Alisa Koz has a distinct definition for her passions; she is – in her own words – a Capsule Wardrobe Expert, Ethical Fashion Advocate, & Ruthless Decluttering Devotee.
How did your passion for styling begin? What made you focus on sustainable styling?
I studied fashion PR at university because I was always fascinated by the industry’s impact on society. Through selected communication (manipulation, if we are honest), a single concept can reach millions of people and become part of modern history. But it wasn’t until 2017 that I discovered other layers of fashion’s influence on the world. I watched The True Cost, a documentary about how clothes negatively affect the environment and garment workers, and my world collapsed. I felt devastated, lied to, and couldn’t believe none of the professors ever addressed the topic with us. I unintentionally embarked on a no-buy year and started my sustainable fashion journey. I soon discovered capsule wardrobes and loved the idea of having all my clothes match, which later made me become a personal stylist. Once you understand what looks best on you and start curating your closet – adding pieces mindfully, you kinda turn your entire wardrobe into a capsule.
For Alisa, sustainable styling came naturally as a result of a personal sustainable fashion journey which made her reevaluate shopping and fashion in general. A spiritual person, Alisa channels her design and astro-curious knowledge into helping people dress by combining style, practicality, and spirit. Her formal studies include an Interior Architecture and Design degree that taught her a lot about color, symmetry, and proportion. This, in-line with a styling education at the prestigious Condé Nast College, Spain.
So what exactly is sustainable styling?
To me, sustainable styling is a mindful approach to getting dressed, and creating a long-lasting wardrobe authentic to you. Wearing what compliments your skin tone and suits your proportions instead of blindly following trends or buying pieces that fall apart after a few wears. Getting dressed for yourself and your actual lifestyle instead of putting on clothes to feed your fantasy life or comply with others’ expectations.Personal styling aims to make you look and feel good in your clothes. And the goal of sustainable personal styling, apart from the promised ease and joy of a balanced outfit, is to reduce your fashion carbon footprint. There are different ways to accomplish it, but at the core, there are always three things:
Making the most of what you already have.
Ensuring that the new pieces complement your features and amplify styling possibilities.
Trying to acquire new clothes in ways less damaging to the environment and people.
Where do you source garments to use in your styling process?
The most important source of clothing is your closet because nothing is more sustainable than elongating the lifespan of already existing items. And when it comes to filling out wardrobe gaps and looking for fresh pieces, I opt for ethically made clothing or something that ticks at least some of the ‘green’ boxes, like natural materials that would be less damaging to our planet if they ended up in landfills eventually. Many clients are open to thrifting, too, so I often source garments from online vintage stores for them.
A spiritual quest led her to understand the need for a simple yet meaningful approach to clothes, thus her love of capsule wardrobes began.
What was the process behind finding your own styling signature?
Usually, you first become a stylist and then develop a signature. My signature had just happened since before becoming passionate about styling, I became passionate about the environment. I like minimalist styling when accessories do not overpower clothes. I prefer practical, realistic outfits you can actually wear and enjoy over impeccable looks for a fantasy life that isn’t. I also like to dive into my clients’ birth charts and Human Design. I want to see what limiting beliefs might hold them back from feeling their most authentic self.
“I believe sustainable fashion will be just fashion, and what we call sustainable today will become regenerative tomorrow.”
After years of honing this art in herself and others, she embarked on the journey of her life; to help people look (and feel) their best through colors, textures, and shapes
Tell us about some projects you recently did and loved!
Most of my clients find me when they are shifting from one era of their life to another. I love capsule wardrobes, and recently created one for a new mom who returned to work. She needed some reinvention to match her changed identity and lifestyle while spending an absolute minimum of time getting dressed. Another capsule was for a young Ph.D. candidate about to open an entirely new chapter in her life. We change, and our style needs to reflect this change, andevolve with us. A style consultant makes this in-between phase easier by doing the heavy lifting so that you can focus your energy on other meaningful things in your life.
What are your goals for this year or next year, both creatively and personally?
I see so many creative opportunities and find it challenging to pick just one and stick to it. But one thing that unites all different directions is connecting with more people in the industry. This year, I’ll attend the Global Fashion Summit in Copenhagen, where I hope to do just that. The 2023 theme is ‘Ambition to Action,’ and I couldn’t be more excited to learn from different industry leaders and meet like-minded people. I also plan to build a free and accessible ethical brands directory and launch online courses to help people build a more sustainable wardrobe.
What’s your take on the future of sustainable fashion?
