Originally from Brazil, Renata moved to Australia at 16 and has spent the last 15 years building a life centered around creativity and passion. Growing up in a family of strong, creative women, she developed a deep love for sneakers, which eventually led her to a career as a photographer and content creator in the sneaker and fashion industry.
With nearly a decade of experience, Renata worked with top brands like JD Sports, ASICS, and New Balance, and even fulfilled a dream by shooting a campaign in Tokyo. Influenced by Japanese fashion and designers like Rei Kawakubo, she’s known for her all-black wardrobe, which reflects both her practical and empowered style.
Renata's approach to customisation is deeply personal, drawing from her roots in Brazil and her grandmother’s influence. Today, she focuses on timeless, high-quality fashion that resonates emotionally, while always looking to make her style uniquely her own.
We know you love to wear a lot of black! How does your personal style reflect your personality?
I used to have coloured hair for a bit and wear a lot of colours. But for the last 18 months I have really gotten myself attached to black. I think I’m very influenced by Rei Kawakubo and Japanese fashion. I like the feeling of mystery that wearing all black gives me, especially because I am quite loud and happy. It’s also extremely practical, my favourite thing to shop for is timeless pieces that can be a staple in my closet for a very long time. I feel extremely empowered by practicality, it’s always so easy putting an entirely black outfit together.
Do you usually style your outfits around your sneakers, or the other way around?
Now I like to wear an outfit and then pick a pair of sneakers. Because I tend to wear a lot of black, I sometimes like wearing very loud and colourful shoes. Being a sneaker head for most of my life, I have accumulated so many pairs and in order to keep them in good shape I like to rotate them all the time. But nothing beats a pair of black shoes to fully tie an outfit together.
What is your customisation process? How do you begin?
Growing up in Brazil, I used to spend a lot of time with my grandmother in her ateliê. I was always so amazed by the things she could create for us and around the house. Nothing would sit in its original form. Everything needed some kind of modification. I grew up hearing that having what everybody has is boring and predictable. So I always look at a pair of shoes for a while and think “how can I make it more me?” I never follow any type of rule. Mix that gold and silver if that’s what your heart is telling you! I feel like my process comes 100% from my soul. I just feel it, sometimes all it needs is a touch of something, a small detail here and there. But sometimes, I want to go crazy and bedazzle the whole thing!
Are there any fashion trends you're currently obsessed with?
I don’t tend to follow trends anymore, seems to disappoint me later on. I’m really into getting timeless pieces that are high quality so I can wear it with confidence multiple times! But I always get really happy when a shoe that has emotional meaning to me comes back in style! Of course the whole Y2K aesthetic is extremely nostalgic and I love to see it, but I wore it all back then and loved it. Feels lucky to have lived it!
Which brands do you think are leading the way in the fashion world today?
Comme des Garçons, Kapital and Acne Studios are my go to for style inspiration. But nowadays there is truly so many inspirational and revolutionary designers - local and international that really pave their own paths. I love that fashion is more emotional now than it has ever been. A lot of fashion houses now create art pieces in the runway and I love to see it. Getting to see people express themselves just makes me so happy. Fashion should be about making you feel good and happy, never a competition.
If you had to choose one fashion era to live in, which one would it be?
When punk was forming, Vivienne Westwood was the queen and everything was hand made by the people wearing it. I think I would’ve strived then. The fun hair, makeup and clothing are honestly unmatched to me. There was something about the freedom of being different that is really inspiring.
What's on your wishlist right now?
Been desperately for years looking for the perfect satin black skirt, can’t find one that sits in way that is sexy and practical. It’s kind of what I always look for when shopping lately. I don’t like shopping online too much so I am always struggling to find something that fits into what I’m looking for. I love trying things on to see if I feel empowered by it, that’s normally what drives me into getting it.
