Fashion loves a literary girl with style

Tag : 40s cotton

Fashion loves a literary girl with style (think Zadie Smith andMarisha Pessl), and Viva is no exception. Author Emily Perkins is one of our favourites, sowe decided to delve into her wardrobe and discover some of hersartorial secrets.
The Grey Lynn local released her third book, Novel About My Wife , earlier this year. Written at home in New Zealand, the book isbased in London, where Perkins lived for 10 years.
Since returning home she has developed an obsession with High Ststore Fabric and Ponsonby Rd vintage mecca Tatty's. "I take clothesin to sell and invariably end up spending more than I make. Thosegirls have got great stock."
And while Perkins says new clothes in general are her guiltypleasure - "I don't need them. I just love them" - she likes tokeep her fashion philosophy simple. "Have fun. They're onlyclothes."
Who are your favourite designers?
I love wearing Kate Sylvester's dresses. Not her actual dresses.The ones she's designed. And there are loads of others I love butusually it's the item that seduces me, not the label. At least,that's the kind of person I'd like to be. Am working on it.
What was the last item of clothing you bought?
A vintage dress from Tatty's that I wore out of the shop.
Who or what inspires you?
Fashion-wise? My mother in harem pants in the late 1970s. Her bestfriend's hot pink flying suit of the same period. Friends in their30s and 40s who have developed their own style. I like it whenclothes are a bit daring.
Your favourite accessory?
Sorry, this will be sick-making, but my husband is a genius atfinding great jewellery. He gave me a beautiful Octavia Cook anchorring one Valentine's Day. To my huge regret I lost it recently, ona plane. I hope whoever found it loves it as much as I did.
What's the one thing everyone should have in their wardrobe?
Something that makes the difference between wanting to stay home atnight and wanting to go out.
The best jeans?
My latest are pale blue 501-style Acne jeans that quite honestlyfreak me out. But if I'm in the right mood they're the best.
Your favourite shop?
I have a self-imposed ban from entering Fabric in High St, which Ibreak every few months. It's deadly in there. And I love Tatty'stoo, the prices are probably more my speed.
Best fashion bargain?
A cotton army-style coat that was $4 from Savemart in PalmerstonNorth. I wear it nearly every day.
Who does the best shoes?
Can't go past Converse. I walk a lot and they look right with justabout everything. And I love heels.