Style cred
Sophie Matson steers product design for iconic Australian retailer David Jones.
ARTISTS WHO HAVE BEEN AN ENDURING INFLUENCE? Jean-michel Basquiat, Brett Whiteley (for his illustrations) [3], Joan Miró [8] and anyone who can put a beautiful colour combination together. CONTEMPORARY ART THAT YOU MOST ADMIRE? Works by Paul Sloan, Rhys Lee [10], Brendan Huntley [4], Bianca Smith. DO YOU COLLECT ANYTHING? Scented candles – my favourite is the Tom Ford ‘Amber Absolute’. [2] FASHION MUST-HAVES? An LBD ( long black dress) [14] and Isabel Marant sandals [12]. FAVOURITE WATCH? An iphone and intuition – I don’t wear a watch, but I love layering jewellery. FRAGRANCE OF CHOICE? ‘Galop d’hermès’ by Hermès, Chanel ‘N°5’ [9] or Acqua di Parma ‘Rosa Nobile’, Byredo ‘Gypsy Water’, ‘New Look 1947’ by Christian Dior. Also, the ‘1970’ candle by Bella Freud and the ‘Delhi’ candle by Astier de Villatte [17]. BOOKS YOU'RE READING NOW – BOTH FICTION AND ART/DESIGN? Places We Swim [5] by Dillon Seitchik-reardon has been a summer favourite. I also love Chanel: the Karl Lagerfeld Campaigns. [6] MUSIC – ON ROTATION AT OFFICE AND HOME? Alex Cameron, Kurt Vile, Lowtide, Sarah Mary Chadwick [11], Wooden Shjips. FAVOURITE FLOWERS? Tuberose [7], the scent always brings back fond memories of India. BEST DOWNTIME (IF YOU HAVE ANY) PURSUIT? Anything with my husband and kids. Catching up with friends for afternoon drinks. ARE YOU A COFFEE OR TEA PERSON? Tea – I like a classic English breakfast but always love a beautiful jasmine or sencha. PREFERRED TIPPLE? Champagne, always [16]. FILMS THAT HAVE INSPIRED YOU? When it first came out, I saw The City of Lost Children with costumes by Jean Paul Gaultier. I loved the strength of the little girl (the leader of the lost children) so much, that I named my daughter Miette after her. Donnie Darko is an all-time favourite for the nostalgia element crafted so beautifully and its great soundtrack. Also, The Darjeeling Limited [13] or any Wes Anderson films for the set design, attention to detail (that monogrammed luggage!) and incredible soundtracks. SHOPS AND ONLINE STORES YOU FREQUENT? The Hub General Store, Lee Mathews, Sarah-jane Clarke and David Jones. MAGAZINES YOU READ REGULARLY? Belle, RUM, Kinfolk and World of Interiors. I constantly get lost in Pinterest for inspiration. DOES YOUR LOVE OF FASHION AND DESIGN EXTEND TO CARS? I started my career designing interiors for concept cars, so I can always appreciate a great interior and the exterior paint colour. TRAVEL – FAVOURITE REGULAR HAUNT AND WHERE IS ON YOUR MUST-SEE LIST? At the moment Paris is my favourite, however Sri Lanka is at the top of my must-see list. LIST A FEW OBJECTS OF DESIRE THAT YOU WOULD BUY RIGHT NOW? There are a few items in the David Jones current homewares range on my wish list. The Great Dane ‘Tati’ coat rack and ‘Prime Time’ chair [15] (and footstool) are stylish modern home additions, as is the ‘Bolia’ green marble table. Also, the Broste Copenhagen Salt dining collection [1] and the Combekk Dutch oven [18] and frypan are definite must-haves. David Jones private label hemlock sheeting is also on my list. Visit davidjones.com.