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Date with Kate: Anna Quan

20th August, 2017

Australian designer Anna Quan (Anna Quan Hoang) first debuted her collection at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Australia in 2015. Since then she has been featured locally and internationally in Vogue, Harpers Bazaar and Elle magazine and has dressed international celebrities including Kendall Jenner and Karlie Kloss. This week Anna was awarded the Lexus Next Gen Award for Best Up and Coming Designer at the Prix De Marie Claire Awards. I caught up with her to chat about what it means to her to win this award, her first big break and her top styling secret.

What is a day in the life of you?

I usually get up at 8.30am, have a double shot of coffee, do some emails and get to work at 10am. I work in the studio until around 6pm and head home for dinner and get back in studio around 9pm and work a few more hours. Then head home (it’s only a five minute drive) and decompress for an hour or so and get to bed at 2-2.30am.

Congratulations on winning the Lexus Marie Claire Next Gen Award – Best and Up Coming Designer. What did it feel like to win?

Thank you. It was a mixture of utter surprise and delayed excitement. It completely stunned me and caught me by surprise. I had absolutely no idea. All the candidates were all so deserving.

What did it mean to win the award?

The endorsement and support from Marie Claire and Lexus is phenomenal. The prize is so well respected within the industry with past winners like Toni Maticevski, Dion Lee, Kym Ellery – it just puts you personally on a real high but also career wise it can open a lot of doors that might have otherwise remained closed. It gives me that extra fire in my belly to keep going when things get tough.

Did you know that you would enter the fashion world when you were growing up?

No I didn’t know that – not exactly. There was always this feeling of longing to be a part of fashion but it felt out of my reach when I was growing up. I wasn’t a cool kid. I lived in Mount Colah. There was a lot of emphasis put on pursuing a more traditional career path like medicine.

How did you get into the industry?

I graduated from law school and enrolled straight into a fashion design course at Fashion Design Studio (formerly East Sydney Tafe). It was my carpe diem moment and very much a case of now or never! The rest is history.

What was your first big break?

Dressing Kendall Jenner after my first group show at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Australia. Her styling team picked my looks from a YouTube clip they found online of the runway show. It was incredibly random and fortunate.

How did you get your name out there as an emerging designer?

The most successful thing for me has been creating a signature product and getting it out there. I approached street style stars who I thought would really align with my aesthetic and it took off from there when they were snapped for Vogue or W magazine during Paris Fashion Week.

How would you describe the essence of your design philosophy?

My approach has been to make clothing and fashion relevant to the everyday and to elevate that. I always like to take something traditional and subvert and twist it a little. I take great pleasure in someone doing a double take and re-examining what they think they saw.

How did you develop your own personal style?

After high school I got more of a chance to explore my personal style at university and I did the cliché thing and moved into a share house in Newtown. I was an Arts student and everyone was a lot less conservative and more experimental with how they dressed at university. Living in Newtown helped as it was more edgy and I really enjoy people watching and take inspiration from that. People are not afraid to be different.

What is your number one styling secret?

Find yourself a good alterationist. Good fit is key and often underrated. It’s a little bit more effort but it makes a world of difference when the fit and proportion are adjusted specifically for your body.

What has been your favourite piece across all of your collections?

Pants. I love to wear a really wide leg palazzo style pant. They just make you look so much taller.

Where is the majority of your customer base from?

50 per cent is based in Australia and a good 50 per cent is based mainly in the USA east coast. It seems to attract a lot of New Yorkers.

What are your favourite styles at the moment?

I am loving big voluminous sleeves and long line trench coats. It’s a nice counterpoint between romanticism and utilitarianism. I’m always attracted to unlikely elements.

What big trends can we expect for spring and summer?

I think volume is going to continue to be a big trend for tops and dresses and bottoms.

What is your best ‘work perk’?

I have a mid-week day off on Wednesdays as I work through weekends. I try not to schedule anything in to allow myself time to do life related stuff, I sleep in if I need to. I do some light emailing and work as necessary but on Wednesdays I try to cut myself some slack.

What is the most challenging aspect of owning your own your own fashion label?

Learning when and how to say no. It’s really important to be true to your vision and sometimes it’s easy to get caught up and to be told by everyone to do something or be something you’re not. It’s taken me a while to master confidence and self-belief to say no to people and just do my own thing.

Your designs have caught the eye of many celebrities including Kendall Jenner, who wore your jumpsuit to Kim and Kanye’s lavish pre-wedding luncheon. Who were you most excited about when you found out they were wearing your designs?

Karlie Kloss. She did this shoot with Gilles Bensimon and the shirt she wore was actually a customer order. The editor at The Editorialist in New York had bought a shirt of mine seasons before it was a thing. She got her to wear it for a shoot. I had no idea this was going to happen and it was amazing.

Who else would you love to see in your designs?

Tilda Swinton and Caroline de Maigret. I am obsessed with those women. They are just so strong, feminine and chic all at once. I get this vibe that they don’t really give a toss what people think and just do their own thing.

What does success mean to you?

Being surrounded by the people I love, generating financial freedom from doing what I love and importantly – good health. It’s not necessarily being in every single store or the balance of my bank account.

