CHERIE HAUSLER, 44 Entrepreneur
Fashion has to be practical and stylish for Cherie, co- owner of a Bangkok restaurant and tea blender at Scullery Made.
Describe your personal style. Mood dependent. More often than not, I lean towards relaxed clothing and lots of natural fibres like linen and cotton, regardless of being terrible at ironing (terrible, because I never do it!). How has your style changed over the years? My wardrobe has always been influenced by my location — in Melbourne, everything I wore was black, which made things easy. Then in London, everything came from Benetton or Gap because I was nannying and my clothes needed to be nice but not precious. In Sydney I started to wear more colour and, because I was working in TV, things got a bit fancier — and less comfortable! Now you’re in the Barossa Valley, but travel to Sydney and Bangkok. What do you never leave home without? Linen and cotton dresses and skirts, that can be worn with or without tights, jeans than can be worn with or without heels, a plain white shirt and cotton scarves. I’m terrible at packing shoes though, so I always come home with more pairs than I left home with. Reading that back, it does sound more like an unconscious shopping strategy… What are your winter must-haves? I love layering clothes so I keep to a neutral colour palette and then everything will match (I can hear my friends laughing now because they know I only wear beige, grey and navy). I love knitting, too. I’m not necessarily good at it, but I love it, so I’ll do a new chunky wool scarf for myself each winter. Where are your favourite places to shop? If I’m local, it’s Alabaster in the Barossa. They have beautiful brands and the owner has such a good eye. In Sydney, I love Gorman, and almost every brand at Collector Store in Surry Hills. Accessories can make an outfit — do you have a favourite jewellery brand? Emma and Tom. It’s handmade in the Barossa with reclaimed olive wood, old wine barrels and vintage fabrics. She’s one of those effortlessly stylish people and her jewellery carries that same feeling. Any shoe brands that you love? I love the R.M. Williams boots my sister gave me when we moved to London. I was 21 years old. I can definitely call them long-lasting! What would we find in your beauty cabinet? Aesop skincare and Aveda make-up. I’ve been loyal to those brands for years because their products and company philosophies are just brilliant. And I’m a sucker for beautiful packaging. What’s the best style advice you’ve received? Pants first, then shoes. Also, hats make bad hair days non-existent. For more information, visit scullerymade.org