Southern belle

Accessory designer Sarah Aspinall from Company of Strangers. Photo / Babiche Martens

Sara Aspinall is the Dunedin-based designer behind Company of Strangers, a label that is "obsessed with other people's junk". Think handbags made from vintage leather jackets or fur, jewellery made from melted-down pearl and diamond rings and other recycled and reworked goodies.

Her most recent collection, simply called "Collection #2", is inspired by the Francis Ford Coppola film Rumblefish and features a jewellery collaboration with Dunedin artist Anne Mieke Ytsma.

Aspinall launched Company of Strangers last year, after working alongside Margi Robertson at Nom.d for nearly six years - so unsurprisingly, Aspinall's own style reflects that of her hometown, a city famous for its distinctive fashion scene. She tells us all about it.

Who are your favourite designers?

Ann Demeulemeester - she's amazing.

What was the last item of clothing you bought?

A floral shirt from the hospice shop. I'm not usually into floral but it's more like a black base Liberty print.

What's your biggest indulgence/guilty pleasure?

Crisps, I have issues.

Your favourite accessory?

My Company of Strangers crochet necklace. It has three key stones to keep me going - clear quartz for inspiration, rose quartz for love and smoky quartz for fatigue.

Best fashion bargain?

Demeulemeester boots I bought on Ebay about five years ago, I still wear them constantly!

Who does the best shoes?

Opening Ceremony shoes from Myhart - I want every pair! They do the best wedge.

What endures throughout the seasons?

Anything you bought because you love it and you feel great wearing it - who cares what the trends are.

Your favourite shop?

Plume in Dunedin and Myhart in Auckland.

What is your beauty routine?

Dr Hauschka cleanser and moisturiser, that's it - I'm low maintenance.

What can't you live without?

Mascara, I don't feel like I've woken up without it. Silly I know.

Your fashion obsession?

Leather!

What won't you be wearing this season?

Pantyhose with just a T-shirt and my butt hanging out!

What do you wear to work?

Merino. It's cold in Dunedin.

What is the biggest fashion/beauty/hair mistake you have ever made?

Thinking I could bleach my hair from black without a hairdresser. I bleached it every second day for about three weeks before I went to get professional help.

If money were no option?

I'd buy the Rick Owens leather jacket and the platform studded A.F Vandevorst heels I'm lusting after.

Is there anything you think the fashion police should ban?

Fashion police. Who has the right to tell someone else what to wear?

Whose wardrobe would you most like to raid?

Margi Robertson's. She has so many vintage Margiela pieces that I'd love to steal.

The one rule you always dress by?

You can never wear too many layers.

Best music for getting dressed by?

The Kills or Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

Best way to recycle your old clothes?

Turn them upside down or wear them as a scarf.

When I was at high school I wore?

When I was 14 I wore moleskins and a Guernsey jersey like a high country farmer!