Signature style: Grace Barcelos Owen

Grace Barcelos Owen with one of her best friends, Zeca. Picture / Carolyn Robertson

A chance meeting in Brazil with a talent-spotter from a New Zealand modelling agent led to Grace Barcelos Owen making her home here. Since her arrival four years ago, Barcelos Owen has built a reputation as one of this country's top models, although she fits her work in front of the camera around studying to be a psychologist.

Raised in Porto Alegre, the capital of Rio Grande Do Sul in the deep south of Brazil, she was expected to follow a family tradition of becoming a lawyer.

But she went against their wishes and found a job promoting cars.

The job meant a lot of travel and meeting people - and that was to lead her to New Zealand.

"We were showing a new Citroen in a Porto Alegre mall and a model agent invited me to come to New Zealand," Barcelos Owen says. "I wasn't sure about becoming a model, but the idea of learning a new language appealed to me.

"I remember the day I arrived in New Zealand like it was yesterday. It was a typical Auckland November day - raining and a bit chilly when it was supposed to be summer - and I couldn't speak a word of English. I had a pocket Portuguese-English dictionary that I had to take with me everywhere."

In 2003 she married leading fashion photographer Craig Owen and the couple set up home in Grey Lynn.

Who are your favourite fashion designers?

I adore Karl Lagerfeld and Helmut Lang ... but being realistic I appreciate some of the designers closer to home. At the moment I rate Mala Brajkovic, I think she is brilliant. I love Workshop, IPG and World, and I was married in an exquisite peach Karen Walker shift that I imagine Tom Ford would have liked to have called his own. Yes, I love Tom Ford, too.

What is your favourite accessory?

Always my big, over-the-top Brazilian earrings.

What do you wear when you're relaxing at home?

Mostly trackpants or jeans and a hoodie.

What is your biggest fashion indulgence?

Probably the Tag Monaco watch I bought for my husband's birthday last year. It's really beautiful.

What's the last item of clothing you bought?

A very pretty Elle Macpherson bra and knickers from Farmers.

Favourite hotels?

The Gloria in Rio de Janerio where Craig and I stayed when I took him home to Brazil last year. It's a gorgeous hotel from a past era, around the early 1900s, which still maintains its original French Renaissance decor.

What is your beauty routine?

Be happy. I can't imagine anyone feeling beautiful without happiness.

Who does the best handbags?

Tom Ford, when he was at Gucci and YSL.

Who cuts your hair?

Iain Smith at Me in Ponsonby.

What item of makeup would you be lost without?

My Yves Saint Laurent concealer for my dark circles.

Who inspires you?

My adorable husband who has such a great fashion sense. I don't like to leave home without him.

Favourite store of the moment?

Zara and Rosa Cha in Brazil. Galtons of Parnell, every time I go there I feel like buying absolutely everything ...

What's your idea of relaxation?

Spending time with family and friends, and our miniature pinscher Zeca. And always with chimarrao, a traditional yerba mate tea from Rio Grande Do Sul.

What's your favourite look?

T-shirt, jeans and Havaianas (flipflops). You can't go wrong.

Best fashion bargain?

Usually something I've borrowed. I once wore a gorgeous Richard Tyler dress in his show at Australian Fashion Week a few years ago. I loved it and borrowed it to go to my friend's wedding.