By Miya Sarana
London is one of the four fashion capitals of the world, and its influence on personal style is undeniable. But what do you do when you move to a city that’s famous for its style? Revival sat down with Anabella Htut, an international student, whose move to London helped her develop a style that truly reflects her identity.
Originally from Myanmar, Ana moved to the UK four years ago, and during her time in London, her style has undergone significant changes. She describes distinct “eras” in her fashion journey, each shaped by different influences. After experimenting with several aesthetics, she ultimately found her true style while living in East London.
Ana reflects that London’s diverse and accepting cultural environment has allowed her to experiment more with her fashion choices. She believes that the Asian beauty standard she grew up with felt restrictive, largely defined by cultural norms that left little room for self-expression.
Before moving to London, Ana’s style was influenced by an American School she attended back home. She drew inspiration from YouTubers like Emma Chamberlain and Summer McKeen, whose styles at the time were simple-crop tops, jeans, and trainers. In London, many people even pointed out that her fashion sense seemed “very American.”
Her style started to change when one of her close friends moved to East London. At the same time, her social media algorithm changed, exposing her to influencers based in the area, broadening her fashion inspiration. She got into thrifting, which she had never done before, because it was simply “not a thing back home”. Even her mum didn’t understand why she would buy “someone’s old clothes”. Immersed in East London’s fashion scene, Ana gravitated toward darker colours and the Y2K aesthetic. The things that she found difficult to thrift, like jeans, she would buy at Jaded London, a brand which embodies the edgy East and South London aesthetics.
She continued experimenting, eventually going through a phase which she describes as “a kind of cyber-sigilism-goth vibe. An Asian baddie who wears all black, someone who listens to Playboi Carti.” Her style was heavily influenced by the music she listened to and the people around her, most of who dressed in all black.
Now, Ana doesn’t try to achieve a specific look or emulate a certain aesthetic. Instead, she dresses according to her mood, curating outfits based on how she feels each day. Her closet is highly versatile, reflecting the many fashion phases she has gone through. However, she admits that she can’t wear some pieces that she bought before, because they don’t feel like her now.
Photos by Anabella Htut
Her journey with personal style has helped her understand what she truly likes in clothing. She now pays close attention to details, opting for asymmetry and interesting silhouettes when she shops. Ana takes inspiration from “everywhere and everyone” now, because in East London, where she lives and studies, there is such an array of different people, cultures and styles.
Had she not moved, she may have never been exposed to East London’s fashion culture, never gotten into thrifting, and her style might have evolved in an entirely different direction. London, with its eclectic and open-minded approach to fashion, gave her the freedom to explore, experiment, and ultimately embrace her individuality through style.