June 2011

I have yet another fabulous interview to share with you all – this time with another long time blogger friend of mine, Marlene. Marlene writes the style/travel/lifestyle blog called Chocolate, Cookies & Candiesand always has the most amazing photographs and travel stories. She was kind enough to share with us some of her favorite photographs and outfits, which I’ve happily included throughout. Please enjoy!

Who are you? What do you do, and where do you live?

I’m Marlene. I was a technical engineer for a telecommunications company in New Zealand but ever since I had my little girl, I’ve decided to pursue my passion – handbags. I run an online consignment business specializing in designer handbags. Currently, I live in the UK where it rains every other day.

Ted Baker jacket, Uniqlo pants, Repetto shoe, Louis Vuitton shawl, Hermes Bolide bag

You’ve lived all around the world. What are some of the other countries you’ve inhabited?

You seem like to be quite a travel bug – can you share some of your top travel/packing advice?

I’m afraid I’ve got a permanent travel bug in my system. I think my traveling style has evolved quite a bit over the past 14 years. I was pretty adventurous in my 20s, trekking into the mountains to look for obscure minority groups, slept in shacks where the crocodiles swam freely in the river a few metres away (I hope my mom isn’t reading this!), treated like a celebrity in a tiny Greek village as they’d never seen a person with oriental features and thought that I was Bruce Lee’s daughter and so forth.

I used to travel with a medium sized backpack and would leave a small trolley at a base for the little souvenirs I picked up along the way. I’m older now and like my comfort a tad more these days but my rule of thumb as always been the same that is to travel lightly with as few suitcases as possible. It can be a challenge traveling with little kids and all the paraphernalia attached.

A small 60cm trolley is ample for a 1-2 week holiday. I normally bring clothes that are

1) easy to wash
2) versatile and requires no ironing
3) can be layered.

Comptoir des Cotonniers dress, Hermes shawl, All Saints jacket, Topshop boots

I’ve learned that the weather can change in a split of a second so layering is the way to go. Simple dresses that can be worn with a pair of sandals for warmer days or worn with leggings, thermal vest and a cardigan when the temperature drops. I roll everything up. As for toiletries, I pare down to a minimum taking only small bottles and 1 moisturizer (my current favorite is Trilogy Organic Rosehip Oil)). I always carry a cashmere shawl (my favorite is either the Louis Vuitton leopard shawl or Hermes), Longchamp Le Pliages folded up and tucked away and my camera. Everything else can be purchased along the way. I also keep a list of essential items I have to bring on trips on my iPhone so that I’m always organized at a moment’s notice.

Hermes horn necklace, Hermes bag

I love your fashion sense – it’s very “French edited” I think. Can you share some of your favorite designers in your wardrobe?

Thank you! I draw inspiration from fellow bloggers more so than the fashion magazines. As I’m rather petite, I find French clothes fit me best. I think the bulk of my wardrobe comes from Comptoir des Cotonniers, Uniqlo and Petit Bateau. I’m also loyal to my favorite Kiwi designer, Karen Walker. More often than not, I tend to have my LV leopard stole or Hermes cashmere shawl around my neck.

The English weather is way too unpredictable so one has to be prepared at all times.

Karen Walker dress, K Jacques sandals, Hermes Kelly bag

What’s a day to day outfit for you?

My everyday run around outfit would be a breton top from Petit Bateau, Uniqlo straight skinny jeans, jacket or blazer with a Hermes scarf or shawl tied round my neck and a pair of Tod’s moccasins or Repetto flats. I’ve been too lazy to change my bags lately so it’s either my Hermes Rouge H Evelyne or Kelly 28cm.

3.1 Philip Lim top, Karen Walker skirt, Chanel clutch, Repetto shoes

I know that over the years you’ve accumulated some beautiful items from around the world for your home. Can you share some of your favorite pieces and maybe a bit of story behind them?

I started collecting little meaningful keepsakes 15 years ago from every country I’ve visited. I don’t like clutter so I tend to invest one or two pieces only per trip.

1. Shoes for bound feet from Malaysia and Singapore

My beloved grandmother was a reminiscent of the last vestiges of the practice. She described the agonizing pain when the toes were broken and then tightly bound. Her mother couldn’t bear hearing her screams and finally agreed to spare her from the torture. This vintage pair was a find from Singapore and they reminded me of my grandmother who passed away almost 18 years ago.

2. Long horned Miao costume from Guizhou, China

The women from the elusive Long horned Miao minority tribe wear a wooden horn tied into their bun. Their courting process is fascinating where both the girls and guys would sing to each other. Their voices were like angels! Unfortunately, the Chinese officials that govern the villages of these minority tribes rule over them with an iron fist. This particular costume is what the girls and women wear everyday. It was explained to me that they planted the cotton, weave and dyed the fabric themselves. The embroidery is painstakingly sewn by hand over a period of a few years. The batik design is very similar to the Isabel Marant Flana jacket that I have.

3. Hand painted plate and handmade coffee cup from Cappadocia, Turkey

I had a wonderful time at Cappadocia and wanted to purchase a memento specific to the region. This is a hand-painted plate from Avanos, a short drive from the famous fairy chimneys of Cappadocia. It took almost 3 months from start to finish to complete this plate.

4. Handmade necklace from Crete. 

I was told that this was a one of a kind piece from an Athenian costume jewelry designer.

What are some tips/advice you’ve learned about fashion and putting together an ideal closet over the years?

Now that I’m in 30s, I’m more comfortable in my own skin. Through many trial and error, I’ve worked out what flatter my figure and what I feel most comfortable in. Accentuate your positives and draw the attention to that. If you have a tiny waist, cinch it  If you have fabulous legs, wear skirts or dresses that fall above the knee. I have a “uniform” so getting dressed in the morning is easy.

An “what’s in my bag” picture via Marlene

Finally, please share something surprising about yourself !