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
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
