Feb 19, 2014 01:01
by Missy
Laura, what does a typical day involve for you dress wise?
"Well it depends what is on the agenda for the day! My most frequented outfit would be some sort of black dress, black shoes and crazy socks to add some colour. I have some great socks I have collected over the years. My favorites are some almost fluorescent orange socks and some geometric patterned socks from Gorman. People always tell me I have brilliant socks".
Have you always been interested in fashion and style?
"A few years back I was convinced I was going to be a fashion designer. My interest changed to the design of interior spaces but my love for fashion never faded. I think all areas of design are linked. They all flow into each other. If you have an interest in one you have an interest in all of them."
We can see you have a fondness for black, but what colours do you love to wear?
"I do love black and I love navy blue too! As a natural red head I do have to be careful with what colours I wear. I love citrone, gold, and electric blue. I have the most stunning gold sequinned Gorman dress which often makes and appearance at formal occasions."
My goodness! Those tropical pants and that citrone top really are stunning, can you share where you found them?
"Ah yes! I bought both of these items at Gorman. The Gorman fruit print was part of their summer range a few years back at one point the pair of pants became one of my stapel items. They are still my favourite. I found the citrone top on sale at Gorman Surprise on Bridge Road in Richmond. There are many wonderful things to be found at that store!".
Who are your style icons?
"My style icons include Alexa Chung, Kate Bosworth and recently Lorde has made it onto my list! She is wonderful!"
Can you confess to any previous wardrobe mistakes hidden in the depths of your wardrobe now?
"When I was young I was convinced the perfect outfit was achieved by every item being the same colour. I even began making my own beaded bracelets. My purple skirt, purple top, purple shoes were incomplete without a custom made matching purple bracelet and necklace. I still find these jewellery items hidden away in all kinds of places".
That gorgous little Mr Puppy tried to steal the limelight in a couple of shots, what's his real name and occupation?
"His name is Eugene and he is a very very cheeky little pug! His main occupation is sleeping. I have never met such a lazy creature."
You're wearing some beautiful, simple jewellery, where are your favorites from?
"Yes I love keeping jewellery simple. I have very small hands which means I need to wear delicate and fine jewellery. My favourite ring was given to me as a gift. It is by Melbourne jewellery designer Kim Victoria Wearne. It has a beautiful blue sapphire and delicate etchings around the band. It is just stunning! If I ever find a boy to marry I want my wedding band designed by her. I bought my set of stacking rings whilst on a study tour in Bali. They were only $30 AUD and they look the same as the day I bought them. I had two mid finger rings custom made whilst living in Amsterdam. They were by a small studio called Gild Atelier. Unfortunately she shut her retail store but you can still buy all her stuff online. Last but not least I was gifted a beautiful gold plated necklace created by yet another Melbourne genius Dani M. A simple gold triangle on a gold chain. I love it."
Where are your favourite local shopping haunts? And your favourite designers or brands?
"I just returned from 6 months living in Europe and I am ecstatic to know my favourite European store COS (Collection of Style) is coming to Melbourne! They are simple but edgy cuts out of the most beautiful fabrics. They also have brilliant quality coats and shoes without a hefty price tag. When it comes to shopping in Melbourne I love all things locally designed. My favourite stores include Kuwaii, Alpha 60, Monk House Design, Alice Euphemia, Gorman and Búl. My favorite international design brand would have to be Acne. The colour ways produced by Acne and the quality of their clothing is to die for."
How would you describe your style in three (okay four) words?
Simple, sleek and sometimes surprising!
What do you think motivates you to dress as you do?
"I am a young aspiring Interior Designer. I work across the fields of product design, interior design and illustration amongst a whole lot of other things! I am particularly inspired by Scandinavian design and I think this aesthetic flows through to not only my work but the way I tend to dress myself. I think the colour palette I use within my work flows through to the way I dress. Feel free to take a look at some of my stuff here yesac-melb.com."
"I love also love japanese style, loose fitting dresses and layering. I am inspired by Japanese design too! Some of my favourite Japanese architects are Ninkipen! and SANAA. I am also a blog fiend I follow over 100 blogs religiously. Oh and how could I forget! I am a sucker for Danish design. I hope one day my home is furnished entirely of goods from Hay Denmark."
When it comes to jewellery and accessories, what are you drawn to, what catches your eye?
"I love handmade jewellery and I love a good quality leather bag! Luckily Melbourne is full of wonderfully talented designers and makers. For locally designed jewellery you cannot go past, Craft Victoria and Alice Euphemia on Flinders Lane and Pieces of Eight Gallery situated at 28 Russell Place. Alpha 60 another wonderful Melbourne label has some of the most stunning leather goods. Melbourne maker/ designer Georgie Cummings also makes some beautiful little leather purses/wallets for both men and women."
Are there certain sillouettes or cuts that you find irrestable?
"I love A-line skirts and shift dresses. They are both just classics. I don’t think either will ever go out of style! I also love a mid-calf length skirt or dress."
You've got a well loved (and well polished!) collection of boots and flats, which are your favourites?
"I have many beautiful pairs of boots and flats. I like to buy good quality shoes as they can last you for years. My favourite boots are two pairs I bought from COS over in Europe. My favorite flats are a pair of loafers I bought from a shoe maker in Florence. They are just so lovely."
Okay, I want to ask you about hair products, but I have a feeling your hair looks this thick, beautiful and shiny every day... or do you have a secret ingredient or product?
"I am actually a bit lazy when it comes to hair care. My main trick is that I take cool showers rather than hot, I let my hair dry naturally and rarely style using a straightener or curling iron."
And your gorgeous, gorgeous, fair skin, what are your 3 favourite skincare products?
"I am an absolute Aesop addict. A good friend introduced me to a couple of products and ever since then I have been hooked! I am a big fan of their Purifying Facial Exfoliant Paste by Aesop. It is a mild cleansing exfoliant paste perfect for cleaning my skin in summer. As a redhead I need to apply a fair dose of sunscreen which blocks my pores. I also use the Chamomile Concentrate Anti-Blemish Masque by Aesop after using the exfoliant. Helps to keep my skin nice and clear. Lastly my absolute favorite also by Aesop is the Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Serum. I have particularly sensitive skin and this serum seems to work perfectly for me. Aesop is my one stop skin care shop."
Finally, Laura, do you ever tracky-dack it?
"I never really leave the house in tracksuit pants unless I am feeling really lazy. I think the way someone presents themselves says a lot about them as a person. I think it is important to take pride in the way you dress it is one of the first things people notice about you!"
Thank you very much to Laura for agreeing to be photographed for our Real Women Real Style series!
Thanks to Rebekah Jewell at littleredphotography.com.