Beyond the hype // Anila

Anila is a 21 year old fashion and beauty photographer from Hamburg, Germany.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I am Anila, a 20 years old fashion and beauty photographer living in Hamburg, Germany. My passions are photography, traveling and fashion.

How did you first get interested in fashion and why is it important?

Firstly I got interested in fashion at a really young age because of my mom, who worked as a stylist for film & TV. I think [fashion is] a way to express yourself and I love to combine different items.

Is that where you inherited your sense of style?

I dont know…I have a really different style than my mom I think I have other inspirations. But of course I have the "talent" in my blood. ;)

How did you start your career in fashion?

In the beginning I just went out with my best friends and started making really [emotive] pictures with them. After a while, model agencies, brands and other clients got interested.

How do you describe the fashion scene in Hamburg compared to other major cities/fashion capitals?

I think Hamburg is not so into fashion like maybe other cities, for example, Berlin. I often see well dressed girls and boys here also, but mostly not really creative…I think the best fashion scene i've ever seen was in London. I think they have this "fucked up," edgy, creative style that I like. Most of them don't care about what people think; that's why they have outfits I never see in Germany.

What do you love about living in Hamburg?

Hamburg is a wonderful town, you have such great places like the river Elbe and of course the Alster. I like all the little cafes and bars in the Schanzenvirtel. and it's also a great town to work for me, because there are so many model agencies, hair & makeup artists, stylists and so on. The bad thing about Hamburg is the weather—almost always raining, grey…but of course there are also great days. ;)

Top places to visit in Germany:

Berlin [for the] nightlife and music culture. But I am not a "Germany fan," I like other countries more.

Describe your personal style and its influences/inspiration.

I can't really describe my style.. but I think it's messed up, edgy and festival-inspired.

Favorite designers and places to shop?

Alexander McQueen!!! :( Amazing designer with such an awesome feeling for fashion and creative styles. My favorite place to shop is London, but I think that can change soon, because I am planning to visit New York in the next weeks. I really love London for its vintage shops, the fucked up labels and the big amount of different shoe shops everywhere. :) I just fell in love with London on first sight.

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

Shoes! Definitely shoes, they say everything about the style. In my opinion the most attractive girls are the ones with the biker boots or the high high heels!

What do you skimp on?

All the things that [come with] my profession.

What do you splurge on?

Shoes, travels, camera equipment, accessories and clothing.

A fashion rule you always break:

I don't know any rules. I give a fuck about fashion rules.

A fashion rule you never break:

You have to break the rules, otherwise it could happen that you look like all the other people who care too much about rules.

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

Hmm I don't like the plateau-sneaker trend so much…

What is the most underrated item in menswear and womenswear?

I think that could be socks. I am really addicted to the socks from Monki with the cute faces :) …I think i bought 10 pairs of them. :(

Your favorite colour(s) of the moment are:

Black, grey, dark blood red, army green.

What is your next "must have" purchase?

A new lens for my camera and a ticket to London. In a fashion context: more black, transparent, studded and leather things.

What is the ultimate showpiece in your closet?

My fucked up biker boots. I got them really cheap from TK Maxx.

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

Let me think about this…no.

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

iPod: A lot of acoustic/singer-songwriter stuff like City & Colour, Ben Howard, William Fitsimmons and Bon Iver.

Book: Kevin Brooks' The Road of the Dead

DVD Player: The last movie I watched was Remember Me with Robert Pattinson. You also have to hear his music. It's amazing…one of my favorite singers…incredible voice!  

What can't you live without?

My camera and my MacBook, including Photoshop. Of course my family and friends, and all my accessories, shoes, jewelry and clothing. And acoustic/singer-songwriter music. I don't ever want to miss a thing of that.

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

I don't really have a favorite outfit by another member, but I love the styles of Lua P! I have more than one [for myself]: A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous., All good things are wild and free! and Lavender spirit.

Next place you want to travel to (and why):

New York, because I think it's the best town to work and work on projects for a photographer like me. I love big cities and the dreams that can come true there. I think this could be a town where I want to live someday, really not now, but someday. In the next week I am there to get inspirations for my mind and to take some pictures to clear my mind from all the stuff that I see everyday. I hope it's like in my dreams!

In the year 2017 you will be:

Hopefully doing what I'm doing now, maybe living in another town.

What would you say to someone seeking fashion advice?

Feel free to wear what you like and love, don't care about the people who are talking shit. They are mostly just jealous, have no sense of style or just dumb. And always remember: the more original you are, the more people will copy you.

What should we ask the next interviewee?

If you get the chance to create your own fashion collection, what would it look like?