Carla Wehbe Takes Us Through Five Of Her Favourite Fits

Musician Carla Wehbe. Photography: @thatssick

IF WE HAD TO PICK Australian Fashion Week 2024’s unofficial street style champion, that person would be Carla Wehbe. Because not only did the Sydney-based singer show up and serve, she also exhibited genuinely authentic personal style – that cowboy hat is vintage, and yes, she wears it to ride her horse Kingston.

But Wehbe doesn’t need a fashion week to dress well. On the local scene, her Western-inspired fits are unparalleled; the perfect aesthetic accompaniment to her nostalgic blend of guitar-driven indie-pop. It’s a sound she’s been cultivating since she started playing gigs as a teenager, before she taught herself to produce so she could bring her own songs to life. Her first official release, which dropped in 2019, has now been streamed over 6 million times on Spotify. A collaboration with Australian super producer Tyron Hapi, if you’re not already acquainted with ‘Touched’, we advise you put it on while reading this interview. You should also check out her new track ‘Sideshow’, which feels like it belongs on the soundtrack of a coming of age drama.

Wehbe’s creative talents extend to other universes; she’s directed some of her own music videos, overseeing the set design, costuming and even props. As if this wasn’t a sufficient mental massage for her right brain, recently, the singer also launched her a fashion brand called Space Cowboy – an ode to her love of all things intergalactic, as well as her roots as a real life cowgirl.

Here, Wehbe takes us through five of the fits she’s currently got on high rotation, as she drops her best vintage shopping recommendations and the movie that shaped her fashion brand.

Fit One

Carla wears Space Cowboy mechanic shirt and purple star jeans. Photography: @thatssick

“Skinny or low rise jeans, galaxy prints, rompers . . . jeans under dresses . . . those were considered stylish when I was growing up.” Photography: @thatssick

Esquire: Where did you grow up, and where do you currently call home?

I grew up in Parramatta, and I currently live in a little suburb near Parramatta . . . so I haven’t ventured far from West Sydney.

When did you first become interested in fashion? Do you have a memory of this moment?

From a young age I always took an interest in what I was wearing, I always kind of sat outside the ‘norm’ at the time for girl’s clothing. Like, I would ask my mum to buy me clothes from the boy’s section because I felt it fit me better. Even though there hasn’t been a defining moment, I feel like fashion has always been something I’ve been inspired by or passionate about.

What was considered ‘stylish’ or ‘cool’ when you were growing up?

I remember the neon trend quite vividly. Skinny or low rise jeans, galaxy prints, rompers . . . jeans under dresses.

Fit Two

Carla wears vintage Yamaha motorcycle pants and Space Cowboy letter sweater and Simple sneakers. Photography: @thatssick

Who are your personal style icons?

Freddie Mercury, Mick Jagger, David Bowie, and more recently Harry Styles, Conan Gray, Clara Berry and Thomas Meacock. I like how they all in some way or another combine femininity and masculinity to create a style that feels so authentically them.

“Freddie Mercury, Mick Jagger, David Bowie, and more recently Harry Styles, Conan Gray, Clara Berry and Thomas Meacock are some of my style icons.” Photography: @thatssick

Did you always want to be a musician? What drew you to writing and performing?

I actually had no interest in being a musician or artist until the end of high school (even though I played violin for 10 years, starting at three and a half!) I wanted to play sport professionally and actually got scouted for a scholarship to an American college to play football (soccer), but gave it up when I found music. My younger brother started singing first and after some convincing I tried it and fell in love. I taught myself guitar and piano and just naturally started writing my own songs after that.

What kind of music was playing at home when you grew up, and how has it influenced your own sound?

My fondest memories of listening to music growing up include ABBA, the Bee Gees, Enrique Iglesias, Cat Stevens, the Beach Boys, Celine Dion, James Blunt and so many more I’m sure I’ve missed. I find myself drawn to music from these eras and even earlier, and draw a lot of inspiration still from them. There’s something about the older eras of music that feel like magic to me. I try to bring a bit of that into my own songs.

Fit Three

Carla wears thrifted vintage cap, thrifted button up, vintage Dickies jeans and Simple sneakers. Photography: @thatssick

“There’s something about the older eras of music that feel like magic to me. I try to bring a bit of that into my own songs.” Photography: @thatssick

You’re also a self-taught producer, have directed and styled your own videos, and now you have a fashion brand. What compels you to be involved in so many creative endeavours?

My mind doesn’t rest very often, I’m always thinking of ideas, or concepts, or business ventures or clothing designs or song ideas. I also think i just like learning new things and being challenged so I like to be hands on as much as I can. I also do love working with people who are super talented at what they do and I like to learn from them. I do however enjoy doing nothing as well . . . which I think is extremely important for creating.

Speaking of, can you tell us about the story behind Space Cowboy, and your love of Western clothing?

I found myself always looking at pieces of clothing and thinking ‘I would love this if this one part was different, or if this was another colour, or anything I felt would elevate the piece if it was a little different. Looking back, I think I would’ve always ended up creating my own label, it was just a long journey to get here, as I did pretty much everything on my own.

The concept of ‘space cowboy’ came about because I love combining two contrasting worlds and seeing how they make sense when they really shouldn’t. I grew up riding horses and still have one now (his name is Kingston) and I’ve always been so intrigued with space, so it felt natural to put those two worlds together. Toy Story was also one of my favourite movies growing up – I guess they’re the original space cowboy duo.

How would you describe your personal style in three words?

A mix of ’70s and ’80s, gender neutral, colourful – but also monochromatic at the same time, because I love matching my outfits down to my socks.

Where are your favourite places to shop?

Probably around 97 percent of the clothes I buy are vintage, so I shop from markets, vintage clothing stores, Etsy and Depop.

What are your top vintage shopping recommendations?

In Sydney it’s Route 66 in Enmore for everything cowboy, and the Wilde Merchant and Real Deal in Newtown. They both have the coolest and most unique pieces.

Fit Four

Carla wears thrifted leopard pants, vintage Calvin Klein glasses, Space Cowboy knitted vest. Photography: @thatssick

“My style is also monochromatic . . . because I love matching my outfits down to my socks.” Photography: @thatssick

What are some of your favourite brands right now?

Kid Super, Jaded London, Diesel and Simple Project.

How does being a musician influence your personal style?

I think they go hand in hand. Being a musician involves things like photo shoots, video shoots, playing shows and meeting other creatives, which can be inspirational in elevating your own personal style.

We hear you’re a good skateboarder. Without blowing up spots, where are your favourite places to skate in Sydney?

‘Good’ is probably a reach! But I do love going for a skate. I really like Sydney Skate Park.

Fit Five

Carla wears Zara jeans, vintage cowboy boots and Space Cowboy ringer T-shirt. Photography: @thatssick

“Being a musician involves things like photo shoots, video shoots, playing shows and meeting other creatives, which can be inspirational in elevating your own personal style.” Photography: @thatssick

Can you tell us about a creative project you’re excited about right now?

I’m working on some new music right now which I can’t speak about too much, but I’m so excited to share it soon. I’m also working on the next Space Cowboy collection.

Anything else you’re looking forward to?

I cannot wait to play live again. My band and I have so much fun when we play together and it’s been far too long since the last shows we did in April. We’re ready to get on the road again.