Each week, we quiz a prominent person about their style and the inspiration behind it. Ahead, set designer Elizabeth Gadsby.
How would you describe your style? Comfortable, practical, monochromatic.
What’s the oldest thing in your wardrobe? A 1920s red velvet cape with a dusty-pink silk lining. I don’t wear it often, but it’s a beautiful piece.
And the most recent addition? A pale blue-and-white striped Stine Goya shirt from Swop and a pair of cropped, wide-leg jeans from Scanlan Theodore.
What would you wear … on a first date? I’ve only been on one. I wore a high-waisted khaki leather pencil skirt, a black silk blouse with a split at the back and black vintage Gucci heels.
… on a plane? A grey Enza Costa long-sleeve cashmere jersey top with thumbholes, layered with a woollen jumper or cotton hoodie, navy merino track pants and Converse x Comme des Garçons high-top sneakers. … on the red carpet? I try to avoid it but if I did have to go, I’d wear my wedding dress: The Vampire’s Wife gold “Festival” dress.
What’s your favourite fashion era? I don’t know if it’s an era but it’s a vibe; I love the 1960s Yves Saint Laurent “Le Smoking” suits and 1980s short tuxedo dresses; there’s something about that
masculine feminine tailoring.
Who are your favourite designers? I like Dries van Noten. Interestingly, his designs are patterned and colourful, which I don’t tend to wear, but as a designer his work is incredible. I also love Yohji Yamamoto’s work from the 1980s through to the 2000s – the silhouettes are awesome.
What’s your fragrance of choice? Elizabeth Arden’s “Green Tea”.
What are the three essential items in your wardrobe? Black Citizens of Humanity jeans, a long double-breasted coat that I can put over anything and feel dressed, and a cap – any cap, but I often wear one by Byron Bay skate brand JPN National.
Any go-to jewellery? A silver herringbone chain necklace and a pearl ring that I wear with my wedding band.
Can you remember a favourite outfit you wore as a child? When I was eight, it was a pair of Punky Brewster high-top sneakers. I didn’t even really know who Punky Brewster was as I wasn’t allowed to watch much TV, but I was obsessed with those shoes.
What was your first fashion moment? In 2012, I borrowed an Yves Saint Laurent tuxedo mini dress to wear to the launch party of the Chanel Little Black Jacket exhibition at Walsh Bay in Sydney.
And your worst fashion mistake? I had dreadlocks as a teenager. I was living in Berlin at the time, so it was very place-based. I was like, “Am I this person?” and six months later I decided, “No, I am
definitely not.”
What’s on your wish list? The “Ichthys” necklace by local [Blue Mountains, NSW] jeweller Alison Daniel, who makes pieces from recycled sterling silver and gold. It’s a little silver fish pendant on lapis lazuli beads.
Is there something you’d never wear? Polyester, or anything made of petroleum.
Is there a current trend you like? I could get on board with the very wide pleated pants I’ve seen around that are almost like culottes.
What do you sleep in? My husband’s T-shirts.
What shoes do you wear most often? Converse x Comme des Garçons sneakers, Birkenstock “Arizonas” and my Blundstone boots.
Who’s your favourite fashion icon? German choreographer Pina Bausch was incredible, I love the collapsed, masculine silhouettes she wore. And Patti Smith’s look is amazing – jeans, T-shirt, blazer – and the way she wears tailoring.
What do you wear on a typical working day? In the workshop, it’s jeans, a lightweight Xirena shirt and my Blundstones.
What’s your favourite off-duty, casual Sunday look? I’ll be hanging around at home in the Blue Mountains in silk pants and a Jac + Jack shirt.
Opera Australia’s production of Turandot is at the Sydney Opera House until March 27.
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