A wee little while ago my lovely friend Na asked me to do a post on my style icons and I realised I don’t actually have any. I’m very rarely influenced by other people’s style. I’m far too fickle for that and I tend to borrow individual items rather than shoplift the whole look. So I’m going to do a profile on my 5 top style icons that I admire, not necessarily ones that I emulate. Starting with the most important one first…
Alannah Hill. I had a slightly unhealthy obsession with this designer a few years ago. Although my style has changed since then I know her designs will always hold a place in my heart. Or in my dreams where I can actually afford to wear her clothes. As much as I love Alannah’s designs I think I love the lady even more. She is made up ALL THE TIME. It takes her a full hour to do her hair and make up each morning and she doesn’t wear flat shoes. She has also never owned or worn jeans in her whole life. And instead of ripping off her bra and slipping into a tracksuit at the end of the day she changes her stilettos for a ‘house-heel’  and wears a little frilly apron to keep her clothes clean. 

She bought her first ‘tracksuit’ when her son was born. It was actually a little red velour zippered hoodie that she would wear over her lace slips to take her son to the park. A friend of mine saw her at a music festival once and said she was wearing pink hightop Converse sneakers with a heel and a little pointy toe. This lady has one serious oestrogen overload.

In 2004 Vogue gave us all a peak inside her house…

You need to be careful when dealing with Alannah. Too much exposure may cause you to start baking scones and practising needlepoint.

Style tips I’ve learned from Lady Alannah…

1. Always wear lipstick. Especially on Sundays.

2. Big hair never goes out of style. And always wear a fascinator.

3. Never ever wear jeans, sneakers or tracksuits.

4. Lace is a gift from God.

5. Pink is the only colour worth wearing.

6. Accessorise like your life depends on it.

7. Ribbons, bows, beads, buttons and trim – A cardigan is nothing without them.

8. Don’t tan. And do dye your hair dark red or black. It’s the Betty Boop look we’re aiming for.

9. Take the time to do your make-up beautifully every morning.

10. If you find a style you love. Stick to it. There’s nothing wrong with consistent extravagance.

If you have never had the privilege of shopping in an Alannah Hill store do it immediately. The shop assistants are dressed to the nines and the stores are breathtakingly beautiful. My two favourites are the Chapel Street store in Melbourne and the Strand Arcade store in Sydney. I have heard rumours that Ms Hill herself visits all her stores quite regularly and I always get a little shiver of hope that I might see her. I haven’t yet but keep your fingers crossed for me…

Stay tuned for the Style Icon countdown… Number 4 is coming your way soon!

Love Lady Smaggle

xxx