Foreign Minister Julie Bishop talks fashion, running and personal style
SHE is known for her political prowess and polished style. Now in a candid interview, Julie Bishop opens up about her Armani wardrobe and Louboutin shoes.
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HER official title is Foreign Minister.
But Julie Bishop could quite easily double as Fashion Minister.
Like Paul Keating, in his dapper Italian suits of years gone by, the 58-year-old’s wardrobe has become as much of interest as her political statements.
In an exclusive interview with News Corp Australia, she reveals she doesn’t have a stylist, her work clothing label of choice is Armani, she wears 2XU and ASICS when she runs, and that accessorising is key.
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“I don’t spend a lot of time getting ready in the mornings,” Ms Bishop said.
“I give myself 30 minutes to shower, dress, do my hair, make-up, and go ... it comes with experience.”
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Like her expensive taste in clothing, Ms Bishop favours Giorgio Armani and Chanel cosmetics.
“I can do make-up and hair in a very short space of time. You have to because you’re constantly on the move, constantly on the run,” she said.
The Deputy Leader of the Liberal party has been building her wardrobe over the years, with “investment pieces” she knows accentuate her trim figure.
“I try and live within my means,” Ms Bishop said, admitting she would like a wardrobe like that of Carrie’s from Sex and the City.
“I’m careful with what I spend but I also try to buy clothes that will promote an appropriate image for Australia.
“Not that I want the clothes to wear me, I wear the clothes, nevertheless it’s overall presentation.
“At the end of the day, it’s the substance of what you’re saying and what you’re doing that matters.”
She confesses her jetsetting role means she has clothes in dry cleaners across the country.
Vogue Australia editor Edwina McCann said Ms Bishop is “incredibly well put-together” and has “a presidential look about her, more American really in political style than anything we’ve seen in Australia before”.
Her vast collection of brooches alone is inspired by Hillary Clinton.
“She’s managed to really own that corporate look but make it unapologetically fashionable as well,” McCann said.
McCann describes the Minister’s look as “sophisticated and appropriate and always looks elegant”.
“She’s managed to do very much what Kate Middleton’s done where she has a style that works, that’s appropriate for her position, and she just knows how to wear it,” McCann said.
HOW DOES SHE DO IT?
SHOPPING: ARMANI AND ISABEL AUJOULET
Ms Bishop said her style “hasn’t changed a great deal over the years in the sense that I dress in a pretty classic way”.
So where does she buy her clothes and does she go for a shop?
“When I have the opportunity, if I’ve got a morning, a Saturday morning or something (free), yes I will,” Ms Bishop said.
“I have a favourite designer and I often contact them, they’ll send me photographs of things and I’ll choose it,” she said, referencing Giorgio Armani in Sydney.
She also wears Perth designer Isabel Aujoulet.
“I know what suits, I know my size pretty well, so I can shop quite easily. And I definitely know what I like and I don’t like, so it doesn’t take me very long to shop.”
But she joked that there was always room in her wardrobe for more blazers.
“However many I’ve got it’s not enough,” she laughed.
SHOES: CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN AND LOUIS VUITTON
“Yes, I’m a shoe lover, I admit. Absolutely, absolutely. Give a girl the right shoes and she can take on the world.”
And that she does. She has worn Louis Vuitton red heels and Christian Louboutins, and has a favourite pair of Sergio Rossi boots.
“Shoes are part of your self-expression, they can give you confidence. I think they’re so important.
“I love a heel, I usually wear heels but I’m as happy in ballet flats, in casual wear and I particularly love boots.”
And what about those red Louis Vuitton stilettos?
“Red shoes can really lift your mood and just wear with it a little black dress, you’ll never be over dressed or under dressed in a little black dress.
“Throw on a pair of killer red heels and you can feel like taking on the world.
“You know the emoji language? The emoticons on your iPhone. There’s a red heel on it and I always think that says it all, signing your emails with a red heel.”
There was no red shoe today when Ms Bishop tweeted about the closing of Parliament for the year - but she clearly loves an emoji.
Parliament ðŸ¤adjourned till 9/2/15! Thanks @DFAT ðŸ‘and min staff 👠for stellar ✨🌟 year. Still more ✈ï¸ðŸŒ before 🎄🎅 but have good break ðŸŠðŸ„ðŸ¹â˜€ï¸ðŸŽ£ 🙋
— Julie Bishop (@JulieBishopMP) December 4, 2014PEARLS: KAILIS
Her accessories of choice are Kalis pearls, influenced by her mother.
“In a previous life when I was a lawyer, I was appointed to chair the Pearling Industry Advisory Council set up by the West Australian Government,” Ms Bishop said.
“And I can assure you that I fell in love with the pearling industry but also pearls as a fashion accessory.
“I’ve collected a few over the years ... my sisters and I, we probably got it from our mother, we’ve always loved pearls.”
THOSE BROOCHES: ARMANI AND ANN HAND
A Julie Bishop outfit isn’t complete without a brooch on her blazer.
“I’ve got one on today,” Ms Bishop said.
“I’ve always loved brooches as an accessory and I’ve had a few over the years but I’ve started wearing them more ... probably over the last four or five years.
“They can really add to an outfit, they can make something I’ve worn before look a little different and sometimes they’re just fun.”
Ms Bishop said many of her pins were from Armani while other were from Washington designer, Ann Hand.
“She makes brooches for politicians and I read about brooches that she made for Hillary Clinton,” Ms Bishop said.
“And I bought a couple of her brooches and two of them are little peace doves, they’re little gold peace doves. And on particular days, I might wear my peace doves.”
RUNNING: 2XU AND ASICS
She famously runs between 6km and 10km every day (usually in 2XU tights and Asics runners) and is regularly photographed while working out.
“Because I get photographed running, increasingly get photographed running, I decided at least colour coordinate it,” Ms Bishop laughed.
“Not that I’d wear it other than running, no you won’t see me out in a tracksuit other than running.”
STYLE RULES ACCORDING TO JULIE BISHOP
* Do you repeat outfits?
“Oh yes, yes of course. I try and get good wear out of outfits. That’s why I try to choose classic pieces because ... fashions can fade over time but if you get something stylish, well-cut, you can wear it over many seasons.”
* How do you choose when it’s appropriate to wear patterns?
“A lot of it is driven by media appearances because television, in particular, doesn’t do justice to prints or particularly, checks or stripes. So if I know I’m doing a TV interview, I tend to wear a plain jacket but otherwise, I don’t mind a stripe or a tartan or a print.”
* What does your wardrobe look like?
“It’s rather chaotic at present but I’m in the process of renovating my apartment and we’re starting with the wardrobe — that’s where I’m starting.”
* What is your dream wardrobe?
“Oh Carrie’s out of Sex and the City. The one where she buys an apartment with Big, you know the one, in the movie? That’s my idea of a dream wardrobe — a walk-in wardrobe.”
* What do you wear on the weekends?
“Jeans and a sweater, I’ve got casual clothes. I come from Perth, it’s a very informal place. On the weekend, if I’m just hanging out with friends, I’ll wear jeans and a T-shirt or a sweater.”
Originally published as Foreign Minister Julie Bishop talks fashion, running and personal style
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