Lexus Archives - Kate Waterhouse

How to look good on Zoom

7th August, 2021

If you’ve suddenly found your days filled with multiple Zoom calls you’re not alone. Lockdown has meant we’re working from home or unable to catch up with all our friends so video calling is our lifeline. Whether it’s a work meeting, virtual drinks with the girls or home schooling, being on Zoom (or FaceTime or House Party or any number of video call platforms) has become a regular part of our routines. And while it may only be a tiny box on a screen, there are still some simple tweaks I’ve found to make how you appear on a video call a little more flattering. I’m sharing a few of my tried and tested tips here — try them during your next chat.

Have great lighting

This applies to photographs and it definitely applies to video calls: natural lighting is key. Give the fluorescent lighting a miss if you can as this can make you appear washed out. Instead find a spot with great natural light and let it face towards you, lighting your face.

Elevate your screen

You don’t want the image on screen to be streaming from an angle that is facing up as this can make for a rather unflattering viewpoint. It’s easily fixed by propping your computer up on a stack of books to elevate it which makes for a much more flattering angle.

Pop on a blazer

You can throw a blazer on over jeans and a tee and it automatically elevates your look. This is a great staple to have on hand for those times when you need to quickly look dressed up but don’t have much time up your sleeve. Accessories such as earrings and necklaces do the same — the chunkier the better as it can really lift an outfit.

Declutter your background

Declutter behind you or do your call in front of a wall. You don’t want people seeing all your personal belongings behind you, particularly if it’s a work call.

Add some colour with lipstick

If you don’t have time to for any of the above pop on some lipstick. A flush of colour instantly makes you look a little more glam and put together.

Credits: Suit, Manning Cartell; T-shirt, Cotton On, Pearl and chain link necklace and earrings, AJE; Custom vintage gold medallion necklace

This post was produced in collaboration with Lexus

Fashion

The key pieces that I’ve got on high rotation

18th May, 2020

The one thing that isolation life really taught me is that there are just key things that I can’t live without when it comes to my wardrobe. I found myself gravitating towards these pieces over and over again and they really were the cornerstone of many looks.

I also discovered that it really is very important for me to change my outfit according to a specific activity as it helped get me in the right frame of mind. While it’s ultra comfortable, staying in tracksuits/workout gear all day it made it really hard to differentiate between relaxation time and work time so I was doing multiple changes throughout the day—much like I would on a regular day where I’d change from from my activewear after a run, to my work clothes then back home to softer pieces to wind down. And in this process, I was really able to pinpoint the things that I need for a functional wardrobe on a day to day basis. Having collaboration with Lexus on a few stay at home/work from home style videos here’s what I honed in on as things I can’t live without right now…

Good activewear

I found that a good activewear set is really important to me, and I’m loving the sets by Camilla and Marc. They colours are ultra chic and not too out there and flashy which fits into my style. They were also easy to dress up, I actually threw on a white shirt over them on the odd occasion and they looked less exercise and more fashion-y.

A good line-up of jeans and tailored pants

I have on high rotation right now jeans and tailored but relaxed fit pants. I tend to go back and forth between the two of them most days now. They’re comfortable but also polished which is important to me.

Reliable basics

I’ve always been about great basics and currently I’m wearing white tees and singlets a lot. I tend to layer quite frequently in autumn and winter so it’s important to have those basics sorted, and for me, I’ve found Uniqlo and Cotton On do great, and affordable staples.

Comfy knits

There’s no better time than now to invest in great knits! I am building up a collection in a variety of colours as I’ve found them to be the easiest, most comfortable and also effortlessly stylish option on most days. I’m loving knits I’ve recently got from Bec and Bridge and Joslin Studio, they’re a great style and also come in beautiful shades.

Blazers

And last but not least, one of my forever staples—a great blazer. Having a blazer at the ready has honestly helped me get ready for a Zoom call in just a few seconds as it makes any look look that much more polished.

Credits: Wearing in video – pants, Manning Cartell; Top, Cotton On; Items off the rack – Activewear set, Camilla and Marc; Jeans, Levis 501; T-shirt, Uniqlo; Singlet, Cotton On; Blazers, Manning Cartell; Pink knit, Joslin Studio; Blue knit, Bec and Bridge; White jeans, Bec and Bridge

This post was produced in collaboration with Lexus

Fashion, What I Wore

What I Wore: 2019 Melbourne Cup

5th November, 2019

It’s without a doubt one of my fave events to dress for and this year’s Melbourne Cup I wanted to go for a look that was pretty and feminine. Enter this pastel pink Macgraw dress. I wanted to wear a local designer this year and this frock definitely fit the brief. What I loved about this dress was that the overall design is pared back but elevated by the finishing touches. The diamante flower buttons gave it a touch of playfulness whilst injecting a bit of bling. Meanwhile the blouson sleeve and A-line skirt offer up some on trend elements.

