After almost a decade in the fashion industry—doing luxury brand marketing, print and digital publishing—Hong Kong-based stylist Justine Lee has struck out on her own, and is now undoubtedly one of the most stylish women in the region. Going freelance, Lee says, “It’s given me a lot of flexibility and challenged me in new ways.” Now, she counts Chanel, Tod’s, Prada, and Net-A-Porter, among the many fashion brands who have tapped her to showcase their latest collections with her unique point of view both on and off her Instagram (@justinelee425). Here, we speak to the slick stylist about her social media tips and tricks, her latest shopping must-haves, and her best recent discoveries.
Occupation: Freelance fashion stylist and consultant.
First app you check when you wake up: WhatsApp and emails.
Describe your personal style with three hashtags: #leopardprint #tailoring #loveagoodjumpsuit
https://www.instagram.com/p/CFjCqK-n66o/
What was your first Instagram post? Oh wow… I had to scroll hard to find this. It was from a Jeopardy Page-a-Day calendar. SUPER random.
What was the last thing you saved on Instagram? Xiao Wen, cute pup and Shanghai backdrop— what’s not to love about this image?
https://www.instagram.com/p/CLYNw3TlkXi/
Do you prefer posting on Stories or grid? I feel like Stories are more personal, but I like both.
Filter or #nofilter? I’ve been going #nofilter a lot more lately. I think finding good lighting is key—with that, you really don’t need a filter.
Do you have a finsta? I don’t… (and I even had to Google what that word meant lol).
Best selfie trick: Find what angle works for you, and I like using the wide angle function.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CIw0-DxnNg9/
Favourite filter: I usually use VSCO HB2 and then I tone it down a little.
Favourite accounts to follow on Instagram: @thedodo, @thejunkfoodaisle, @nasahubble
One idea/thought that you heard recently that you found interesting: A post from Susie Bubble’s Instagram recently caught my attention—I think we’re all suffering a bit from screen fatigue for the shows. It’s really not the same looking at shows and clothes on a screen. Not sure what brands can do to alleviate this, but maybe it’s something we need to start thinking about if we still can’t travel safely in the coming year.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CLrSXQthxtW/
Go-to look for a night out: I haven’t had a “night out” in Hong Kong in ages! If I want to feel cute, a nice dress, but if I’m just going out to have a good time—something from Saint Laurent, like jeans or leather pants, T-shirt or tank top with a blazer over, boots and a cross body bag… something easy.
Preferred footwear: I love a good boot! It’s not always boot season in Hong Kong, so I’ve been taking advantage of the cool(-ish) weather and wearing my AW20 Chanel boots and Alexander McQueen tread boots quite a bit lately.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CIVWCGUnFXW/
Best beauty secret: It’s not really a secret, but I have been religiously using eye cream since my early teens. Now I use an eye serum and eye cream both morning and night. My favourites are from La Prairie and La Mer.
Best recent discovery:
Georgian fashion label @daloodtbilisi
Beijing fashion label @maisonsanstitre
New York label @oneof_ny—a friend of mine from Parson’s who worked under Joseph Altuzarra for years, just started her own label.
@bedaskin: My friend living in Singapore is launching Better Days Skin Co soon and I’ve tried some of her tester batches of the multi-active treatment essence and my skin LOVED it.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CKDj7KWhoQ7/
Style pet peeve: Nude, sheer stockings with sandals. Actually, nude, sheer stockings in general. And closed toe shoes with floor length gowns. Or when clothes are too wrinkly.
Last purchase you made: Activewear from The Upside via Net-A-Porter and a suede tote from Bottega Veneta. I’m embarrassed to say that I haven’t been shopping for real clothes lately.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CKnFFp_HZZk/
Lusting after right now: Easy to wear, yet elevated, everyday pieces. I’m loving everything from Saint Laurent, Proenza Schouler, Christopher Esber from SS21. I’ve also been on the hunt for a beige/off-white Chanel classic bag for some time now, and have yet to find THE one.
Something you would never wear: Never say never! But generally, I don’t wear a lot of pink.
Most prized possession(s) in your closet: My Chanel jackets and jewellery handed down to me from my mum.
Last thing you do before you go to bed? Read. And set my alarm for the next morning.
