Trudi Bennett, Greenhithe
Trudi began wardrobeflair.com after discovering a huge market of men and women unhappy with their personal and professional wardrobe and gives people the tools to make wise, logical styling decisions based on their body, budget and lifestyle.
She recently teamed up with Glenfield Mall for some Fashion Talks and one-on-one styling sessions.
Where do you get your fashion inspiration from?
I get my fashion inspiration from a variety of sources. Lately I’ve found some wonderful creative people on Instagram to follow.
I love attending New Zealand Fashion Week to gain inspiration from not only the designers but the people who attend. I’m inspired by anyone who dares to be creative with their styling and colours, and who is confident in how they express it.
What is your favourite piece of clothing?
My favourite piece of clothing at the moment is my pink, pleated skirt. It’s a favourite because I wouldn’t consider myself a ‘pink’ or ‘girlie’ sort of person so it has pushed me creatively to embrace styling with a softer more feminine tone.
I also love the way it moves and how I can dress it up with boots to make it edgy, wear it with heels for a more classic, ladylike look or chuck on my favourite metallic sneakers which embraces a current trend that I love!
Who is your favourite style icon?
98 year-old Iris Apfel is my style icon. I applaud not only her eclectic sense of style but she loves colour and textures like I do. She isn’t bothered by what others say about her, she dresses to express herself and her immense creativity. I love that age is no barrier.
What is your must-have spring fashion item?
Colourful shoes, which there are going to be a lot of this season. I like to encourage a pop of colour somewhere on an outfit and coloured shoes are fun, they are on-trend and they don’t have to be matched to anything. They are such a great accessory.
What is your favourite fashion era?
My favourite fashion era is definitely based on my body shape & colouring and it’s the 1970's. Not only do the colours of the 70's suit me, I love long flowing dresses and this decade was the original era of sleeve detail I love nipped in waists and flared out bottoms.
If you could add any one piece to your wardrobe, what would it be?
On my wishlist is a pretty spring dress which I will wear during the weekend with a denim jacket and great sandals, or sneakers to dress it down. Dresses are so versatile and easy for everyone.
Melvin Vongprem, Northcote
Melvin has lived all around Auckland but grew up on the Shore and the Shore will always be his home. You’ll find him at The Salon in Milford where he does what he loves the most - cutting and colouring hair creatively. And recently he has found another love: the gym.
Where do you get your fashion inspiration from?
My personal fashion inspiration to be honest, comes from my hair! My hair colour is always changing so that means so does my inspiration. If I have colour in my hair I wear more street fashion and if my hair is more monotone my fashion is more classic and professional.
I like wearing fashion to suit your mood.
What is your favourite piece of clothing?
#BLACKSKINNYJEANS. I love, love, love black skinny jeans. The great thing about black skinny jeans is that with either a change of shoes or a top you have a whole new outfit.
Who is your favourite style icon?
The late Alexander McQueen – a handsome man who set the fashion and was such a fashionable man himself.
What is your must-have spring fashion item?
Shades, sunglasses , sunnies, whatever they’re called nowadays, are the must-have spring item and the bigger the better. I got my glasses from Thailand and named them ‘my marrj’.
What is your favourite fashion era?
Right now. What could be better than nowadays? You can live in the era you love. My favourites are punk, emo, 1920s, and 80’s hippies. The great thing about the 21st century is you can be and wear whatever you want.
If you could add any one piece to your wardrobe, what would it be?
Only one piece? Hmmm… I would love a one piece but they just don’t make one piece suits for guys like they do for girls unfortunately.
Barbara Nicholls, Browns Bay
Barbara grew up in South Auckland and studied interior design, also having a love for fashion. She and her husband own Nicholls Optometry in Browns Bay where Barbara loves to help people chose a frame to transform their look that makes them feel and look amazing.
Where do you get your fashion inspiration from?
Magazines, people, pinterest, Instagram and the colours of nature. Colour is the biggest trigger for me. If the colour works I have to have it, and it will hopefully work with the rest of my wardrobe.
What is your favourite piece of clothing?
It changes with my mood. Loving colour, I feel as I get older that wearing the right colour makes so much difference to how I feel.
Who is your favourite style icon?
I love Iris Apfel. She wears her style with such confidence and owns it. Iris wears oversized glasses that make a statement. I think when people look at you and you are wearing glasses, don't hide behind them. It is so important to have a frame that suits your face and works with your skin tones.
What is your must-have spring fashion item?
A really good pair of sunglasses. I'm loving the new Anne et Valentine frames in soft tortiseshell.
What is your favourite fashion era?
I love the 1960's. I love that era of eyewear with their upswept shapes. It's elegant and timeless with a point of difference.
If you could add any one piece to your wardrobe, what would it be?
I am always on the lookout for the perfect spring/summer dress; not too long or too short, and in spring colours. Plus a fab pair of sunglasses or two, to finish off the outfit.
