Model Off Duty Inspiration: Abbey Lee Kershaw
Abbey Lee Kershaw is about as anti-fashion as a model can get. If she wasn’t a model, she would be an art therapist covered in tattoos. She has a nipple and nose ring. She tongued Freja Beha for Terry Richardson’s camera. Her idea of a good time is drinking beer, eating salad and listening to music in her underwear. She posed nude for the infamous Pirelli calendar. And the thing she misses the most about Australia (her home country) is walking barefoot.
This isn’t, of course, the side of Abbey Lee that we see on the runway. She has walked for Alexander Wang, Chanel and Rodarte (she refused to walk in Alexander McQueen’s final show because of the heels) and she’s graced the pages of V Magazine, Numero and Vogue Italia. But it’s the clothes she wears and the things she says off the runway that make Abbey Lee so refreshing. Her style redefines the model off duty trend.
Here’s a look at Abbey Lee’s style and tips on how to get her look for yourself.
Lovely in Lace
Abbey Lee wears lace more than most models. On its own, lace is romantic, sweet and demure, but Abbey Lee gives lace grunge-appeal by pairing it with leather boots, sandals, distressed jeans, scarves, long cardigans and jackets, and a hint of a bra. Abbey has a very slim frame (for obvious reasons) so her lace dresses hang a little loose. When you decide to try on a little lace, make sure it’s looser rather than tighter.
Clashing Colors, Patterns & Textures
Whether its her top clashing with her handbag or her skirt clashing with her washed-out jean jacket, Abbey Lee always has something “off” about her look. She loves to mix colors, patterns and textures. You can too, just make sure that you don’t clash more than three colors, patterns or textures. And make sure to throw on something solid to balance it all out. As always, go for loose rather than tight.
Handbag Lookalikes
Abbey Lee sports the same two (or four) handbags in these photos. One, a pale pink with a floral strap. Another, a black leather shoulder bag. The third, a fringy brown with studs. And the fourth, a colorful print. Here are four similar bags to help you get the look.
Product Information: 1, 2, 3, 4
Questions? Comments? Concerns?
What do you think about Abbey Lee’s style? Would you wear any of the pieces in this post? What are your rules for clashing colors, textures and prints? Let me know with a comment.
* All photos from this website.
Posted on on March 6, 2010 / Filed Under: Trends / Tags: Abbey Lee Kershaw, Fashion Inspiration, Handbags, Inspiration, Lace, Models
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Jena
Well first of all…she is goregous. I’m sure most of us can agree on this. Although I could never pull off her style, she could literally wear anything and it will look good on her. I mean seriously…who else could pull off high waisted baggy light denim? Not I…
Great post though!
jem
shes such a great model and also has a neat style, although it is one which i dont think i could ever pull off well.
Lottie
I really enjoyed this article :-) and would definitely try the 3rd lace outfit, super cute!
Caroline
I love her, and her style! Hope to see more of these MOD-articles. Keep it up :)
fashionista
She’s has style…
Libby
I’m not really liking this, but I prefer a more minimalistic, practical style. Also, none of these strike me as innovative–I feel like I’ve seen tons of girls with this style (and I know that Abbey Lee didn’t start it)
Nessa N.
She caught my eye too, in the Versace spring 2010 collection
CLC
maybe I’m a fashion noob, but what about alexander mcqueen’s heels did abbey have a problem with? lol help me, I’m clueless!
Morgan
I’m not impressed…the style is kind of blah and the ever-present cig is a real downer!
Amy
Not a fan. Girlfriend needs to eat a sandwich, pronto.
chili
ditto to what morgan and amy said
Tiara - NYU
CLC – McQueen’s Spring 2010 heels were 10 inches (some sources say they were closer to 12 inches). Only about 1% of the female population could walk in them. I guess Abbey Lee was outside of that 1% :)
Libby- I don’t know where you live to see girls dressed like Abbey Lee all the time but I want to live there. Most of the models in NYC wear black cigarette pants and black leather jackets and white Alexander Wang tees. Abbey Lee’s style is very refreshing which is why I wanted to write this post. What model do you think started the trends that we see on Abbey Lee?
Morgan, Amy & Chili – Fair enough. I was attracted to Abbey Lee’s style because she is so anti-fashion which I found interesting for someone that is so important to the fashion industry. She’s thin yes but I celebrate all shapes and all sizes. Are they any models who you go to for style inspiration?
la petite fashionista
i LOVE abbey lee! she’s one of my favorite “up and coming” models. i love her boho personal style & that shes an aussie chick!
Rachel
This is an inspiring post Ti. Definite inspiration. I recently bought a sheer lace top, which is going to look amazing paired with a high waited skirt and tank underneath. Needless to say I was thrilled to see this beautiful lady wearing lace too! On another note, I’m not so sure about the first little lace dress/shirt. I feel like depending on who you are, it would look matronly. But if you’ve got the attitude and guts to pull of Abbey’s kind of style, then more power to yah! I like to think I’m about halfway there, not quite as daring as Miss Abbey. You know, she kind of reminds me a little of Edie Sedgwick it seems, her attitude and ugly-pretty style. It’s refreshing for sure :) Thanks for the post darling!
Meredith
Is that a cigarette she’s holding in the last of the second set of pictures?
I love her style, but a smoker? not such good inspiration.
All Women Stalker
She looks too anorexic to me…. she would become more beautiful if she gains a “little” bit of weight
Kaci
She seems interesting. (I’m not familiar with too many of the models that I see in the shows.) Not digging her style, but I like her – I would drink beer with her.
Camelot
You can find the hobo ethnic bags similar to hers here at http://www.dazzlinglanna.etsy.com