Favourite things: West is best

Costume designer Katrina Hodge. Photo / Babiche Martens

Katrina Hodge may dress the characters of Outrageous Fortune in the best Westie gear she can find, but her own boyswear label is far from bogan. The head costume designer for the TV show launched Rookie after she wasn't able to find the "right" clothes for her son Arlo.

Described as "boys clothes with soul", the New Zealand made label is a truck and skateboard print-free zone and includes 100 per cent cotton hoodies, denim, organic underwear and a range of printed tees - including a "West is Best" print that would be more than at home on the set of Outrageous Fortune.

Hodge - who has been working with the hit show since the start - was also disheartened that she could not buy a quality design-driven garment at a reasonable price. "I created Rookie to offer parents and kids "quality at quantity" which they say you can't do, but we are." She talks us through her 10 favourite things right now.

10 favourite things

1 Uno design
Uno is a beautiful store full of bespoke pieces. Just about every piece of furniture I own is from this store.

2 Cire Trudon candles
My costume team at Outrageous Fortune purchased me a Cire candle from World Beauty as a gift. The scent is divine and transporting and it comes in a beautiful crafted glass.

3 Flotsam and Jetsam
Full of superb finds. One of my favourite things to do is pop into Ripe next door, grab a coffee and scan F&J for something that needs to go home with me.

4 Crystal chain gang
I am collecting pieces of their glass slowly - it is so beautiful. I have a collection of their older pieces at home, which are macabre and beautiful at the same time. A cat with a bird in its mouth, a decanter with a dog's head and wings, a dog wearing a necklace, a dog with a bird's body... they are amazing.

5 Books and magazines
Or food for the mind. Before I start working on a new character for Outrageous Fortune or a range for Rookie, I always refer to current magazines and scan my book collection for inspiration.

6 My vintage armoire
My life is stored in there.

7 Christofle cutlery
I go to the Studio of Tablewear and buy odd pieces of Christofle cutlery. I am slowly collecting what is called a "harlequin" set made up from different styles. It feels like a treat each time you set the table and eat a meal with beautiful cutlery.

8 Pearls
One of the most beautiful natural creations in the world.

9 No 18 Thonet chair
This chair has succeeded the test of time. It is simple, elegant and nostalgic.

10 Raleigh cruiser
It's a beautiful bike and I get hours of enjoyment out of it, riding around with my dog in the basket.