I’m Natalie Smithson and I have a styling Instagram account (@styledbykatnat) that I started in 2018.

I first started posting outfit collages on Instagram because I wanted to express my style in outfits that I wish I could wear. At the time, I was working in retail and needed a creative outlet. During the COVID-19 lockdown, I started to post a lot more frequently and quickly realized that I wanted to become a stylist.

I started to post images from Tumblr together that conveyed a theme I was into that day. My account started to grow organically, and I have made so many friends with other fashion lovers and brands online.

The beginning was just me having fun and not caring about the outcome. I think the best creative pursuits do not have any fixed preconceived results. Taking initiative and sharing what you create can have an impact on yourself and other people.

My account has helped me develop my style and has been an archive of how my style has evolved. Even though I knew what clothing pieces looked good together in a collage, I still had a huge learning curve on actual styling as a job.

I do not have as much time as I did before to post as frequently, but my account helps me stay inspired.