Olia Prokopenko

TTN: How would you describe your style in college?
OP: I don’t remember, it was so long ago I don’t remember. Now, I like wearing what I feel comfortable with. And it changes; it changes depending on what I teach. I wear pants… running from one building to the other, it’s much more convenient with pants.

TTN: How much time do you put into your outfits?
OP: I think more when I’m buying something. I always think what I’m going to wear it with, how it’s going to fit into my wardrobe and what other things would fit with that. And then in the morning, it just depends on what I’m going to teach.

TTN: How do you make your style unique?
OP: I’m from Russia, and what’s mainstream there is not mainstream here. I wear scarves a lot, and I wear lots of black, so one scarf can make it stand out. Or a necklace … I cannot wear some of the things that young people can wear.

TTN: Is there a piece in your wardrobe that you just can’t live without?
OP: Oh, I love black … all kinds of black T-shirts and sweaters … and high heels.

TTN: What is the oldest piece of clothing in your closet?
OP: Some things do return. I found one of my dresses I wore 20 years ago, which people just started wearing that again.

TTN: Do you have any style icons?
OP: I wouldn’t call them icons. What I like about style and fashion is the chance to create something, to express yourself, to create harmony … and that’s what I appreciate about it. So, I don’t think I have any style icons … I think someone people are just impeccably stylish – Nicole Kidman is impeccably stylish. I like her a lot.

TTN: What was the last piece of clothing that you bought?
OP: It was a black sweater from Ann Taylor! And none of them repeat the style from the other ones.

TTN: How often do you shop?
OP: I think it’s twice a year. I don’t buy all of the things at the same time … I just think hard, see if it’s going to match.
I wouldn’t say I like shopping … I like beautiful things. I’m talking first of all about art, I’m very much interested in art. I like going to art museums and I love beautiful nature, beautiful people … I like creative people. I like it when people appreciate beauty and they create that beauty. I like to see young people be creative.