Carleen "Leen" Shankle
This style spotlight is one I've been wanting to do forever. I met my girl Carleen a.k.a Leen in Soho, NYC a few years ago. If you've had the pleasure of being in her presence then you know her energy is something next level. When I tell you she's a "Jane of all trades" it's no understatement. She's a singer, song-writer, yogi, and style queen, and my next style spotlight. Pinning her down between teaching yoga and shooting her new video for her single "Waiting Games" (available on Spotify, ITunes and Tidal) was no easy feat but when I launched this site I knew she was going to be someone I just had to feature.
Name: Leen
Age: 35
Home: Clinton Hill, Brooklyn
QD: Heeeeeey boo! Thank you first so so much for taking the time out to be a feature on Quitelty Dope. I more than appreciate it and I'm so hype to feature you!
Leen: My pleasure love! Lets get to it!
QD: So you know I've always absolutely loved your personal style. It's so standout! That's hard to do these days with social media influencers taking over the world. Tell me, what would you say to young women growing up in the social media age about fashion, personal style and confidence?
Leen: Hmmm, I would say trust your intuition when it comes to your personal style. Try not to let all the trends distract you from that. Dont be afraid to take risks! Try not to over analyze every outfit, so you walk out the door feeling like a 10!
QD: So spot on and so key! I know I've been guilty of over-analyzing my outfits, picking them and myself apart in the mirror. This style thing is definitely supposed to be fun! We can lose the fun when we become too critical. It's so hard to not get sucked into the "trend" cycle. So tell me this, what is your favorite era of fashion and why?
Leen: My favorite era of fashion? Now thats hard! I love the 20's and the 70's. The 20's for the beadwork, the long gloves and the fact that women started to explore androgyny with their style which was closely linked to the womens sufferage movement. The 70's for the florals, the dramatic sleeves, platform heels, killin sunglasses and big ass hair!
QD: I feel you! Big hair like your own! I feel like fashion was so much more fun back then. It's just now slowly returning to that feel in my opinion. Now I know you're originally from North Carolina but you give me such heavy Brooklyn girl vibes. Tell me what New York City street syle means to you.
Leen: New York City street style is the best!! You have all walks of life honoring their individuality. Ladies really be dressing they ass off!! So much style confidence in this city. Side note : Copenhagen , Denmark has it going on as well!
QD: Haha! I love that! I know you're half Danish. I guess I gotta get acuainted with some Danish street style next. Now I know you're a local celebrity in your own right and your new single is absolute fire! If you had to choose, who would you say is your celebrity style crush?
Leen: I don't have a celebrity style crush because they have alot of access to designers and stylists. I respect and admire the women putting their own [out]fits together in these streets!
QD: So real! That's so so true...Now as much as I'm loving picking your brain, I'm going to wrap this style spotlight up with one last question. What 3 words would you use to describe your personal style?
Leen: Ooooh...hmmm 3 words to desrcibe my personal style, when I'm not in yoga gear! Textured, eclectic and sexy!
QD: A fire mix! Thank you so much for doing this Q& A with me, I loved your answers! I appreciate you babe!
You can find her on IG @official.leen and do yourself a favor and check out her single "Waiting Games" streaming on Spotify, ITunes and Tidal.
