Dion Lee Archives - Kate Waterhouse

What I wore this week

18th November, 2021

I’m trying to deal with the constantly changing weather in Sydney which means that I’m finding myself in jeans and a jumper one minute and summer dresses the next. The upside is that I’m getting to utilise some wintery pieces I didn’t get a chance to wear earlier in the year (four months in lockdown meant lounge wear, all day everyday), along with dipping my toe into the summer wardrobe I’ve been dying to wear for several months now! There are just so many fun pieces right now that I’ve bookmarked for the coming months. So here’s a look at what I’ve been wearing of late…

This is pretty much my go-to uniform when I want to feel comfortable but look polished at the same time. This Venroy jumper is really cosy and lightweight which means it’s perfect for helping me navigate transseasonal dressing, while my fave Levis and ultra comfy Ducie sandals round out this look.

Credits: Jumper, Venroy; Jeans, Levis; Shoes, Ducie

There’s something about an all white look that always looks so fresh and sophisticated. I have worn this corset top with jeans before but thought it would look great worked back with white trousers for a dressy look with edge. I paired it with black Bottega Veneta heels and the cutest shearling trimmed Jacquemus big which adds an unexpected touch to my ensemble, plus you can never go wrong with anything mini sized.

Credits: Corset, Dion Lee; Pants, Viktoria and Woods; Heels, Bottega Veneta; Bag, Jacquemus

I recently discovered the brand Gul Hurgel and love it so much. This printed off the shoulder dress is flirty, feminine and fun and the perfect piece to have in rotation during summer. The ruffles and hearts are all kinds of cute and so great for balmy summer days. I took the dressy route in this instance by pairing it with a structured clutch and oval framed sunglasses by Le Specs, but I could see this going more casual with some beautiful slides.

Credits: Dress, Gul Hurgel; Bag, Oroton; Sunglasses, Le Specs

Denim is always guaranteed to be on high rotation in my weekly wardrobe repertoire as its such a reliable base for an outfit. I wore an earthy, terracotta-toned top with a bold shoulder detail with this particular look and I’ve found it be such a flattering silhouette, as the statement shoulders achieve a more cinched in look, accentuating the waist. In fact, I rate it so highly that I’ve also got this top in another colour! To add a playful and on trend touch I wore a rainbow choker by Roxanne Assoulin.

Credits: Top, Good American; Jeans, Slvrlake; Choker, Roxanne Assoulin

Fashion, What I Wore

What I Wore: Fine Lines

4th May, 2021

I’m not sure whether it’s emerging from a life lived working from home for several months, or not being quite ready to relegate my fave loungewear to just the weekend, but my look has become a way to do dressy, without compromising on comfort. I’m gravitating towards mixing my fave casual staples with pieces that are definitely made for doing an elevated look. I think this is how this look came together.

This corset top by Dion Lee is just perfection. It’s got the precision styling that the brand is known for, with edgy touches such as the exposed boning and the crop feature in the bodice. My mind immediately went to these baggy Camilla and Marc jeans, to pair with it. It’s a classic white top and denim pairing, but the play on volume, from the slimline silhouette of the top, to the more relaxed fit of the jeans achieves just the right balance.

Accessories were key here. I wanted effortless accoutrements but with personality. My fave Bottega Veneta black heels were the obvious choice, adding a great contrast to the baggy look of the jeans, but still polished enough to finish the look off. I added a simple white Apede Mod bag with chain strap to add an on trend touch, and classic black sunglasses to carry me through the day.

Credits: Top, Dion Lee; Jeans (similar here), Camilla and Marc; Sunglasses, Le Specs; Bag, Apede Mod; Heels, Bottega Veneta;

Photography: Ashleigh Larden

Fashion, What I Wore

What I Wore: Golden Slipper

27th March, 2021

Having embraced plenty of colour with my racing looks over the last few weeks, I wanted to steer things in a different direction this week and went for classic black. Wearing black is always a failsafe option as it’s virtually impossible to get it wrong, but it can sometimes look a little flat so I’ve always found it’s important to choose pieces with a little extra personality whether it be design details, textures or embellishments. So, this Dion Lee dress was the perfect option. It’s a classic strapless silhouette, but I think the cut-outs give it some edge and allow it to make a statement. The midi length is also perfect for racewear as it maintains a polished vibe.

Headwear is of course one of the key considerations of a race day look so I opted for a hat with veil — perfect for a wet weather day in Sydney, plus it helps ground the look. As the dress is quite detailed in its style, the outfit needed something structured and simple. As for the rest of my look, I opted for a burgundy Christian Dior bag to add a little colour, but also the strap is gold which I thought was a nice nod to it being Golden Slipper day. I wanted a closed toe shoe option for this look, so these dainty pumps by Fendi were the right accessory to finish off the look, and had me ready for another busy day of reporting trackside.

Credits: Dress, Dion Lee; Hat, Nerida Winter; Heels, Fendi; Bag, Christian Dior

Photography: Ashleigh Larden

Fashion, What I Wore

What I wore working from home

6th August, 2020

It’s been a week all about comfort dressing. I wanted to power through a few things on the work front so I was all about fun pieces that are still ideal for putting in some quality time with my laptop. So jeans and jumpers were the order of the day, but with a few punchy accessories in the mix to liven things up. Here’s what I wore working from home this week.

