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The Things We Carry: What We Choose to Wear Reflects Who We Are

Woman in a pale yellow dress and brown coat with a white hat stands on a sidewalk, holding a small fluffy dog; another white dog on a leash sits nearby in front of a metal shutter.

JACQUEMUS top and trousers and PRADA shoes. Photographed by Ria Mort

On the streets of Athens, familiar routines dissolve into a dreamlike reflection on the many roles we take on.

Identity never arrives fully formed. It gathers itself piece by piece, much like getting dressed before stepping out the door. A favorite handbag worn smooth with time, a coat thrown over yesterday’s clothes, a pair of shoes stepped into without much thought. These small, everyday decisions accumulate until they begin to paint a picture of who we are. 

Fashion, at its most compelling, rarely announces transformation. It reveals itself one gesture at a time, giving shape to the kind of person we already are or the one we hope to become. Across the streets of Athens, Ria Poly photographs a woman across various urban corners, suspended between departure and return. On her arm is a bouquet, lamp, and garment bag, revealing herself to be a lover, collector, and aesthete. Tomorrow, she might become someone else entirely, but maybe that’s the point. As Miuccia Prada once observed, “Clothes should always represent your vision of yourself, or what you want to represent, even if it’s only for one night.” 

  • Woman standing on a sidewalk with a rolling suitcase and a gray handbag, wearing a red dress over a black long-sleeve top and a skirt with colorful face prints against a pale wall.
    VERSACE tank top and skirt, LOEWE shirt, and PRADA shoes and water bottle. Photographed by Ria Mort
    1/5
  • Woman standing on a city sidewalk holding a bouquet of flowers in yellow wrapping, wearing a pastel floral outfit and blue handbag against a stone building backdrop.
    FENDI jacket, skirt, shoes, and bag. Photographed by Ria Mort
    2/5
  • Woman standing on a sidewalk in front of closed shop shutters, wearing a pale dress with floral tights, a purple hat, a sheer cape, and carrying a pink handbag.
    LOUIS VUITTON dress and CHLOÉ shoes. Photographed by Ria Mort
    3/5
  • Young woman stands against a light marble wall, wearing a yellow floral dress over a floral top and carrying a brown backpack.
    MIU MIU dress and ACNE STUDIOS bag. Photographed by Ria Mort
    4/5
  • Model posing in a beige trench and white top, holding a large lampshade on her shoulder outdoors against a stone wall.
    PRADA shirt, top, shorts, skirt, shoes, and bag. Photographed by Ria Mort
    5/5

By NEIL DE GUZMAN. Photographs by RIA MORT. Styling by Christos Alexandropoulos. Hair: Enez Manav. Model: Toma Dgebuadze from D Models.

Neil De Guzman

Fashion Associate
See more stories by Neil De Guzman
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