KEY POINTS:
Being named as one of your town's best dressed could have even the most stylish individual cowering at home in pyjamas for a few weeks. Think of the pressure. But not fledgling fashion designer Jann Wong. The woman who was described as one of Auckland's best dressed by a local magazine this year and who also won this year's Deutz Fashion Design Ambassador admits to feeling a little worried at first. "You do feel a little bit of pressure, like you wonder if people are thinking things like 'what's she going to wear to that party?' Or 'is she going to wear the same thing twice?'"
But she doesn't take any of that too seriously. "I've never been the sort of person to go to the dairy in my tracksuit pants anyway. And my wardrobe isn't big enough or expensive enough to not wear something twice."
Using the Deutz award Wong is about to go to Europe for an internship with British designer Richard Nicoll. When she returns early next year, she'll be quietly releasing a small, first collection.
Who are your favourite designers?
Internationally, I admire Stella McCartney, Alexander McQueen, and the new guard of London fashion, Sophia Kokosalaki, Richard Nicholl and Marios Schwab. Here I admire Cybele, Jimmy D, Lonely Hearts and Jaeha. Akira, Josh Goot, Kit Willow, Kirrily Johnston and Lover are designers across the ditch I have a lot of respect for.
What was the last item of clothing you bought?
A pair of hooker shoes from an online store (www.asos.com) for £8 ($22). They are at least 12cm high with a clear PVC top and black patent sole.
What's your guilty pleasure?
Sleeping in, eating chocolates for breakfast, and having multiple laybys.
Who or what inspires you?
Photographs, magazines, friends, deadlines, travelling, fabrics and summer.
What's the one thing everyone should have in their wardrobe?
A pair of warm possum fur socks.
Your best beauty tip?
Regular facials at Lucy & the Powder Room, plenty of sleep and a good run.
What can't you live without?
My heater, the internet and my ghd hair irons - all of these are life-savers.
Whose wardrobe would you most like to raid?
Mine in 20 years.
What is the biggest beauty mistake you ever made?
I tried going blonde when I was a teenager, but being a poor student with no concept of how important your choice of hairdresser is, I did it myself at home and was surprised to find my hair turned orange and wiry instead!
The one rule you always dress by?
No pain, no gain comes to mind - but it's always important to wear what one feels comfortable in. From a position of comfort, you're able to exude confidence and sex appeal and still retain the things we love about being women.
You feel best wearing?
A great top, skinny jeans or leggings, dresses and killer heels.
Favourite fashion-y movie?
Factory Girl was a great nod to the makeup and mod scene of the 60s.
Never caught wearing?
Fashion is always evolving, so something I would never wear today might be worth trying tomorrow.
