In partnership with Nike, we asked stylist Ada Matylda to create looks featuring the Shox R4
NikeWelcome to Nike Style By – a new season of a campaign celebrating different styles and trends from creative cities across the world. In honour of the campaign, we have joined forces with Nike to spotlight five different stylists who are leading the way for a new generation of women in creative fields. Stay tuned here to find out more.
Over the past couple of weeks, we have been highlighting five stylists who stepped out from behind the scenes to explore what self-expression looks like through their own lens. Among them is Ada Matylda, the Polish-born, London-based creative whose work is built on emotion, authenticity, and a healthy disregard for rules.
A Central Saint Martins graduate who turned to styling post-pandemic burnout, Ada approaches fashion with a quiet subversiveness, mixing tailoring with texture, minimalism with mood. Her styling favours a considered narrative over name-dropping brands, often pulling from both menswear and womenswear to build layered, inclusive stories. “Femininity can be masculine, and masculinity can be feminine,” she tells us. “It’s all just a label anyway.” For the campaign, Ada stepped in front of the lens to style herself in Nike’s Shox R4, blending function and form with the same ease she brings to the rest of her work.
Below, we caught up with her to talk about comfort, contradiction, and the staying power of a good lint roller.
When did you decide to get into styling? What first intrigued you about the profession?
Ada Matylda: I got serious about it after Covid and out of uni, I think I was quite drained by strictly academic work and really wanted to get into something creative again.
How would you describe your personal style in three words, and how does that translate into your work with clients?
Ada Matylda: Dark, monochrome and laid back. I think it does not always translate to my work with clients. One thing I enjoy most about styling is getting out of my personal comfort zone and playing with different styles and silhouettes that maybe would not work or feel right on me.
How do you balance current fashion trends with staying true to your own aesthetic?
Ada Matylda: For me, it’s less about what’s trending and more about what makes sense for the narrative or the person wearing it.
What role does storytelling play in how you style someone? How do you build a narrative through clothing?
Ada Matylda: It depends on the project. Storytelling is one of the most important parts, of course. I want my work to evoke some kind of emotion and feel authentic, even if it’s minimal. Sometimes less is more. Sometimes it’s better to strip something back instead of adding to it. Storytelling and authenticity matter more to me than just loading up on brands.
How do you interpret and style femininity in a way that feels inclusive and true to your values?
Ada Matylda: I think it really depends on how you define femininity. I do not think I’ve ever approached it as a strict idea. I’m often drawn to masculine pieces in a traditionally “feminine” story, and the other way around. Femininity can be masculine, and masculinity can be feminine. In an ideal world, I’d pull from both menswear and womenswear for every job. It’s all just a label anyway.
How do you incorporate accessories or specific products (such as the LD100 & Shox R4) into a signature styling moment?
Ada Matylda: Lean into the product or contrast it with something unexpected - both ways can work.
How does the Shox R4 match your personal style?
Ada Matylda: [They are] understated and classic.
What is your favourite thing about styling the Shox R4?
Ada Matylda: Super comfortable and versatile, the colourway was interesting to work with as well.
In a fast-paced industry, how do you stay inspired and avoid creative burnout?
Ada Matylda: You can’t really avoid it, but the bills still need paying. The creativity will not leave you, it just gets harder to find at times. If your workload slows down, try to actually rest and regroup. When I figure out how to do that myself, I’ll let you know.
Why did working with Nike feel aligned with you? Do you remember your earliest memories of Nike, both in your career and personal life?
Ada Matylda: I feel like tracksuits and sportswear are a big part of my BTS life. I like to stay comfortable and be able to move around on set (and off).
What was your favourite part of being on set for this project?
Ada Matylda: Everyone on the team was so easy to work with, also a huge shout out to Saint (make-up artist) and Jackie (hair stylist) for making me look and feel good, since being in front of the camera is so far out of my comfort zone usually.
Who are your style icons, past or present, and how do they influence your creative direction?
Ada Matylda: Kembra Pfahler, the Pope (RIP, I love a big cross), 90s Angelina Jolie, ballet dancers (specifically mid rehearsal in ripped tights as tops, etc), and Adam Sandler.
What’s one piece in your closet (or kit) that you can’t live without, and what makes it so essential?
Ada Matylda: Lint roller. I’ve got a cat and wear mostly black.