Where Nina Chanel Abney gets her custom hats

Photo illustration: by The Cut; Photos: Courtesy of Timberland, Nina Chanel Abney

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Nina Chanel Abney’s style is like her art: thoughtful. Although she admits it’s not as colorful, it’s just as intentional. “My wardrobe is pretty subtle,” she says. “I used to freak out about events and my friend told me to take up the profession of an artist and wear whatever I want. So I try to live by it and not feel like I have to follow the rules, especially when it comes to formal wear.”

Abney prefers the classics, but also believes good style should feel effortless. “I like classic pieces with something unique,” ​​she says. “Or adding an accessory that gives the whole thing a new feel.”

An avid online shopper, Abney’s favorite websites are Farfetch, Ssense and Visvim. When she browses in person, she prefers Dover Street Market or vintage and antique shops. Her style is inspired by men’s fashion icons such as Tyler the Creator, Diane Keaton and Andre 3000. She also loves Cree Summer’s vintage collection.

Below, see where Abney got the pieces that made it into her curated wardrobe.

Photo: Nina Chanel Abney

My cardigan of mine Timberland Cooperation. A friend of mine approached me and asked if I would be interested in working with Timberland, and that’s how it happened. The inspiration is nature. I’m not normally a nature lover, but during the pandemic I got a bike and my friends and I started hiking to get outside more. This experience influenced the collection, which focuses on functionality yet style, just as city visitors encounter nature. I tried to create pieces that could be combined and layered; I would wear a hoodie under the cardigan or shirt jacket.

Photo: Nina Chanel Abney

My hats are from my friend Ashaka Givens. I found this vintage hat that I fell in love with and I wanted it in different colors. She recreated newer versions of it so I have it in many colors. We made a hat block so I can make it out of different materials and colors if needed. I have tons of baseball caps from everywhere, even vintage baseball caps on Etsy. I usually get my brimmed hats from my boyfriend. Another cool company that I like is Esenshelwhere I got a few hats.

love adorned; It’s Graphite by Mad Et Len. I was looking for a nose ring and they had it in there. I have many, but I won’t reveal all the names; I don’t mind sharing this. It reminds me of the fall weather and the fall season, which is my favorite season. It seems rich; It makes me feel like I’m in a cozy place and drinking a nice cocktail.

Photo: Nina Chanel Abney

Decorated with love. I bought a cool bird pendant from Jean Mahie and a vintage watch chain to dress it up. When I saw this pendant, I was attracted to it and kept going to the store. I feel like no one wanted it. Corona hit, everything was closed and I didn’t get it, so I called them and bought it and they mailed it to my house. It really attracted me and I thought this artist’s work was really cool. This is what I imagined my jewelry would look like if I made some.

My custom gold teeth come from @Helenwiththegoldteeth. She makes custom grills, so she made me these fangs. She actually made me two sets, but I lost one and I’m still hoping I’ll find them in the carpet one day or something. I wear these gold ones all the time. I’ve always wanted a grill, but I didn’t know if I wanted something that would completely cover my teeth, and the fangs are cool and simple. You can take them in or take them out. You don’t have to commit to a whole front grill.

Photo: Nina Chanel Abney

My partner gave me my leather book bag from Village Tannery. The book bag I had when we met was pretty worn out and I still have it and it’s my favorite bag. I love it and I love the store. They’ve been around for a while and do everything there, and it’s only looking better as time goes on. I have most of my work things in my backpack. My friends joke that it’s my business center because I have my computer, my iPad, my notebook and my headphones. So that’s usually what’s inside: my office.

I also have a shoulder bag that I use regularly. It’s a simple leather bag that I use to store my wallet and everyday items. It comes from Tree Fairfax, and they make the bags by hand. My friend has one of their leather wine holders and mine looks like a crescent shaped bag.