As I look at developing the blog -  I have met some incredibly talented young Australians who are keen to come and be a part of what I am doing here at STEELEMyStyle.

One such young woman is model/stylist/photographer and generally all round cool chick

RUBY REGINATO

You will see a lot of Ruby’s work on the site from now on as she has come on board as the main STEELEMyStyle photographer -see an outfit blog post shot by Ruby Reginato here. Her Streetstyle pics stood out (see below) because among them were really interesting Men and Women of all Ages & Stages, which totally fits with the STEELEMyStyle philosophy.

I will still be doing my more or less daily What I am Wearing Instagrams-  but Ruby will be taking more pro shots of what I am wearing so you can actually see what things look like as well as more exciting things in the pipeline – stay tuned !

One To Watch 

- RUBY REGINATO

Ruby Reginato is a young, up and coming photographer from Brisbane, Australia. Although she originally started studying Fashion Styling at Australian Institute of Creative Design in Brisbane, Ruby showed talent in not only modelling but became very interested in what the photographer was doing. As a result, after graduating Ruby decided to continue working on her modelling portfolio and immerse herself in photography study and is currently studying Photography focussing on fashion, street style, portraiture and interiors photography.

Health, wellbeing & new therapies are a major interest for Ruby who deals with a serious kidney condition and after the recent death of a close friend contracted anxiety- illness Hypochondriasis – a condition shared by famous folk such as Abigail Breslin & Andy Warhol.

Ever the optimist, Ruby says her health problems are “sometimes hindering, but do give me a kind of inspiration much like the age old saying ‘out of pain comes art’. ”

Spending time with her family and friends is important to Ruby who also has a deep love of music  and tries to get to as many gigs and music festivals as possible.

If you want to get in touch with Ruby – you can through her facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/ruby.reginato

by Ruby Reginato

What do you do at the moment & what is inspiring or challenging about it ?
I’m a full time wanderer, part time dreamer. I have the time and therefore freedom to be inspired but this can definitely be challenging. To be my own driver one hundred percent of the time takes a lot of self motivating and perseverance.

How did you get to this point ?
I worked in an office for the bigger part of my adult life and yearned to be outside the entire time. Studying Fashion Styling temporarily fed my desire for fashion during some of that time but when the stars aligned I chose to leave and have since finished studying fashion photography. Current health problems have kept me unable to commit to full time work but however have given me the opportunity and freedom to explore other channels.

What do you love about modelling ?
That it’s a little bit like acting in the way that I’m able to assume a different character on each shoot.

Pic by Kristen Jeanneret

Pic by Peter Bourne

And photography ?
That I am able to capture something as soon as I see it. A photograph isn’t something that always has to be planned out or thought up, it can be accidental or spontaneous.

What style tip have you learnt from being on set or working behind the camera
Clothing needs to be properly ironed or steamed so that any crinkles or lines in fabric don’t need to be edited out during processing.

Women who have inspired your career
My mother, my styling teacher, models.
All woman I come across in the creative industry I pay attention to.

What  would you love to do and what’s next ?
Become a full time photographer working for myself from home.
Hopefully the end to my health problems and new beginnings.

What photographer do you admire ?
Russell James for his ability to capture personality in exceptionally beautiful people.

What would be your ultimate work fantasy  ?
To work with Karl Lagerfeld would definitely be at the top, but I’d also love to be on set with Russell James, Terry Richardson, Patrick Demarchelier, Juergen Teller or Nick Knight.

What interests you about fashion & style?
That it is the most loudest way of self expression next to speaking. Followed by the continual opportunity to be creative.

How would you describe your personal style?
Definitely less is more. A lot of black. Comfortable and where possible relaxed in style. A little bit edgier by day and understated elegance by night.

How has your style evolved?
I care less for trends now then I did growing up as I see self expression, comfort and confidence as a more important thing.

What is your style philosophy and has that changed?
My style philosophy has definitely changed over the years. As I’ve grown up I have a bigger appreciate for better quality clothing, shoes and bags, and buy more investment pieces over fast fashion that doesn’t last you very long. However I do sometimes buy the cheaper clothes from time to time if I do want a trend piece or need basics. Other than that I shop at second hand stores a lot and try to buy things on sale. Fashion to me isn’t worth the price of hard earned money.

Do you have any Style Icons?
Yes – Danish model Freja Beha Erichsen.

What is your family’s style like?
My mother is a very creative person with her sense of style so I’ve learnt not to be conservative from her, and  have fun with my clothes and accessories. She is also very much in to health and natural fibres or good quality fabrics so I have definitely learnt those things from her as well.

Do you feel your style is evolving?
Yes definitely. As I grow older and my lifestyle and priorities change, so does my style. If I have time and feel creative I put more creative energy into what I wear or what I buy, but when life is too busy then other things take its place.

Whose style in the public eye most interests you?
Mirander Kerr’s style is very fresh and pretty. She’s always well groomed, healthy and radiant. Those things are very important to me. I believe if you are well-groomed and look after yourself on the inside then it doesn’t matter so much if you dress quite simply. If your hair, skin and eyes are all glowing than those things outweigh the rest.

