Beyond the hype // Shelley Mulshine

Shelley Mulshine is a 19 year old student and Radarzine blogger from Stockholm, Sweden.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and where you live.

My name is Shelley Mulshine, I’m 18 and I recently moved to Stockholm with my boyfriend Christoffer. I am studying, but don’t have any job at the moment, except for blogging at Radarzine if that counts? Haha, maybe not, but you can read about what I do there anyway. I'm not sure what I want to study later on, but maybe I will go to a fashion institute! I would love working as a designer or stylist.

I’ve been interested in sewing clothes and styling since I was a kid when I used to borrow my grandmother’s sewing machine. I have one of my own now though! Fashion—as in trends and the fashion scene—I didn’t really get interested in until this year, when I joined LOOKBOOK actually! So I guess it’s thanks to you.

How do you describe the fashion scene in Stockholm compared to the rest of the world?

I think Stockholm is one of the most fashionable cities in the world. The fashion scene here feels pretty sophisticated and simple, but cool and edgy at the same time. I do have a thing for the French peoples' style too though.

What do you love about living there?

Oh, I love the summer nights in Sweden. Not too cold, not too hot, not humid, and never dark. The sun sets late at night, rises again after just a couple of hours, and the sky is mostly pink and orange in between.

Your top 3 places to visit in Sweden:

Gothenburg, it’s such a nice city. And while you are there you have to go to Liseberg, our biggest amusement park - I love roller coasters.

Kungsträdgården, a park in Stockholm, is probably the most beautiful place to be in the spring with all its cherry trees, fountains and cute hand-holding couples.

Lastly, I'd suggest all of our music festivals in the summer. Unless you are afraid of getting your Pradas dirty or you don’t like partying 24/7 and passing out in some strangers tent, it’s the best thing of the year.

Describe your personal style and its influences / inspiration.

I think my style varies a lot. One day I can dress very girly and dollish with skirts and high heels, and the next I’ll dress in black ripped jeans, Converse and an old band tee. I get inspired by so many things: blogs, fashion magazines, people I see on the street, my friends, bands/artists, movies (especially old movies), and fictional things. I also find a lot of inspiration in more alternative styles like punk and goth. When I was 15 I had black hair and wore pink cyber goggles on my head, haha.

I just asked my boyfriend how he would describe my style and he answered "different, sexy, sweet and rock chic," haha.

What is your favorite era of style?

Definitely the 60's! I love the make-up, the short dresses and skirts, the page-boy hairstyles, the space age style, the crazy shapes and patterns, the contrasts, everything!

Favorite designers and places to shop?

My favorite place to shop would be all kind of thrift shops and secondhand stores (Beyond Retro is my favorite), but also Weekday, Topshop, H&M, etc. My favorite designers are Gareth Pugh, Giles Deacon, JC/DC and Alexander McQueen – all for being so outstanding and whimsical.

Do you have a favorite piece of clothing you have created?

Yes, a pair of high-waisted "sailor" shorts that I am wearing in this look. I bought the navy blue fabric at a secondhand store, and my grandmother gave me the golden anchor-buttons. It took about a day to finish them; I think they came out pretty good.

The first thing you look at in another person's outfit is:

The wholeness. If it is matched well and stuff. Or maybe the hair-style.. I’ve never really thought of it actually.

What do you skimp on?

Accessories. I hardly ever wear any at all.

What do you splurge on?

Skinny jeans (that I barely ever wear! I only wear my favorite pair all the time) and t-shirts.

A fashion rule you always break:

I didn’t know that there were any rules in fashion, and if there are, I never follow rules anyway.

What do you think is the most recent notable trend to appear/reappear, and what are your thoughts on it?

Probably fur (fur coats, fur vests, fur hats, etc.). Honestly I hardly like any trends, just for the fact that they are trends! You get tired of them so fast when every other person you meet on the street is wearing it. But I did like fur before it was a trend; now it feels a bit overdone.

What is your next "must have" purchase?

Maybe a pair of Doc Marten’s.

Are there any fashion icons or famous people whose style you admire?

Irina Lazareanu and Edie Sedgwick.

What is the most underrated item in fashion?

All kinds of hats.

What's on your playlist / bookshelf / DVD player at the moment?

My playlists includes a lot of New Wave like The Cure, New Order, Joy Division, Blondie, The Cars, etc. The most recent book I read was a Swedish book called Doktor Glas by Hjalmar Söderberg. And my DVD player has just been showing Gossip Girl the last couple of weeks. (It’s not because I like Jenne Humphrey/"Little J"/Taylor Momsen – so please, please stop commenting about how much you think I look like her! Haha, I’ve heard it at least 300 times now, seriously.

What can't you live without?

Burger King, eyeliner and cigarettes. Oh, and my friends, my boyfriend and music of course.

What is your personal favorite outfit on LOOKBOOK by you, and by another member?

My personal favorite from myself might be Rollergirl. I like dressing up for things matching the occasion, in this case roller skating! It’s so hard to choose, but maybe Daddio of the Deva Dimensions by Debra T. It looks very nice and summery and reminds me of something I would wear at a festival. The skirt is nice and the belt is a great touch, not to mention that I have a thing for band tees, and Pink Floyd is one of my favorites.

Next place you want to travel to:

Berlin would be fun, and Paris or London as well. Why? Because they're Berlin, Paris and London! And I’ve never been to any of those cities, except for at their airports when I’ve flown to New York and made a stopover.

In the year 2014 you will be:

Oh, I hate answering questions like this one. I never ever plan ahead. I don’t even know where I’ll be in two months from now. I prefer being spontaneous and taking things as they come. And what I hope for? Only that I am still happy, and maybe that I have a job that I like and that me and Christoffer live in a bigger apartment!

What would you say to someone seeking general fashion advice

Just don’t go with the flow and follow all the trends! Create your own style.

Our previous interviewee Clément Louis wants to know: What do you think of Lady Gaga?

She’s okay. I think she dresses cool, and her music isn’t really what I am into, but it’s all right.

What should we ask the next interviewee?

How you would spend your day if you knew that it was your last?