Laura Krammer (21), student Social Work
Is the leopard your favorite animal?
“It’s an animal that I really like. I’m increasingly looking for things with a leopard print. I wear it so often now that people recognize me by it. The same goes for my woolen leg warmers! In thrift stores I always specifically look for leopard print. I now have about twenty pieces of clothing with it. Even my water bottle has that print!”
Where is this beautiful dress from?
“I made it myself! I made almost half of my clothes myself. I got my first sewing machine when I was twelve and I taught myself how to sew. Now I upcycle old clothes. I really don’t want to buy clothes from big companies anymore. And I want to show who I am through what I wear. It feels like I can wear my own little works of art.”
Is creativity important to you?
“Yes! In Germany, where I originally come from, I work partly at an after-school care center. There I teach children sewing once a week. This way I can combine my creativity and my studies. And it’s really fun to see how children try things out.”
How do others view your style?
“I always wanted to wear my own clothes, even in primary school. I remember wearing yellow tights once. I had cut holes in them because I thought it was pretty. Then people started making jokes, saying they looked like cheese! That was the day I realised: I just wear what I want and it doesn’t matter what other people say. If I can’t be myself, it doesn’t make me happy.”
text: Marije Kruithof
photo: Jasper van Overbeek
