aquazzura Archives - Kate Waterhouse

What I wore this week

8th June, 2023

It’s been awhile between these posts! It has been a bit hectic so I’m now getting around to recapping a few of my fave looks over the last few weeks. I’ve had the opportunity to attend some fun launches and racing events of late and as a result, I’ve been able to wear some pretty great events looks as well. Here are a few of my faves…

If there’s one thing everyone needs during winter it’s a camel coat. This Bec and Bridge number is such a versatile piece and just the perfect length to wear with everything from pants to dresses and skirts. I wore this look to an event launching The Social Quarter in Melbourne’s Chadstone shopping centre and I needed a coat to keep me cosy, as I was wearing a strapless dress, also by Bec and Bridge underneath. I liked the structured silhouette of the coat and that it had almost a blazer vibe to it – it helped balance the more floaty nature of the dress. The floral print also felt a little more unexpected for winter dressing. The nude heels helped keep everything quite tonal and tied everything together.

Credits: Dress and coat, Bec and Bridge; Heels, Scanlan Theodore

I flew up to Brisbane to attend the Stradbroke season launch so decided to have a Barbiecore moment with this candy pink dress by Paco Rabanne. The celestial print added a fun touch, while the long sleeves and ankle length hem kept my look classic (a must for me whenever it comes to race day looks). A white boater and white heels made for the perfect contrast pieces against the pink of the dress. I love touches of crisp white for adding a smart touch to any look.

Dress: Dress, Paco Rabanne via Camargue; Hat, Martina McGrath; Heels, Nine West

Prints are always a great way to elevate a racing look and this houndstooth dress by Rebecca Vallance was a great way to tackle a monochrome colour palette. I also like the fact it features a gold chain trim that adds a luxe touch, and a bit of texture to this outfit. A great pump in the form of one of my go-tos, a pair of black Aquazzura pointed heels keep this look sleek and polished. I also added an adorable mini Loeffler Randall clutch to keep my essentials within easy reach, and a Martina McGrath veiled hat kept this ensemble looking wintery but honoured the requirement of headwear for any racing event.

Credits: Dress, Rebecca Vallance; Hat, Martina McGrath; Bag, Loeffler Randall; Heels, Aquazzura

It was texture galore with this Manning Cartell look! I loved the oversized sequinned effect the scales achieved plus it really added a touch of theatre to this ensemble. This is actually a top and skirt set so I tied the look together with a black vintage waist belt to give it more of a dress effect. My fave Bottega Veneta heels and a velvet padded headband made for the perfect pared back accessories to let the dress shine.

Credits: Top and skirt, Manning Cartell; Belt, vintage; Heels, Bottega Veneta; Headband, Avenue

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What I wore this week

30th March, 2023

Doing this round up each week is always a great reminder of the current pieces I have in my closet, which often sparks new ideas for how to style them. I love being able to mix and match current pieces in new ways and always enjoy giving them a spin with old favourites. I embraced a number of different outfits this week, from a trendy take on suiting, to dresses with personality and my go-to looks for working out. Here’s what I wore this week.

Credits: Vest, pants, bag and heels, Seed Heritage

Vests and pants are one of my favourite interpretations of traditional suiting right now. The vest feels feminine and polished, and worked back with tailored pants it makes for a modern look. This look is head-to-toe Seed Heritage which is often a go-to of mine when it comes to trend pieces with a classic spin. I accessorised this with a white pouch bag (note: a very Bottega silhouette for a fraction of the price) to add a touch of softness to the clean lines, while nude heels help elongate my frame.

Credits: Dress, Acler; Sandals, Aquazzura

This was at a fitting with 7Racing and front and centre was one of my favourite brands, Acler. This sunshine yellow dress was just the right pop of colour to brighten up my mood. Meanwhile the puff sleeves are a forever favourite detail of mine when it comes to dresses, while the deep V-neck makes for a flattering neckline. I have had these gold Aquazzura sandals forever and I still consider them a neutral in how easily they pair with so many different looks.

Credits: Top, Lorna Jane; Leggings, Camilla and Marc; Sneakers, Asics; Hat, Nike; Bag, Furla, Sunglasses, RayBan

Workout day means you’ll often find me in mostly black athleisure pieces. I love Camilla and Marc’s activewear range as they give a fashion-ey spin to sportswear, and Lorna Jane is a longtime fave for basics like this black tank. Black sneakers are my go-to for exercising as I find they go with more pieces, and as I train a lot outdoors, they’re easier to keep clean!

