Get dressed with Anine Bing
Designer Anine Bing is changing the way women dress with her patented brand of LA-cool meets Scandi-minimalism. These are the fashion mantras she swears by…
Find what works for you
“My style is very effortless, kind of Scandinavian simplicity mixed with a dash of rock’n’roll – definitely a result of living in LA for 15 years. When I first arrived here, I was struck by how individual everyone was; it’s a city where people can be and dress however they want. I did a lot of experimenting when I was a teenager: I had red-henna hair and used to wear my brother’s punk clothes. It’s all part of the journey. It wasn’t until my mid-twenties that I really discovered who I was and my own style. As a kid, I loved fashion but we didn’t have a lot of money, so if I wanted something I had to make it myself. I started my line because, even though I am a denim addict and had 100 pairs of jeans, I just couldn’t find the perfect cut. Years later, all my designs still come from a very personal place.”
Have a regular closet cleanse
“I don’t save a lot of things; I am one of those people who loves a good clear out and I go through my closet every month, but the one thing I have held onto is the first leather jacket I ever designed. I also have an emerald ring belonging to my grandmother that’s extremely special to me. She was such an incredible woman – she moved from Brazil to Denmark aged 20 and always had the most amazing style; she’s a constant source of inspiration. I love how jewelry can evoke certain memories, like my engagement ring or a gift from my mom. I love layering all those different pieces and carrying the memories with me. I don’t stow my jewelry pieces away for ‘special’ occasions; I wear and treasure them every day.”
Identify your fail-safes
“My closet is so organized – it’s full of simple, timeless pieces that just make me feel like the best version of myself. For me, that ‘perfect’ pair of jeans, a white tee, a crisp oversized white shirt, a blazer and a leather jacket are the essentials. Finding those pieces you can rely on just makes life so much easier. I also love wearing pretty, delicate underwear every day; whether you can see it or not, it makes you feel great. When it comes to nights out with friends, I just make little tweaks to my usual look. I’ll switch out boots for a pair of heels, add a little more makeup, or swap my biker jacket for a blazer, but I’m happy to stay in the same tee and jeans I’ve been wearing that day. I really think that’s how the modern woman lives, and dresses.”
Master a five-minute makeup routine
“When it comes to beauty, I’m kind of high and low maintenance. I don’t have time for regular treatments and I don’t use many products, but I do invest in the best; you just need to find those few products that really do it for you. Skincare-wise, I’m a huge fan of La Mer – it does the best serums and eye cream. I love a good foundation – my friend Kate Bosworth always has the most flawless skin so I recently started using the same Suqqu one she swears by – and the Clé de Peau Beauté Concealer is brilliant, I’ve been using it for almost 15 years. I always finish my look with cream blush, a little highlighter and mascara. It literally takes me five minutes to get ready in the morning. I always do my own makeup, even for photoshoots, and over the years I’ve learned what works best for me.”
Don’t be a slave to trends
“Trends don’t really influence my designs. My favorite thing is creating classic pieces that will slot effortlessly into any woman’s existing wardrobe. Whether you’re a working woman or a mom, you simply don’t have hours every morning to put a look together. You need easy, elevated pieces that work well.”
The people featured in this story are not associated with NET-A-PORTER and do not endorse it or the products shown.