This was published 2 years ago
Inside performer Emma Watkins’ ballet-inspired wardrobe
By Georgie Gordon
Each week, we quiz a prominent person about their style and the inspiration behind it. Ahead, performer Emma Watkins.
“For my year 6 formal – a big deal when you’re 12 – I wore a silver feather boa-lined skirt and matching cape. It was like a dance costume, which doesn’t surprise me.”Credit: Jared Lyons
How would you describe your style? I wear a lot of dresses in floral patterns and bright colours. Learning to dance growing up I was always encouraged to wear black, so now if I see a pretty floral, that’s the end of me.
What’s the oldest thing in your wardrobe? My first tutu from when I was four; it’s white with smocking and quite special.
And the most recent addition? A new Rains raincoat in a very practical grey. I would never buy such a thing – my husband bought it for me. We recently moved to the NSW Southern Highlands, where the weather is a bit like Scotland, so I have an array of raincoats, including a colourful Gorman one that makes me look like a rainbow when I’m feeding the goats.
What would you wear …
… on a first date? An Aje dress – they’re bright, joyous and I love the silhouettes – with my favourite Miu Miu velvet and crystal ballet slippers.
… on a plane? A loose dress and stockings. I also take bed socks and a cardie.
… on the red carpet? Something sparkly, or my favourite floral Dolce & Gabbana dress, the one I wore to the Logies one year.
A floaty, floral piece from Zimmermann’s new collection is high on Emma’s wish list.
What’s your favourite fashion era? I love 1950s vintage dresses. I have one that still has the original petticoat. It’s obnoxiously colourful – pink and purple – and so well made.
Who’s your favourite fashion designer? I love everything Paolo Sebastian does. His designs have a ballerina-esque feel. I was lucky to wear one of his pieces for my wedding this year. It was a bridal dress but it had a collar, and when I spun around the skirt went out like a fairy princess revealing the bright pink tulle underneath.
What’s your fragrance of choice? I like rose and frankincense essential oils.
What are three essential items in your wardrobe? A dress I can move around in. I’m very active and I need to be able to demonstrate what kind of movement or sign language will go with that creative project. Also comfortable black stockings. And I’m obsessed with bed socks.
Any go-to jewellery? I love jewellery. My wedding, engagement and keeper rings are by Natalie Marie, who makes sustainable jewellery. I have a beautiful, handcrafted dress ring by Matthew Ely that has kind of brown Australian diamonds. And I always wear my nanna’s wedding band.
Can you remember a favourite outfit from when you were a child? A rainbow skirt I wore all the time when I was about five.
And your worst fashion mistake? For my year 6 formal – a big deal when you’re 12 – I wore a silver feather boa-lined skirt and matching cape. It was like a dance costume, which doesn’t surprise me.
What was your first fashion moment? Wearing the beautiful dress for the Frocktober campaign [pictured] that Adelaide designer Jaimie Sortino created in honour of his cousin Jenna, who died of ovarian cancer in 2020. The dress is embellished with eight glitter stripes, symbolising the fact that an Australian woman dies of ovarian cancer every eight hours.
Emma admires interior designer Iris Apfel’s colourful, eclectic, “more is more” approach to fashion.Credit: Getty Images
What’s at the top of your wish list? A beautiful lilac and purple dress from Zimmermann’s new collection.
Is there anything you would never wear? Jeans. My legs are so muscly from Irish dancing that I don’t suit them, or feel comfortable in them.
Is there a current trend you like? Socks with sandals.
What shoes do you wear most often? Spring Court sneakers. I have them in all different colours.
Who’s your favourite fashion icon? I love Iris Apfel and that probably sums me up – more is more.
What’s your favourite off-duty, casual Sunday look? A pretty skirt from French dance label Repetto with a button-up shirt and sneakers.
Emma is an ambassador for Frocktober, an initiative run by the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation.
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