A Feel For Fashion: Steff Yotka
Based in New York, Steff Yotka joined i-D in October last year as the global editorial director. She leads a global team of writers, photographers, videographers and creators across the magazine’s platforms – from newsletter to print. Since i-D’s relaunch in March, the freshness is palpable, whether the first cover in March spotlighting unknown actress Enza Khoury or Sofia Coppola, who came across as open and entirely in her element (Yotka penned the interview). A style.com and Vogue alum who also spent time at SSENSE as head of content, Yotka brings a whimsically grunge and highly informed view of fashion to both her words and her personal style.
What surprises you about the industry in 2025?
I am surprised about how traditional fashion still is in 2025. During the 2010s and the pandemic years of 2020-2022, the industry adapted so much: new voices, new ways of showing fashion, new technologies, new ways of working together, an embrace of different bodies and backgrounds. It feels like fashion in 2025 is too similar to fashion in 2005 in a lot of ways: Thin white bodies on the catwalk and in the design studios, and traditional runway shows and schedules outweighing newer modes of presenting clothes and developing ideas. Are the norms being challenged? Is fashion being used as a tool for sharing wider ideas beyond garment design? I hope the big changes of the October womenswear season, with many new creative directors, helps bring about a revitalised energy in the industry as a whole.
What do you enjoy most about Paris Fashion Week?
The camaraderie that forms between industry folk throughout the week. I love the groundswell of excitement that Paris Fashion Week brings, I love stumbling around the city seeing designers and artists and friends. Paris is the global hub of fashion – it's such a treat to see how it spills out over the whole city.
How would you define elegant in a contemporary men's context?
The most elegant you can be is to have your own, fully realised sense of style that would not work on anyone else but you. It could be workwear, it could be custom Husband's suits – but it has to be you. Elegance is not really following trends but making your own formula. I need to shout out Haider Ackermann, who is probably the most elegant man alive. Even when he wears his own designs, they still look totally unique to him.
Where do you look for new ideas or voices in fashion?
Off the beaten path. My favourite presentations are the ones that happen in bars or restaurants or school gymnasiums. The best ideas are often born from small budgets with big brains.
There seems to be more overlap between fashion/entertainment and fashion/sports than ever. Thoughts?
Fashion has become the lingua franca of a generation. We know celebrities by their brand deals as much as their movies or albums. I think it makes sense for popular figures to embrace fashion and for fashion to embrace cultural icons. The best brands turn their celebrity partnerships into a way to show the range of their clothing. I love looking at the Miu Miu front row for this reason.
From the early days of your career, what has changed and what has stayed the same?
Deadlines always stay the same – you can't escape them! What's changed is they get quicker and quicker!
In what ways might you hope to have an impact on fashion this year?
I hope our coverage of fashion on i-D – in print, online, in video, and wherever we show up – helps to shine a spotlight on independent designers and emerging talents. It's never been harder to be an independent brand. I know media coverage doesn't pay the bills, but I hope it helps designers find people who can.
This interview has been lightly edited.