Arnsdorf Women: Annika Hein
Annika is the visionary behind print publication JANE. An advocate for the ‘slow art movement’, Annika is a creative director who resides in the hills of Melbourne.
Hand in hand with her 2 children, and accompanied by their 3 goats, Annika is photographed by her partner Odin Wilde. She speaks on the relationship built with clothing when purchasing less, a perennial inspiration source, and the celebration of wearing garments for longer.
Annika wears the Classic Shirt in White and Relaxed Jean in Indigo Wash.
Annika wears the Paloma Turtleneck Jumper in French Navy and Relaxed Trouser in Fine Wool.
A. My relationship with clothing has evolved significantly over the last four years. Prior to this, I had racks and suitcases full of archived pieces. They stayed with me throughout my early twenties and each piece had a purpose or memory that prevented me from even considering donating or disposing of it. And then a few years ago I slowly began getting rid of more and more of those pieces, relentlessly editing and culling my collection to the skeleton it is today. Sometimes I think I went a little overboard, and I miss certain pieces, but I find the idea of wardrobe editing fascinating. Particularly, how certain pieces can get through the ‘keep gate’ over and over again—despite remaining unworn—until suddenly one day the connection vanishes and you no longer need to hang on anymore.
As my sense of self began to anchor more deeply, so did my sense of style and motherhood in a way exasperated this. My wardrobe now is a mostly black, white, navy, and grey selection of fiercely edited pieces and also one that’s added to very rarely these days. I think owning less and investing in particular pieces that you build a relationship with makes for a far more adaptable, timeless, and sustainable wardrobe. You get to truly know your clothes and allow them to be an authentic representation of yourself, rather than one that’s potentially swayed or guided by impulse or panicked purchases. I would describe my style as minimal, refined, and built to last it’s quite relaxed, a little oversized, and subtly tailored. I don’t feel comfortable in bold colours or loud prints and I sway towards neutral pieces that offer a sense of longevity and quality. I would consider myself a uniform dresser and tend to steer clear of the expectation that new clothes should be considered a routine purchase. We are taught to place an unjustified focus and judgement on how many times we’ve worn something, and to view this number, as it grows, as an insult rather than a celebration or testament to the garment’s quality and how it makes us feel.
Annika wears the Classic Shirt in White and Relaxed Jean in Indigo Wash.
A. A slow morning spent reading, drinking tea, stretching, putting our feet on the Earth followed by a long walk in nature, a stop at a café or a wander through town, and then home to potter around and make a nice meal together. Wine and a movie once the kids are asleep.
Q. What are you reading at the moment?
A. I am desperately trying to finish Second Place by Rachel Cusk. I use to read all the time and I miss it a lot. I’m trying to set my self a goal on even just a few pages every single night.
Annika wears the Paloma Turtleneck Jumper in French Navy and Relaxed Trouser in Fine Wool.
Q. Do you have an artist who constantly inspires you?
A. I have many. But one that forges to the front especially in relation to creative output is Patti Smith. I think there can be some unhealthy connotations that are often represented as the type of lifestyle you need to have to be an artist or a creative.
Patti Smith negates this image and for me is the true embodiment of a multidisciplinary visionary and artist who creates for the soul and the sake of human kind, not the sales, status or glorification of self-destruction. Also I would not be the writer I am today has I not read and devoured Joan Didion.