red hot

What do you love most about life as a fashion designer?

The excuse it affords me to dress up absolutely every day, to express myself through my designs and to indulge my passion for colour and textiles. Also being able to share these beautiful products with women who love to wear them as much as I do. A customer came into our boutique workshop recently and commented that perhaps it felt like the shop had real soul because all my products are so beautifully handmade. It is a joy to be here and it rarely feels like work. I love working in a beautiful environment. My boutique is in this wonderful historic building in Dunedin. I have fitted it with chandeliers and I always have fresh cut flowers on the counter, my colourful accessories and coat collection are displayed in fantastic old haberdashery cabinets interspersed with the odd antique red velvet chair.

How would you describe your personal style?

Vintage glam, perhaps. I wear a lot of colour, and always wear dresses and skirts. I love wearing vintage pieces mixed with contemporary accessories, my coats and, of course, a compulsory dash of red lippy!

What is your favourite colour and why?

Red, red absolutely red! Red is sumptuous and luxurious. Velvet looks its best in a rich ruby red. Red makes a statement. Whether it be a red kitchen accessory, a red chair or little red dress, it will be the highlight in the room!

What is your favourite decorating colour?

Can I choose two? My love affair with interior decorating is very new and I am really just finding my way! At the moment I adore Resene Lusta-Glo in Resene Black and Resene Carefree. We have used the Resene Black as a highlight in our kitchen and dining room, and I adore its sophisticated grown-up feel! Resene Carefree is the most beautiful pale duck-egg shade and looks wonderful with the black.

You're renovating your own house – what are you enjoying most about that?

It has been the most inspiring experience. My passion for fashion has flowed into my interior. I find myself day-dreaming or waking up in the night with new decorating ideas to transform our 1880s cottage. I can also spend literally hours on a mantelpiece display or window ledge until I get my colours and collection of treasures looking just so!

Is there a colour you would never use in your own home?

Beige! Beige to me is the most boring colour in the world. it lacks inspiration and life, and I just won't go there ever!

What are your three favourite colours from the Resene The Range fashion colours range?

Resene Code Red, because I love red and because it is the same shade I have chosen for my Summer 14 collection of fashion accessories. Resene Treasure Chest, because I have been dreaming up ways to bring some accents of glamorous gold into my interior at home! Resene Smitten, because I am literally smitten with wearing dresses in this shade at the moment and I feel almost as good wearing this colour as red!

Want to get your own free copy of future issues of habitat magazine?

Printed copies of habitat highlights are available from late March 2024 at Resene ColorShops and resellers, while stocks last. You can view back issues of habitat magazine online.

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