The vibe of the dress demanded interesting accessories. Headwear is so important on Cup day and this Sylvy Earl straw boater in a similar shade to the dress provided the ideal complementary piece. It was also great to be able to incorporate a little texture. The feathered bag was a lot of fun and worked well with the pretty vibe of my ensemble. Lace up heels provided a slightly little grittier element. The final finishing touch was the selection of beautiful Chaumet jewels I was wearing. The gorgeous rings really lifted my entire outfit whilst adding a luxe touch that was just made for Cup day.

Credits: Dress, Macgraw; Bag, Olga Berg; Shoes, Tony Bianco; Hat, Sylvy Earl, Jewellery, Chaumet.

Photography by Ashleigh Larden

Fashion, Fashion & Beauty, What I Wore

What I Wore: Country Cool

22nd October, 2019

Light, easy breezy dresses are a mainstay of my spring/summer wardrobe. And for good reason. They’re versatile, easy to wear and look effortlessly chic. The elegant colour palette of vibrant yellow in this Aje dress worked back against crisp white is perfect for spring and is an easy go-to. The sweet embroidery helps lift this look and gives it an accent feature that allows the dress to pop. The simple silhouette also makes the dress a style chameleon, making it easy to pair with everything from a blazer to a cardi to understated accessories or something that pops.

I could easily wear this dress with slides or sandals for a more casual look but I wanted to add shoes that would ground the look a little more. Ankle boots worn with a dress is always a great combination so I opted to pair the dress with Louis Vuitton ankle boots. It’s also a great shoe for such a setting as it gives the overall vibe of the dress a slightly more rustic feel. To finish off the look I went for a relaxed approach to accessorising and layered two of my favourite necklaces. An easy yet impactful look.

Photography by Sophia Athas, Hatrik

Shop the Look:

Dress: Mimsoa Broderie Day Dress, Aje

Shoes: Silhouette Ankle Boot, Louis Vuitton

Fashion, Shop, What I Wore

What I Wore: Field of Dreams

15th October, 2019

During a recent photoshoot at Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley the picturesque setting was the perfect time to showcase some of my favourite spring looks. Enter this gorgeous Aje dress. There’s nothing I love more than a crisp white look which has a relaxed yet polished vibe that’s perfect for this time of year. The beautiful wattle pattern on this dress adds a slightly rustic feel, which is perfectly offset by the modern cut-outs on the dress. I’m all about a statement sleeve these days and these blouson sleeves add a soft, feminine touch to my overall look.

Whenever I’m wearing something that’s quite pretty in its silhouette, I like to add accessories with a little more grit. Which is why I opted for these Louis Vuitton ankle boots. They help ground the look and cut through the softer elements of the dress. To let the frock take centre stage I decided on simple jewellery, adding a Dior necklace as my final finishing touch.

Photography by Sophia Athas, Hatrik

Shop the Look:

Dress: Mimosa Cutout Midi Dress, Aje

Shoes: Silhouette Ankle Boot, Louis Vuitton

Fashion

What I Wore: Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour launch

9th June, 2018

Every year since 2003 the Melbourne Cup Tour has visited more than 400 rural, regional and metropolitan areas to give people the chance to see the iconic 18-carat gold Lexus Melbourne Cup trophy in the flesh. This year, the Cup will tour 37 countries including New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Ireland and for the first time South Korea. As a Lexus ambassador I was thrilled to attend the launch in Melbourne, alongside champion jockey Michelle Payne and Flemington ambassador Georgia Connolly.

For such an important event I wanted to wear something classic but also with some bold touches. I think you can’t go wrong with monochrome so I decided on this DVF midi dress with a honeycomb print. I think it was understated and polished but the pattern helped give the look some depth. To tie the look together I wore simple black heels with a crossover strap and sheer tights (it’s freezing in Melbourne so these also helped keep me warm!).

I think accent pieces in a strong colour work really well against a black and white canvas. I couldn’t have asked for a more fitting piece of headwear than this hot pink felt hat by one of my fave milliners, Nerida Winter. The colour allowed my outfit to pop without being too overwhelming and when we were able to find a matching lipstick shade it was a dream pairing. By adding just the right amount of colour, I think the outfit was really taken up a notch and able to stand out.

Credits: Dress, DVF; Hat, Nerida Winter

Photography: Karon Photography

Handle with care! With the Lexus Melbourne Cup and Flemington ambassador Georgia Connolly

With jockey Michelle Payne

With Lexus Australia CEO, Scott Thompson

Fashion, What I Wore

What I Wore: Lexus Melbourne Cup announcement

15th February, 2018

I was thrilled to head down to Melbourne this week to a big event at Flemington Racecourse that saw Lexus announced as the new principal sponsor of the Melbourne Cup. Having been a Lexus ambassador for several years I was excited to be there alongside my parents to hear the announcement.

