KANOA LLOYD THE PROJECT CO-HOST AUCKLAND
“Sometimes at work,
a beautiful dress or perfect pair of pants is
the only thing that makes me feel ready
to face the nation”
What items of clothing always put a smile on your face? The jumper I’m wearing in this photo is a fluffy mohair cloud from Marle. It belonged to my best friend, but she has a newborn and it turns out that mohair and breastfeeding don’t really mix, so now it’s mine. There’s something lovely about being snuggled up inside a jumper that my friend and her little baby were cuddled up in. It makes it even snugglier.
The pants are an outrageous pair of silk Dries Van Notens that I bought at Plume in Dunedin. I grew up down there and Plume was a place I’d visit just to run my hands over things, dreaming about buying them one day. The last time I was there, my flight got cancelled because of fog. I took a taxi back to town and went straight to Plume because I was like, ‘I’m a grown-up now and I’m going to cure this bad luck with some treasure hunting!’ So the pants were a salve on that cold, annoying day. They remind me of the good things about being home, and when I wear them I feel like a kid in an adult’s silk pyjamas.
If we were to open your wardrobe right now, what would we find? My life has accidentally turned into a quest for the perfect white shirt. I have an embarrassing number of them, maybe 20 or more. My favourites include one that says ‘James Franco’ on the front that I bought in a giant Tokyo department store, an oversized men’s cotton shirt that I bought in Bali in a sweaty panic, and a long-sleeved T-shirt from Justin Bieber’s tour last year. Despite that monochrome obsession, I actually have lots of colour and pattern in there: red silk dresses, mustard knits and checked wool coats. I’ll try anything once — or twice.
What’s been your most fulfilling fashion moment? My most fulfilling fashion moment wasn’t even technically mine. I got married a year and a half ago and my bridesmaids all wore pink jumpsuits that the wonderful Ingrid Starnes made for them. They looked so kick-ass.
How does fashion affect your mood? Sometimes at work, a beautiful dress or perfect pair of pants is the only thing that makes me feel ready to face the nation. In my downtime, I tend to wear things that make me feel like I’m being cuddled — they’re like silky, snuggly, socially acceptable comfort blankets.
Who embodies happiness for you? Probably my dog. That guy’s ideal day involves sniffing stuff, running fast and having a cuddle. Oh to be so simple and relaxed.
Is there something of cultural significance that has inspired and stuck with you? One record that I keep coming back to over and over again is Forever Changes by Love, a wonderful big-band psychedelic-pop dream from the ’60s. I discovered them in my early 20s when I started to realise ’60s and ’70s pop was essential to a happy life. Forever Changes is the perfect Sunday- afternoon, dance-around-while-you’re-cooking music.
Where do you feel most at peace? In my bed, looking out the window on a frosty morning.