Credits: Dress, Kate Ford; Slides, Hermes

I’ve managed to get some great mileage out of this Kate Ford dress, which is always a sign of a good wardrobe addition. It’s perfect for dressing up or down, and I’ve worn this with heels and flats so it’s a truly versatile staple.

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What I wore this week

20th October, 2022

This week, I’ve been flying the flag for a range of Aussie brands. There’s something about how we do fashion in this country that always brings about fresh designs and an aesthetic that speaks to how many of us like to dress — easy and effortless. I’ve also been able to do a few looks that have run the spectrum from preppy and chic to evening ready which I always really like as I’m able to play dress up in so many different ways. Here’s what I wore this week.

You often see houndstooth in monochrome so I loved that this dress by Aussie brand Leo Lin went in the opposite direction. The vibrant green really gives this preppy style a little extra personality. Whenever I embrace patterns I tend to keep everything pared back so a pair of black and white Dior slingbacks and simple headband seemed the right finishing touches.

Credits: Dress, Leo Lin; Flats, Dior; Headband, Ford Millinery

I’ve always been a fan of beige/camel tones and find it works really well when layered together. It was a cool day in Sydney so these trousers layered with a sweater and coat was the perfect look for the day ahead. There’s also something quite pulled together about layering different hues and is one of my fave ways to elevate existing pieces in my wardrobe.

Credits: Coat (similar here), Karen Millen; Pants, Manning Cartell; Sweater, Venroy; Bag (similar here), Dior; Heels, Aquazzura

Ready for a night out in this elegant long sleeve Gul. Hurgel dress. I love playing with different textures and find you can’t go wrong with black velvet — it’s always a great go-to for evening wear. To complement the diamante accents on the dress I went for a silver slouchy Jimmy Choo evening bag, and a pair of simple strappy slides by Giuseppe Zanotti.

Credits: Dress, Gul Hurgel; Heels (similar here), Giuseppe Zanotti; Bag (similar here), Jimmy Choo

Who else loves shirt dresses? I can’t resist them as they’re such an easy and effortless way to pull together a look. This piece is by Aussie brand, Onte and the understated silhouette, punctuated by gold buttons really ticks all the boxes. It’s an easy piece to throw on for a casual day or if I’ve got meetings or I’m doing the school run, plus it’s comfy too. Also a big fan of the neutral colour — you can’t ever go wrong with a hue that can be worn in myriad ways.

Credits: Dress, Onte

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What I Wore: Citron Moment

16th August, 2022

Looking for your next cocktail dress? This could be it. The first thing that I noticed about this dress was the striking citron colour. You don’t often see dresses in that vibrant yellow shade, and it really sets it apart from its other cocktail dress contemporaries. The design also taps into my growing love for a one shoulder neckline (I’ve been embracing it in everything from tops to swimsuits and dresses) but I particularly love the delicate execution of the style, with the simple thin strap. Also the twist detail, with the interesting contrast between the matte and shiny fabric. The midi length is usually my go-to for events, but you often have to strike the right balance between it looking chic and slightly frumpy. The split hem injects just the right amount of sexiness and boldness to have it sitting firmly in the chic camp.

Working with bold colours usually requires a measured approach to accessories as you don’t want to do something that’s too overwhelming. I rediscovered these Aquazzura beauties and knew immediately they’d pair perfectly with the dress. The snakeskin offers just the right amount of contrast, while the tie feature adds some grit and gives the overall look some edge. A mini chain strap bag by Oroton and cat eye sunglasses by Poppy Lissiman were the perfect accoutrements to finalise the look. Bring on the next event!

Credits: Dress, One Fell Swoop; Shoes, Aquazzura; Bag, Oroton; Sunglasses, Poppy Lissiman

This post was produced in collaboration with One Fell Swoop

Fashion, What I Wore

What I Wore: Tailor Made

8th June, 2022

I love nothing more than sharp tailoring and you can’t look past a suit to achieve that look. I’ve really embraced suiting of late, and have discovered the beauty and versatility in a suit for a variety of different occasions. Also, they come in all sorts of iterations now that you really can find a suit to work with your personal style. I teamed up with local brand Saba to put this look together and think it really typifies elegant winter wear. The suit comprised of a houndstooth double breasted jacket and cropped pants is able to work together but also separately which ensures I can get more wear out of it. I wore the jacket on its own and buttoned up to look more like a top and it’s something I’ve been doing a lot with other suits in my collection as it feels modern and fresh. The pants that go with this jacket are also cropped which for petite ladies, is actually just the perfect length —no need for alterations which I really rate. Given the cooler weather, a coat is most definitely a must. This midi length herringbone coat is such a classic option for winter. The pattern is something that is forever in style and can be worked back with multiple looks. It also has a slightly A-line silhouette which feels very feminine, but the peak lapels keep it looking slick.

