The ’80s dress this fashion expert has on high rotation (that you may own)

Each week, we quiz a prominent person about their style and the inspiration behind it. Ahead, sustainable fashion educator and vintage lover Nina Gbor.

Nina Gbor loves using costume jewellery to help people style outfits for multiple uses.Credit: Irena Traikovsky

How would you describe your style? Dramatic, eclectic and feminine. I’ve been wearing second-hand, vintage and pre-loved clothes since I was 15 years old. My wardrobe is a collation of random pieces from different eras.

What’s the oldest thing in your wardrobe? A 1920s silk and velvet kimono from Harrods in London. It’s just beautiful, like something Joan Crawford would wear.

And the most recent addition? A vintage puffy-sleeved black cocktail dress by 1980s Parisian designer Paul-Louis Orrier.

What would you wear … on a first date? An ’80s red taffeta dress is my die-hard date dress, I feel great in it. … on a plane? Whatever’s comfortable – a T-shirt, skirt and sneakers. …on the red carpet? A 1950s ball gown with a cinched waist and full skirt.

What’s your favourite fashion era? My love for vintage fashion comes from growing up watching classic 1940s and ’50s movies with Hollywood icons such as Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn. But I also love the 1980s – the explosion of colour, the big shoulder pads and big hair. They weren’t afraid to experiment; it represents fun.

Who’s your favourite designer? Ethical designer Kelli Donovan of Kelli Donovan Studio. I love everything she does, from casual to evening wear.

What’s your fragrance of choice? Viktor & Rolf “Flowerbomb”.

What are the three essential items in your wardrobe? My Studibaker Hawk prom dresses are a daily go-to. Also, a tan cowboy belt. And my black leather backpack; it’s like Mary Poppins’ bag – my whole universe fits in there.

Any go-to jewellery? A gold bangle I’ve worn since I was six and a diamond bracelet that’s a nod to Marilyn Monroe. I also have a lot of costume jewellery I use for my Eco Styles sustainable styling workshops. They’re a way to help reduce fashion waste by teaching people how to look super stylish in vintage and second-hand clothes.

Can you remember a favourite outfit you wore as a child? I grew up with four older brothers and wore their hand-me-downs, which I loved most of the time, but part of me did want to be a pretty princess. I think that’s why I dress the way I do now, because I didn’t get to do it when I was six years old.

What was your first fashion moment? To Australian Fashion Week a couple of years ago I wore a beautiful black and gold cape I found at an Opera Australia costume sale from a production of Salome. I felt like a different, more dramatic, version of myself.

And your worst fashion mistake? There have been so many. I remember turning up to a photo shoot in a nautical top, red puffy skirt, soccer socks and gold boots. Everyone looked at each other, like, what the hell? The outfit looked a lot different in my head to what it looked like on.

What’s on your wish list? A blue Zimmermann maxi dress from a couple of seasons ago.

Is there something you would never wear? I don’t do trends. If something’s trending, I stay away from it.

So, there’s no current trend that you like? No. I love to see people expressing their individuality through their own unique style, whether its ’70s, Victorian or something modern.

What do you sleep in? A vintage silk slip.

What shoes do you wear most often? My leopard-print ballet flats and pink velvet sneakers go with pretty much everything I own.

Who’s your favourite fashion icon? Hands down Carrie Bradshaw [from Sex and the City]. I love the way the character mixes fashion from multiple eras. My wardrobe could match hers, almost, bar the Manolo Blahniks!

What do you wear on a typical working day? A retro Wonder Woman T-shirt with a puffy skirt and my NASCAR jacket.

What’s your favourite off-duty, casual Sunday look? A Kermit the Frog T-shirt with lime green shorts.

Register for Nina Gbor’s workshops at ecostyles.com.au.

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