By Georgie Gordon
Each week, we quiz a prominent person about their style and the inspiration behind it. Ahead, Georgie Gordon chats to paper engineer and artist Benja Harney.
Benja Harney is coveting the colourful collaboration between Fluevog and musician George Clinton.Credit: courtesy of Network Ten
How would you describe your style?
Japanese hiker goes to the outback via Udaipur. It’s colourful, eclectic, and influenced by my travels.
What are the three essential items in your wardrobe?
Shorts: I have so many pairs it’s bonkers. A hat with a wide brim, like a cricket hat. And a necklace, mostly beautiful, brightly coloured African Heishi beads.
What is the oldest thing in your wardrobe?
My grandfather’s pocket watch.
And the most recent addition?
I’m learning to sew and pattern-make and bought some coral-coloured linen fabric to make my own samue – a Japanese-style monk’s jacket.
What would you wear …
… on a first date? Something playful and fun: Yevu shorts in African print, shirt, necklace, hat, lots of colour.
… on a plane? Shorts, Indian linen kurta shirt, jumper to snuggle up into, warm jacket, hiking boots.
… on the red carpet? Head-to-toe shimmering gold Versace.
What’s your favourite fashion era?
2100. I can’t wait to see what I’ll be wearing in the future.
Who’s your favourite designer?
Issey Miyake for the way he approaches the fabric, the pleating, that technical approach to fashion. His clothes are quite challenging to wear; you’ve got to make sure you wear them and not they you.
Benja says Issey Miyake’s designs are challenging to wear but he appreciates his approach to fabric. Credit: Getty Images
Where do you shop?
I try to get to Japan every year, so I wait to buy my clothes in Tokyo. A few of the brands I’m into are Montbell, Narifuri, Beams and United Arrows.
Do you have a favourite fragrance?
Acqua di Parma Colonia is so chic, Ralph Lauren Polo is classic and retro, and I love Monocle’s Hinoki.
Can you remember a favourite outfit you wore as a child?
My dad is American and we spent time growing up in the States in the ’90s. We’d go to the country club and my brother and I would wear pastel Ralph Lauren outfits and have our little flat-top hairdos. Fun times.
And your worst fashion mistake?
Once, after I broke up with an ex, I stopped wearing my colourful clothing and started being really drab. I thought it would help me on the dating scene if I toned it down; that was a mistake.
What was your first fashion moment?
My sense of personal identity crystallised when I was 18 or 19 – the Britpop vibe and raving. The Face magazine was my style bible.
Is there a current fashion you like?
Phat treads – a kickback to the chunky ’90s shoe. I love how designers are turning the volume up on shoe proportions, with combat soles that bring an almost aggressive edge to protecting your feet and exploring the world. Fluevog, Prada and Nike are doing some crazy styles.
What are you coveting?
A piece of flashy custom bling; I’d like to have a chunky brushed-gold and lapis statement ring made by a local jeweller.
Is there anything you’d never wear?
No. I’d give anything a crack. Fashion’s experimental, it’s meant to be fun.
What shoes do you wear the most?
I’m a shoe guy. “Spare no expense on shoes and sunglasses” is one of my mottos. Lately, I’m wearing Sebagos, a boat shoe with a fashion edge. And I love a loafer – Gucci, Prada, Lanvin.
What do you wear to bed?
Not much.
Do you have style muse?
Gandhi, or a samurai.
What do you wear when you work?
When I’m in my studio working on paper projects I tend towards sturdy workwear: RB Sellars shirts, Stan Ray painter pants and Blundstones.
What’s your favourite casual Sunday look?
I’m a keen hiker; I’ll be walking in Selewa mountain trainers, a pair of brightly coloured utilitarian shorts, a wide-brimmed hat and a little jacket to keep the rain off.
Benja is a judge on Making It Australia, which airs on Wednesday and Thursdays at 7.30pm on 10.
This article appears in Sunday Life magazine within the Sun-Herald and the Sunday Age on sale September 26. To read more from Sunday Life, visit The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.
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