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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

Pilates instructor

Wardrobe staple?

Since comfort is essential, jeans,  because they're easy to wear. They can  also be paired casually or dressed up.

What do you always wear?

Jeans by Rock and Republic,  Blue Cult and James are current favourites. Paired with tank tops (Cosabella  makes great ones)  and tailored jackets by Costume National, Comme des Garcons or anything fitted. Worn with heels.

Fashion no-nos?

I don't believe there are any fashion no-nos since everyone has their own opinion  of what looks good for them. Fashion is merely an expression of mood  or taste, so there are no rules.

Handbag pick for this season?

Clutches are great for the summer. They can be used day and night and are easy to carry on vacations.  Lara Bohinc 107 and Bottega Veneta  are on my must-have wish list, the craftsmanship and quality are unparalleled.

Favourite shoe designers?

Anything by  Giuseppe Zanotti,  Pierre Hardy and  Manolo Blahnik from the early and mid-90s is beautiful. However, for comfort and durability Gucci is second to none. Hong Kong is also a great resource for custom-made shoes  - heaven for shoe fanatics.

Must-have accessory?

I love earrings. Unfortunately,  I like large earrings, which are difficult to find in Hong Kong.  Anthony Nak and  Dean Harris have amazing collections using the natural shapes of semi-precious stones. Hats are also essential for summer:  Eric Javits sources interesting materials to create flattering hat styles for  any face shape and  Eugenia  Kim always has some fun styles.  Oversized sunglasses are great  for summer and there are plenty around this season; on my must-have list is the Whitney  from the Tom Ford  sunglasses collection.

Most cherished fashion item?

A Herve Leger  dress from the late 80s. It still hangs in my cupboard.

Who would design your  Oscars dress?

My first choice would be Dolce  &  Gabbana. They make the  most wonderful dresses. They understand the art of fitting and tailoring. Another dream dress would be a design from  Gres.  A sculptor by profession, Madame Gres used fabrics  to sculpt the body, creating elegant and timeless gowns.

Style  idol?

My mother. She's always elegant and perfectly groomed regardless of the occasion.

Flats or stilettos?

Stilettos.

High-end or high street?

Both. I love to mix and match since fashion is a reflection of your mood.

Fashion disaster?

Too many to name, since today's trend is tomorrow's fashion disaster. Following a trend  rather than your personality  will inevitably  mean looking  back with a grimace and  cringe. But fashion is also about experimenting, so there are bound to be mistakes.

Favourite Asian designers?

There are so many outstanding Asian designers today.  Rei Kawakubo of Comme des Garcons is a great innovator. Although not a  designer by training, she conveys  her design concepts verbally to her pattern makers. She sculpts clothes, focusing on structure, creating innovative shapes. Her protege, Junya  Watanabe, is also a master of cutting.  Monique Lhuillier is wonderfully romantic as is  Vera Wang. But there is a new crop of talent in the form of  Philip Lim,  Peter Som,  Derek Lam,  Doo.Ri,  Thakoon Panichgul,  Mary Ping and  Richard Chai to name a few.

Favourite shopping destinations?

New York and Brooklyn have  boutiques stocked with eclectic unknown brands. LA for great casual wear, London for high street brands and accessories.  Hong Kong has some great  little boutiques in SoHo, and  Lane Crawford IFC is a dream destination for  fashion lovers.



Louisa Lee