Who inspires you?

Serious boss ladies. It’s not one person in particular, but there are a few women around me who run their own businesses, have kids and families and just get on with things and they are killing it. I am always in awe. It’s not to say they don’t get stressed or they don’t get frazzled, but they manage it with grace, guts and tenacity.

Who do you turn to for support?

My husband, he’s my partner in crime. He’s not in fashion and it’s great because it gives me perspective when dealing with obstacles and issues.

Where is your favourite travel destination?

Paris. I am lucky enough to go three times a year for work. Even when the traffic is hideous and I am cabbing into town from Charles de Gaulle airport. I can’t help but smile and enjoy the architecture, the quaint little cobbled laneways and watching people go about their daily lives. It’s totally corny to say this but it’s my spiritual home.

What do you like to do to relax?

Gardening and running. Gardening because I love to grow things. Running outdoors because it’s a great form of stress relief and after a while – you feel like you are flying. It really taught me to cope and deal with pain and discomfort – these things are transient and part of the process.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

I would really like to continue to do what I am doing but on a larger scale and selling to the right stores. Ideally – getting more help and growing my team and having more time to slow down and smell the roses.

BITE SIZE

WE WENT TO Prix De Marie Claire Awards, Entertainment Quarter.

WE ATE Baked blue eye cod with grilled baby leeks, oyster mushroms and chestnuts; followed by white chocolate hemisphere.

WE DRANK Champagne.

ANNA WORE Her own label.

Date with Kate, Lifestyle

Date with Kate: Neale Whitaker

13th November, 2016

The Block Judge, Neale Whitaker and I catch up at the Lexus Design Pavilion

Neale Whitaker is a judge on television’s The Block – which airs its season finale on November 13 – and editor of Vogue Living. Whitaker, 54, talks to me about the most frustrating part of being a Block judge, what makes him cringe, and his top tip to quickly rejuvenate any home.

Who do you think will win tonight’s finale?

Ah, that’s a tough one. The judges don’t have the best form in picking the winner! Auction day is unpredictable and there are so many variables – the auction order, the reserve prices and basically the depth of the potential buyers’ pockets. All of the apartments offer the luxury of space and an opportunity to live in a heritage building that’s been restored with integrity.

What has been your favourite room from this season and why?

Kim and Chris [Elliot] delivered the ultimate master bedroom with the proportions of a luxury hotel suite. I loved Julia [Treuel] and Sasha [Wright-Neville’s] kitchen, and Will and Karlie’s master bedroom with the wooden panelling was pretty special.

What have you learnt from being a judge?

From the contestants I’ve learned the importance of budget, careful planning and understanding your potential market. From my fellow judges, I’ve learned to see things through an interior designer’s eye – it’s far more detailed than a magazine editor’s eye.

What is the most frustrating element of being a judge on The Block?

When the contestants don’t take our advice and believe they’re being victimised. They’re not! We always try to be constructive and our advice is based on experience and knowledge. We want them to win, not lose.

Why do you think renovating shows have become so popular?

We’re a nation obsessed with real estate, so the renovation frenzy feels like a logical progression. Renovating is achievable – it’s something we can do to improve our lives and increase the value of our property. There’s definitely a competitive edge there, too, regardless of whether you’re on The Block!

After so many seasons, do room reveals still excite you?

Yes they do! I guess the day they don’t will be the day to hang up my judge’s hat. There is always that sense of the unexpected and of anticipation based on what was delivered the previous week and the advice we offered.

When there is backlash on social media against you, how do you deal with this?

You have to take it on the chin. That’s all you can do. Or maybe not look. What did Taylor Swift say? “Haters gonna hate.”

How would you describe your own interior style preferences?

It’s a terribly overused word, but eclectic. [My partner] David [Novak-Piper] and I like such a mix of styles and periods but we get a lot of pleasure out of making them all work together to create a home.

What trends make you cringe?

Trends generally make me cringe. That might sound like a strange thing for a magazine editor to say but I believe a home is a really personal thing. I would never buy – or encourage someone to buy – anything simply because it’s on trend.

What is your best advice for first-time renovators?

Plan, budget, plan, budget and then plan again. Just be really sure about what you want to achieve from the renovations. Is it for you or for resale? Be prepared for the renovations to take longer than anticipated and budget for 25 to 30 per cent more than you think you will need.

What are the most popular interior trends at the moment?

Don’t talk to me about trends [laughs]! But, realistically, we’re seeing a lot more colour at the moment and a real emphasis on anything hand-made and hand-crafted. I think we’re also seeing more confidence to mix things up. We’re starting to realise that it’s OK to be individual.

What is a quick fix to rejuvenate your home?

A new rug is always the best fix for me. When you walk into a room, what’s on the floor is the first thing you register. And think about changing your art and adding a wall mirror. It can double the size of a room. New bed linen is [also] an amazing pick-me-up.

What is a day in the life of you?

Juggling! My main priority is editing Vogue Living, so most days will find me in the office with the editorial team, but I somehow manage to squeeze in quite a few other activities like emceeing and public speaking. Most evenings will find me at industry events, and when we’re filming The Block, I’m in Melbourne every Sunday. Life’s busy.

