Each week, we quiz a prominent person about their style and the inspiration behind it. Ahead, designer Laura May Gibbs.
How would you describe your style? It’s an interplay between masculine and feminine. It’s grounded in ease of movement. And I always mix vintage and new designs.
What’s the oldest thing in your wardrobe? A couple of hot-pink slip dresses the back-up dancers wore in a Kylie Minogue film clip my dad worked on in the ’90s. I’d dress up in them as a kid.
And the most recent addition? I bought some iconic second-hand designer pieces in Tokyo that are reflective of my day-to-day uniform – a blue Prada cross-body bag, a Comme des Garçons blazer,
Chanel scarves and a Dior men’s shirt.
What would you wear … on a first date? There are no more first dates for me, but the night I met my partner I was wearing a see-through silver lace Coperni dress that left nothing to the imagination. We’ve been together ever since. … on a plane? My Nagnata travel uniform – “Romeo” track pants, “Highlighter” tee and “Sonny” sweater with Acne Studios sneakers. … on the red carpet? I’d love to wear an archival corseted piece by Vivienne Westwood.
What’s your favourite fashion era? Forever the ’90s. There was fierce creative energy at the same time as raw, stripped-back refinement. I love the clash of those elements.
Who are your favourite fashion designers? I’m inspired by Martin Margiela’s conceptual point of view. I love Vivienne Westwood for being an activist in the industry. I also admire the fresh, creative and bold work of Martine Rose and Grace Wales Bonner.
What’s your fragrance of choice? Ayu “Souq” scented oil.
What are the three essential items in your wardrobe? Vintage men’s suit pants I source in Italy, Eckhaus Latta knitwear and Nagnata “R2E” denim.
Any go-to jewellery? An Agmes chunky silver ring and a Holly Ryan gold “Wabi Sabi” ring.
Can you remember a favourite outfit you wore as a child? I was a dancer and I lived in bodysuits, tights, mini shorts and leg warmers. My favourite time of year was going to Bloch to buy cute new dance outfits.
What was your first fashion moment? By the time I was 10 I was designing the costumes for all our dance performances. I’d come up with the theme – The Lion King, for example – and design crazy jungle-print outfits.
And your worst fashion mistake? I wore a tiara to my year 10 formal. I look back at those photos and cringe.
What’s on your wish list? I don’t have one. I shop when I travel. I like the experience of going into a store, discovering something and feeling drawn to a piece.
Is there something you’d never wear? I don’t limit myself, I have diverse taste. But I can say I’ve never worn a Croc.
Is there a current trend you like? I’m happy to see the shift away from synthetic clothing, in particular sportswear, towards natural, renewable fibres. It’s a trend now to call out toxic activewear, but it’s something that we [at Nagnata] have been talking about and pioneering for 10 years.
What do you sleep in? Shorts and a bralette made from natural fibres.
What shoes do you wear most often? Prada slides, Miu Miu slides and “Blackout” sneakers by Puraai – a sustainable shoe brand from Italy.
Who’s your favourite fashion icon? Growing up, it was Christy Turlington for her understated natural style, Patti Smith for her rock ’n’ roll sensibility, and I loved Kate Moss in her festival era. Now that I have a stronger sense of style and self, I don’t look to muses, but I do look around and
admire other women’s style daily.
What do you wear on a typical working day? Vintage denim, a men’s button-up shirt and a knit.
What’s your favourite off-duty, casual Sunday look? I’m at the beach in a bikini and sarong.
Laura May Gibbs is the founder and creative director of Nagnata.
Get the best of Sunday Life magazine delivered to your inbox every Sunday morning. Sign up here for our free newsletter.
From our partners
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: www.smh.com.au
