ON THE STREET Competitive ballroom dancer turned passionate interior decorator and retail assistant, Karen Foy’s wardrobe has seen a definite change in style over the past few years as she has begun to embrace colour and quality. What are you wearing today? My top and skirt are Pol from Jo at Shine. My boots are also from Shine. Bag is from Wendy’s Boutique in Tauranga. My gorgeous crystal pendant and earrings are from Villarosa Maison. Bangles are Erika Heidi and Moxini. What is your style? Feminine. I am a real girly girl, I especially love long dresses and I love dressing up for every occasion. I guess that often what I wear is an expression of how I’m feeling. Sometimes I like to add something quite edgy to a feminine look. Not sure that I follow a particular style. Over the years, especially since moving to Nelson, my style has changed from mostly black and tight fitting to more relaxed and loads more colour. And I’m no longer afraid to wear accessories. What is most of your wardrobe made up of? Lots of long dresses, floaty tops, jumpsuits, all sorts of denim jackets and coats. What are you loving at the moment? I like how it’s much more acceptable today to wear your style your own way. I love to see people owning their own style whether it’s ‘in’ or not. It’s an attractive, confident look when you love what you wear. What are you dressed for today? Work. I work part time at Villarosa Maison and Moxini. Where do you buy most of your clothes from? My favourite places in Nelson would be Shine, Staceys and Villarosa Maison. What is your approach to shopping? Well, unfortunately, I do love to shop, and, I do love to dress up. I think that when something is expensive, if you absolutely love it and will thrash it then its worth every penny. But if it’s a cheap piece that you hardly ever end up using, that seems to be a waste, which I occasionally buy into. I never buy polyester, I can’t stand anything made with it. It has to be either cotton, silk, linen or viscose. I love supporting NZ designers if I can. What wardrobe item should everyone invest in? A beautiful quality coat, or several. And good quality bags and shoes. Do you have a style rule you always obey? Balance of shape and colour. It’s important to wear what makes you feel good. If I get dressed in the morning and I don’t feel right, I will change several times until it feels right. If you could raid one person’s wardrobe, who would it be? Trinny Woodall’s, have you seen how extensive and gorgeous her wardrobes are? I have been following Trinny for some time now and have learned so much about styling from her. Finish this sentence – You would never catch me wearing… Crocs! Apart from hospital staff, they are just so very wrong.
TESS JAINE
