Top 5 Style Icons Part 1 – Alannah Hill
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
Oh, she is quite stunning. I could spend more time on hair and makeup if I wasn’t deciding what to wear, lol.
Can’t wait to see the rest. :-p
Very entertaining! I look forward to the next one.
Whee! She is a snazzy lady. Yeah, mostly the way I think about it is ladies (or gents) who are stylishly inspiring, not necessarily that you always dress like them. I mean, I don’t think I could dress like Nancy Cunard if I tried – and that’s what makes her so awesome.
I love Alannah toooo! “This lady has one serious estrogen overload” – lol! So true. I have ONE Alannah Hill item (Little Bo Peep Collar) and it’s wrapped in tissue paper, then in plastic and in a box. I’m too scared to wear it incase I ruin it. But the woman definitely screams 1950s femininity. I bet Westwood is coming up, no..?
why thank you Lady Smaggle
I want to be her when I grow up. Just turned 40 – not too late for me to start, eh?!
Lace is INDEED a gift from god…
Hailey – Oh me too! And I rub my face all the time so I would just up a big old smeary mess. And your hair does look lovely so you’re welcome.
Wendy B – It’s coming soon!
Na – I’m trying to mix the two. People who I think are awesome and people who I also steal their style. It’s really hard there are so many!
Ivy – Oh don’t keep it in a box! Alannah would hate that! You have to wear it everyday until wears out then buy a new one. Extravagance my love…
Caitlin – Certainly not too late! I think she may be older than anyway.
Susie_Bubble – I can spot a fellow lace lover when I see one.
Alannah is definitely one of my style icons. I adore her girly-girl clothes…which are horribly expensive, I agree. I wore one of her tops on my first date with my now-husband and am convinced that’s what really clinched the deal.
And as a fellow makeup-addict, I love that she just heaps on the slap. I read that she even wore makeup in labour with her son…
I don’t think there is an AH store in the Queen Vic bldg – there’s one in the Strand Arcade. I like the Howie Place store in Melbourne best.
Gervy – You’re right! It though it was Strand arcade but my mind twisted it all around in my head. I’ll change it now. Thanks love! Alannah is responsible for many a romantic moment with me…
I am embarrassed to admit I’d never heard of her before but what style — love, love, love it!
I was in AH today at lunchtime and saw a small Asian woman wearing AH from head to toe. I have to say, head to toe completely works for the pretty young shop assistants, but this little lady just looked ridiculous. Note to self not to try this look.