What led you down this career path?

Life! I started in the fashion industry, moved into publishing, moved from the UK to Australia [in 1999] and then moved from food magazines to interior design magazines. That’s when I knew I’d found the place where I wanted to be. And then I stumbled into TV! I’ve been very lucky and I’m very grateful for the opportunities that have come my way.

You were an editor of Belle Magazine and now editor at Vogue Living. How has your role evolved?

A magazine editor’s role is always evolving. Learning to harness the power of digital and social media is challenging and exciting. That’s not something I really had to worry about in my previous role.

What has been your greatest career achievement so far?

I’m proud of many of the things I’ve achieved in my career. Perhaps I’m proudest of my longevity and managing to stay relevant. I hope I can keep doing that.

D’Marge named you as one of the most stylish men in Australia. What is your style secret?

I’m sorry to say I don’t really have one! I think my personal style is very understated, quite classic, and intuitive. At 54, I feel I know what suits me and I tend to stick with it.

What is your favourite room in your Surry Hills home?

The kitchen – it’s totally where we live our life! And it will be again in the new apartment we’re just about to move to in Alexandria.

Where is your favourite travel destination when you want to escape from Sydney?

That’s easy. The south coast of NSW. It’s where I recharge and where I feel the most relaxed. I call it my “happy place”.

What are your plans for the holiday season?

Our favourite thing is a road trip. We love to put our dogs in the car [weimaraners Otis and Ollie] and head off. This year we’re heading to country Victoria for Christmas, then back home via Melbourne and the NSW South Coast.

What is next for you?

Whatever comes next! I’m enjoying the opportunities that are coming my way but I would love to do more TV. It’s such a powerful way of communicating. Watch this space – that’s all I’m saying!

The Block season finale airs on Sunday, November 13, at 7pm on Channel 9.

BITE SIZE

WE WENT TO The Lexus Design Pavilion, Flemington.

WE ATE Raw striped trumpeter with salted turnip, mustard & horseradish

WE DRANK Matua Valley Lands & Legends Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, NZ

NEALE WORE MJ Bale jacket, shirt and white jeans; P. Johnson Tailors tie and RM Williams boots.

Fashion, Lifestyle, Social

My 2016 Melbourne Cup Diary

3rd November, 2016

Another year, another Melbourne Cup done!

This year, my day started early at our apartment in Melbourne. That is where we stay with my family so it was great to be able to spend Cup Day with them. With three kids and a baby present it was certainly busy but it was nice that my girls and my niece and nephew were all with us. I spent the morning getting ready with Mum and my sister-in-law Hoda and as always it was fun for us to all get our hair and makeup done together. My outfit was already sorted (it’s always something I like to lock in well in advance) so it was just a matter of putting the final finishing touches to it and I was ready to walk out the door.

We were lucky enough to be picked up by a Lexus car to take us to the Birdcage and when we got there headed straight for the Lexus Design Pavilion, which as per usual was on another level. It was definitely the place to be in the Birdcage and stood out as the most stylish and sophisticated marquee. The interiors were amazing and the architecture of the entire building was striking. Guests in the Pavilion included Jessica Gomes, Emma Freedman and Margaret Zhang so it was a great opportunity to catch up with a lot of people. We had an amazing lunch experience in there too which involved a three course tasting plate hosted by Ben Shewry, the head chef and owner of Attica restaurant in Melbourne. Needless to say, the food was delicious.

I was also on Lexus ambassador duties on the day so I had to juggle multiple media interviews including TV and radio spots which is always fun! However the most enjoyable part of the day is definitely being able to watch the race with my family, Mum especially. She had a runner in the race called Excess Knowledge so we watched the it with her in the owners’ stand. It’s always really nice being able to take in the race with her as I know all the hard work that goes into making it to the Melbourne Cup.

Cup Day is always a crazy busy day and it often passes by in a whirlwind of admiring all the beautiful outfits and headwear, toasting the day with champagne and race day duties for me but it’s something I look forward to every year. Counting down to 2017!

Getting dolled up with the help of my go-to makeup artist Blanka Dudas

Test driving my Gucci heels

Selfie for Instagram

Sophia hanging out in the apartment

Outfit details close up

All smiles with Mum and Hoda

Heading to the Birdcage with a little help from Lexus

Walking in with Luke

Catching up with Nadia Fairfax

Doing a radio interview

… and more interviews!

The media at the Lexus Design Pavilion

A peek at the interiors inside the Lexus Design Pavilion

So many beautiful finishes

Gorgeous blooms

Impressive set of wheels on display!

The outdoor area

We were truly spoilt in the food and drinks department

Guests at the bar

Cheers!

Jessica Gomes and Louise van de Vorst

Emma Freedman

Margaret Zhang

Enjoying the day with Luke

Photography: Adam Nalapraya and Karon Photography

Date with Kate

Date with Kate: Damian Walshe-Howling

13th June, 2016

Lunch with Damian Walshe-Howling at Nomad in Surry Hills.

