CARRIE BRANDSBERG-DAHL 
The punk rock muse
What’s the story behind how you dress? I am greatly influenced by music and visual arts. My husband, Sverre, and I are Young Trustees of Houston Grand Opera and also support the Symphony and Opera in the Heights in efforts to bring in younger audiences. With fashion, as with art, you can express yourself without any words.
When did you first start to cultivate your own style? I was a big fan of Robert Smith from The Cure. He was fearless. Growing up mixed race—part German-American and part Japanese—I really stood out, so fashion taught me to embrace my differences.
My favorite designers are: Saint Laurent, Rick Owens, Comme des Garçons and Haider Ackermann.
How are you teaching your young daughters to embrace their own individuality? Elisabet and Sofie are opposites, and I want them to see that being different is okay. Individuality is personality. When you are dressed in something you love, it builds confidence. Why do you think all superheroes have a costume?