This influencer doesn’t go to Paris for high fashion. She goes to Bunnings

Each week, we quiz a prominent person about their style and the inspiration behind it. Ahead, fashion identity Charlene Davies.

How would you describe your style? “Comflair”, a made-up word that stands for comfort and flair.

What’s the oldest thing in your wardrobe? My mum’s wedding gown from the 1970s.

And the most recent addition? A red sweater from Korean streetwear label Badblood.

What are the three essential items in your wardrobe? A Balenciaga hoodie, a Miu Miu pleated skirt and a David Koma blazer. David is an interesting designer. His pieces are quite conservative but tend to have a sparkle somewhere and an interesting detail; a simple, oversized black blazer will have diamantés and a tie so it can be worn in different ways.

What’s your favourite fashion era? I’m very into 1980s power dressing: the big shoulders, bright colours and neon, the athletic influence and excessive boldness.

Who’s your favourite fashion designer? Issey Miyake. I appreciate the focus on comfort and layered creativity; for example, the knitted sculptures from this year’s Autumn/Winter show in Paris. I also like Rick Owens’ wacky designs; they challenge the norm.

What’s your fragrance of choice? Creed’s “Pure White Cologne”.

Any go-to jewellery? Pearl earrings by my label, Culturesse. I find pearls very soothing, but I don’t wear them every day. When I go to events, I’ll layer up to 20 big, bold rings on my fingers.

What would you wear … on a first date? Nothing too showy. A long silk dress with a blazer and pointed kitten heels. … on a plane? A Balenciaga tracksuit and New Balance sneakers. The tracksuit has a small logo, but I don’t wear it to showcase the brand, I wear it because it’s so well-made and comfortable. … on the red carpet? A couture piece by RMIT graduate Naomi Ji. I like the simplicity of her sculptural pieces.

What’s at the top of your wish list? The Balenciaga “Gaffer Tape” bangle.

Can you remember a favourite outfit you wore as a child? A daisy-print top and matching bloomers made by my mother. I didn’t get a lot of compliments as a child; I remember that because someone said it was cute.

What was your first fashion moment? It was the first day I came to Australia from Shanghai in 2007. I went to Melbourne’s CBD wearing a miniskirt with a striped sweater and I had very long hair – it was a bit of a K-pop look. People whistled and commented, and I thought, “OK, they’re paying attention to what I wear.”

And your worst fashion mistake? The first time I attended Paris Fashion Week, I was too eager to impress. I wore a very tight dress with high, painful shoes. I was struggling to breathe and walking to shows with bleeding feet.

Is there something you’d never wear? I don’t like gothic style; I’ll pass on the blood and heart motifs.

Is there a current trend you like? Gender-fluid silhouettes. I also like the wacky Y2K digital prints like those on Omighty’s “Kitties” dress.

Who’s your favourite fashion icon? Chinese supermodel Liu Wen is iconic. However, I’m often more inspired by a painting at a gallery or a random visual, such as a retro wedding photo.

What do you wear on a typical working day? My Hello Kitty pyjamas when I’m working from home. It’s a rebellion – I take pleasure in the contrast to all the high-profile fashion. To an event, it’s always different. A recent look was a sculptural top, long denim Leo Lin skirt, high-heel wedges, a Diesel bag and silver ducting tubing from Bunnings wrapped around my body for a futuristic cyberpunk effect.

What’s your favourite off-duty, casual Sunday look? My husband’s Nordic wool jumper and thick grey Balenciaga track pants, which have elastic at the bottom so I can roll them up and do the gardening.

Charlene Davies is one of the faces of Melbourne Fashion Week, October 20-26.

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