Signature style: Bronwyn Illingworth

Bronwyn Illingworth is New Zealand Hairdresser of the Year for the second year in a row. Picture / Glenn Jeffrey

Bronwyn Illingworth has just been named New Zealand Hairdresser of the Year at the Australian Hair Expo Awards. As the joint managing director of Toni & Guy in New Zealand, her dedication to hairdressing netted her the same award last year. She's almost as committed to fashion.

Who are your favourite fashion designers?

Sass + Bide, Alannah Hill, Zambesi, Carlson and Prada for the great cuts, beautiful fabrics, quirky ideas. And Jimmy Choo does fab shoes.

What do you wear to work?

Whatever my mood reflects but I try and keep it sassy.

The essential item for winter?

A great pair of boots so you don't have to worry about splashes on your stockings or trousers.

Latest buy?

I've just been overseas and had a little splurge. I got a beautiful pair of Robert Clergerie chocolate brown suede heels with gold disks that run up the front of them in New York. And some cream vintage boots that have a bit of snakeskin running up the back of them.

What can't you live without?

Beautiful lingerie.

Is there anything you'd never wear?

Big knickers. Bridget Jones I'm not.

Favourite store of the moment?

Plume in Dunedin.

What inspires you?

Travel. London, New York and the shops in Italy. There are so many people with their own thing going on, it feels wrong not to make the effort.

Any style icons?

Sienna Miller and Kate Moss. Did you see her at Glastonbury? She wore a little gold dress with gumboots and a black bag covered in mud and looked fantastic.

What is your favourite accessory of the moment?

A chunky, bright necklace. It was just a cheapie from Top Shop in London, but it brightens up any outfit.

What is your biggest fashion indulgence?

A pair of 1920s-style Prada shoes I bought in Florence. The Prada store was about to close and I was in this mad panic to buy something. I had my boss and team mates all looking for me. Even though it was impulsive and expensive every time I wear them someone comments.

What is your beauty routine?

I really care about what goes in my body so I eat nutritious food and lots of fluid. I drink between 2-4 litres of an alkalising drink I order from the US. After three days on it people stop me in the street to tell me how they liked my skin - weird. I use Environ products on my skin, cleansing, toning and moisturising morning and night. I wear makeup - I'm a M.A.C girl - every day because of my job, but, if I can get away with it on my day off I'll go fresh-faced for a day.

What item of makeup would you be lost without?

Probably eyeliner and mascara.

Your favourite hair products?

Manipulator. It's a Tigi product from the Bed Head range. You can put it in your hair wet or dry and it gives it that lived in feel. Souffle is another Tigi product about to be launched and is great because if you can't get any texture, this makes hair do whatever you want. Wella's Power Mask is a great conditioning treatment for the hair.

Best haircut?

Think it was one that Kathy Kane from our Toni & Guy in Newmarket gave me. It was a little above the shoulders, quite textured with a real rock chick long fringe.