Make It, Wear It, Mean It: A Conversation with Hild

Meet Hild.

Fashion teacher, lifelong maker, and color lover with a feed that feels like a masterclass in getting dressed. She talks about why content is storytelling first, how she stays herself while the internet spins, and the simple rules that make a wardrobe last.

This is a conversation about craft, confidence, and wearing your life with intention.

Interviewed by Nadya, Founder of Stylyne.

Hey, Hild! So glad you agreed to do this interview. Firstly, I wish you good luck with the Vixen Awards! You’re also so close to 10K subscribers that I might as well congratulate you in advance. By the time we publish this, you’ll probably have passed it.

Can you tell me a little bit about your life journey so far? Are you a full-time content creator, or do you balance it with another passion or profession? How did you start sharing your style online?

I’m 53, a mother and a wife, with three beautiful daughters. I have worked in the fashion business since I graduated from fashion school. First as a fashion designer for other firms, then for myself, and now as a fashion-design-teacher.

I got serious about sharing my style on Instagram around 2017, after first having written about style and fashion on my own blog. I admit to having been pretty late to the party.

Do you see content creation as art, storytelling, or work - or all three?

I see it as all three, but mostly about storytelling. 

My whole professional life has been about style and fashion, it is deeply ingrained in me, so for that IG is a great outlet. I have a lot I want to share about it and a lot I want to show.

Social media changes so fast - trends, algorithms, expectations. How do you stay grounded in your own identity through all that noise?

That is such a good question and one I constantly pose myself. I have created my online persona that I’m committed to. I could make a lot of changes to try and fit the ever-changing trends, but that would just dilute my own brand. So I don’t. IG wants you to be a full-time video editor now, and I’m simply not going to comply to that.

How would you describe your personal style in three words?

My style is colorful, elegant and a bit playful. 

I know you are passionate about sustainability and conscious consumption. What are some ways you make your wardrobe more sustainable without compromising on creativity?

Always, always check what quality things are made from. Avoid synthetic fibres as much as you can. Block superfast fashion-brands like SHEIN, Temu and - yes - Amazon. 

Investigate your own style, which silhouette that flatters you and which colors suits you best. When you enlighten yourself about these things, you will be picky about what you buy. The result is that you will love what you buy and keep those items for much longer.

You sometimes make your own clothes. What role does craftsmanship play in how you value a piece, and does creating by hand change your connection to it?

It most certainly does! I’m picky about quality, fit and not the least craftsmanship. That means I hardly ever buy things that falls apart after just a few uses.

And yes, I have a love connection to the pieces I've made by hand. If I’m not happy with the result I go back and perfect it. Those pieces were made because I was utterly inspired and are made to last.

If you could design a piece now that represents your personality, what would it look like?

Oh my, how can I choose! Maybe or a floor-length, embellished dress in a fabric picked up at Premiere-Vision in Paris. The colors would be "jewelry box" and the volume with big and flattering. 

You love to travel. What’s your go-to outfit when you want to feel both comfortable and confident on the move?

It depends on the season, In summer I like travelling in a voluminous dress and a jacket (for those pesky cold flights). In winter, it would be a wide (tailored) trouser, with a colorful, knitted wool-sweater. Comfy can always be chic ;)

Do you have favorite colors you naturally gravitate toward, or does it change with your mood or the season?

I am so much a seasonal dresser, it almost amuses me. I do have some all-time favorite colors that I simply can’t pass though, and that is orange, turquoise and cerise. 

When you’re planning a look, what usually comes first - a single statement piece or a color combination? And what’s the finishing touch that makes you feel like “yes, this outfit is complete”?

Most of all, it's a color-combination. I have a few statement pieces in my wardrobe, but most pieces are carefully selected to fit and compliment the other items in my wardrobe. The finishing touches are always shoes and earrings. If I can’t find shoes that compliment the outfit, the whole look has to change. 

You often appreciate heritage and craftsmanship. What’s your take on traditional European clothing - should we modernize and wear it in everyday life, or keep it as something to honor on special occasions?

I think we should do both: honor our traditions and wear them for our big days, but also incorporate pieces in our wardrobe for our every day life. Heirloom pieces and items made with love are a joy to wear. Making them relevant for right now is such a cool task and a sure way to make you look unique. 

What’s a piece in your closet that holds sentimental value?

Many - too many! The items I’ve spent hours making myself, the vintage pieces made in great material and with craftsmanship, and my national costume: my bunad. 

Pleats have such movement and life, don’t you think? How would you style them to make them feel modern and true to your aesthetic?

Yes, pleats, especially the weight and movement of Stylyne's own, are a joy to wear. I like to style them with something a bit unexpected like sequins, a man's shirt or a sweater. And I will always style them with heels. 

Looking back, what personal or creative achievement are you most proud of so far? And looking ahead, what’s something you’re excited to grow toward either in life or your creative journey?

I’ve designed, fitted and sewn quite a few wedding dresses over the years. Some of those were my greatest work. Now that I’m a teacher, I find great joy in honing the talent of my students. It’s a such a privilege to guide those young souls with real talent and drive.

I’ve also always loved drawing. So, when I retire, I might take that up again and start painting. I don't have a master plan for the future, though the only thing I’m absolutely sure of is that I’ll never stop creating. 

What advice would you give to someone who wants to express themselves through fashion but feels afraid of judgment for their looks, their age or their style?

Oh honey, I feel you.

The need to be "part of the group" -  to belong -  is great and can make us eradicate our personalities. Thus, owning yourself and your own style takes practice and will to let go of that fear. The reward is two-sided. You’ll feel much more like you, you’ll bring joy to yourself, and as a result your confidence will rise.

Secondly - and this is quite astounding - you’ll experience getting stopped in the streets buy strangers that want to compliment you. That’s the opposite of what you feared. Let go and see what happens.

Thank you for spending time with Hild and with us. If her notes on craft, color, and confidence gave you even one small nudge, take it into your week.

Choose a style you love, wear it on purpose, and notice how you stand. We’ll keep making pieces that move with you; you keep bringing the point of view. 

- Nadya