Style from morning to night

Photo / Babiche Martens

Carly Flynn always looks lovely doesn't she? Whether she's sitting pretty in a floral number by Kate Sylvester or rocking a brightly coloured tunic by Charmaine Reveley as she is here, the Sunrise co-host always manages to bring a nice fashion touch to the early-morning show.

Flynn's on-screen wardrobe is a collaborative effort with her long-term stylist at TV3, and like her "real life" style, features lots of bright colours and tunics. Her fashion credentials were on show at the iD Dunedin Emerging Designer Awards Show on Friday night, which she co-hosted with Sunrise weatherman Josh Heslop.

What do you like to wear to work? Do you get a say on what you wear on screen?

What I wear to work depends on how organised and inspired I've been the night before. I have to lay it all out so as not to wake up the household. Once I get into TV3, I have a huge selection to choose from. I have a wonderful stylist who I shop with for my on-air wardrobe, we've been working together for around four years now, so she knows what I like.

Who are your favourite designers?

I'm extremely spoilt in this job, getting to wear the best of New Zealand designers every morning. I'm a huge Helen Cherry and Kate Sylvester fan, and I can always find something slinky and colourful to wear from Sabine.

What was the last item of clothing you bought?

A Turbulence Triangle dress by Cybele, and some gorgeous white stitching Bettina Liano jeans. Both will be thrashed this autumn and winter.

What are you never caught wearing?

Anything too short or sparkly!

How do you define the word "fashionable", what does it mean to you?

Being able to pull off wearing whatever combination you want with confidence.

What is your beauty routine?

Lots of cleanser and moisturiser and, in an ideal world, regular facials. My job means my hair and face get a real workout every day so I use Dermalogica pre-cleanse and special cleansing gel to get all the makeup off, then once a week a good hydrating masque. Some mornings I still wake up with panda eyes though.

Best fashion bargain?

If I see something I love, I find it hard to shop around. I'm not the best bargain hunter. But I did pick up a couple of old-school woven bar stools at the Hahei summer fair, which I adore and which remind me of my grandfather's gorgeous style.

What do you really want for the winter season?

Something easy to put on at 4am but that will go with anything, and can be dressed up or down with ballet flats for comfort! And some of Dermalogica's new ChromaWhite TRx range.

Where are your favourite shops, locally and overseas?

I loved Eon Design for inspiration and am still in mourning. Anywhere in Australia for shoes, they have such a great selection. And IE Produce on the North Shore for the best fresh and local produce.

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

There are plenty - but they all seemed okay at the time.

What is your most cherished item, and why?

My wedding rings. I found the sapphire stone in another ring at jewellery designer Carats, and after much searching for another identical one to no success, they very kindly removed the stone to make it into mine. Oh, and my wedding dress, a beautiful hand-beaded gown made by Kate Dowman.

Whose wardrobe would you most like to raid?

My mum's from 30 years ago - if only she'd kept things!

What do you feel best wearing?

Colour! I love teaming colourful tops/dresses/tunics with classic black pants or jeans. Some days I can change what I'm wearing three times between my work wardrobe, home gear and Pilates!