I love this jumper because the print and colour is simply all kinds of fun. It’s a great mood lifter and works brilliantly with denim so really, I can’t ask for more. These ripped jeans by Ksubi are ideal for a desk day and add a touch of edge to any look.

Credits: Jumper, Gucci; Jeans (similar here), Ksubi

A little black and white on an unseasonably warm day in Sydney. I’ve been wearing a lot of Uniqlo basics as they’re so great for mixing and matching with different looks. I paired them with Chanel sneakers to add a touch of luxe (but still very practical) and a Dion Lee skirt just to dress it up a bit.

Credits: Skivvy (similar here), Uniqlo; Skirt (similar here), Dion Lee; Sneakers, Chanel

These straight leg jeans by Aje are so comfortable and really great for providing the starting point for an outfit. I went for a classic black and red combination today with this vibrant jumper from one of my fave brands, Skin and Threads.

Credits: Jumper, Skin and Threads; Jeans, Aje

Whoever made tracksuits a bonafide style staple deserves a medal. I love this Camilla and Marc set because it’s high on comfort levels but and ticking a trend box all at the same time. I paired them with a neutral pair of sneakers by D.O.F to finish off the look.

Credits: Jumper and tracksuit pants, Camilla and Marc; Sneakers, D.O.F

Fashion, What I Wore

What I Wore: Lexus Encore launch

1st August, 2020

I was on hosting duties for Lexus earlier in the week at a styling session held in Westfield at Sydney’s Bondi Junction. We were discussing spring/summer trends so I wanted to go with an outfit that echoed the theme, but still keeping it practical with the current season ie I wouldn’t freeze to death in winter temperatures!

I went for an entire Dion Lee look for the event because the current collection has the ultra modern and sleek vibe I was going for. I opted for a green knit tank, the most genius feature of which was that it comes with detachable sleeves as part of the design making wearable in two different ways. One of the things I love about anything by Dion is that he always does strikingly architectural pieces, there’s always a focal point or feature that makes it interesting. I loved the A-line skirt I wore for this reason, particularly due to the design features such as the asymmetrical slit and corseting detail. And the beautiful trench with twin straps and belted cuffs was the right mix of classic and cool.

I felt the look needed a statement piece to complete it, and eventually i went with bold earrings by Aje. The drop style had just the right amount of glam to finish it off while an understated watch was just the right pared back accoutrement to finish off the ensemble.

Credits: Top, coat and skirt, Dion Lee; Earrings, Aje; Watch, Jaeger-LeCoultre

Fashion

What I Wore: After Dark

13th June, 2020

In another “outfit I really want to wear when events are a thing again” update, here’s a Dion Lee LBD that’s all kinds of beautiful and just made for occasion dressing. I’d originally considered wearing this to Fashion Week, but since it was cancelled, I’m now looking forward to when another opportunity presents itself to wear this dress.

The one thing you can always rely on when it comes to anything designed by Dion Lee is that there’s always a structural feature that adds an element of drama to a look. In this case the exposed corset and back adds an edgy touch, while the lace softens it and gives it an elegant feel.

To allow the dress to do the talking, simple accessories are key. I opted for a pair of minimalist Gianvito Rossi shoes with crystal heel detail while a small Miu Miu clutch was the perfect full stop to this look, adding a little bit of glam, and a lot of elegance.

Credits: Dress, Dion Lee; Shoes, Bag, Miu Miu; Shoes, Gianvito Rossi

Photography: Ashleigh Larden

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What’s on my shopping wish list

17th January, 2020

The first month of the year always has me wanting to get into wardrobe assessment mode to see what updates I need to make, if any, and also what things are looking tired and need replacing. There’s something quite cathartic about starting with a solid, well-edited closet at the start of each year to help me get back into work mode and ready to start tackling big projects. So, here’s my current wish list. What’s on yours?

Printed Wool-Blend Felt Headband, Fendi

Headbands are one of my go-to forms of headwear because they can work back with so many different looks. Also, it doesn’t require much effort to make it happen unlike other hair accessories which may require a bit more finessing.

Layered Ribbed-Knit Camisole, Dion Lee

This is a great cami because it’s a good layering piece due to its colour, cut and style but it’s also easily able to hold its own when worked back with everything from a skirt to shorts and jeans.

Baye Thong Heel, Tony Bianco

Everything 90s is cool again including the heeled thong. I like the neutral tone of these as I know I’ll be able to wear them with so many different pieces in my wardrobe.

The Pouch Small Gathered Leather Clutch, Bottega Veneta

Everything Bottega Veneta is doing right now is perfection. I love the slouchy look of this clutch which gives it a relaxed feel and the buttery soft leather is a dream.

Flocked Woven Mini Skirt, Fendi

Logomania is still alive and kicking and this skirt by Fendi is a great statement piece, yet the colours make it really wearable and versatile.

