"I don’t necessarily think you can make mistakes in fashion; it’s more a matter of constant refinement."
Auckland-based creator Saan Iese produces fashion-led TikTok content centred on outfit styling, “fits of the day,” and wardrobe curation.
His videos focus on wearable, street-inspired looks with a strong sense of aesthetic consistency and detail.
Iese described his style as versatile and did not commit to one aesthetic every day. However, this took time, confidence, and experimentation as he initially found himself wanting to fit in with the crowd.
“It’s definitely been a slow build; good things take time. It’s been great taking to TikTok to build my community and experiment with this,” said Iese.
“I feel that building your style slowly allows you to figure out what you like, which items work for you, what makes you feel best, and even what makes you feel most comfortable and confident.”
@saan_iese Kmart lowkey cooked with this jacket 🤷🏽♂️ #fashiontiktok #fashioninspo #ootd #nz
When Iese first got into fashion, the era was heavily influenced by hype with a ‘brand-first, outfit-second’ approach, featuring Supreme, Bape, Yeezy, and Off-White. He was also a sneakerhead and had given little thought to the rest of his outfit.
In search of his identity, Iese stepped out of his comfort zone to find what worked well for him by exploring different silhouettes and learning about proportions.
“These phases helped me lean into where I believe I’m at now, in a more curated phase. My style feels a lot more intentional.”
For Iese, personal style is a mix of confidence and curation. He said curation was about taste, including returning silhouettes and colour patterns, while confidence made the outfit believable.
To help build both, he suggested curating a fit intentionally and wearing it out.
“Take note of how it makes you feel. Is there anything that feels off about it? Adjust accordingly. Repeat this cycle, and you’ll build both curation and confidence.”
According to Iese, a good place to start was by locking in a silhouette. From there, one can start to build a uniform, not a wardrobe: a simple formula to use as a base and a small variety of garments that can be mixed without effort. Then add a piece that brings texture, colour, or an edge, for personality, as that single element can make the look intentional rather than plain, while remaining true to the core style.
Iese added that TikTok has played a big role in inspiring him to find new ways to build and elevate his outfits. At the same time, he mentioned using the platform as a mood board for what genuinely resonates, not just what's trending. This helped him build a good wardrobe of base layers, with most of his new purchases chosen based on whether they would go with what he already owned.
“I now tend to look for more statement pieces, pieces that will stand out and elevate my outfits. More recently, I’ve been investing in colours and textures,” he said.
@saan_iese Thought I’d add some colour? #fyp #fashiontiktok #fashioninspo #ootd #nz
His key pieces for building a capsule wardrobe include a white t-shirt, reliable denim, and a pair of loafers. Everything else can be statement pieces, items that stand out can make an outfit pop.
“Own what you wear. There’s an aura to feeling good in what you wear, and it’ll show to those around you.”