I believe sustainable fashion will be just fashion, and what we call sustainable today will become regenerative tomorrow. At some point, reducing waste won’t be enough, and humans will have to find a way to replenish resources. But it will take more time than I’d like, and probably only with some catastrophe happening first.
Alisa Koz Introduces Us To Sustainable Styling
How did your passion for styling begin? What made you focus on sustainable styling?
I studied fashion PR at university because I was always fascinated by the industry’s impact on society. Through selected communication (manipulation, if we are honest), a single concept can reach millions of people and become part of modern history. But it wasn’t until 2017 that I discovered other layers of fashion’s influence on the world. I watched The True Cost, a documentary about how clothes negatively affect the environment and garment workers, and my world collapsed. I felt devastated, lied to, and couldn’t believe none of the professors ever addressed the topic with us. I unintentionally embarked on a no-buy year and started my sustainable fashion journey. I soon discovered capsule wardrobes and loved the idea of having all my clothes match, which later made me become a personal stylist. Once you understand what looks best on you and start curating your closet – adding pieces mindfully, you kinda turn your entire wardrobe into a capsule.
For Alisa, sustainable styling came naturally as a result of a personal sustainable fashion journey which made her reevaluate shopping and fashion in general. A spiritual person, Alisa channels her design and astro-curious knowledge into helping people dress by combining style, practicality, and spirit. Her formal studies include an Interior Architecture and Design degree that taught her a lot about color, symmetry, and proportion. This, in-line with a styling education at the prestigious Condé Nast College, Spain.
So what exactly is sustainable styling?
To me, sustainable styling is a mindful approach to getting dressed, and creating a long-lasting wardrobe authentic to you. Wearing what compliments your skin tone and suits your proportions instead of blindly following trends or buying pieces that fall apart after a few wears. Getting dressed for yourself and your actual lifestyle instead of putting on clothes to feed your fantasy life or comply with others’ expectations.Personal styling aims to make you look and feel good in your clothes. And the goal of sustainable personal styling, apart from the promised ease and joy of a balanced outfit, is to reduce your fashion carbon footprint. There are different ways to accomplish it, but at the core, there are always three things:
Where do you source garments to use in your styling process?
The most important source of clothing is your closet because nothing is more sustainable than elongating the lifespan of already existing items. And when it comes to filling out wardrobe gaps and looking for fresh pieces, I opt for ethically made clothing or something that ticks at least some of the ‘green’ boxes, like natural materials that would be less damaging to our planet if they ended up in landfills eventually. Many clients are open to thrifting, too, so I often source garments from online vintage stores for them.
A spiritual quest led her to understand the need for a simple yet meaningful approach to clothes, thus her love of capsule wardrobes began.
What was the process behind finding your own styling signature?
Usually, you first become a stylist and then develop a signature. My signature had just happened since before becoming passionate about styling, I became passionate about the environment. I like minimalist styling when accessories do not overpower clothes. I prefer practical, realistic outfits you can actually wear and enjoy over impeccable looks for a fantasy life that isn’t. I also like to dive into my clients’ birth charts and Human Design. I want to see what limiting beliefs might hold them back from feeling their most authentic self.
After years of honing this art in herself and others, she embarked on the journey of her life; to help people look (and feel) their best through colors, textures, and shapes
Tell us about some projects you recently did and loved!
Most of my clients find me when they are shifting from one era of their life to another. I love capsule wardrobes, and recently created one for a new mom who returned to work. She needed some reinvention to match her changed identity and lifestyle while spending an absolute minimum of time getting dressed. Another capsule was for a young Ph.D. candidate about to open an entirely new chapter in her life. We change, and our style needs to reflect this change, andevolve with us. A style consultant makes this in-between phase easier by doing the heavy lifting so that you can focus your energy on other meaningful things in your life.
What are your goals for this year or next year, both creatively and personally?
I see so many creative opportunities and find it challenging to pick just one and stick to it. But one thing that unites all different directions is connecting with more people in the industry. This year, I’ll attend the Global Fashion Summit in Copenhagen, where I hope to do just that. The 2023 theme is ‘Ambition to Action,’ and I couldn’t be more excited to learn from different industry leaders and meet like-minded people. I also plan to build a free and accessible ethical brands directory and launch online courses to help people build a more sustainable wardrobe.
What’s your take on the future of sustainable fashion?
I believe sustainable fashion will be just fashion, and what we call sustainable today will become regenerative tomorrow. At some point, reducing waste won’t be enough, and humans will have to find a way to replenish resources. But it will take more time than I’d like, and probably only with some catastrophe happening first.