STYLE FILE
ARTIST Q&A
NIKKI BENNETT ACTRESS/PROFESSIONAL CLOWN Who’s in the dead supergroup for your dream hologram show? Freddie Mercury would be pretty cool in most line-ups. Not sure if I want to see Queen though – I’m just fascinated by Freddie strutting his stuff around the stage.
NICHOLAS DRIVER DESIGNER - LEE What’s your background in fashion? Menswear Designer: Grew up in Moeraki as the son of a fisherman and seamstress. From there I moved to Oamaru and on finishing high school moved north to Wanganui where I studied a Foundation in Visual Arts and a BA in Fashion Communications, however I knew I’d naturally end up designing rather than working within the media side. Shortly after, I moved to Melbourne to work on the Stussy licence for 4 years followed by 4 years in London where I worked for Fenchurch Clothing. On returning to Australia I was fortunate enough to land a role at Lee working along side Cerese (Lee Girls Denim Designer) who had also studied at Wanganui around the same time so it felt like coming full circle and a perfect fit.
What happens when you mix Coca Cola with Pepsi? Who would do this? I gather a sugar high, a few burps and then a major come down, no doubt with a migraine and bad mood. All in one hour.
How did you become a designer at Lee? Like most I was approached to interview for the role and on turning up found myself in front of Cerese. I didn’t even know she was in that role so it was quite a surprise. It felt right for both lee and myself and the rest is history. I still work alongside Cerese so we’ve formed a good partnership in that time.
The best place for a date night is… Ken Yakatori on Anzac Avenue; great food and awesome atmosphere. Nothing like a cold Asahi to start your night off
What’s the inspiration behind the latest collection? Lee as a brand walks the walk of our customer and music is our link at all times. This Spring Summer was inspired by the Lollapalooza gigs of 94. These concerts eptimozed the 90’s mash up where punk, hip hop, metal and grunge took to the stage for one day. Front of stage is a crowd of those subcultures merging to witness game changing bands, that crowd was our key inspiration. Any hints on what we can expect to see from Lee next season? High Summer evolves our Lollapalooza story with some really strong vintage looks in FRESNO BLUE, ATOMIC BLUE & BLEACHER BLUES. It’s a little more weathered and a little more worn. Like when your favourite pair of jeans or shorts reach their peak. That’s what we strove for.
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What’s an upcoming film you’re jazzed about? Gravity – pretty unnerving from the looks of the trailers.
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Your signature “I’m an amazing cook” dish is… Making something out of nothing; I try not to waste food. I’m always trying to recreate my nana’s goulash. I fail. I do roll up a mean burrito though. Oh dear this just sounds unfortunate. The best TV show around at the moment is… Duck Dynasty. I don’t know if it’s the best and I’m not sure if I’m happy with what it stands for, but I am totally on awe of it.
You’d get arrested if the police knew that you… How much I hate plastic Crocs. You know, shoes that look like clogs? Cute on kids and I understand there majorly comfy but I strongly dislike the look. Whaddaya gonna do? Arrest me? People say you look like… Ellen DeGeneres and occasionally Lady Gaga. I think more Ellen though. What generic current affair has your blood boiled? I’ve been closed off to what’s going on in the past month, but to be serious for a moment, the whole Syrian chemical warfare attack on innocent people is unreal. In this day in age it scares me, the powers that certain people have in the world to inflict such evil on the innocent. Totally does not comprehend in my head. SEE HER PERFORM: NIKKI BENNETT IN THE FEAST TUE 15 OCT – SAT 19 OCT THE BASEMENT, AUCKLAND