KEY POINTS:
Some time ago, musician Brooke Fraser came up with a cunning plan to keep herself out of debt. "I thought it would be really economical if I only bought things while I was away on tour," she says.
But then the New Zealand songstress ended up being away so much - she's just spent the last nine months on the road - that if she'd shopped the whole time, she would be bankrupt by now.
"Now I just travel with one great big suitcase and I'll figure out creative ways to wear the same thing four times."
However that won't be the case for her appearance at the Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards tomorrow night.
Over the past week Fraser, who's now based in Australia, has been checking out local labels for a glamorous outfit to perform in and, hopefully, to accept an award or two in. At the moment, the leading contenders to dress her for the red carpet are Kate Sylvester or Mala Brajkovic.
Who are your favourite designers?
I wear a lot of Karen Walker. I also like Sass & Bide and a label from the US called Trovata. I wear a lot of vintage and I have Josh Goot cardy that I live in.
What's your guilty pleasure?
Elusive napping. That sounds strange but if I have a gap in the schedule I will just go home and sleep because I'm always tired! And it's a guilty pleasure because I should probably be doing something else more useful.
Your favourite accessory?
Anything of my boyfriend's. He has this great collection of scarves and hats and I tend to pilfer from it.
Best fashion bargain?
My favourite pair of vintage shoes that I found in a little shop in Bondi for about $40. They're a little bit Versace-ish, with a wedge that has a cut-out in it and a gold stamped Medusa head. I wore them to the Music Awards a couple of years ago. It's actually really hard to find vintage shoes in my size so if I find some that are even half a size too small, I'll get them and then I will suffer. But these ones fit.
The best jeans?
Iron Army jeans from the US. They sent me some to try and I didn't have very high expectations but they're the best fitting jeans I've ever had.
What endures throughout the seasons?
A good bra.
What do you really want this summer?
No cellulite and a smooth, buff glow to my legs - which are actually pasty white right now.
Your favourite shop?
I love Peter Alexander and I was pretty excited to see one on High St today. The ones you go into in Australia are like Disneyland for adults. So cute.
Is there anything you'd never wear?
Chaps.
Whose wardrobe would you most like to raid?
Gemma Ward's. Because she [the Australian supermodel] gets to work for the best labels, so I bet she's got heaps of great clothes.
What is the biggest beauty mistake you have ever made?
Concealer on my lips. I went through a stage when I was 11 where I was really paranoid about the size of my lips. So when my mum went to work I'd get into her makeup and rub concealer all over my lips before I went to school.
Is there anything you think the fashion police should ban?
White pants. I don't care how good they are supposed to be, they're just nasty.
Personal style quirk?
I always wear a hat or a scarf or some kind of accessory. I just feel like it completes a look. I think perfume does the same job too. I don't really feel finished until I put it on and I think it's really nice to have a sort of perfume wardrobe so you can wear different scents for different moods.
Most underrated item in fashion?
Zips. A good dress can be ruined by a bad zip or the over-use of zips. A bad zip can actually put me off buying something.
Most stylish city?
Stockholm. I think the Swedes are to Europe what Tokyo is to Asia. They are just really on to it in terms of design and when I was there recently I didn't see anything naff at all.
When I was high school I wore?
Tearaways - they're those track pants with domes. I went through a little bit of a homie stage when I was 13.
