Bri Lee’s first big purchase was a peacock feather-print suit from the Dries Van Noten. It has since become symbolic to her.Supplied
How would you describe your style? Unique,bold,tomboyish and uninterested in trends.
What’s the oldest thing in your wardrobe? A beautiful,dusty-blue silk dress and matching bolero that my grandmother wore to my mother’s wedding. It’s very precious.
And the most recent addition? An oversized white tuxedo shirt from E Nolan that I wear as a dress with 100 denier stockings.
What are the three essential items in your wardrobe? I’m very proud of my cliché international T-shirt collection;I travel a lot and I find the most cringe-making souvenir tee in each city I go to. A slouchy blazer;the one I’m wearing now is by responsible Sydney designer Jillian Boustred. And my green suede Dries Van Noten sneakers.
Creed’s “Original Santal” fragrance is Bri Lee’s current favourite.Supplied
What would you wear… on a first date? I still have the little orange,stripy,summer dress I wore on my first date with my husband… on a plane? My plane suit is a thrifted orange shirt that has a little giraffe on the pocket,matching elasticised-waist pants and sneakers… on the red carpet? An iteration of the YSL Le Smoking tuxedo with no shirt underneath and very high,pointy,black stilettos.
What’s your favourite fashion era? It’s right now because there are fewer rules. The diversification of taste making that happened with social media and the proliferation of influencers means that we can find designers who are ethical and find clothes that fit our bodies better than ever before.
Who’s your favourite designer? Dries Van Noten. I’m devastated to hear he’s retiring. His way with colour and print is genius.
What’s your fragrance of choice? I change fragrance every couple of years so that each one reminds me of a certain time in my life. This year – the best year of my life so far – it’s Creed “Original Santal”.
Lee is loving “chunky,blinged-up sneakers” such as these from Simone Rocha.Supplied
Any go-to jewellery? I don’t wear a lot,only my gold wedding band.
Can you remember a favourite outfit from when you were a child? A pair of OshKosh B’gosh overalls.
What was your first fashion moment? My first big designer purchase was a peacock feather-print suit from the Dries Van Noten boutique in Paris. I wore it when I won the People’s Choice Award at the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards in 2019 and to a small number of other special occasions over the years. That suit symbolises a lot,it’s become like a talisman.
And your worst fashion mistake? It’s so cringe. I was 24 and working in a high-stakes legal job as a judge’s associate. I was running late for work,so I chucked on a new knit dress and didn’t realise until I got there that it was excruciatingly,inappropriately short. I spent the whole day hiding in my office,tugging it down and trying not to bend over.
What’s on your wish list? A red three-piece Camilla and Marc suit – oversized with an extraordinary ruched bodice and wide-leg pants – I borrowed for a book event. It was probably the best I’ve ever looked.
Is there anything you would never wear? A big white wedding dress. When I got married,I wore the same dress I wore on our first date.
Is there a current trend you like? I’m loving weird,chunky,blinged-up sneakers. Simone Rocha does the best.
What shoes do you wear the most often? Sneakers and black,Cuban-heeled boots from Tibi.
Who’s your favourite fashion icon? I love Harling Ross Anton,who has a fantastic Substack calledGumshoe,a shopping newsletter about vintage and second-hand clothes.
What do you wear on a typical working day? Toteme houndstooth trousers with a singlet,oversized business shirt and Jillian Boustred knit.
And your favourite off-duty,casual Sunday look? I’ll be walking to the Old Fitz in Woolloomoloo for afternoon negronis in a miniskirt,tee and sneakers.
Bri Lee’s novel (Allen&Unwin) is out now.
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