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Fashion loves a literary girl with style (think Zadie Smith and Marisha Pessl), and Viva is no exception. Author Emily Perkins is one of our favourites, so we decided to delve into her wardrobe and discover some of her sartorial secrets.
The Grey Lynn local released her third book, Novel About My Wife, earlier this year. Written at home in New Zealand, the book is based in London, where Perkins lived for 10 years.
Since returning home she has developed an obsession with High St store Fabric and Ponsonby Rd vintage mecca Tatty's. "I take clothes in to sell and invariably end up spending more than I make. Those girls have got great stock."
And while Perkins says new clothes in general are her guilty pleasure - "I don't need them. I just love them" - she likes to keep her fashion philosophy simple. "Have fun. They're only clothes."
Who are your favourite designers?
I love wearing Kate Sylvester's dresses. Not her actual dresses. The ones she's designed. And there are loads of others I love but usually it's the item that seduces me, not the label. At least, that's the kind of person I'd like to be. Am working on it.
What was the last item of clothing you bought?
A vintage dress from Tatty's that I wore out of the shop.
Who or what inspires you?
Fashion-wise? My mother in harem pants in the late 1970s. Her best friend's hot pink flying suit of the same period. Friends in their 30s and 40s who have developed their own style. I like it when clothes are a bit daring.
Your favourite accessory?
Sorry, this will be sick-making, but my husband is a genius at finding great jewellery. He gave me a beautiful Octavia Cook anchor ring one Valentine's Day. To my huge regret I lost it recently, on a plane. I hope whoever found it loves it as much as I did.
What's the one thing everyone should have in their wardrobe?
Something that makes the difference between wanting to stay home at night and wanting to go out.
The best jeans?
My latest are pale blue 501-style Acne jeans that quite honestly freak me out. But if I'm in the right mood they're the best.
Your favourite shop?
I have a self-imposed ban from entering Fabric in High St, which I break every few months. It's deadly in there. And I love Tatty's too, the prices are probably more my speed.
Best fashion bargain?
A cotton army-style coat that was $4 from Savemart in Palmerston North. I wear it nearly every day.
Who does the best shoes?
Can't go past Converse. I walk a lot and they look right with just about everything. And I love heels.
How do you define the word "fashionable"?
Its a bit of a stiff word I think, a bit uptight.
What do you really want this coming season?
Can you give me an unlimited account at Fabric?
What is your beauty routine?
Slack.
Is there anything you'd never wear?
A few months ago I'd have said 501-cut jeans. So you never know.
What do you wear to work?
I work from home, so what I please, really. A good rule of thumb when looking at new clothes is, can I wear it on the school run? So far my children haven't disowned me, but they're only young. I'll shame them yet.
What is the biggest fashion/beauty/hair mistake you have ever made?
SO many. But I truly thought they looked good at the time. Maybe maroon hair, I think that would probably be near the top of the list.
Best sartorial advice you've ever had?
That as soon as I put on a tweed jacket I look like a refugee from the sociology department. Apologies to sociologists.
You feel best wearing?
Anything I've managed the time to think about - am not good at the early morning dash. I hate getting out of the house and looking like I dressed in the dark because I did.
Most cherished item?
That lost Octavia Cook ring.
Favourite fashion-y movie, or a fashion moment in film?
Sigourney Weaver as Ellen Ripley in Alien - the grey marl tank top and knickers combo. Flamethrower optional.
Most overrated item in fashion?
I am very grateful not to understand the fuss over bags!
Best way to recycle your old clothes?
Take them to Tatty's, and try to just run in and drop them off while shielding your eyes from everything in there. And altering clothes is quite good.
When I was in high school I wore ... ?
Supermarket jeans, nerdy T-shirts and Treks until the 4th form, when the terribly confusing Trek/Nomad wars were at their peak. Thank God I discovered op shops. Old floral dresses and granny glasses with no lenses. Berets. Spray-painted skirts. Anything ridiculous.
Silliest trend you ever heard of?
Ironed hair looked good on about five people.
