This was published 1 year ago
Why Kate Miller-Heidke takes a French approach to fashion
By Georgie Gordon
Each week, we quiz a prominent person about their style and the inspiration behind it. Ahead, singer Kate Miller-Heidke.
“Style isn’t something that came naturally to me; I’m a dag at heart and always will be.”Credit: Jo Duck
How would you describe your style? When I’m on stage it’s high camp and theatrical but off stage I just like to be comfortable. Style isn’t something that came naturally to me; I’m a dag at heart and always will be. It’s a skill set I’ve picked up over the years by making some big mistakes that have taught me a lot.
What’s the oldest thing in your wardrobe? My 1930s wedding dress, which I found in an op shop for $100. It’s cream, quite modest, probably hand sewn by someone’s mother back in the day – I just love that sense of history. My mother also bought her wedding dress from an op shop, so I guess it’s
a family tradition.
And the most recent addition? An Aje dress – white with gold sequins and puffed sleeves. I was a massive devotee of Anne of Green Gables as a child; she was always going on about puffed sleeves and it’s infiltrated my psyche on a deep level!
What would you wear …
… on a first date? I was at the Woodford Folk Festival on the first date with my husband, so it was shorts and gumboots.
… on a plane? Glorified pyjamas – anything loose with a lot of elastic – and thick woolly socks.
… on the red carpet? My favourite is the dress Steven Khalil made me for Eurovision in Tel Aviv.
Kate performs in the highest of high heels but her favourite shoes are Repetto ballet flats.
What’s your favourite fashion era? Now. We have access to the essence of all the decades; you can choose your own adventure. My least favourite is the ’90s, which seems to be coming back, but I am not buying into that.
Do you have a favourite fashion designer? I love Australian designers Macgraw and Romance Was Born. I also love shopping for vintage clothing – it’s almost like a hobby or way to relax. My favourite op shop is in Dunwich on North Stradbroke Island. I can lose myself for hours in there.
What are three essential items in your wardrobe? Levi’s jeans, black tights and I love shoulder pads in dresses, shirts, blazers …
Any go-to jewellery? My wedding ring was made by a friend of ours, Madeleine Brown. It has our initials incorporated, so that’s special, but generally I’m not sentimental about jewellery. Costume jewellery is what it’s about for me – the bigger the better. I can’t tell the difference between real diamonds and the cheap stuff.
Can you remember a favourite outfit you had as a child? I remember being about seven and spending hours twirling around the backyard in a long, flowing pink skirt. I’d spent my whole childhood in shorts; it was magical.
And your worst fashion mistake? Letting a friend wax my eyebrows when I was 12. I had a thick monobrow and she nearly took it all off.
What’s on your wish list? Nothing, I just want to purge. My wardrobe is so full I can’t see the wood for the trees.
Is there anything you would never wear? A MAGA hat? Also, I’m short, so anything shapeless makes me look like a dumpling.
Kate is inspired by Björk’s ability to represent herself visually as an artist.Credit: Getty Images
Is there a current trend you like? I don’t follow them. I like getting older, giving less of a shit and embracing the French philosophy of wearing what makes you feel good.
What shoes do you wear the most? Repetto ballet flats. On stage, I’ll wear the highest heels I can find but they come straight off after.
Who is your favourite fashion icon? Björk is amazing, I’m in awe. As a musician you do have to represent yourself visually; it took me a long time to grasp that.
What do you perform in? I love long dresses with dramatic silhouettes and they have to have sparkles or sequins.
What’s your favourite casual Sunday look? I fantasise about riding a bicycle in a summer dress, a picnic and Pimms under a tree. It doesn’t happen often, but that’s the goal.
Kate Miller-Heidke will be performing at Sip & Savour Festival Albury on February 5.
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