EFFORTFUL STYLE

Photographer Felicia Duque tells Tyson Beckett about finding and creating gems, both photographic and clothed.

Felicia Duque has just graduated from university with an architectural engineering degree, and flexes her professional muscles as an assistant project manager at an engineering consulting company, but since she was child Duque has been drawn to photography, especially film photography. It’s a passion she has indulged in as a hobby and source of income more in the past three years.

“I quite enjoy relaxed shoots and challenging myself to use the existing surroundings, whether it be a construction site, an empty field, or a dairy, to make beautiful images,” she says.

Duque is a frequent contributor to Rat World , an independent quarterly publication based in Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland that showcases the underground. She has also shot campaigns with emerging local fashion brands such as Checks and Loclaire.

IT’S ALWAYS ABOUT HOW I FEEL

in the garments I’m wearing. I want to feel good. Feeling good can mean feeling cool, sexy and/or comfy. It can also mean feeling good about where the clothes have come from, what they stand for, and who they were made by.

THERE’S ALWAYS BEEN A LOT OF FOCUS ON EFFORTLESSNESS IN FASHION

, and sometimes “trying” feels a little uncool. I certainly agree that personal style is not something you can force, but I also believe that style is something to be exercised. You can’t develop something you don’t explore, and exploration in itself is about trying something different and new.

I’D LIKE TO THINK MY WARDROBE SAYS I PAY ATTENTION TO DETAIL

and that I don’t subscribe to one aesthetic. I definitely want it to say that I am super cool, a little mysterious, and have impeccable music taste (irrespective of whether those statements are true or not).

MY PATERNAL LOLA (GRANDMOTHER) HAD TWO BALL DRESSES SEWN FOR ME

in high school. She’s an incredible seamstress, and I could only hope to be as good as her one day. I’ve always wanted to learn how to sew like my lola, and this dress that I had sewn based on a Sandy Liang dress always reminds me of how happy she was that I was taking it up.

I’M SUPER SENTIMENTAL ABOUT EVERYTHING.

This is my paternal lolo’s (grandfather’s) baseball hat that he gave to me. Sadly, my lolo has passed, so it is extremely special to me.

IGOTMYPAIROFGOLD MAISON MARGIELA TABIS FROM MY PARTNER

for our five-year anniversary. I love them to bits – they’re never going to leave my closet. Ever.

AS SOMEONE WHO HAS CREATIVE INTERESTS,

but is not necessarily in a creative field professionally (photography is more of a side gig), the way I dress myself each day is my opportunity to be creative. My personal style will evolve as I evolve as a person.

MY STYLE STAPLES

are definitely basic T-shirts (with that 90s slightly-cropped length), an oversized black blazer, a black mini skirt and a good pair of straight leg blue denim jeans.

I HOPE ALL MY JEWELLERY FROM MY MATERNAL LOLA IS A FUTURE HEIRLOOM.

The tiny, tiny bracelet was from when I was a baby, and was supposedly a lucky charm. I had a habit of losing jewellery as a child, so the fact that I’ve managed to hold onto this one might prove its luck to be true.

THE OLDEST THING IN MY WARDROBE IS CHINESE WORKWEAR

from the 70s from @ciuto_ vintage on Instagram. I’ve yet to figure out how to style them, but the collar reminded me of ones by Ganni.

I DON’T FEEL COMPLETE LEAVING THE HOUSE WITHOUT THIS PHOEBE CUTLER NECKLACE

from my partner. I find it brings me comfort when I’m nervous.

LATELY, I’VE BEEN MORE OPEN TO SPENDING A LITTLE MORE

on vintage and designer pieces, in an effort to slowly build my closet up with investment pieces. I’ve been challenging myself to find inspiration outside of fashion.