Damian Walshe-Howling is an actor and director known for playing tattooed killer Benji Veniamin in the TV series, Underbelly, winning him an AFI Award in 2008, as well as hosting the shows Crash Investigation Unit and Customs. He has produced a short film, MESSiAH, which premieres on June 14 at the Sydney Film Festival after he was named one of four winners of its short film competition from more than 4000 entries. The film is the result of Walshe-Howling’s 2015 win at the Lexus Short Film Series, a competition run by Lexus international in partnership with The Weinstein Company. Walshe-Howling, 45, tells Kate Waterhouse about what inspires him, how he became a film director and the day he almost died on a set.
What does it mean for you to have your film show at the Sydney Film Festival?

It is an incredible honour to share MESSiAH at the Sydney Film Festival because it exposes my work to some big names. To have the Global Premiere of MESSiaH in my home country allows me to share this with family and friends, which is even more special.

What inspired you to produce MESSiAH the new short film?

I actually overcame my self-doubt and entered my film on the very last day on the competition. I decided to take a punt so I was left with 36 hours to turn a treatment around. I couldn’t turn down the opportunity presented by The Weinstein Company and Lexus. Unfortunately funding for short films is rare so I had to jump on board. Funnily enough the competition theme was anticipation so it fitted well with my last minute approach.

What does screenwriting for a short film involve?

The process begins with a lot of brainstorming initially by sitting down and deciding what angle to go with. Initially I write about themes that interest me and what I’m curious about. I have written 3 to 4 films so far and I need to be really curious about the subject. The greatest challenge is actually getting my bum in the seat to write but once I start I’m off. I began writing Messiah at the beginning of Nov and did not have a full script until end of January. The process really involves playing with it, rewriting again until you are happy with it.

How did you enter into filmmaking?

After 25 years of acting professionally it was quite a natural progression to move into the writing and editing space. My mother was also involved with stage theatre in Melbourne so I grew up in a creative household. Growing up surrounded by lots of story telling led me to being curious about the field.

What do you hope to achieve with your Film work?

I hope to achieve what is happening right now – I love what I do and feel very blessed to be doing this right now. I will continue to work with short films and see where this takes me.

Do you enjoy screen writing or acting more?

Both screen writing and acting have challenges that I enjoy. I gain enormous fulfillment from both to be honest. They both require a lot of time to craft a finished product, which I am proud of.

What was your favourite acting role?

This is hard for me to answer because there have been so many great roles across stage, film and TV. I would have to say that my Underbelly would be one of the favourites though. I also really enjoyed acting on stage in the Glengarry Glenn Ross theatre production. I played a captivating role as Ricky Roma.

Which series did you enjoy working on the most?

Ah, I cannot pick just one! Again, Underbelly because it was so well crafted and I think it engaged a lot of Australians. I also have really fond memories from working on the 2001 comedy He died with a falafel in his hand. The Reef was about a great white shark, which capsized near the Great Barrier Reef. I actually almost died by stepping on a stonefish while we were filming. We had to stop production for a day and the cast went waterskiing while I was in hospital.

What attracted you to the Underbelly role?

Well the offer was very enticing [Laughs]. The story was really strong so intuitively it was going to be a great series. An early reading of the script showed that the series would be powerful as humanity was at the heart of these characters.

What is the best thing about your job?

I do have a pretty great job. I am very blessed to do what I love. I know that is so cliché but it is that simple. It is important for me to enjoy what I am doing because I have to dedicate a lot of time. The industry allows me to unleash my creativity and you are always collaborating with fantastic people. Along the journey, I have met some wonderful mentors who have been collaborated with me to drive my vision

How did you get your first career break?

My first break relied on knocking on a lot of doors and being patient. I also picked up the phone to hassled people. It was a fine line between pushing my desires and not over doing it. I learnt a lot in terms of knowing when to try to push the door open and when to look elsewhere. The biggest learning curve for me was understanding the benefit of creating your own work. For many years I didn’t do that because I was too afraid. The opportunity to create my own short film is so amazing because it means that people believed in me.

If you didn’t go down the career path of acting, what alternative career path do you think you would have taken?

I could see myself doing something with photojournalism or psychology. I have actually studied photography. I worked on the framing of MESSiAH with my director of photography, Denson Baker. I have found a simpatico with him as our minds met visually.

What is your favourite film of all time?

I am quite the movie fanatic so this is not easy to answer to decide on one. My list of favourite films changes all the time. Star Wars would have to be on my list because I am quite a die-hard fan. Dead man walking with Sean Penn is another incredible film. I also have to mention Beasts of the Southern Wild, which is a highly inspiring mad film.

How would you describe yourself?

I am a little bit nutty for sure. Luckily I am also very chatty and I am naturally quite curious about the world.

What do you do outside of work?

I keep busy with lots of things. I enjoy socialising with family and friends. I have learnt to play the harmonica and can also play the drums and didgeridoo. When I find time I also go surfing at my favourite beaches. I also value my alone time – I go to the cinema alone all the time. I find it a lot easier to cry when it is just me.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years time?

Honestly I don’t think in terms of future projections and things like that. I went to this lecture where a Buddhist monk was presenting. A guy in the audience asked the Buddhist monk if he believed telling the future. The monk said ‘no’. The guy asked ‘why?’ again. The monk explained that he couldn’t even take care of this moment let alone 5 to 10 years. I tend to agree with this rationale.

