ON THE STREET Minami Takashima’s style is a reflection of her life as a tantra teacher, spiritual life coach and jewellery maker. Minami is influenced by her teachings as well as an appreciation of natural fabrics and sustainable living. What are you wearing? A handmade Batik (traditional Indonesian dye print method) tunic from Warriors of Divine. It has symbols of yoga and tantra teachings and I feel like I’m in my element when wearing it. This metallic head wrap scarf is from an op shop hunt, a nice and stretchy material. These earrings are my own, handmade (IG @danceofgoddessnz) - so in love with the long chain and the pale green quartz, giving me a good vibe. What is your style? Boho and elegant. What is most of your wardrobe made up of? Cotton/linen pants and tops, boho maxi tunics/dresses and yoga-wear. What are you loving at the moment? Head wraps (scarfs), A-line dresses and anything with a higher percentage of linen/cotton. I really believe that the natural material has a higher vibration/frequency. It matters to me a lot because I teach yoga, meditation and energy-work. What are you dressed for today? Nature walk and meditation. Where do you buy most of your clothes from? I find so many hidden gems from op shops. I am a petite person, but I sometimes find clothes that are double my size, and they drape so nicely! I wouldn’t have learnt this tip if it was not for op shop hunting. It is an eco-friendly option too - we have to wake up from materialism at some point and invest in our inner journey, don’t we? What is your approach to shopping? I try to buy things that represent and remind me of yoga and tantra teachings - something that brings out my inner divinity. Not to compare myself with others but to really enjoy and embrace being in my own skin, as a radiant soul! What is your all-time favourite purchase? Moss green, long sleeved A-line dress I bought in Chaing Mai, Thailand. My A-line dress obsession probably started then… What wardrobe item should everyone invest in? Clothing that tells cultural stories that are important to you. I like to get to know the authentic culture and invest in learning – through real people (and fashion). For me this is Yukata (Japanese Kimono-like summer dress) reminding me of home. You can educate yourself in a certain culture through fashion. I love seeing the living culture and human touch in fashion. Do you have a style rule you always obey? Less is more – just like yoga/zen teachings. If you could raid one person’s wardrobe, who would it be? Indigenous mystics and shamans of all cultures. Finish this sentence – You would never catch me wearing… UGG boots and crocs. Not my cup of tea…
TESS JAINE
