My Style: Erika Heynatz
Photo: Katie Kaars — Courtesy of Erika Heynatz
The three essential things a woman should know about style are...
Full briefs under floaty skirts on windy days (although it does pay to advertise). Side boob is only really successful in editorial shoots in fashion magazines (flesh is a moveable feast). Don’t eat anything with sauce while wearing something borrowed.
Please describe your style in three words.
Relaxed, sporty, vibrant.
What is the biggest mistake one can make when getting dressed?
Forgetting that fashion is the art expressing who you are, not what you think other people want to see. It’s an opportunity to be authentic and honest from the minute you leave the house.
Do you believe in role models?
Oh, I’m a believer! I look to the successful women in my industry and my life to inspire me on a daily basis. Their interpretation of the world gives them all incredible personal style.
What are your favourite fabrics?
Leather, jersey, denim, and lycra.
Are there any style combinations that you object to?
Animal fur on humans. Bike pants on men outside of the sports environment — I have imagination enough, thank you.
Which city has the best-dressed women?
New York.
Would you say that you are conservative or bold?
Bold.
What are the rules in the way you dress?
Can I have fun in this, and can I run in this?
Celebrities and style...
Make for spectacularly good gossip magazine spreads.
Name one garment/accessory that you can never have enough of.
I am very lucky to have a Christian Dior watch wardrobe I’ve collected over the years. As a result, I don’t wear much by way of other jewels. Some are really opulent and feminine; others are sporty and masculine. I think a beautiful timepiece can transform jeans and a t-shirt into something chic. Equally, I love a modern evening dress paired with a black Dior Christal watch.
A woman should always look like...
She knows what she wants and she gets what she likes.
Who taught you what you know about style?
I have gleaned information off anyone and everyone I could in my early years in the fashion industry. It’s one of the many wonderful side benefits of the business, being exposed to so many well-dressed creative types and tastemakers, such as designers, stylists, makeup artists, models and actresses.
How do you select your clothing every morning?
Colour therapy plays a large part in my style choices for the day. There’s a reason why my yellow Acne sweater is on high rotation. Happy days!
What is your biggest regret?
Wearing sky-high stilettos with really fine straps to an all-night dance-athon. My feet resembled a sizzling string roast when I finally peeled them off. I spent two weeks in soft hotel slippers as rehab.
Do you have any shopping rituals?
I trawl magazines for ideas on smart pieces to buy according to what already exists in my wardrobe and what I truly need. I’ll even do tearsheets or an iPhoto folder. That way, I have an exact list or visual reference so I can try and find something as close to it as possible. I also have less chance of going off track once I get a small hit of shopper’s adrenaline.
We will never see you wearing...
Clogs with socks or crocs.
Which new designers do you follow and why?
Josh Goot and Dion Lee are two Australian designers that use innovation in fabric, shape, lines and tailoring that make me see clothes in a fresh way.
Who is the most stylish person you have ever seen?
The very first was my grandmother, Nancy May Pringle. She made a lasting impression—beautiful blonde 50’s finger wave, a chic pastel twin set and pencil skirt, great kitten heels, fabulous glasses and a very wicked laugh.
What is the first thing you notice on a woman?
Her swagger and smile.
What are the most treasured items in your wardrobe?
My wedding and engagement rings. They still take my breath away when I look at them.
The one image that defined your approach to style...
There’s more than a few photographs of homemade ensembles I’ve reflected upon recently, and I know now that it’s okay to get professional help. A tailor is like a doctor — nothing to be ashamed about! Great tailoring is a mark of sophistication and style.
Which fashion house never fails to impress you?
Salvatore Ferragamo, Alexander Wang, Willow, Scanlan and Theodore, Stella McCartney for Adidas, and Nike.
One article of clothing that a woman needs to pay close attention to is...
Her handbags. They become our mobile homes during the day.
Is comfort an enemy of style?
No, modern design and use of fabric makes for a very happy marriage between comfort and style.
Who would you like to recommend for My Style?
Julie Stevanja, co-founder of Stylerunner the first online store to specialise in premium international activewear labels, with twin sister Sali. Smart, driven, and influential, Julie has made a brilliant career out of her passion for fashion (and her inspired obsession with purchases from Net-A-Porter), and does everything with incredible personal style.
The best words of advice you have ever heard?
“Suck it in and stand up straight.” Thanks, Alex Perry.
