We talk to Nicola Probert aka The Trend Disruptor about trends, Impulses buys and having fun with fashion

Tell us how you got into working in fashion, did you go the traditional university

route or take a different path?

Fashion has always been my one true love. I would sketch looks in school, dress up my

unwilling sister and dream of unique details like ruffles and velvet blazers. After years in

corporate, my life was upended when I fell ill in 2022. I left my career and never went back.

As I rebuilt, I knew I wanted to pursue something creative. Deciding to share my preloved

styling ideas was the best decision I ever made.

You are a huge advocate for slow and sustainable fashion. Has this always been

something you are interested in, or did you, like so many of us, overconsume? What

was the turning point for you?

Like many, I was a massive consumer as a younger woman. As the retail landscape

changed, I was occasionally drawn in to fast fashion’s accessibility. Falling ill really gave me

the time to reflect on what was important to me and how I want to show up in the world. I

was scrolling through Instagram, and the algorithm was feeding me a stream of white

women promoting fast fashion, I set up my page to shout “No! That’s been done before, and

the original was so much better!” I was initially talking to my family and friend’s ad nauseum,

so it gave me an outlet.

I often feel conflicted about my love of clothes and how that sits with my

sustainable values. You have combined the two. Tell us a little about your business,

Indyx, and your inspiration boards.

I completely understand that conflict. I have it myself. I see It as a good thing, an important

part of transitioning to a more sustainable mindset. It means you are doing it right. You are

not mindlessly consuming but moving towards more thoughtful decisions. I started

encouraging everyone to join Indyx as I had worked on multiple closet management apps

with clients and the functionality of Indyx was the best by a country mile. It was easy to set

up, you could log important details about your pieces including cost per wear and I also

wanted to show how effortlessly we could combine vintage and preloved into a

contemporary wardrobe. I also felt the flay lay styling of the pieces was a language that

resonated with modern consumers. Through this digital platform, I access my clients’

wardrobes virtually, curating vintage and preloved items that seamlessly fit into their real

lifestyle. My inspiration boards are a creative outlet for me. Often something I do in response

to influencer campaigns, It feels like a treasure hunt and a PSA all rolled into one.

Can you share some tips on building a more sustainable wardrobe while improving

our personal style?

Ok, I want to give you something practical here, rather than just say words. Firstly, It

depends where you are on your style journey. If you are just getting started and

reconsidering your consumption habits, aka you have a closet full of fast fashion and charity

shop finds, yes you can over consume that too. The first step is to stop buying things and

start paying attention to what you already own. Give it a month, get dressed each day and

reflect on what works and what doesn’t. It’s not a quick fix, and you may experience feelings

of shame and guilt when you realise some pieces you bought on a whim never really

worked. But styling what you have in weird ways will give you insight you won’t get from

buying. It is a process. Note down you like an elasticated waist, why you like a trouser

shape, etc, these insights are invaluable for reframing your approach to consumption. You

are allowed to have fun with it, you will be at a different stage to others and that is ok, there

are no rules. Rules are not inclusive.

Also, I recommend muting or blocking anyone who uses the term “capsule wardrobe” style is

far more personal and dynamic than that.

Are trends always a flat no?

Love this question, I get asked it all the time. The word “trend” feels pretty loaded right now,

doesn’t it? Akin to a swear word.

My view is that trends can and should be appreciated with a healthy level of awareness and

consideration. All the classics trended in their own way once. If you can get to place of

knowledge and insight I mentioned in the last question, you won’t be drawn to every trend.

When you are drawn to a piece, it will be easier to assess whether it will truly work for you. In

a practical sense, if a trending belt, shoe, or bag catches your eye, think about what job that

piece would do in your wardrobe. Put it into Indyx and play with it, style it with your everyday

go to pieces. If it doesn’t work with your wider wardrobe, what is it you like, you might be on

the cusp of a style transition, or have you just seen it too many times?

I love sourcing vintage or preloved versions of trending items for my clients, but only when it

aligns with their lifestyle and personal style. I’m always honest if I think something won’t work

cohesively and I am happy to challenge their mindset. Having access to their digital

wardrobe via Indyx means I can take an educated guess and even remind them of similar

pieces they already own if I sense they’re buying impulsively.

Lately, I’ve been getting lots of sourcing requests for Bermuda shorts—so it seems they’re

having a moment this summer.

A slow fashion advocate, vintage sourcing magpie and personal sustainable stylist. I focus on reinterpreting closets giving people a fresh perspective on what they already own. My approach to styling is holistic, it isn’t a one visit and done there are some looks process, we take a little journey of discovery together I work with incredible humans and I like to think that I leave people feeling empowered and comfortable to dress in a way that makes them feel confident.

https://styling.myindyx.com/stylist/thetrenddisruptor

@thetrenddisruptor on Instagram