What is the best advice someone has ever given you?

I was taught to remain curious by my parents and family. I try to apply this to my life and have a mentality to continue exploring.

Who do you look up to?

I suppose I look up to different people at different times. It changes with who is in front of me and what I’m doing at the time. I would say my parents are always at the top of the list though. They taught me everything I know and continue to inspire me everyday.

What is next in the pipeline?

It is very exciting that I will be working on the new series of Janet King. Also, there is another TV series, which I will be involved with however I am not allowed to say any more about that one. Travel is also on the cards. I want to get inspired so I probably will dedicate about 4 to 6 weeks in time traveling to experience some new wonders.

BITE SIZE

WE WENT TO Nomad restaurant, Surry Hills

WE ATE Split pea hummus with spiced chickpeas and flatbread; Nomad charcuterie with pickles; jersey milk haloumi with tomato and oregano

WE DRANK Still water; Sunday Road pale ale

DAMIAN WORE Nudie jeans and T-shirt.

I WORE a Goodnight Macaroon dress.

Fashion, What I Wore

What I Wore: MBFWA Day Three

17th May, 2016

From Bec & Bridge to Christopher Esber it was another day of back to back shows and with the sun shining and the weather unseasonably warm I wanted to wear something that was comfortable, airy and slight flowy to accommodate the bump. I went with a Christopher Esber top and Christopher Esber skirt which ticked all the boxes. The rest of the look was quite muted with my black Alaia heels and black Ellery sunglasses so I wanted to add a pop of colour with my Chanel clutch. Another busy day indeed!

Check out what I got up to today plus the rest of Fashion Week by checking out my YouTube channel.

Credits: Skirt, Christopher Esber; Top, Christopher Esber; Heels, Alaia; Clutch, Chanel; Sunglasses, Ellery

Photography: Sophia Athas

Fashion, What I Wore

What I Wore: MBFWA Day Two

17th May, 2016

MBFWA is on a roll and Day 2 proved impressive both on and off the runway. From pastel silks at Ginger & Smart, to bold silhouettes via Rebecca Vallance, there was a feminine edge to each show. In the wardrobe department, I chose to keep it neutral today, with a beautiful crepe SportMax shift dress with button details, another perfect silhouette for the baby bump. For the morning shows I added a beige trench by Christopher Esber. In true Esber style, the coat boasts stunning cut out details and a cape-like collar.

For more street style and runway action check out my snapchat: kate_waterhouse and to stay updated subscribe to my Youtube Channel.

Credits: Sportmax dress, Christopher Esber jacket, Gianvito Rossi heels, Fendi clutch and Dita sunglasses.

Photography: Sophia Athas

Fashion, What I Wore

WHAT I WORE: MBFWA DAY ONE

15th May, 2016

MBFWA kicked off with a bang! Toni Maticevski officially opened the week with a stunning runway show at The Cutaway at Barangaroo Reserve in Sydney. I opted for colour and pleats for Day One with this Stella McCartney skirt and top ensemble. It’s perfect for a growing baby bump as it is so comfortable and easy to wear. I look forward to having fun ‘styling the bump’ for the rest of the week.

For more street style and runway action check out my snapchat: kate_waterhouse and to stay updated subscribe to my Youtube Channel.

Credits: Stella McCartney top, Stella McCartney skirt (both from Belinda). Alaia heels, Dita sunglasses, Proenza Schouler clutch and Eddie Borgo chocker.

Photography: Sophia Athas

Date with Kate

Date with Kate: Emma Freedman

8th November, 2015

Breakfast with Emma Freedman. Photo: Janie Barrett

Emma Freedman is an Australian television personality and radio presenter. She is also the daughter of five-time Melbourne Cup-winning horse trainer Lee Freedman. Emma, 26, talks to me about winning Dancing with the Stars this year, her new radio venture and, as an ambassador for David Jones, her love of fashion on the field during racing season.

What’s a day in the life of you?

At the moment, a day in the life would be getting up pretty early to exercise. So, yoga, run, Pilates, something like that, wanting to try and keep my dancer’s figure. And at the moment I’m going through the second edit of my young-adults novel called Turning Pointes. It’s about a ballet school and for nine- to 13-year-old girls.

What was it like to win Dancing with the Stars?

It was a big win and we weren’t expecting it. I had worked really hard. But I think the biggest thing that I got out of it was the incredible friends you make on the show, because you’re all going through this really weird ride together and having to kind of muster up the courage to get out there and … perform a dance you’ve learnt three days before.

You say you had to muster the courage … were you able to let go?

Totally. Everyone is used to seeing you in gumboots in the morning weather and there you are [dancing] … and it’s like, “Here’s my body, Australia” [laughs].

Are you enjoying your new radio role as host of The Scoopla Show and national drive news presenter on 2DayFM?

Radio is awesome because I can go in dressed mostly in whatever I want. It’s delivering news or entertainment news and you’ve got to make it a bit engaging. People want to be able to listen to you and have an image in their mind as to what you’re talking about. So I like that creative element.

Everyone was shocked when you left Channel 9.

