Actress Josephine Stewart-Tewhiu draws wardrobe inspiration from the past.
With a soft spot for Patti Smith, a mother who worked as a seamstress for fashion doyenne Marilyn Sainty and a growing collection of straw boaters, Josephine Stewart-Tewhiu's style has an obvious vintage influence. The up-and-coming actress counts local designer Beth Ellery as a favourite, because her pieces are beautiful, flattering and underrated - and reflective of her personal style. "I'm a fan of simplicity, knit and good tailoring," she explains. She's set to perform in Chalk as part of the Auckland Fringe, a theatre production about a different type of vintage - the residents and associates of Shady Meadows retirement home. She tells us more about her unique style.
* Chalk, March 2-6, The Basement, Tickets $16 from iticket.co.nz or ph (09) 361 1000.
Whose wardrobe would you most like to raid?
My mum, Lucy's. She worked as a seamstress for Marilyn Sainty Design from when I was very small up until Marilyn's retirement. As a result my mum has the most insane collection of clothes and coats and she always looks fantastic - even when she wore this gold Comme des Garcons top and looked like a Christmas decoration, she just threw her head back and said, "I don't care, I love it!" She hasn't let me raid her wardrobe yet - although she does use me as a clotheshorse and makes me try on her old dresses so she can reminisce about when she use to wear them.
What was the last item of clothing you bought?
A blue and white striped long-sleeve Beth Ellery top. It reminds me of something Patti Smith would have worn when her fashion was heavily influenced by 1960s French cinema and even though it's summer I still stubbornly wear it.
What item of clothing or accessory do you want to buy next?
Another boater hat. I'm a bit of a hoarder and get obsessed with collecting things. For example, I have around 25 pairs of sunglasses, I don't think I need anymore but I secretly want to keep collecting...
Who does the best shoes?
Chuck Taylor high-tops, because they are so integral to many generations as a style piece. I got my first pair in Singapore when I was 10 and haven't looked back.
What's the one thing everyone should have in their wardrobe?
I think it's really important to own something that tells a story or is passed down through the family. I have my great grandmother's black velvet and pale pink lace dress from the 1920s and I love it, knowing that she wore it once upon a time.
Your favourite shop, locally?
It would have to be Tattys or the recycle at Scotties Boutique. I'm a fan of second-hand clothes and you can usually find some beautiful designer pieces for a third of the price. I found some amazing green and yellow brogues made in France; they were a steal. Every time I put them on I quietly thank the original owner who gave them up.
Your favourite shop in another country?
I was hunting for old Super-8 cameras in wintry New York and I met this old cranky New Yorker who gave me an address to something called "The Garage". The next day I rocked up to this address and discovered it was an old carpark building. I was apprehensive about going in but I saw this couple duck under the door so I followed them. What I discovered was three stories of flea market madness. I felt like I had discovered buried treasure and couldn't wipe the grin off my face. I was in hoarder heaven. I ended up buying a custom-made bowler hat from the 30s for 20 bucks. Bargain.
What's your fragrance?
At the moment it's Yves Saint Laurent's Parisienne.
What do you wear to work?
Usually it's black skinny jeans, sneakers and an oversized man's shirt - something comfy so I can roll around on the floor and do mad, actory things.
What do you wear when you're relaxing at home?
I have these tanned coloured pyjama/track pants which my partner calls my "Max Pants" - apparently I look like Max from Where the Wild Things Are when I wear them. I think they look more like Elliot's pajamas from E.T.
Most cherished item?
My grandma (who I was very close to) died just before my 21st birthday, so my mum gave me an antique locket with a lock of her hair. I cried when she gave it to me and keep it very safe, occasionally pulling it out to give it a squeeze.
