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Each week, we quiz a prominent person about their style and the inspiration behind it. Ahead, interior designer Natalie Walton.
“I’m very intentional about what I have in terms of my clothing. I have four young children, so I want to make life easy for myself.”
How would you describe your style? I’m drawn to natural materials and I love a neutral palette. I have a very edited collection of clothes; everything goes together, everything gets worn. I’m very intentional about what I have in terms of my clothing. I have four young children, so I want to make life easy for myself.
What is the oldest thing in your wardrobe? A cotton summer dress from the late ’80s that was my mother’s.
And the most recent addition? A long wool and cashmere cardigan from local brand Rowie [Natalie lives in Byron Bay]. It’s a timeless piece I know I’m going to wear often.
What would you wear …
… on a first date? What I usually wear – a dress and slides.
… on a plane? Off-white jeans, a blouse and a light knit. I always take my camel-coloured cashmere scarf.
… on the red carpet? One of my wedding dresses – I had two 1920s-style dresses made by a woman with a little shop in Notting Hill, London. The one I’ve worn a couple of times is a beautiful dusty-rose tunic with sequins, a bit like a flapper dress.
What’s your favourite fashion era? Recently it’s Lauren Hutton’s 1970s look. I love the palette, the high-waisted trousers, the blouses slightly tucked in and the beautiful coats.
Do you have a favourite designer? I love the 1970s aesthetic with a bit of Victoriana that Dôen does. I like One Fable for essentials such as linen shorts, Fallen Broken Street and Will & Bear for hats, and Rafia Chic for shoes.
What’s your fragrance of choice? I’ve worn Aesop “Marrakech Intense” for at least eight years. It’s a warm scent but not overpowering.
What are three essential items in your wardrobe? A flattering dress that has pockets, a beautiful blouse and a cardigan.
Any go-to jewellery? My wedding ring, a custom necklace by Elvis et Moi that has four gold medallions with my children’s initials, and a Cartier watch that was a 40th birthday present from my family.
Can you remember a favourite outfit from when you were a child? My mother dressed me in the clothes of the early ’80s – smocked dresses in heavy velvet with Peter Pan collars.
And your worst fashion mistake? I don’t tend to think of what I wore as mistakes, just an earlier version of my style. Now I would never wear anything red, but there was a pair of red Alannah Hill boots with bows in the early 2000s.
What was your first fashion moment? About seven years ago we were about to embark on a tree change and I went through all the things in my home, everything I’d collected; I only wanted to take what I really loved and had a personal connection with. In my wardrobe I got rid of all the colourful and patterned clothes and anything I didn’t wear over and over. Creating those restraints was really freeing. I like the idea of having a capsule wardrobe.
Is there something you would never wear? Teva sandals.
What’s at the top of your wish list? I’m obsessed with a pair of St Agni woven leather boots which are sold out everywhere. Also, a pair of brown R. M. Williams boots.
What shoes do you wear most often? I rotate between Blundstones – we live on a rural property – St Agni slides and Veja sneakers.
Natalie’s favourite looks come from films such as Picnic at Hanging Rock, which starred Anne-Louise Lambert.Credit:Alamy
Who’s your favourite fashion icon? The looks I love come from films such as Picnic at Hanging Rock, or Kristin Scott Thomas in The English Patient and Meryl Streep in Out of Africa. Also the television show The Durrells, which is a combination of the clothes and the house!
What’s your favourite off-duty, casual Sunday look? We’ll go to the beach, so it’s a dress I can throw over my swimming costume.
Home by the Sea (Hardie Grant) by Natalie Walton is out now.
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