Designer Bianca Spender’s wardrobe essentials

Each week, we quiz a prominent person about their style and the inspiration behind it. Ahead, designer Bianca Spender.

“I’ve always found so much inspiration in the 1940s; from the designs of the great couturiers to the working women in tailoring and uniforms.” Credit: Dominic Lorrimer

How would you describe your style? Modern romantic. I love movement in clothes, the sense that everything dances around you.

What’s the oldest thing in your wardrobe? A gold Patek Philippe watch; it’s my signature piece. It was my grandfather’s and then my dad’s.

And the most recent addition? My dad passed away recently and I have a few of his classic white shirts. Wearing other people’s clothes is a beautiful thing – it reminds you of them.

What’s your favourite fashion era? I’ve always found so much inspiration in the 1940s; from the designs of the great couturiers – Givenchy, Balenciaga, Schiaparelli, Madame Grès – to the working women in tailoring and uniforms. I love how they still found a way to be chic in overalls with incredible silk scarves and perfect curls in their hair.

While you’ll mostly find Spender in a flat, her wish list includes a pair of Jil Sander ankle boots.

What are three essential items in your wardrobe? A modern romantic dress – often draped with lots of volume, a sculptural skirt and a full-length coat.

What would you wear …
… on a first date? One of my soft, drapey dresses with flats and a signature lip.
… on a plane? A voluminous skirt, loose top, silk scarf and white Converse sneakers.
… on the red carpet? My label’s cobalt-blue “Vivienne” dress.

Who are your favourite designers? I love Yohji Yamamoto, Comme des Garçons and Alexander McQueen for the way they have a singular vision.

What’s your fragrance of choice? Perfume gives me a headache; I wear lavender essential oil.

Any go-to jewellery? A 1920s black enamel snake ring that Sam [McGuinness, Spender’s partner] gave me. Also two necklaces that belonged to my mum [Carla Zampatti]: one with an apple on it that she bought in Italy in the ’70s, and the other an Elsa Peretti scorpion pendant for Tiffany & Co. I remember her wearing them a lot when I was a kid. She’d be going out and ask “what jewellery?” and I would always choose one of those.

Can you remember a favourite outfit you wore as a child? My little pink ballet costume. It’s funny because I hate pink now.

And your worst fashion mistake? Because I grew up in an environment with a mother who was so polished and had such a sense of style, I picked up very early that respect is beauty; you have to put yourself together well and have a sense of pride. So, I was never outrageous; I think I was the only teen who didn’t have a pair of jeans.

What was your first fashion moment? Experimenting with fashion in the ’90s. I remember being about 15 and having fun with layering: wearing skirts as dresses and dresses over pants.

Spender may hate pink now, but as a child she loved her ballet costume. Credit: Courtesy of Bianca Spender

What’s at the top of your wish list? An incredible pair of Jil Sander boots.

Is there anything you would never wear? Animal print.

Is there a current trend you like? No, I’m committed to not looking at what everyone else is doing. If I stay in a bubble, I stay close to my instinct and get the best results out of my design. Once I absorb myself in the world of fashion, I lose that purity of vision.

What shoes do you wear most often? Black Dries Van Noten slides or Miu Miu boots. I’m outrageously practical; I’m always in a flat.

Who’s your favourite fashion icon? Vivienne Westwood – she had such passion and vision.

What do you wear on a typical working day? A uniform of black, but there’s always a sculptural piece and an element of masculine and feminine. For example, a minidress with a statement sleeve over pants.

What’s your favourite off-duty, casual Sunday look? I’m always overdressed. I’ll probably be down at the beach in one of my long, flowy silk dresses with people wondering what black-tie event I’m going to.

Bianca Spender celebrates her label’s 15-year anniversary at AfterPay Australian Fashion Week.

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