Oh la la in Lotusland

Jeweller Rowwie McKeown won this year’s coveted “Best Dressed” category. Read more about Rowwie in I Made the Move on Page 49.

Who taught you to dress?

Rowwie • The Old Hollywood movies that my mum loved to watch when I was a kid inform a lot of my style today.

How do you define your look?

Rowwie • Vintage with a twist! I love (mainly) 50’s silhouettes, full skirted dresses and low heels but in modern prints with pockets.

Where do you find your clothes/ shoes/accessories?

Rowwie • Being plus-sized I have learned to shop for my measurements with a few online retailers. Most of my wardrobe and seasonal capsules come from Unique Vintage, ModCloth, Collectif, and Miss Lulo. I love John Fluevog, Irregular Choice, and American Duchess for shoes. I accessorize my style with jewellery I make myself, I’m a smith by trade (come visit me at the PR Farmers’ Market on Sundays!), but sometimes I wear pieces from my massive collection of enamel pins that I get from various artists I follow on Instagram.

In a town of low-key fashion, what’s the benefit of dressing your best?

Rowwie • The benefit is sharing part of who I am with the people around me. I dress this way every day because it brings me an incredible amount of joy. Is it practical? No. Is it fun? Absolutely. At the end of the day it’s important to lean in to being authentically yourself, especially if that self is even a little offbeat. The people that I meet while out and about who ask about pieces from my wardrobe make my day and I hope that I brighten theirs a little as well!