Yes, everyone was very shocked, including myself! When everyone asks me still what happened, I can only kind of tell them what I know, which is that it was budget cuts and possibly a different direction for the couple of shows that I was working on.

Do you miss live TV?

I do, but I don’t at the same time. I get my live fix each night with radio because it’s an adrenalin rush.

You and your family are heavily involved with racing. What were your commitments during the Spring Carnival?

My big two projects were with David Jones on Caulfield Cup Day and then Lexus Design Pavilion on Derby and Cup.

Do you prefer the fashion or the racing side when it comes to races?

Oh, that’s like the hardest question in the world. It’s like choosing between children. I do love the racing side, to be honest. I love that kind of old-world feel, that kind of tradition that racing has around it as a sport – and particularly this time of year, I think. I’m so full of admiration for all the trainers and jockeys and owners and everyone who works at the stables across the country … I do love the fashion side of it as well though, obviously, and I think that’s only natural for a young woman to have a kind of fondness for that part of racing. But it would be by the shortest of like half-noses; racing as a sport would win over fashion.

You have done many interesting stories in your journalistic career. What’s the most memorable moment for you?

One of my most amazing was hosting a show last year with Usain Bolt. And then, one of the stories that I’m most proud of that I put to air was a profile piece on Tommy Berry, who I absolutely adore. If he has a winner on a big day, I still text him and he always replies back. He’s such a sweetheart. And then, in the last kind of eight or nine months, I guess, I’m just really proud that I was able to get back on the horse quickly with Jules [Lund, her co-host on The Scoopla Show]. I don’t often say I’m proud of myself because I’m so self-critical and I’m quite a big perfectionist. But I, honestly, can look back on that process and say, “I gave it everything”.

If you could have any job in media, what would be your dream role?

Honestly, I kind of think about things differently nowadays; I don’t think of like a one role that I would love. But I think of areas that I’d love to work in more. For me, whether it’s radio or television, like the live format is just, I want to keep doing it. Racing and sport, they’re both areas that I love and then I’ve developed knowledge and a keen interest in.

Who do you look up to and admire?

I think Edwina Bartholomew – her work, right at the moment, is through the roof. I’ve seen it first-hand and I think she’s just an amazing woman to do what she does. Bruce McAvaney – obviously he’s just the Dwayne of sport – I love how he stuck to his guns over the years. What he does works for him. He has become this figure of like eternal knowledge. He works so hard at it. In radio, I do look up to Jules. He’ll love me saying that. But he’ll also be embarrassed by that at the same time. Jules is like a hard worker. But he is a really kind soul.

What do you do in your spare time?

I’m so boring – I don’t have any weird hobbies. But, mostly, I exercise. I eat great food and cook great food – not always great in terms of quality, but in terms of nutritional value. I have a good glass of red, watch the footy, hang out with friends.

WE WENT TO The Boathouse, Balmoral Beach.

WE ATE Market fruit plate with yoghurt and honey; avocado and tomato on charred toast with goat’s curd and fresh basil; buttermilk scones.

WE DRANK Mixed fruit juices.

EMMA WORE A Camilla and Marc dress and Scanlan Theodore boots.

I WORE a Zara shirt and Skin and Threads jeans.

Date with Kate

Date with Kate: Dan Hong

18th October, 2015

Yum Cha with Lexus ambassador Dan Hong. Photo: Wolter Peeters.

Top chef Dan Hong’s big break came with winning the Josephine Pignolet Award for best young chef in 2008. He went on to join Merivale and is now the executive chef across four of its establishments – Mr. Wong, Ms G’s, Papi Chulo and El Loco. The 32-year-old talked to me about how his mother got him his first big gig, the dish he is most proud of, and the lengths he will go to for his ultimate pair of sneakers.

Did you always want to be a chef?

Not really. I didn’t really do well in high school. So when I finished, my mum said, “What are you going to do?” I was like, “Oh, I don’t know.” She said, “Why don’t you become a chef?” I went, “Oh, OK.” So she actually got my first job. This was 14 years ago, back at Longrain, and my passion sort of just developed from there.

Why did your mother suggest you become a chef?

I don’t know. I always grew up around restaurants. My mother owned three Vietnamese restaurants, back in the early ’90s. I cooked at home a lot because my mum wasn’t at home. She was always at the restaurant. So she just thought, “You’re good at cooking at home for the family, so why don’t you just give it a go?”

You are now one of the biggest names in the business. How did it evolve for you?

It all just fell into place. I’m really fortunate to have someone like Justin Hemmes, who has all these visions. I just execute the food. With something like Mr. Wong, he was just like, “I’m closing down Tank. I’m opening a Chinese restaurant and I want you.” I’m like, “Well, I don’t know anything about Chinese food.” He knew that I could do something like this without me even realising myself.

How did your association with Justin and Merivale come about?

Back in 2007, when I won the Josephine Pignolet Award for Best Young Chef, as part of the project, you get to travel overseas. So I worked in New York for two months and I got back and literally, the second day, I got back, I got a call from Frank Roberts, who is the general manager of food and beverage at Merivale, going, “Look, I’ve got this spot open.” He was with Lotus at that time. He went, “Look, I want you to come, do a tasting for Justin and then we’ll see how we go.” And then, luckily, I got the job at Lotus back in 2008. That was my first head chef job at 23. From there, it was Ms. G’s and El Loco and Mr. Wong.