When you’re wearing a suit, I think you really have to pay attention to what you do in the accessories department as you don’t want to completely overwhelm the look with accoutrements. As the colour palette of this look is all about black, white and grey I wanted the rest of my accessories to complement it. So in this instance, I went for a great pair of Bec and Bridge sunnies which I have been wearing non-stop—they’re a classic frame but have a few contemporary touches which achieves a great balance. I also went for Aquazzura pumps to finish off the look — you can’t go past a sky high heel to add a feminine touch to such a strong ensemble.

Credits: Jacket, pants and coat, Saba; Sunglasses, Pared x Bec and Bridge; Heels, Aquazzura

Photography: Ashleigh Larden

This post was produced in collaboration with SABA

Fashion, What I Wore

What I Wore: Red Velvet

20th May, 2022

Gwyneth Paltrow wore an interation of this suit in the 90s when Tom Ford was still at the helm of the house of Gucci. So it seems fitting now in our 90s/early aughts fashion revival that this style has been revisited by current creative director Alessandro Michele. The suit is sharp and ultra cool with its sleek silhouette and luxe red velvet fabrication. Suiting is very much a trend right now and they are are quickly becoming a tried and true staple in my closet. It’s always particularly fun when I get to wear one that’s a little outside the box. Red velvet is just about as glam as you can get and this one, with its peaked lapels and pointed shoulders makes me feel a little bit like a rockstar! Also the matching wide leg pants with the tuxedo stripe are elevated and fun. I do like the unexpected colour contrast of the sky blue shirt against the red, it feels very fresh and modern. I think that’s often the best way to do looks that are inspired by previous generations– honour the concept but add a slightly more contemporary feature or spin.

I wanted to keep the rest of my look pared back given I’d embraced something bold with the rest of my outfit, so I opted for a classic black Jackie Gucci bag. It’s a simple and classic design and works well with a pared back outfit comprised of neutrals equally as well as it does with a bolder ensemble. Also, I couldn’t look past black pumps for this particular suit. The colour and texture already makes such a statement, I knew I could afford to go for a slightly more pared back style of shoe to complement it.

Credits: Jacket, pants, shirt and bag, Gucci; Shoes, Aquazzura

Credits: Ashleigh Larden

Fashion, What I Wore

What I wore this week: Spring racing

11th November, 2021

I’ve been lucky enough to attend a few spring racing events over the last few weeks and as a result, had the opportunity to have some fun with a few new looks. After months in lockdown it’s certainly a nice feeling to get dressed up again! I love dressing for racing events because there’s something nice about being able to wear a polished look from head to toe, complete with headwear and I’m often lucky enough to be able to work with some amazing designers when it comes to my outfits. While I didn’t wear all these looks this week, I thought it might be worth sharing a few of my favourite looks so far this spring racing season.

I was attending the launch of the Lexus Melbourne Cup on this occasion and adored the chartreuse colour of this Mariam Seddiq dress. It was also such a bold silhouette with the dramatic cape, the bold shoulders and ruching, that I really felt it made a statement. I decided to cinch the look in with an Alessandra Rich belt and paired it with a simple Viktoria Novak headband as a finishing touch.

Credits: Dress (similar here), Mariam Seddiq; Belt, Alessandra Rich; Headband, Viktoria Novak; Bag, Bulgari

I was doing a live cross with Channel 7 and loved the vibe of this blazer dress by Rebecca Vallance. Blazers are a staple in my wardrobe and I like the twist on it when it’s worn as a dress. The houndstooth print added some boldness to my look and with the contrasting lapels and pearl buttons, it was a polished ensemble that was both classic and modern. I didn’t want to overwhelm with my accessories so I opted for an oversized black bow, which is always one of my faves when it comes to headwear.

