What is “I like your style”? It’s the series in which we ask fashion lovers to share some of their favourite outfits and talk us through what inspires and influences the way they dress and shop. Then they nominate someone whose style they admire and so the style chain continues.

The first time I came across Crystal’s work was on instagram last year. I remember seeing some amazing photos and when I looked at the credits, Crystal’s name was under both ‘model’ and ‘stylist’. Not only multifaceted, but also an expert at channelling charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent through her personal style, I knew she would be the perfect interviewee for this series. Read more about her aesthetic, influences and favourite fashion literature below.

Who is Crystal Lim?

Stylist / model / shopping addict / tech girly / theatrically inclined / general fashion enthusiast.

What is your personal style in essence?

The crux of my personal style is deliberate tension and subversion. Opulence juxtaposed with destruction. A balance of high and low. It's quite possibly over-intellectualized, but the ceremony of dress is my greatest joy!

If you had to choose one song to represent your aesthetic what would it be?

ARTPOP—Lady Gaga forever.

Where do you look for inspiration?

Costume, cinema, old runway collections, pap photos of Isabella Blow, Pete Burns and the Olsen twins.

What’s your most iconic fashion moment to date?

It’s either the ensemble I made for my graduation from Fashion school, or my most recent halloween costume which referenced Mcqueen’s What a Merry-Go-Round and Galliano’s fall winter 2007 collection.

What’s your most embarrassing fashion moment to date?

So hard to say, I’ve had so many terrible looks! But every look is an iteration of exploration and refinement. My emo/scene preteen years spring to mind, even so, some of its elements subliminally pervade in my current style.

Does working as a stylist affect your style? Would you say you feel the pressure to always wear something extravagant?

Nope. The joy of wearing something extravagant is what informed my desire to get into styling. Ironically the times I am dressed the most casual is when I’m on set.

What’s that one special piece that you wish was a part of your wardrobe?

Carrie Bradshaw's wedding taxidermy bird headpiece :P

What are some of your favourite places to shop in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland?

I almost exclusively shop second-hand. I frequent Scotties recycle and Tatty’s. I occasionally dedicate approx 2 hours to go through every single rack at Savemart.

What are the best runway shows that happened during your lifetime?

Everything Alexander McQueen has ever done.

Could you recommend any literature on style and fashion that you like?

Fashion docos:

McQueen (2018)
Martin Margiela —In His Own Words (2019)
Dries (2017)

TV/film list that isn’t explicit fashion content, but has exceptional style/costume:

Sex and the City series of course
The Tales of Hoffmann
The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover
Poor Things
Bram Stocker’s Dracula
Clueless

Podcasts:

Every Outfit
The Run Through with Vogue
Articles of Interest

I've just started the book ‘How to Be a Goth: Notes on Undead Style,' and while I'm not far along enough to endorse it yet, the core concept resonates with me on a deeply personal level.

Crystal Lim, I Like Your Style

What is “I like your style”? It’s the series in which we ask fashion lovers to share some of their favourite outfits and talk us through what inspires and influences the way they dress and shop. Then they nominate someone whose style they admire and so the style chain continues.

Who is Crystal Lim?

Stylist / model / shopping addict / tech girly / theatrically inclined / general fashion enthusiast.

What is your personal style in essence?

The crux of my personal style is deliberate tension and subversion. Opulence juxtaposed with destruction. A balance of high and low. It's quite possibly over-intellectualized, but the ceremony of dress is my greatest joy!

If you had to choose one song to represent your aesthetic what would it be?

ARTPOP—Lady Gaga forever.

Where do you look for inspiration?

Costume, cinema, old runway collections, pap photos of Isabella Blow, Pete Burns and the Olsen twins.

What’s your most iconic fashion moment to date?

It’s either the ensemble I made for my graduation from Fashion school, or my most recent halloween costume which referenced Mcqueen’s What a Merry-Go-Round and Galliano’s fall winter 2007 collection.

What’s your most embarrassing fashion moment to date?

So hard to say, I’ve had so many terrible looks! But every look is an iteration of exploration and refinement. My emo/scene preteen years spring to mind, even so, some of its elements subliminally pervade in my current style.

Does working as a stylist affect your style? Would you say you feel the pressure to always wear something extravagant?

Nope. The joy of wearing something extravagant is what informed my desire to get into styling. Ironically the times I am dressed the most casual is when I’m on set.

What’s that one special piece that you wish was a part of your wardrobe?

Carrie Bradshaw's wedding taxidermy bird headpiece :P

What are some of your favourite places to shop in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland?

I almost exclusively shop second-hand. I frequent Scotties recycle and Tatty’s. I occasionally dedicate approx 2 hours to go through every single rack at Savemart.

What are the best runway shows that happened during your lifetime?

Everything Alexander McQueen has ever done.

Could you recommend any literature on style and fashion that you like?

Fashion docos:

McQueen (2018)

Martin Margiela —In His Own Words (2019)

Dries (2017)

TV/film list that isn’t explicit fashion content, but has exceptional style/costume:

Sex and the City series of course

The Tales of Hoffmann

The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover

Poor Things

Bram Stocker’s Dracula

Clueless

Podcasts:

Every Outfit

The Run Through with Vogue

Articles of Interest

I've just started the book ‘How to Be a Goth: Notes on Undead Style,' and while I'm not far along enough to endorse it yet, the core concept resonates with me on a deeply personal level.

Nominate someone you know for the next feature. Someone whose style you admire.

My darling punk princess Nicole Pollard.

All the fashion seen at Aotearoa Art Fair 2025