Michelle Haswell

Co-creator of Kingdom Of Style, Art Director, Ballerina, Graphic Designer & Artist, Michelle is truly a creature of zero limitations and infinite creativity.

You have been documenting fashion & your personal style since 2006. How has Kingdom of Style changed since you began? How have your own perceptions evolved?

We were one of the earliest fashion blogs around and now the longest running fashion blog in the UK. So much has changed since those early days of documenting personal style. I was one of the first people to be called an "influencer", which was by Vogue, and then it meant something really different. It meant those of us who pioneered documenting style from our own perspectives and were altering not only how fashion was digested but also how it was presented.

“We were the upstarts. We showed people that fashion was truly autonomous and that each of us could be part of the fashion conversation. Prior to that, fashion was very much dictated by magazines. “

But early bloggers really were the ones to show people it was for everyone. Things are so different now. The word 'Influencer" is now all about brands who can use those Instagrammers to shift product. This isn't changing fashion or rebelling against the machine, this is perpetuating the problems of mindless consumption. I only work with brands who are indie or small, who want to work with people who are different from what you would expect from their brand, or who's ethos is to rail against the fashion machine.

Can you describe your first memories about fashion? Was there a particular garment that made you swoon?

I guess the 80's really defined my personal style and my understanding of fashion and how I could make it my own. I recall going to this goth shop in Glasgow when I was 14 and buying these pointy-toed, stiletto heel ankle boots with loads of buckles. They were the most magnificent things I'd ever seen! I had these long, skinny Bambi legs but someone when I put on my skin tights black jeans and those boots - it all fell into place for me. I felt formidable.

I knew then this was who I was.

I love your personal style—it’s very cool, polished and avant-garde. You are known for combining the elegant with the eccentric, delicate white lace with tough leather. What/who inspires you?

Again I think I'm just a product of my alternative youth. I continue to fuse all those aesthetic elements from goth, from metal. from punk. I'm still that girl but with a better budget!

 How has your style evolved over time? Are there any pieces you still love to wear from year to year?  Favorite go-to designers?

I guess my style has become a more refined version over the years. Most of my pieces are old and I wear them year in and year out. To update my wardrobe I always look to Isabel Marant and Rick Owens.

You have a talent for forecasting new trends and talent in the fashion world. Any newbies we should know about?

 To be honest I pay no attention to trends but it's always been my focus to find new designers and give them a platform. Currently I'm loving small indie brand Osbo who make leather accessories, and high end Japanese concept label Fangophilia.

Has COVID altered your creativity or the way you approach your style/creativity?

Honestly, not at all. I'm a freelance designer so I always work from home anyway. The only thing is with less client work I am able to create a bit more content than usual.

Outside of fashion, you’ve been dancing for many years as an adult ballet dancer. How did you begin/what inspired you to start?

I always was fascinated by ballet.

“I grew up in the era of the magnificent Darcey Bussell and would draw her all the time.”

My family were poor so there was no way I could learn ballet as a child, so when I found some classes at Scottish Ballet, at 38 years old, I jumped at the chance.

Has the creativity and discipline of ballet helped you in other aspects of your life?

Oddly think it's kinda the other way around. The traits I have as a person, such as extreme discipline, determination, and being a perfectionist, helped me with ballet as it requires all of these attributes, or at least these attributes are common in ballet dancers. So I already had the personality traits for a dancer. 

I have always loved ballet warmups and the overall ballet esthetic (hello ISABEL MARANT 2013!).

Do you have any treasured pieces you love to wear when you dance, any favorite brands?

I ran my own ballet clothing label, called Danseuse, for 5 years with a talented designer friend and we made beautiful luxurious ballet clothing.

Those Danseuse pieces I have are my treasured ones. But for things like leotards, I always wear Yumiko and Eleve as I am able to customise them to my own taste in terms of colours and patterns. 

What are some of the difficulties of being an adult dancer?

There are many! Confidence is a big one. Having the confidence to confront your image in those big mirrors can be tough. But also the physical aspects of ballet are very demanding so older bodies have a harder time complying, which can be frustrating. 

Has your love for ballet influenced your personal style?

Again it's probably the other way around. The way I dress in the ballet studio is an extension of my own personal style. 

In addition to your passion for ballet and fashion, you’re also a highly talented Art Director. Do you have any practices or mantras that help you get into the creative mindset?

My day job is a being creative, regardless of how I feel, but in terms of style and getting dressed there are certainly days you'd need to wrestle me out of jogging bottoms!

I tend to get inspired by projects themselves. When I get a great project with a nice open brief, my creative brain is instantly engaged. But to be fair, it's my job to always have my creative hat on but some projects definitely excite me more than others.

Favorite musical piece to dance to?

To get me in the ballet mindset then it has to be the Swan Lake finale. It's just a truly stunning piece of music.

I cry at that bit every time I see Swan Lake performed!

If your life had a soundtrack what would be the song list?

The list would be so long! Needless to say it'd have a heavy dose of Metallica, a bit of Sisters of Mercy, a smattering of Nine Inch Nails and some Motley Crue!

Social media is rapidly changing; it seems like everyone was once interested in sharing words and thoughts via blogging, then came quick photos on Instagram, and now overwhelmingly everyone wants video clips on Tik Tok.

What are your thoughts on social media? How do you navigate it?

I do grieve the loss of the appreciation of intelligent discourse that blogging often offered. Many bloggers that stopped blogging, I think stopped because they felt the pressure at having to actually produce good quality visual AND written content. It takes time, research and lots of hard work to create truly engaging blog posts. Instagram came along and suddenly all you needed was a nice photo. At least Instagram allows for you to be as visually creative as you want but the likes of Tik Tok, for me personally, represent the lowest common denominator in terms of content. I don't engage with it. I think I'm just too old to 'appreciate' it. The accounts I follow, that feature genuinely talented individuals, often don't have that many followers but for me, that means they're doing something original and unique and not for mass consumption. Those are the accounts I'm drawn to.

How has your blog and Instagram feed evolved over time? Any specific turning points?

I was pretty late to the Instagram party but it was always an extension of the blog. There has been a shift in how I share personal style though. Now that the blog audience is much older - they've pretty much grown up with us, with most readers over the age of 45 - I've shifted focus a little and now post my outfits on Instagram first, where my audience is a little younger. I kinda feel with the blog I don't have that much in common with my audience now as they are parents or even grandparents, and my life and style is pretty removed from theirs. My Instagram followers understand me a bit more. 

Outside of writing , ballet and photography, what creative mediums would you like to explore next?

I've been doing a lot of painting. I stopped painting for over 25 years as the perfectionist in me was never happy with the outcome. But I've gone back to it and I'm really enjoying it. 

What was the best career advice you have received?

You'll never make it as a designer, your work is too weird.

“Nothing propels me more than being told I can't do something!”

Find Michelle:

www.kingdomofstyle.net

www.michellehaswell.com

Photo credit: www.enyaziafortuna.com