Ingrid Dawson, Milford
Ingrid Dawson joined Tango's Shoes nine years ago and has recently relocated to Milford from Whitianga. She manages the Milford branch, helps with the running of Tango's six other stores, and assists with the buying of Tango's collections of shoes. Ingrid tells us a bit about her fashion inspiration.
Channel Magazine: Where do you get your fashion inspiration from?
Ingrid Dawson: My passion for fashion began when I was very young. My inspiration usually revolves around my extensive and eclectic shoe collection (no surprises there!), generally not sticking to one specific style but pulling from different looks that have caught my eye along the way.
CM: What is your favorite piece of clothing?
ID: My Italian forest green Laura Bellariva Booties. (Love them ❤.) They keep coming out every year to complement any outfit from girly dresses – for an unexpected twist – to jeans and a jacket for a western influence, and they are refined enough to finish any outfit or occasion.
CM: Who is your favourite style icon?
ID: Audrey Hepburn - The Goddess of Chic!
CM: What is your must-have spring fashion item?
ID: A pair of mules which can be worn all day, also having that dressy element. There are so many styles, heel heights and colours to look forward to this month – watch this space.
CM: What is your favourite fashion era?
ID: I love the ’60s with mini-skirts, shift dresses, bright colours and a great pair of boots.
CM: If you could add any one piece to your wardrobe, what would it be?
ID: The ultimate handbag that is both original, versatile and an earthy shade of green. Yes, I can be particular when it comes to bags!
Blake Douglas, The Bays
Blake Douglas is an account manager is the sales team at Benefitz, Channel Magazine’s parent company. He claims that he doesn’t class himself as ‘fashionable’ or ‘styley’ and that his wife burst out laughing when he told her he was taking part in this feature. "If I‘m not in my work gear (black Benefitz polo) Im usually in my gym gear. But here goes…"
Channel Magazine: Where do you get your style inspiration from?
Blake Douglas: My mate Stevie P is a real trendy man, he’s generally up with play; I guess I get some ideas from him. And I have lots of clothes from Huffer.
CM: What is your favourite piece of clothing?
BD: I wear my black Huffer vest a lot. Luckily with the Auckland weather I can wear it most of the year, from autumn through to summer.
CM: Who is your favourite style icon?
BD: Not sure I have a favourite style icon…. David Beckham always looks good. Not that I’d ever dress like him though.
CM: What is your must-have spring style item?
BD: I would love some new sunnies; probably would go for Oakleys.
CM: What is your favourite fashion era?
BD: I like where we are now. I tend to stick to basic styles and colours… black, white, grey etc.
Its nice being able to wear pants and shirts, without all the add ons (scarves, ties, vest, etc).
CM: If you could add any one piece to your wardrobe, what would it be?
BD: My wife tells me I need to get new blazer for work, so I look more professional and I’m not wearing my puffer vest all the time.
Kate Alexander, Devonport
Interior stylist Kate is a stand out personality in Devonport, with unmistakable pink hair. She passes on style expertise through her Places & Graces home staging business, but here she shares her personal fashion tastes.
CM: Where do you get your fashion inspiration from?
KA: From being out and about...I often wish I could buy an item of clothing when I see it worn by someone! Fashion Quarterly and Marie Claire are my go-to magazines for finding out what’s ‘in’ for a season. But mostly my inspiration comes from collection release photos of the brands I love.
CM: What is your favourite piece of clothing?
KA: A pale dusty purple/pink hand-woven one-off silk dress that I bought in India from a designer who I visited just to see her interior... then I fell in love with her clothes. It pulls in at the waist with silver pompom ties. I love that it's unique and I met the team who made not just the dress but the fabric.
CM: Who is your favourite style icon?
KA: Sibella Court and Megan Morton, both Australian interior stylists. I admire their individuality and how their fashion style reflects their approach to their interior and styling work.
CM: What is your must-have spring fashion item?
KA: A jumpsuit! I just bought the most fabulous denim jumpsuit by Leo & Be. It’s classy with a twist. Perfect for spring because of the three quarter sleeves and full length trouser-leg, yet the fabric is light so it’s not too hot. And best of all, it has pockets!
CM: What is your favourite fashion era?
KA: The 50s and 60s. Just like the furniture of that era - simple lines and timeless classic structures yet bold fabrics and colours. I would happily own the wardrobe of Joan on Madmen.
CM: If you could add any one piece to your wardrobe, what would it be?
That’s a hard one because I generally buy clothes when I see something I like in a shop. When my wardrobe is feeling a bit tired, or I have an event coming up, I’ll visit one of my fave stores and let a new dress or jacket jump out at me. I was recently on the hunt for a new dress - my first purchase since loosing 20kgs. I tried on a style I'd normally assume wouldn’t suit me. It’s full length red-wine satin and I feel soooooo good in it. For me, that’s the way to know if something is right.