I seem to have a lot of ….. in my wardrobe
Black, and a lot of blazers.

I never seem to have enough …
Tops.

At the moment I am looking to buy …….
An everyday good quality black bag, with both silver and gold metal wear in minimal detail.

What trend will you never wear?
Flared pants.

What would you like to try out wearing but never have?
Knee high boots.

When I grow older I would love to dress  ….
more feminine.

Designers I covet from afar…
Alexander Wang

Designers I buy or places I shop…
I don’t buy “designer” clothing or accessories but sometimes  I’ll look in Witchery, Country Road, Myers or David Jones, French Connection, Kookai or Saba.

Hair
Although I appreciate short hair styles on mature women (my mother has a very stylish short cut), I do love long hair. I love classic pulled back pony tails or soft loose curls.

Jewellery
I always go for simple bangles or bracelets, a watch, and one or two rings. If I’m not wearing anything around my wrists I’ll wear a simple necklace. Combinations are very important. I’ve never liked charm bracelets or hippie jewellery or too many mixed colours. I do love leather wrist or neck pieces in neutral tones, and fine simple rings in gold or silver or black plastic.

Accessories
I have recently discovered a love for thin classic belts.
In winter I do wear wool scarfs but would love to know how to wear silk scarfs in the cooler months.

Makeup/Beauty
I’ve never been much into beauty products but I am currently looking into making my own and focusing on cleansing my body from the inside and out. I don’t believe in beauty products as such because they are filled with chemicals.

Summer Style tip – When it hots up I ……wear little knee length dresses

Night-time style for me … where I’m going, sometimes a dressier pant or black skinny leg jeans in winter and a leather skirt or fitted dress in the warmer months.

What bag do you always seem to carry – why?
My black tote I bought for $9 at a lifeline near home because I love the style and haven’t found replacement brand new one I like for a price I’m willing to pay.

What is always in your bag ?
My wallet, phone, hair comb and sometimes a calm spray for when I have a lot of nervous energy.

Any advice for those seeking their Inner Style ?
Only choose what you like, and if you aren’t sure on an item leave it and if you think about it again go back and reconsider. Don’t be too anal about getting things perfect, let your natural creativity flow naturally and don’t be worried if you change your style one day to the next.

When I am getting ready I listen to ...
During the day or at night when I’m relaxing I listen to something acoustic, maybe folk. And when I’m getting ready to go out during the night usually rock and on occasion the Triple J house party.

Music I can’t get enough of at the moment… Something for kate, Angus Stone and Birdy

Best gig I have ever been to… Muse for their light show.

Best Exhibitions I have seen… Ron Mueck and Valentino.

Favourite Movies
Beauty and the Beast, The Holiday, Funny Face, and Coco Avant Chanel (or the timeline aspect of fashion/ transformation of fashion (costume), set design and dialogue.)

Books I love
Self help books, Walking Tall, Bethenny Frankel A place of Yes, travel literature, the Bible.

Gadgets I love
My cameras and my Mac.

What art works would you most like to own?
A couple Andy Warhol originals, a couple really nicely shot landscapes of Italy and a few original fashion sketches by people like Tony Viramonte or Cedric Rivrain.

Best way to spend a Summer Weekend
The best summer weekend would be a party or time spent on the beach with music, good conversation, the sun and the dog.

What is your greatest fear?
Pain and illness. Losing a loved one.

What makes you laugh? Cry? Angry?
A good movie can make me laugh or cry. Usually anything with romantic drama.. Gossip Girl (ha).
My friends and family never fail to make me laugh. Bad drivers, doctors, and unprovoked violence all make me angry.

What is your guilty pleasure ?
Any kind of cheese.

Favourite home cooked food?
Any pasta dish with garlic, chilli, tomato and oil.

Fictional dinner party for 10 guests at your house -
who is coming & what’s on the menu  ?
Freja Erichsen (Model), Karl Lagerfeld (Photographer and Designer), Anna Wintour (Editor in chief of American Vogue), Andy Warhol (Artist & sufferer of Hypochondriasis), Sarah Jessica Parker (Actress), Kurt Cobain (Musician), Bethenny Frankel (Entrepreneur and motivational author), Louise Hay (Motivational author), Samantha Rayn Bachman (Nutritionist, Homotoxocologist and more), and Jesus.

Hearty Italian dinner with wine & dessert.

Where in the world would you live if not Brisbane…
In a little stone villa in Tuscany with a fireplace, a cottage garden and veggie patch.

If you did have a Super-power what would it be & why ?
I’d be able to teleport so that I could go to Italy without the long flight.

Which fictional figure do you most identify with & why.
Maybe Daria for her cynical attitude, stand alone nature and dark clothes.

What is your greatest aspiration?
To be healthy, energetic, full of stamina, happily married and overall content with life and know who I am.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?
To be content with what you have, in family, with friends, with a partner and with a job. An even balance.

Ruby and I on STEELEMyStyle shoot