Credits: Dress, Rebecca Vallance; Bow, Roxy Jacenko

Sometimes I get to wear dresses like this and I have to pinch myself! I wore this for a shoot with The Daily Telegraph newspaper to promote The Everest race day and didn’t want to take it off. I felt like a bonafide princess, plus who doesn’t love tulle when it’s at it’s pink hued best! I loved the tiered skirt and the plunging neckline, not to mention the statement sleeves on this particular design and it was so much fun to wear.

Credits: Dress, Steven Khalil

Hanging with Emma Freedman at a Lexus press day. I really liked the combination of pink and red in this particular look. There’s something about those two hues together that just gels really well, so when I went for this one shoulder Mossman mini dress, I knew I had to pair it with this this adorable pink headband by Ford Millinery. My Aquazzura heels are shoes I’ve had for awhile and it’s so funny when I revisit favourites such as these shoes, because I always fall in love with them again.

Credits: Dress, Mossman; Heels, Aquazzura; Headband, Ford Millinery

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What I Wore: Soft and Sweet

23rd July, 2019

One of my favourite things about winter is the fact I get to cosy up in gorgeous knits such as this sweet jumper by Zimmermann. I’m a firm believer that knitwear doesn’t have to be boring, in fact it can often be the star of an outfit if the finishing touches are just right. The oversized bows on this sweater is ultimately what makes it and is the ideal finishing touch. I also find a batwing sleeve particularly flattering when it comes to knits as it has the slightly billowy feel that I like when it comes to jumpers but the tapered cuffs give it a refined shape.

You’ll often find me in jeans so I am quite particular when it comes to the wash and fit. This pair by Levi’s ticks all the boxes for me. It’s always nice to go back to such a classic denim brand as they really know how to create a great, flattering pair. Paired with a cute jumper, it’s a combination that’s a failsafe during winter.

I decided to dress this outfit up a little with black Aquazzura pumps. I like the fact that the subtle bow on the straps ties in to the bows on my jumper, offering a little extra cohesion. As a final finishing touch, I opted for my favourite black Dior bag worn as a clutch. Overall it’s a casual look that’s elegant and polished, yet easily adaptable with a change of accessories.

Photography: Sophia Athas

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Top: Resistance Batwing Bow Sweater, Zimmerman

Jeans: 501 Skinny in ‘blessings’, Levi’s

Shoes: Deneuve 105 bow-embellished suede pumps by Aquazzura

Bag: Calfskin Bag, J’adior

Sunglasses: New Wave SL 207 Jerry, YSL

Earrings: Pearl Crystal Heart J’Adior Mise En Dior Tribal Earrings, Dior

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Fashion

The power of the statement shoe

27th April, 2019

I’m a firm believer that shoes can make or break an outfit. This is why I’m all about a statement shoe. An eye-catching pair of shoes can pull your entire outfit together. I think the key to a great statement shoe is in the cut, the material and the colour plus I think they’ve got to be classic in that they last season after season but they’ve also got to have interesting details that make them unique. Even if it’s just a plain black pump there has to be something about it whether its just a beautiful heel or great material. And most of all, it has to be beautifully crafted.

I have plenty of shoe labels that I love but at the moment these are the brands that I think do the perfect statement shoe…

Aquazzura have really beautiful designs and have a really interesting look to them. I have a great pair of Aquazzura snakeskin stilettos that I wear all the time.

I love Tabitha Simmons‘ shoes. I wore a pair of her leopard print stilettos to Melbourne Cup one yaer and I felt they really added an interesting element to my outfit. Her shoes are just a little bit quirky and a lot of fun.

I also love Balenciaga‘s shoe line. They’re classic and are perfectly crafted. As I wear my heels so often I invest a little more in them so they’re great quality and are built to last.

Photography: Tamika Keioskie, Beyleigh Vedelago, StyleSnooperdan

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What I Wore: The Championships

11th April, 2019

I love a monochrome dress code so I was excited to attend Derby Day at The Championships over the weekend as attire was all about black and white.

I went for a classic look for the day having found the ideal houndstooth print mini dress by Balmain to wear on the day. I loved being able to work a little old school glamour into my outfit via the dress but wanted to still maintain a modern feel with my accessories.

When it comes to monochrome I think gold is the ideal accent colour. So I incorporated a few gilded accessories into my look with a black and gold Victoria Novak headband and gold statement earrings by Clover accessories. I then kept things simple and sleek with black Aquazurra pumps and a dainty top handle Oroton bag.

I think there’s always something about autumn racing events that just inspire me to channel classic looks. And really how can you ever go wrong with the classics?

Photography by Paul McMillan