I kept my look classic and elegant for such an occasion and was immediately drawn to a white Alex Perry dress with a drop waist and full skirt. It was understated and polished and was in keeping with the tone of the day. I always love some statement making accessories so this veil with a gold and black scorpion added a dramatic flair and metallic Giambattista Valli heels, which had adorable little bows as a finishing touch. In keeping with the vibe of my outfit I went for vintage inspired curls as a way to tie the ensemble together. Dressing up for this event has me already excited for other racing events on my calendar this year, especially Melbourne Cup!

Credits: Dress, Alex Perry; Veil, Jill and Jack Millinery; Heels Giambattista Valli,

Photography: Danielle Castano

Date with Kate

Date with Kate: Elyse Taylor

26th November, 2017

Elyse and I catching up in the Lexus Design Pavilion at Melbourne Cup

Australian model Elyse Taylor was discovered at the age of 18 and went on to walk for Victoria’s Secret, Dolce & Gabbana and Tommy Hilfiger and has been on the cover of Vogue, Elle and Harper’s Bazaar. The 30-year old, born in Sydney and now based in the New York, is now the face of Nude by Nature. Here Taylor chats to me about motherhood and modelling and shares how she maintains her healthy glow.

What is a day in the life of you?
Depends where I am. If I’m at home it’s spent with my daughter, my dog, drop off and pick ups from school, gym, cooking and repeat. If I’m away for work, then gym and work and FaceTime my daughter and I’m usually at an airport.

What have you been working on at the moment?
I was lucky enough to have been invited back for Derby Day and Melbourne Cup with Lexus and I’ve actually been designing my own swimwear range with the Sydney-based brand, Bondi Born which is really exciting.

What is your favourite beauty fix?
Love a good hydrating facial especially the triad facial at Dr Colbert in New York.

What is the secret to glowing skin?
I really believe it’s your diet and staying hydrated. But as for putting products on my face, I always like to use natural products like the Nude by Nature highlighting sticks to give you that extra kick!

What is your favourite travel destination?
A beach. Any beach. I’m a water baby.

How do you stay fit?
I work out 5 times a week. I love it for my mind, my body and for work.

Do you like to cook? What is your specialty?
I do like to cook but recently I’ve become nervous about cooking for grown ups because I’ve been really only cooking for Lila (my daughter) for the past 3 years. I used to make an amazing seafood pasta. And I do whip up a pretty great breakfast.

How do you juggle motherhood and your modelling career?
Like every single mother, you just do it. You try and find balance where you can and if you can’t, you try not to beat yourself up about it and do your absolute best.

What is your favourite activity with Lila?
Cuddling! I’m not sure it’s hers but we also love to bake together.

What are you most proud of in your life so far?
My daughter, always.

What has been your career highlight?
Victoria’s Secret and my Vogue covers.

Living in New York, what do you miss about Sydney?
I miss the beaches and the outdoor lifestyle.

What’s up next for you?
For me, I’ll be shooting and launching the Bondi Born swimwear range and Nude by Nature is releasing their new amazing lip colors.

What’s the secret to a good photo?
I love photos where you are able to capture special moments! But if you’re trying to take a good photo of yourself, try taking 800 hopefully you will get one that you like.

What makes you smile the most?
My daughter.

What advice would you give to someone wanting to make it in the modelling industry?
To be strong and treat it as a business. It’s extremely competitive and a lot of hard work.

How is New York different to Australia for modelling work?
There is definitely more consistent work and a larger range in types of jobs in New York. But I really do love both places and enjoy my time in both. One is not necessarily better than the other, they are just different.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Life is tough but so are you.

What do you always carry in your handbag?
Paw paw everywhere and always.

Do you have rules for how you use social media?
I use it for work purposes only.

BITE SIZE

We went to: Lexus Design Pavilion

We ate: Baker Bleu bread, Gary’s Quality Meats, Holy Goat Cheese, Bruce Colllis scallops, Kinkawooka prawns, Australia’s Oyster Coast, Nossa Spanner Crabs and Strawberry mascarpone cake
We drank: Coldstream Hills Chardonnay, Yarra Valley

Photography: Regina Karon

Fashion, What I Wore

What I Wore: A touch of glamour

3rd October, 2017

There’s always something special about being given the opportunity to get really dolled up once in awhile. One such occasion was the Prix de Marie Claire Awards in Sydney. I loved being able to dial up the glamour in a lurex Alex Perry ballgown—a definite departure from what I’d be wearing on an average weekday evening! As I was presenting the Lexus Next Gen Award on the night I wanted a strong look and one that had a striking element to it which is what drew me to the Alex Perry gown— my favourite feature was the voluminous skirt which gave it a touch of drama and statement-making element. I love the ballerina inspired bodice and the delicate spaghetti straps which helped to balance the overall volume of the dress. Also when it comes to achieving a glam look for an evening event I think you can never go wrong with lurex—it’s the perfect fabric for an occasion that commands a lot of dazzle. As the dress was already so impactful I opted to keep the rest of my look quite simple with studded black Alaïa heels and a relaxed up do to maintain balance and to keep the look from being too over the top.

Credits: Dress (similar here), Alex Perry; Heels, Alaïa

Image: Marie Claire