Stella K. Wadowsky is a style connoisseur, a content creator who shares fashion recommendations, tests beauty products and in her blog www.stellarium.ee mediates style games of crowned heads.
Stella, you’ve always had your own vision of style – I feel like you’re influenced by British aristocratic culture. How would you describe your choices?
To be honest, I never know who I will be tomorrow or what may profoundly affect me the day after tomorrow – sometimes it confuses me. I mean: decide already, one way or the other – who are you then? If possible, I always choose comfortable clothes – but what is comfort? For me, comfort is a colourful dress and high heels – for another, wearing a dress is a big and difficult undertaking and high heels are an insurmountable task.
Who are your style icons? Both from Estonia and abroad.
It used to be my mother when I was little. She had big curls, very special clothes and jewellery that I still remember. The mother had and still has today a mysteriously dignified attitude. My daughter has the same dignity, in my eyes, she has her own style. I listen to my daughter the most out of everyone – if she compliments me, it’s rare and she always has an accurate eye. When she says something critical, it’s also rare but always right, and she chooses the moment when to discuss things.
Among the icons, Jacqueline Kennedy has influenced me the most. I have twenty books about her at home and she has influenced me not only with her style but especially with her art of living and she has given me inspiration for life.
Jumping to today, I really enjoy fashion blogger Blair Eadie’s colourful choices. Influenced by her, I have bought the most accessories – handbags and also a fur coat designed by her. The longest love I’ve had is Sea of Shoes blogger Jane Aldrige – her style has managed to fascinate me for almost ten years. It is especially nice that I have become friends with her mother Judie Aldrige on Instagram – we both collect vintage and at one point I caught Judie’s eye. Now we’ve been following each other’s activities on Instagram for years. And, of course, Queen Elizabeth II—herself, of course, but also how she was portrayed by Claire Foy on The Crown in the first two seasons.
You play nicely with details – jewellery and bags. Do you usually start with clothes or accessories?
My everyday life is mostly busy – so randomness dictates. I grab something from here and something from there. If things work out, that’s great, if they don’t, that’s okay – it’s not heart surgery.
When I have time, I combine clothes around the handbag. I’ve chosen handbags that are bold but mostly monochromatic, so they go with almost anything. I pay a lot of attention to jewellery – I love neat nails and meaningful rings. So, in my case, a well-thought-out outfit starts with a manicure and rings, earrings are just as important – without them, it feels as if something is missing. Even more important is a watch – without a watch, I would be naked. But sometimes the entire outfit is dictated by coloured rain boots.
You are not afraid of colours – are there any shades or combinations of colours that you would not wear under any circumstances?
I think of colours as my loyal friends. When I wear colours, I feel alive, even if sometimes I have low motivation for life. I become friends with every colour – some shades require more complexion, others the right lipstick and the third attitude.
What are your stylistic secret weapons? What makes you uplifted when the mood is zero?
Big curls are the best way to feel good for me. If I can’t do curls, then wearing big jewellery is the way to go. I remember one time I didn’t sleep much, but I had to make a small speech at an event. I had no haircut and my hair was boringly straight – I put big earrings on my ear and a big ring on my finger, I wore a green dress – everyone complimented how good I looked.
You were one of the first fashion bloggers in Estonia. What does this self-opening give you?
The blog Stellarium started out as a beauty blog, which became a lifestyle blog, with a Girl Friday column that appears every Friday – there I open up my personal style and always tell a story about something. Before opening the blog, I was very closed, writing a blog seemed completely absurd at first – as a journalist, I am used to opening up to others. But now I realize that by carefully opening myself up, I have become happier.
One secret wish for the coming summer 😉
After long isolation, I have promised myself that I will celebrate each summer day with a different dress and try to channel my soul more carefree with the flying nature of dresses. I would like a new Hudora scooter as well, but this year it won’t fit in the budget. After all, something has to remain for the next year.
