La dolce vita

Meegan Webster. Photo / Babiche Martens

As the design manager for Max, Meegan Webster has helped shape what many New Zealand women are wearing right now. The designer has been working in the fashion business for almost 20 years, including owning and designing under the label Frost and working as the personal assistant to Stuart Rose, managing director of Marks & Spencer in London. Now based in Auckland working for Max, it's Webster's influence that has seen the iconic chain store become more fashion-forward over the past year. Her own style is elegant with an edge. She adds, "I am brutal with fashion: if I haven't worn it in a season it goes!"

What do you really want this coming season?
A new denim jacket. My last one was pinched from the back of my chair while I was eating dinner in London. The new boyfriend jacket is a close second. Either way, you'd better get a decent casual jacket.

What's your biggest indulgence/guilty pleasure?
Power shopping. I did the David Jones sale with our marketing director, Sandy, in one hour flat before leaving for Sydney airport. It was an impressive scene.

What inspires you?
La dolce vita! The style, the food, the fashion and passion of Italy. Chasing the Italian good life is something I share with my husband Chris, who owns and operates SPQR. We married on the shores of Lake Como last year and Italy is the inspiration behind the Max early Spring Collection, Sorrento.

What endures throughout the seasons?
Your confidence - so go get some! It allows you to experiment with new looks, try new trends and ultimately find your own personal style. Fashion with your own twist is always in.

What is your beauty routine?
I go purely organic. My grandfather's answer to all ailments was always the sea - I swear by sea water as the best toner ever, and Trilogy Organic Rosehip Oil as a night treatment.

What can't you live without?
The girls at work! The team is amazing and it is the best place in the world to work.

Your fashion obsession?
Shoes of course, usually pairs that I can't walk in.

What is the biggest fashion/beauty/hair mistake you have ever made?
I succumbed to being a model for a hairdressing competition in the 90s and ended up with an asymmetrical bob with a very short and severe fringe. It was so traumatic! I have stuck to a pony tail ever since.

You feel best wearing?
Great jeans. Best worn with Max's sequin tuxedo jacket (if I can get there before they are all sold out).

Dress to impress whom?
Not my husband - who laughs at some of my get ups!

Most stylish city?
Tokyo. I love the innovation of young designers and the contrast of traditional and street culture. I go often and every time it's different.

Best music for getting dressed by?
Must be my ballet roots - has to be Flashdance.