In an age of algorithm-driven macro trends that flatten personal style until everything starts to look the same, how do you develop a point of view that’s truly your own? For most of the genuinely stylish people I’ve met, fashion isn’t about trends, or what’s on Instagram or TikTok. It’s often not even about the clothes. It’s about a rich mix of references and inspirations they interpret, and make entirely their own.

References are the backbone of the fashion industry. Designers constantly talk about the ‘inspiration’ behind collections, and stylists, photographers and makeup artists build moodboards of the visual cues shaping their shoots and imagery.

The same goes for real, authentic, interesting personal style and taste.

So what are the references that have helped define some of Aotearoa’s designers and coolest dressers? In this new series, Reference Points, I’m talking to people whose style feels wholly theirs – shaped by more than just a feed – and asking them to share five of their key references. Think of it like that internet trend where people defined their style in three words – except it’s more about the why than the what.

Who better to begin with than the brothers behind recently relaunched brand Sylvester?

Ike, Tom and Cosmo Conway have taken up the mantle from their parents, Kate Sylvester and Wayne Conway, breathing new life into the ‘sister’ label. I’m excited to see how it evolves under their direction, and how each brother’s background in fashion, graphic and product design shapes its future.

As their references below show, each brings their own individuality – but with a shared sensibility that speaks to their bond as brothers, and the creative legacy of their family.

Ike's references

Wayne and Kate

Mum and Dad will always be a key reference point for my style and design perspective. They never forced fashion or design onto me, instead letting me find my own taste and interest on my own terms. A key part of Dad's style that I have always admired is his eye for footwear, and I have always loved how Mum rolls the sleeves of her shirt up, always looking ready to get her hands dirty!

Tom Conway

My twin brother taught me how to find my own style. I have a fond memory of when we were in our second year of high school. Tom had just found the glory of Auckland op-shops and would go out exploring for gems every weekend. One Saturday, Tom said I had to come with him because he was sick of me wearing the same outfit all the time. So I tagged along and we had the best day visiting so many different stores, trying crazy things on. It opened my eyes to how fun dressing up was and how cool different clothes make you feel. He will always be my style icon.

The Kate Sylvester swan logo

As a graphic designer, I just adore this logo and everything it represented at KS. It perfectly speaks to the masculine/feminine balance of what Kate Sylvester was, and it just makes me smile. Whenever I am designing anything, I think of this logo and it always makes me think a little deeper about what I am doing, which I really love. 

Henry + Hugo Christian-Slane

Growing up, I was lucky enough to have brothers Henry and Hugo Christian-Slane as babysitters. The impact they had on me as a kid is huge. We would stay up way past our bedtime talking about everything from art, science, video games, and all things life. They really showed me the importance of being curious, learning about things because you can and should. Watching them grow into successful artists and designers inspired me to become a designer, and I am honoured to call them heroes and friends.

Minecraft

I discovered Minecraft in 2011. It was unreal. I would love to know how many hours I have spent punching wood, digging tunnels and building in this game. The sandbox nature, soundtrack and look of this game are everything. If I am feeling overwhelmed, down or missing being young with no responsibility, I play this. Sometimes I will only play for 5 mins, other times 5 hours. It always helps. It’s seriously special.

Tom's references

Isabelle Carson

My life partner, best friend and muse. We met when we were 16, nearly eight years ago. She is a constant source of inspiration for me, an overflowing pool of ideas and knowledge. She is the biggest bookworm I know, reading I think around 50 books a year or something crazy. She's obsessed with researching and curating collections of ideas and aesthetics that I constantly dip into for inspiration and ideas.

Yung Lean

I've been a Yung Lean fan since I was 13 – as he has grown, I have grown, and as his aesthetic evolved so has mine. He has taught me to dress a little crazy, to ignore trends and that clothing can be a way of escape, a way of becoming a fictional character. His music paints incredibly vivid images and ideas that fuel the way I dress and the way I design.

Literature

I get a lot of inspiration from reading novels. In particular I've taken a huge amount of inspiration from a book I read recently called The Post-Office Girl by Stefan Zweig: the way he describes the clothes and the way the clothes make the protagonist feel, allowing her to transform into the character of an aristocratic girl in a magical luxurious 1940s hotel. I also love Wes Anderson films and art direction and I'm aware that he took a lot of inspiration from this novel for his movie The Grand Budapest Hotel.

Flowers

I gain so much inspiration from flowers, from their colours to their shapes, silhouettes and smells. In fact, the pansy story and T-shirt from our latest Sylvester drop was a direct reference to our obsession with pansies at the moment. There are always flowers in the workroom and in my home. My parents always drew inspiration from flowers in the Kate Sylvester designs and I know that flowers will continue to be a key part of the Sylvester identity.

Uniforms

I'm obsessed with uniforms, in particular outdoor wear, sportswear and military wear – even office wear, to be honest. I love the way that you can put on a uniform and become someone else, perfectly suited for the task at hand. Growing up with a mountaineer grandfather and rummaging through his old 70s tramping wear always excited me so much. At Sylvester we take a lot of inspiration from old military wear and sportswear. Our utility story references a combination of old French workwear and military uniform. Our stripey story draws from nautical inspiration, and next month we will be dropping a new collection with elements of inspiration from ballet attire.

Cosmo's references

Tom & Ike

I've definitely always been inspired by my brothers. They are both quite different so I was fortunate enough to get insight into a range of different things, from fashion to music and even sports and what not from both of them in a different way. They never let their differences compromise their relationship and always understood not to dwell on them but to grow from them.

Skateboarding

One of my biggest influences. All the way back as far as kids, skating has been a huge part of our lives. I have met countless friends through skateboarding. Tom was always the best so there was a huge competitive element – I think the thing I love most about it is how hard it has been to learn. I have done many many many other sports and some I have been a natural at, however skateboarding was something I have always had to battle with, every step of the way. It has been the most productive thing in my life for developing more of a work ethic and persevering. I also think it's incredibly underrated for staying in shape.

Music

It would be impossible to name just one genre that has positively influenced us boys as music has been an enormous part of who we are, in whatever form it may be. As kids it was picking up on something Mum and Dad were playing for a show and diving down that artist's discography, like The Strokes or Suicide or what have you. A huge influence over the last 10 or so years has been Yung Lean and related artists from Sweden. I think one of the biggest things has been their loyalty to each other – these artists I first liked early in high school are still close and making cool shit together.

Movies

An enormous influence for me through the years. Directors like Wes Anderson and David Lynch go without saying but I’ve always had a sweet spot for well done animation – Wallace and Gromit was Tom, Ike and I’s favourite thing in the entire world as kids.

Friends

One of the biggest influences in my life. Between us boys, we have always had a lot of the same friends in similar places. I've always felt that once you were a friend of one of us, you were a friend of all three. I think we had a pretty insane high school experience and it's special how many of us are still in contact or at least still cross paths.