Catching rainbows

Fashion designer Emily Miller-Sharma. Photo / Babiche Martens

We adore Emily Miller-Sharma's attitude to fashion and clothes: fun, whimsical and just a little bit silly. Her style icon is Lady Di, the last piece of clothing she bought was a tropical fish-printed, oversized singlet dress and you very rarely see her wearing black.

The Madame Hawke designer joined the label last year after graduating from Massey University, and her prim but sexy designs are in store now - think everything from a sweet lace skirt to a gold lame jacket.

"I'm a strong believer that the clothing that one wears should be in sync with how one is feeling and somehow enhance one's day," says Miller-Sharma.

Who are your favourite designers?

Tsumori Chisato and Miss Crabb.

What's your biggest indulgence/guilty pleasure?

Lots and lots and lots of butter.

Who or what inspires you?

I am inspired by people who actively go out and make or do awesome things, whether it be clothing, installation art work, architecture, paintings. Specifically, I am always drawn to surrealism, food and flowers.

Your favourite accessory?

Silk neck scarves.

Who does the best shoes?

Kathryn Wilson. Perfect shapes, awesome colours.

The best jeans?

My favourite ever jeans are by Zambesi and are called 'Ramones'. Good and high, fit perfectly around the waist, long and skinny with flattering panel lines down the side front. I have worn through four pairs of them but they have stopped making them! Very sad. I loved them so much that the last pair I bought I actually got a size too big and I took them in.

What is your beauty routine?

A while ago I ran out of moisturiser and kept forgetting to buy more so I used my eight-hour cream instead and it's been pretty much awesome. I don't cleanse, I sometimes wear mascara and M.A.C. mineral powder and if I feel like having a party, bright red, pink or orange lipstick.

What do you really want this coming season?

Kathryn Wilson's red suede slouchy boots. And the dress that I am about to go to the sewing machine and make.

Your favourite shop?

The library!

Your favourite shop elsewhere?

Absolute Retro, just off Brick Lane in London. Amazingly massive collection of supreme vintage desire.

What can't you live without?

Pencils and paper.

How do you define the word "fashionable"?

I try to steer clear of that word because it doesn't have positive connotations for me. Instead I associate it with blindly following trends because someone else has decided that it is cool. Or to exclude someone or something because it isn't cool.

Is there anything you'd never wear?

Plain black shoes.

What won't you be wearing this season?

Checks.

What is the biggest fashion/beauty/hair mistake you have ever made?

When I was 15 I dyed my hair blue-black. But my hair is blond. It went very bright blue-black, and took a looooong time to get back to something that semi resembled my natural hair colour.

Any style icons?

Lady Di.

What do you wear to work?

Whatever I feel drawn to really, but usually something that I find fun. Or funny.

The one fashion rule you always break... or that should never have been a rule in the first place?

That one must wear black to funerals.

Best sartorial advice to pass down to your own daughter/son?

Don't treat your clothing like I do. I am terrible at taking care of my clothes! Basically I feel like I should be able to do anything in anything that I wear. Unfortunately, I am also drawn to delicate, pale silks that aren't really up to climbing over fences, sitting on street curbs, etc.

You feel best wearing?

Colour.

Favorite fashion-y movie?

Grease.

Personal style quirk?

Pretty much never wearing black. If I do I feel all funny.

Most overrated item in fashion?

Designer handbag.

Most underrated item in fashion?

A necklace which is also a key ring - I know "lanyard" springs to mind but they are so ugly! I am meaning a chain that is strong enough to hold on to my keys. Then they never get lost.

Never caught wearing?

Jandals. I like the idea of them but it makes me feel strange when I look down at a pair on my feet. And I get sore shins because I feel like I constantly have to grip them on with my toes.

Best trend of this season?

Lingerie-inspired outerwear or layering pieces. They allow a great deal of flexi-bility while dressing - a piece that is only appropriate as an underlayer during work time can be worn on its own during party time. It also means that the line of a really deep V-neck for example doesn't need to be compromised by buttoning it up too high, as a lightweight, lingerie-inspired top can cover enough skin to keep one a little bit prim.