Leonie Hanne Talks Style, Career Highlights & An Exciting New Venture
@LEONIEHANNE
My blog started as a hobby. I’ve always loved experimenting with fashion, even as a child, so I eventually harnessed this passion to create a space where I could share what I loved with other people – before Instagram even existed. To date, my career has enabled me to go to some incredible international events, do cover shoots with the biggest publications and work with some dream brands.
I’d describe my style as feminine, trend-oriented and accessory-obsessed. I’ve always said, If I could swap wardrobes with anyone, it would be Carrie Bradshaw. I'm sure I'm not the only one with that answer but I still find so much inspiration in Carrie’s 90s looks. The iconic Dior newspaper dress still is one of my all-time favourite on-screen fashion moments. My second style icon would be Cher from Clueless. It's my favourite movie – I'm obsessed with her matching co-ords.
My style evolution has been a journey. It’s normal for your sense of style to develop over the years and mine has definitely changed as my career has evolved. All the incredible opportunities I’ve had have undoubtedly contributed to this – plus, the best part is being able to collect inspiration and advice from the best people in the business.
Naturally, fashion month is my busiest time. It’s so back-to-back with shows, events and presentations that my body often runs on a lot of adrenaline and very little sleep. I therefore try to prioritise a morning ritual to get out, have some coffee and move my body first thing. When things are less hectic, my routine typically involves working out – usually Pilates – and journaling too.
My favourite look I’ve ever worn was at the Cannes Film Festival. It was a custom Nicole + Felicia Couture gown. I had such a strong vision for the design and I was so thrilled to work with the brand to bring it to life.
@LEONIEHANNE
Shooting my first Vogue cover last year was a big ‘pinch me’ moment. As a teenager, I bought so many fashion magazines and spent hours flicking through them, admiring all the luxury items and editorials. I always dreamed of modelling for them one day but never imagined I'd actually do it, let alone appear on the cover. I felt so proud of how far I’d come since my blogging days when I saw the final editorial.
The Life&Style planner has been my most personal passion project. It took almost a year from concept to realisation. I really wanted it to be perfect so that users would truly benefit from everything that’s included. Like I said before, journaling has been a saving grace over the last couple of years – I find it such a helpful, meditative practice. For years, I struggled to find anything that combined the practical elements of both a journal and a planner, so I had the idea to create my own and proposed the concept to my friends at Intelligent Change to see whether they would be open to bringing my vision to life.
It may sound like a cliché but there are designers that inspire me. Pierpaolo Piccioli at Valentino is a true visionary, and you can see the attention to detail and craftsmanship that goes into each piece. Max Mara will also always have a special place in my heart. Nobody does classic coats quite like it – those pieces will be in my wardrobe forever.
@LEONIEHANNE
@LEONIEHANNE
The Jean Paul Gaultier x Simone Rocha show during Paris Haute Couture week was such a stunning collection. It was one of my favourites so far. I particularly loved the dramatic hourglass silhouettes, exaggerated beading and pearl embellishments and of course, the fresh take on Gaultier's renowned cone bra. I also loved the Moncler Show in St. Moritz.
Envelope 1976 and Ivana Mentlová are under the radar brands to know about. They do the most incredible coats that I’ve been practically living in this autumn/winter. Another great brand is Leo Season – I have a few lace pieces from them. Jewellery-wise, I’ve been looking at brands like Heaven Mayhem a lot lately.
I dress with joy. Whether I’m planning my look around an event or just a particular item I really love, I find it to be very true that what you wear impacts the way you feel. For example, wearing your favourite sweatpants could make you feel unproductive, or alternatively, they could be exactly what you need to have a cosy day in – it’s important to listen to what your own needs.
You can only feel confident if you wear what makes you feel good. If something doesn't fit properly or if you’re doubting whether your outfit works, it will play on your mind. Confidence is always the most attractive quality, but it can only come from within. If you don't think you look good, you won't feel good.
@LEONIEHANNE
I think carefully about the investment pieces I buy for my wardrobe. I love to create moodboards to streamline my styling ideas and this helps me avoid making any impulse purchases based on fleeting trends.
When it comes to wearing colour, tonal dressing is an easy way to do it. I would always recommend starting with different shades from the same colour palette for a balanced and cohesive look rather than opting for bolder contrasting colours. You could also introduce a pop of colour through your accessories as a starting point. Personally, I feel like I’ve actually moved into my neutral era lately – I’m loving honey, chocolate, beige and caramel tones.
Fluffy jackets are something I’ve been wearing on repeat. I have a cropped shearling piece from Magda Butrym that I love. I also bought a pair of Loewe monogrammed jeans in the light wash last season and I got so much wear from them. This season, I immediately snapped up the new black, wide-leg version, which I usually wear with a pair of Khaite booties.
@LEONIEHANNE
Burgundy is the colour of the season. I’m seeing it everywhere right now and it’s definitely inspired a few of my recent purchases such as the ‘Margaux’ bag from The Row. Big bags are definitely back and I think this one will be a big hitter.
I’m an accessories girl at heart. Day to day, I tend to reach for timeless classics from my Hermès collection or something like the Jodie bag from Bottega Veneta, but I never need an excuse to crack out something sparkly for the evening, too. I also swear by my Amina Muaddi heels and statement earrings from Jennifer Behr, Magda Butrym and Alessandra Rich.
Sustainability has become increasingly important to me. It’s been such a tricky thing to navigate given the nature of the industry. Something I think a lot of people don’t know is that many of the looks I wear for projects and events are loaned by brands – so I’m rarely buying or being gifted pieces and then never wearing them again. As I said, I’ve been trying to focus more on buying investment items that I will wear for years to come, while also donating pieces for other people to enjoy, too. I’m also trying to be more conscious about the amount I travel for work, especially long haul. It’s about progress, not perfection.
Feeling good about your personal style comes from within. It’s essential to visualise the lifestyle you want to have and the wardrobe that suits that life. Taking risks and experimenting is the only way you’ll discover what makes you feel like the best version of yourself. This is actually one of the main goals of my planner. I included lots of fun challenges and prompts to help people using it break out of their comfort zones. Just remember – your style is and will constantly evolve, and there’s nothing wrong with that.
Follow @LeonieHanne & shop the Life&Style planner here.
@LEONIEHANNE