ARE TODAY
The short and sweet version is I worked my way up through magazines and eventually into the freelance styling world. I have always tried to have a good attitude and stay eager which I think are some of the most important attributes in my career thus far and have gotten me where I am.
TELL US ABOUT THE COOL PRETTY COOL CONCEPT AND HOW IT WAS BORN
After 10 years working in magazines I had an idea of the kind of content I felt was missing in the industry. I wanted to create a platform that celebrates beautiful fashion in a fun and relaxed way. And a space where the people we featured could talk about what matters to them. It’s really about being an inclusive and aspirational publication that anyone can enjoy!
ANY UP AND COMING COOL PRETTY COOL FACES WE SHOULD KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR
We shot with Agi as soon as she arrived in Sydney at the start of the year and she has just gone from strength to strength since then (not taking credit or anything haha). Obviously she opened the AJE show at MBFWA, and she had huge success in Europe last month, walking for brands like J.W. Anderson and Loewe.
The Mimosa Patch Shirt and Banksia Strip Midi Skirt
BIGGEST CHANGE YOU HAVE SEEN IN THE INDUSTRY SINCE YOU STARTED
I started out when magazines were the be-all and end-all, Instagram didn’t even exist! So I’ve seen the publishing world turned on its head. The entire industry has completely changed from when I started, in good ways and in bad.
The Paperbark Shirt Dress (Arriving November)
BIGGEST CHANGE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE
I want to see the industry making decisions based on kindness and compassion first and foremost, not just thinking about money! In every way - especially when it comes to inclusivity and sustainability. If everyone could think about people and the planet as their top priorities, the world would be a better place.
The Banksia Midi Strip Dress
The Mimosa Patch Shirt and Banksia Strip Midi Skirt
CAREER HIGHLIGHT SO FAR
Getting my first job in magazines was a BIG deal, I will never forget that day.
BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU HAVE EVER RECEIVED
‘Be kind’, I don’t remember who said it but it’s something I repeat to myself almost every day.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR AESTHETIC
Eclectic, colourful, happiness inducing. I just wear what I enjoy, as simple as that.
DEFINE YOUR STYLE PHILOSOPHY
Be yourself, don’t try to fit in. I think everyone should wear whatever the hell they want, for some that might be clean and minimal pieces, for me it’s just the opposite.
WHERE DID YOUR LOVE OF COLOUR COME FROM
I’ve always loved art and design. My Dad is really into art and my mum would always be sewing me beautiful colourful clothes. So I guess it’s their influence - I would paint and create from a young age.
WHAT IS THE MOST TREASURED PIECE IN YOUR WARDROBE
I have a green and blue hand beaded cardigan which is like a work of art. Whenever I feel like I need a pick-me-up I put it on.
MOST EXCITING CITY IN TERMS OF FASHION RIGHT NOW
I’m most excited to come back to Sydney and see what everyone is getting up to! Everyone in Europe is obsessed with Aussie designers and it’s given me a new appreciation of the local industry.
BEST PART ABOUT COMING HOME TO NEW ZEALAND
The nature.
The Banksia Midi Strip Dress
BEST KEPT SECRETS / FAVOURITE ADDRESSES IN AUCKLAND
Café Abyssinia in Mount Roskill has such delicious Ethiopean food! It’s not fancy but worth the trek for a good meal. Probably not such a secret but equally delicious is Candy Shop in New Market, I love to stop there for a coffee and brunch.
WHAT DOES YOUR STAR SIGN TELL US ABOUT YOU
I don’t believe in star signs, although I make jokes about being a Virgo all the time because apparently I have all the traits. I can be a little OCD and I love writing lists!
The Mimosa Patch Shirt and Banksia Strip Midi Skirt
WHAT ARE YOUR CURRENTLY READING, WATCHING, LISTENING TO
I’m in the middle of two books, Zadie Smith’s ‘Feel Free’ which is an amazing collection of essays she wrote over the course of a few years. And ‘All The Light We Cannot See’ by Anthony Doerr which is a fictional novel about two children growing up in different countries during WWII. Music wise I’m still listening to Syd’s album Fin on repeat and I’m watching The Politician on Netflix.
The Paperbark Shirt Dress (Arriving November)
WHAT CAN WE EXPECT TO SEE NEXT? ANY EXCITING PROJECTS YOU CAN SHARE
I’m always working on so many different shoots, I have one coming out in Fashion Quarterly’s November issue which I styled in New York which will be cool!
The Mimosa Patch Shirt and Banksia Strip Midi Skirt
Aje Insider : Chloe Hill
Photographer : Lula Cucchiara
Shot in Auckland, New Zealand
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