SLUG Style: Cyndi and Celeste Lee

Mom and daughter duo Cyndi and Celeste Lee have a style all of their own. With the glamor of the Y2K girlboss sprinkled with the rugged urbanism of streetwear, the two serve up runway looks in nearly every aspect of their lives. Check out more from the posh pair on Cyndi’s Instagram at @_cyntax!

Every month, SLUG Style features a distinct member of the community and asks them why they do what they do. Exploring more than just clothing, SLUG Style is an attempt to feature the people who give Salt Lake City flavor through personality and panache.

What are your stylistic influences? This could be a band, decade, fictional character — anything.

I take so much style influence from the Bratz Dolls. I LOVE a short skirt or dress and BIG BOOT moment. 

What is the most complex way to describe your overall aesthetic? 

Audacious but not obnoxious, because it shows a lack of conformity to convention, trend and authority. It follows through on duty, which is severely punished in this world — to be who I am and not who I think I’m supposed to be.

How has your Cambodian cultural background influenced your personal style, if at all?

I would say it comes through a lot in my choice of jewelry. I love to mix my golds and silvers. Doesn’t matter what I’m wearing, I’ll always have my jade bangle and necklace on. 

What are your interests or hobbies? What is the hobby or interest that you have that no one would realize to ask you about?

My interests and hobbies mostly include hanging out with Celeste, buying expensive things I don’t need, hiking, DJing, watching films and folding origami. Something people wouldn’t think to ask me about is my outdoorsmanship. It comes as a big surprise to most that I’m a huge outdoors enthusiast and spend a majority of my time out in nature. I just love frolicking!

Are you always “on” or would someone see you at the grocery store, for example, with less elements of your style?

I will say it’s always “on” as my personal style is constantly evolving and seldom do I ever stick to one specific aesthetic, but you can always look at what I’m wearing and know it’s a very “me” fit.

As a mother, do you think you’ve inspired your daughter to find her own sense of style as well? If so, how?

Absolutely! Being the eldest daughter of immigrants, my freedom of expression was relatively suppressed. As the eldest, I was the face of my family in the community and, being raised in a predominantly white area, my mother had the earnest desire for me to fit in. This felt like a lot of pressure. Having experienced that, I told myself if or when I became a mother, I would be the adult I needed as a child and allow my child(ren) to express themself as freely as they needed. Cel loves fun hair colors, so from the time she was 5, we’ve been coloring her hair and it brings her so much joy and equally heals me as well. I have found the greatest part of becoming a parent is to be your authentic self. She gets to explore her own personal style by seeing my example and there’s no better feeling than knowing I’ve nurtured that and given her the space to do so.

Do you like to coordinate matching or complementary outfits with your daughter? How would you describe Celeste’s sense of style — is it similar to yours, or totally different?

I love coordinating outfits with her, it’s my favorite. Most times, she’ll get a fit together and I’ll put something together on my end that’s matching the vibe. If you were to ask Cel, she’d tell you our styles are similar, she’s just a much more colorful version of me.

If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would those be? 

Impulsive, passionate and creative. 

If you could give a piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be?

It gets better 🙂 

Get more fashion “inspo” from SLUG Style here:
SLUG Style: Kilby Block Party 6
SLUG Style: Hanna Tatro