Heure H 17.2mm very small gold-plated and textured-leather watch, Hermes

I am always on board when it comes to a beautiful timepiece and this elegant leather watch by Hermes is the kind of thing I can see myself wearing years from now as it’s such a classic design.

Shadow Cropped Ribbed-Knit Top, Dion Lee

Another beautiful layering piece. I also like the fact that I could wear this now but take it into autumn/winter by pairing it with warmer pieces.

Colibri Leather-Trimmed Logo-Print Mesh Slippers, Fendi

There’s something about a soft pink that makes the perfect accent piece for many a look. These slippers are great worn back with pants cropped at the ankle but could easily be worn with a dress.

Presley Ring, Amber Sceats

I tend to favour very simple jewellery and this ring definitely fits the brief. This can be paired with other accessories quite easily making it a great accessory to have in my collection.

Daria, Yuzefi

The unique design of this bag will make it the ideal statement piece to finish off an outfit. The colour and the oversized clasp and chain strap give it a really unique vibe.

Fashion

What I Wore: Dinner with Dion Lee

4th June, 2019

As part of Fashion Week last month I was lucky enough to attend a beautiful dinner hosted by Dion Lee. I’ve been friends with Dion for years so it was nice to be able to celebrate with him at a dinner at Barangaroo House in Sydney and it was a lovely way to punctuate the hectic week that was MBFWA.

Of course I wanted to wear one of Dion’s creations so opted for a navy dress with cutout details from his new collection. Not only did it have an interesting silhouette, I was also a fan of the complementary blue tones and also the contrasting texture of the top and skirt. Evening dresses can sometimes all start to look very similar but I know I can always count on Dion to do something that’s a cut above.

When it came to my accessories, I turned to Christian Louboutin. The silver clutch provided a touch of nighttime glam to my look, whilst the pointed toe Mary Janes helped ground the look and added a classic accent. Understated earrings by Sarah and Sebastian was the final touch to pull together the entire ensemble.

Credits: Dress (similar), Dion Lee; Clutch, Christian Louboutin; Earrings, Sarah and Sebastian; Shoes, Christian Louboutin.

Fashion, What I Wore

Australian Fashion Week: Day 5

16th May, 2019

If ever there was a perfect time to do multiple outfit changes it’s Fashion Week. I had a day and night event today so I had to incorporate two different looks. For the show during the day I wanted to take things in a different direction with a little denim. One of the great things about denim these days is that you can wear it beyond casual situations when paired with the right finishing touches. A good pair of jeans is hard to find but after much searching I found this pair by Camilla and Marc. They’re just the right shape, wash and style to work across myriad situations and they’re easily able to be dressed up. I think you can’t go past a statement blazer when it comes to the perfect item to pair with denim. This double breasted houndstooth jacket adds an element of interest and a punchy touch to my look.

When it comes to denim I think you can always afford to go for interesting accessories, especially when it comes to your bag and shoes. In this instance these open toe Senso heels were ideal for this look, especially with the cropped jean style which is great for showcasing a great pair of shoes. I’m always on board with a top handle bag and I love the structured style of this particular bag by Sans Beast.

For the night event today which involves the Carla Zampatti closing show and the Huawei after party I wanted a look that was sleek with just the right amount of sexy as they’re after dark events. I decided on a look incorporating a sheer top by Dion Lee with a contrasting black bralette and a white Christopher Esber maxi skirt.

A skirt with a statement split always calls for a great pair of shoes and these Tony Bianco heels with transparent straps fit the bill, while also adding an on trend touch. My favourite black and gold Dior clutch seemed a fitting accoutrement to complement my ensemble, with the final finishing element a gold choker.

Photography by: Sophia Athas, Hatrik

Day outfit credits: Jacket, Hansen and Gretel; Jeans, Camilla and Marc; Shoes, Senso; Bag, San Beast; Sunglasses, Miu Miu

Night outfit credits: Top, Dion Lee; Skirt, Christopher Esber; Bag, Dior; Heels, Tony Bianco

Fashion

What I Wore: David Jones Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival

9th March, 2019

I flew down to Melbourne this week to attend the David Jones show at the Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival (VAMFF). I attend this event almost every year and it’s always fun to spend some time in Melbourne checking out the upcoming trends.

I wanted to keep my look sleek and sophisticated for the show so I couldn’t go past a monochrome colour palette. Dion Lee never fails to deliver when it comes to event attire, especially when it comes to needing a particular piece that’s got a little edge and elevated finishing touches. As such I couldn’t pass up this gorgeous white tank dress with sheer panelling from the range. The weather can be a little unpredictable in Melbourne so I opted to pair the dress with my trusty black Balmain blazer and minimalist Stuart Weitzman heels.

I knew the outfit would need a few interesting accents so the Chloe Nile bracelet bag was the perfect amalgamation of a clutch and jewellery. Whilst my new gold drop astrology earrings from The Slow Mode provided another element that was playful yet elegant.

Credits: Dress, Dion Lee; Jacket (Similar), Balmain; Bag, Chloe; Earrings, The Slow Mode; Shoes (Similar), Stuart Weitzman.

Photography: Lucas Dawson Photography

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