This story is part of the July 28 edition of Sunday Life. See all 4 stories . 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 . Loading 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. Loading 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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