‘Lydia Tar meets tarot reader’: how this film curator describes her style

Each week, we quiz a prominent person about their style and the inspiration behind it. Ahead, film curator Kate Jinx.

Credit: Elke Meitzel

How would you describe your style? Lydia Tár meets tarot reader sums me up – lots of suits, shirts and denim, but also some bonkers accessories. I stole my identity from a film when I was 10 and I haven’t swayed too much from that. It was Bell, Book and Candle, where Kim Novak stars as a beatnik witch living in Greenwich Village.

What’s the oldest thing in your wardrobe? I have a lot of vintage clothing, but the oldest thing is a pink chiffon dress of my grandmother’s from the 1960s. She looked very chic in it but the only time I wore it was on my 18th birthday, accessorised with a cat collar.

And the most recent addition? A puffy Marni tote bag. My most recent second-hand purchase is a Comme des Garçons figure-hugging skirt with 3D hands from the 2007 collection.

What are the three essential items in your wardrobe? A black turtleneck, a striped shirt and a black blazer.

Worn without socks, these T-bar sandals from Post Sole Studio are Kate Jinx’s go-to shoes.Credit: Supplied

Any go-to jewellery? I wear a gold coin necklace and a ring of my mother’s – she died in 2018 – with a ring she let me pick out for my 13th birthday, a crumpled piece of silver from The Rocks Markets. Also, a Sarah & Sebastian earpiece, and I like Rachel Comey earrings to ramp it up.

What would you wear … on a first date? A casual suit with a vintage T-shirt and loafers … on a plane? I wear jeans, but change into softer pants, with a Jac + Jack tee, button-up shirt, scarf and Veja sneakers … on the red carpet? A Bode men’s appliquéd suit. My dream outfit is the red Kenzo dress Isabelle Adjani wore to a media call at the Cannes Film Festival in 1981. I am constantly trying to find it online.

What’s your favourite fashion era? I love the ’70s for the suits, high-waisted flared jeans with a shirt tucked in, a bit of paisley and everything in the 1974 film Celine and Julie Go Boating.

Who are your favourite designers? I’m loving smaller Australian and New Zealand labels that work with made-to-order production such as Caves Collect, Kowtow, HB Archive and E Nolan. I also love Romance Was Born for events and London label Cawley Studio.

What’s your fragrance of choice? Le Labo “Vetiver 46”.

Can you remember a favourite item from when you were a child? A Mickey Mouse watch that I still have.

What was your first fashion moment? Inspired by my mother making party dresses out of old curtain fabric, I sold tops made from old pillowcases trimmed with silk ribbons and piping when I was about 18.

And your worst fashion mistake? I’ve had many but they were all a bit of fun, so I own them. I worked in Bondi vintage store Puf’n Stuff in my 20s and would come up with different characters to dress as. There was a long shearling coat that I’ll never wear again.

What’s on your wish list? Replacing all the band T-shirts from my teenage years that I lost – my biggest fashion regret. I spend most of my time online looking for old Stereolab or Blur T-shirts.

Is there something you would never wear? Low-rise jeans.

What do you sleep in? Suku pyjamas.

Is there a current trend you like? Ethical production and quality garments over fast fashion.

What shoes do you wear the most? Post Sole Studio’s “Canal” T-bar sandals with socks.

Who are your favourite fashion icons? Diane Keaton and Katharine Hepburn for the suiting, turtlenecks and masculine style. Hepburn’s gardening style is what I envisage for my future. Also, musician Kim Gordon is the ultimate in casual, can-do chic.

What do you wear on a typical working day? Kowtow black jeans, a loose button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled up and an oversized black blazer.

What’s your favourite off-duty, casual Sunday look? The exact same outfit but with sunglasses and lipstick.

Kate Jinx is a programmer for the Melbourne International Film Festival, August 8-25.

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