The colourful wardrobe of Melbourne stylist and designer Clair Wayman!

Today we have the final installment of our ‘My Melbourne Wardrobe’ series (at least for now!), and we’re going out with a bright bang!  I’m super excited to share a peek into the super girly and brilliantly colourful wardrobe of interiors stylist Clair Wayman!

I have always admired Clair’s incredible sense of style and brave use of colour – I distinctly remember bumping into her and partner Nick many moons ago in IKEA, and she looked SO fabulous… not ‘dressed up’ per se, just bright and fun and perfectly accessorised.  In fact I’ve never seen Clair in an outfit unworthy of a compliment.  Truly!  She just always looks like she’s put serious thought and a good pinch of fun into each ensemble. (And I’ve never seen her in a pair of jeans – ever!)

It helps, of course, that Clair hails from the birthplace of Topshop.  In actual fact, some of the loveliest pieces in Clair’s wardrobe seem to be from there!  Or Primark (another UK high street shop), or ‘New Look’… or Country Rd.  It is quite amazing.  Clair wears these fun and frivolous pieces so well you’d think they were designer label.  It’s very clever.  And a little bit sneaky.  :) I think the secret is in the accessories!

Anyway we are thrilled to share Clair’s fabulous frocks with you today, and also we’re super chuffed to feature a few brand new artworks from her own label, Curio & Curio. The new range, entitled ‘Taking Shapes‘ includes gorgeous limited editions prints, plywood plaques and cushions, and can be viewed on Clair’s website, or in Clair and Nick’s INSANELY cute shop at Flinders on the Mornington Peninsula!

Curio & Curio
Shop 4
50 Cook Street
Flinders

ps.  If you could do with a little colour counselling in your own world, Clair also does decorating + interior styling work for private clients these days… hmm… I wonder if she’d consider crossing over to personal styling!?  My wardrobe could do with a colour injection!

My Melbourne Wardrobe – Clair Wayman

1. Country Road tote bag - I have quite a collection of patterned Country Road canvas tote bags. As my friends know, I can’t resist a good pattern when I see one. This bag is ideal for carrying catalogues and fabric samples to decorating jobs, oh and of course also handy for the odd trip to the beach.

2. Neon yellow ‘Primark’ necklace - this was a gift from my mum, sent from the UK – I love a fluoro touch!

3. Topshop ra ra dress – I found this cute dress in Topshop on one of my trips back to the UK to see family + friends. I wore it to a recent birthday party, so when I look at it I’m reminded of the fun I had.

4. Limited edition hand screen printed ‘Punch Up’ art work from Curio & Curio. This is part of our new colourful ‘Taking Shapes’ range which we’ve just launched.  For this range we’ve gone back to basics, using hand cut stencils. The stencils have a fairly short life span, and once the stencil is no longer usable we move on to something new. This makes the designs that little bit more special and unique.

5. Heart coin purse by Megan Alice England - We first met the talented Miss England when she approached us to work as an intern at our little studio in Richmond, and we became friends.  Nick set her on her way and now she now has her own business – designing, screen printing and sewing all her products in her home studio in Gloucestershire (Funnily enough Megan is from the UK – with a name like that who would have guessed!?). Nick bought this coin purse for me, from her online store.

6.  Beautiful Italian made shoes are from Annie Abbot’s ‘Habbot‘ summer range - Annie’s take on the gladiator sandal. I helped design the interior of her ‘pop up’ shop in the GPO building recently and I couldn’t resist a pair of her shoes – the leather is so unbelievably soft.  I love wearing shoes designed by someone I know. Coral coloured shoes work well with most of my clothes and I’m always attracted to that shade.

7. ‘Taking Shapes’ plywood art from Curio & Curio - These little screen printed plywood artworks are also part of our new ‘Taking Shapes’ range. They have a picture hook on the back so are ready to hang. They look great en masse, and are perfect for even the smallest space. Our love of plywood is growing as we’ve realised there’s no end of inventive ways to use it!

8. Tractor Home telephone wire bowl and scarf (inside) - I’ve always loved the idea of recycling – (turning something discarded in to a usable, beautiful object). It’s hard to believe this African bowl is made from recycled telephone wire. When I look at it I marvel at the incredable workmanship. I stock them in our shop, Curio & Curio in Flinders.  The scarf you see here is from my vintage scarf collection – I was going to make cushions out of them all at one stage so I have quite a stash!  I also like collecting them because the retro patterns inspire me – when I’m working on a new fabric range I love fossicking through my collection.

9. One of my current fav necklaces, by a local Black Rock designer, Leesa Cowan of Cloth Poppy – Leesa came in to our shop in Flinders and showed me her hand made range, which I immediately snapped up because of the wild colour combos. This necklace is actually intended for kids – she does a slightly subtler range for adults. It’s made from delicate Liberty fabric, fluro felt and beads – each necklace is unique.

10. These glittery pumps are such fun - I picked them up at Primark in the UK. I leave a trail of glitter behind me when I wear them. (DOH I wish you could see the glitter better in this pic – they are super sparkley in person! – Lucy)

11.  I love this bold purple and white striped flaired skirt from Topshop. It’s cut from a full circle of fabric, and has a 1950′s vibe.

12.  Multi coloured cotton scarf with tassels - This scarf was a bargain, again from High Street chain Primark in the UK, which I picked up when visiting family recently.  I was drawn to the zig zag pattern and tassels – I love adding a splash of colour to lift a winter outfit. I don’t really follow trends – my own off beat style has evolved over the years.

13. Multi coloured, plastic jewel necklace – Another gift from my mum. When it comes to jewellery I love anything bright and over-sized. I love the odd assortment of colours in this necklace – I enjoying wearing it with a clashing brightly coloured top.

14.  This flowery short tulip skirt is from UK High Street shop ‘New Look’. I love the whimsical flower pattern and puffy, bubble style which gives me curves where I don’t normally have them!  I seem to get away with wearing it in any season – I especially love wearing it with leggings and boots in the winter

- Clair x

Thanks again to Jardan for loaning us their sweet stools and side tables for this series – pictured above, the small Flynn side table in yellow.