KEY POINTS:
When is it appropriate to wear sequins and feathers? For Bridget Mason, any time is the right time - "even to work on a Monday morning!"
Mason's job as sales and marketing manager for Ruby means she gets to dress up to her heart's content, something she clearly relishes. She describes her penchant for sequins and feathers as a personal style quirk, and her style ranges from casual cool (think jeans and T-shirts) to quirky and dressed up (vintage harlequin dresses and rabbit fur vests). But it's not all fashion with nothing up top for Mason, who has been with Ruby for more than three years. The 24-year-old recently won the Newmarket Young Business Person of the Year Award, and oversees all Ruby stores, trains staff, and helps with buying.
Who are your favourite designers?
Internationally I love the work Christophe Decarnin does at Balmain. The spring 2009 ready to wear collection he just showed in Paris is just so cool, I want just about everything from it!
What was the last item of clothing you bought?
The last thing I physically bought was a pair of Sass and Bide jeans from Area 51, but I've got some big orders I've placed for myself for winter from twentysevennames, and Ruby and Madame Hawke.
Who or what inspires you?
In life or in fashion? One that ticks both boxes would definitely be music. Music and fashion obviously cross over really well together. I really love it when the two worlds collaborate, like The Rakes soundtracking a Dior Homme runway show, or Cat Power posing for Chanel.
Best fashion bargain?
I had my eye on it for over for a year, and I recently bought it: a vintage harlequin dress from a second-hand store out in West Auckland. I had one of the girls at work do a few minor alterations on it for me. Dream!
Whose wardrobe would you most like to raid?
I'd like to get my hands on The Strokes guitarists Nick Valensi's vintage T-shirts! I think people like Kirsten Dunst and Nicole Richie have really cool casual looks. Alison Mosshart from The Kills would have an amazing wardrobe actually.
Best sartorial advice to pass down to your own daughter/son?
I'd probably tell them to do what comes naturally, wear what you feel comfortable in - if you feel comfortable in something you're always going to look good in it.
Your favourite shopping destination?
I think it may be a really well-kept secret. But off Queen St in the Mid City mall, and in the Elliot St Mall, there are a whole bunch of Asian fashion boutiques where you can find some really cool pieces at a great price, and it's stuff you won't find anywhere else in Auckland.
Most cherished item?
I recently acquired a rabbit fur vest from one of the above mentioned Asian boutiques that I truly love!
What do you wear to work?
Anything goes really, it can depend on what I've got planned for the day, so I might try to be fairly practical with what I'm wearing, but then there's Monday mornings when you want to wear feathers, and you also want to wear a sequin skirt...
Is there anything you'd never wear?
I never rule anything out!
What endures throughout the seasons?
Boyfriend T-shirts will always be a staple with me.