You say you didn’t know anything about Chinese food, how did you transition and become one of the top chefs in Chinese cuisine?

I always loved eating Chinese food. So that’s what our chefs did at the end of our shifts late night: we’d always go to Chinatown like Golden Century and eat Chinese food. When we were opening Mr. Wong, we went to Hong Kong. We went from the smallest wonton noodle shop to the three Michelin-starred Cantonese restaurants in the hotels. We went and ate at all the places, just to make ourselves just engulf ourselves in Chinese food. We read lots of books. I watched YouTube videos of people cooking Chinese food and I just combined everything. It was all trial and error. We had six months to work on the menu and that’s what we did.

Mr. Wong is a Two Hat restaurant, you must be so proud.

I am. I didn’t intend to get two hats. I just wanted a hat – [one] would be fine. It was so overwhelming. Now we’ve got to maintain the two hats now. So every September, when that time of the year comes when the Good Food Guide Awards come out, I’m stressing out!

How do you maintain the standard?

It’s all about being consistent and maintaining that high standard, no matter whether we do 1000 covers a day or 400 covers today. That’s our main priority.

What’s next in the pipeline?

It’s so busy here at Mr. Wong and Ms. G’s. I’m just constantly here, just trying to work on new dishes. Also I’m getting ready for the Melbourne Cup carnival – I am doing the downstairs food at the Lexus Design Pavilion in the Birdcage at Flemington. I’ve been working on the menu; people should expect really fun, delicious food. I’ve never been to the Melbourne Cup so it should be a lot of fun. Also I’m possibly doing something on TV later on. I can’t really say.

What is your favourite cuisine?

It’s a three-way tie between Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese. I can’t choose.

If you could work in any cuisine, what would it be?

I’d like to get into more Japanese cuisines. I think that’s still a little niche in the market there. I think you could take it to the next level with Japanese cuisine too.

What dish of yours are you most proud of?

At Ms. G’s, I’ve got this dish called Stoner’s Delight. It’s up to its third rendition now. People just love it. It’s the most unbalanced junk-food-style dish dessert ever. It’s got donut ice-cream, peanut butter, deep-fried nutella, mars bar brownie, peanut and pretzel brittle, potato chips, candied bacon. Every single table orders it. It’s the most Instagrammed dessert on Ms. G’s Geotag. It’s just crazy.

What’s your favourite restaurant in the world?

I would have to say it’s probably Flower Drum in Melbourne. I just love it.

Do you cook at home?

Not really. Because I work so much … I might just get a really nice steak from Victor Churchill and just cook it over charcoal and serve with salad on the side. My wife does the cooking at home. She is a great cook.

Will your children follow in your footsteps?

No, they better not. The industry is tough, especially being a chef.

What’s the toughest part of the industry?

It’s just the hours are really tough, the fact that you’re working while everyone is going out. Most of the time I leave when my children are asleep, and they’re asleep when I get home at night.

How do you create that work-life balance?

Well, first of all, your partner has to understand, in the first place, that you’re in the industry. Other than that, I try and spend the mornings with my kids when I can. I take my daughter to day-care three days a week. So I spend a bit of time with her there. I’ve still got two days off. I’ve got Sunday and Monday off. So that’s my family day.

You have a love of sneakers. How many pairs of sneakers do you own?

I’ve got about 140. They’re all in boxes in this custom wardrobe in my house.

Where did your love of sneakers come about?

I don’t know. I just really love rocking the latest kicks or the rarest shoes. That’s sort of just my vice, besides cooking.

Do you have a favourite pair?

I do. I’m a Nike Flyknit freak. I love anything Flyknit. I’ve got a pair of these rare Nike Flyknits. There are 50 pairs in the world.

How did you get them?

Well, they’re only released in Milan at the Nike lab there. I got them through just checking Instagram, looking at sneaker groups in Facebooks and forums, just to see who had a pair, not necessarily for sale. I just saw people wearing them and I just went, “Are they for sale? I’ll buy them.” I’m not going to say how much I spent because it was a lot for a pair of sneakers. That’s what you have to do for something that’s only 50 pairs in the world.

What’s something that people wouldn’t know about you?

I’m really into really crappy reality TV shows. At the moment WAGs is probably my favourite.

BITE SIZE
WE WENT TO Mr. Wong, Sydney CBD.

WE ATE Lexus Design Pavilion menu of Jade seafood and ku chive dumplings, chive and roast-duck dumplings, wild mushroom dumplings, and scallop and lobster dumplings.

WE DRANK Chinese tea and sparkling mineral water.

I WORE Dion Lee

Date with Kate, Fashion & Beauty

Date with Kate: Rachael Finch

10th May, 2015

Dinner with Rachael Finch at the Lexus Prix de Marie Claire Awards. Photo: Cybele Malinowski

Rachael Finch is a TV presenter, Myer ambassador, health coach and mother to 19-month-old Violet. I caught up with the former Miss Universe Australia at the Prix de Marie Claire Awards, presented by Lexus to chat about Finch’s busy work schedule, her former dreams of representing Australia at the Olympics, and how she will celebrate her second Mother’s Day today.

