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Divia Harilela

Contributing writer for Style by SCMP, specialising in fashion, beauty and lifestyle


Style secrets of the hip  and fashionable

Designer

Wardrobe staple?

Well-cut trousers.  The best  ones are from Chloe and Tory Burch.

What do you always wear?

A cuff bracelet my husband gave me.  I also wear a simple ivory cuff designed by  Catherine Prevost.

Fashion no-nos?

Bad posture.  Clothes don't  fit properly if  you're slouched.

Handbag pick of the season?

Marni's  because of their classic proportions and bohemian details. Their bags are  comfortable and elegant.

Favourite shoe designer?

Manolo Blahnik.    My first pair  of truly beautiful, classic shoes were made by him and I've   been collecting them ever since.  Another great  brand is Gina.

Must-have accessory?

A clutch from the Kotur Vintage Brocade  collection.   They're made from  brocade fabrics from the 1960s and 70s and proceeds go  to Smile  of a Child,  a charity  that  funds facial  reconstruction for children in China and  other projects.

Most cherished fashion item?

Things from my first and limited-edition collection of fashion and photography books. Among  my favourites are Slim Aarons'   A Wonderful Time (he was the  first photographer to chronicle  the lifestyles of prominent  families in the US), Allure by Diana Vreeland,  and the recently published Carolina Herrera  by  my sister, Alexandra Kotur.

Who'd design your Oscar dress?

Alber Elbaz  for Lanvin. His  dresses make anyone look like  a Grecian goddess.

Style icon?

My mother.  She was a former dress designer for Dior and the British royal family. Like Coco Chanel,   she has elegant and singular vision.

Most expensive fashion item?

A Chanel suit I left behind in  an aeroplane closet. I borrowed it from a friend for a wedding.  The suit was never recovered, so I had to replace it  with a new outfit.

Your fashion style?

I tend to be classic, and gravitate towards tailored pieces in designers' collections - like Marni's jackets or Prada sweaters.

Boho or ladylike?

Ladylike would never fit into  my  lifestyle - it's hard to chase  my two boys in a Balenciaga  pencil skirt. Missoni  manages to combine both sensibilities: bohemian patterns, easy silhouettes and  urbane sophistication.

Flats or stilettos?

Heels.  But I also stand by Hogan  sneakers. They're great for running around Hong Kong.

High end or high street?

There's a place for both. I like to buy a few collectible designer pieces a season - usually from Marni, Chloe, Prada or Lanvin - and mix them with Petit Bateau   T-shirts and Gap.

Fashion disaster?

I was living in New York and was due to attend a formal event where Vera Wang  was dressing us. The dress arrived moments before I was due to leave, and when I  put it on, it was so long that even my highest heels were no help. I found  styrofoam blocks and taped them to  my heels. I was 6'3', and still the dress  touched the floor.

Favourite shopping destinations?

Paris. I like the boutiques in the Marais  and St Germain  areas.  My best shopping experiences  are at the Porte de Clignancourt flea market.



Fiona Kotur Marin