What are your plans for Mother’s Day?

Relaxing! I treasure days I can spend from start to finish with Violet and my husband, Michael, so when they come up we keep it pretty casual. A day in the park with lunch at our favourite cafe sounds good.

What do you enjoy the most about motherhood?

I love watching Violet explore the world around her and develop her own personality. Every day I am amazed at what she can do, even at such a young age. I can’t wait to continue growing with her and share in some beautiful moments. There is a beautiful wholesome feeling that has come with having Violet. I can’t wait to have more!

What advice did your mother give you that you will pass down to Violet?

Mum always taught me the importance of self-respect on a physical and emotional level. She always took the time to explain why it’s important to take care of yourself and to not feel guilty doing nice things for yourself. Mum also worked incredibly hard from a young age and I saw how much strength and determination she had as a mother.

Is your Michael a hands-on father?

He is like a second mother. I am very blessed. Because both our schedules are a mixed bag, we spend equal time with Violet so he is truly amazing at being a father. He is patient, warm and is completely in love.

What is a day in the life of Rachael Finch?

Every day is completely different. My week is mixed with photo shoots, media calls, presenting work, blogging, meetings, fitness, cooking, travel and being mum to my angel Violet. I love the variety in my schedule, it keeps me challenged, and I’m a bit of a freak when it comes to time.

Biggest personal and career highlight?

There have been lots of moments so far where I have found myself stopping to soak up the experience. Representing Australia in the Miss Universe Competition in the Bahamas will always be a beautiful memory, and competing on Dancing with the Stars is incredibly special because I met my husband on the show. Personally, marrying the man I continue to fall in love with ever day, and having our first child, have been magical moments.

You must have interviewed some pretty amazing people with your role on Channel 7. Is there anyone who stands out in your mind and why?

Interviewing Robin Williams when he came to Sydney to promote Happy Feet was a surreal moment. I remember going into the interview prepared with a whole page of questions for a seven-minute interview, and not having to ask one of them. He had such an incredible, unique energy about him that I have not seen elsewhere. I laughed the whole interview and will remember that for the rest of my life.

Have you ever been star-struck by anyone?

I have met Jessica Mauboy a few times through my television and radio work and think she is simply amazing inside and out. When I hear her sing in real life, my body is covered in goosebumps. I think she is one of the biggest stars to come from our country.

You are always in such great shape. What is your fitness regime?

Very sweet, thank you. Health and wellness is a lifestyle for me, not something I turn on and off. I love getting out of bed feeling amazing every day and having oodles of energy for Violet. I want to live to 120, but I want quality from those years. I try to be physically active every day, whether that means taking Violet for a power walk in the pram or taking a yoga class. I don’t like using the word ‘exercise’ and try to listen to my body on a neutral level every day to give it what it feels like. In saying that, I do like the idea of challenging by body to strive to become better.

You are also a certified health coach. What inspired you to do that and do you have plans to get more into that side of things?

Studying to become a health coach was an extension of my love of health and wellness. I wanted to expand my knowledge of food, nutrition and healthy living and the course did that. It has helped strengthen my values and opinions within the brands I currently work with and it’s exciting to think about future prospects in the health space.

You represented Australia at the Miss Universe competition in 2009. Was that a good experience and what did it teach you?

The Miss Universe competition was unreal. The competition ran for three weeks and every day I had lunch with a girl from a new country. It was incredible getting to know the women and hearing stories from their countries. It was my first real introduction to the world of media and entertainment and certainly taught me a lot about myself. Despite the stigma attached with beauty pageants, there was nothing more important than being 100 per cent yourself in every aspect of the competition.

If you hadn’t gone down the path of a career in media, what would you have done?

I would have loved to represent Australia at the Olympics. I competed in athletics for nine years and my dream was to make a career as an athlete. My favourite events were long-distance running and long jump. I’m incredibly grateful now that I can still combine my love of fitness with my career with the brands I work with.

What do you do for fun during your time off?

We love our food so our first stop on a day off is to eat somewhere yummy. Misha took me to Toko in Surry Hills on our first date and we love going there once in a while for sushi and a glass of red.

From your Instagram photos, you seem to be quite the chef. What is your signature dish?

I’m in the kitchen most days cooking something new or recreating something I know the family will like. Misha likes when I cook a rack of lamb with roasted sweet-potato fries and a side of steamed greens. It’s simple but I think that’s the key when it comes to cooking. We try to eat foods as wholesome as possible but enjoy little treats on the weekend. Saturday night we might have a bowl of ice-cream or go out for a pizza. I also like making healthy snacks like protein balls, granola and slices to last throughout the working week.

BITE SIZE
WE WENT TO the Prix De Marie Claire Awards, presented by Lexus, at Moore Park.

WE ATE Flinders Island lamb rack with wild thyme, baby carrots, parsnips and pearl onions; followed by Valrhona chocolate mousse with milk jam, raspberries and lemon balm.

WE DRANK Two Italian Boys Pinot Grigio and sparkling water.

RACHAEL WORE an Alex Perry gown.

I WORE Christopher Esber dress.

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