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Jasmine Webster likes well-tailored, monochromatic pieces. Photos: Carmen Chan

Out of My Closet: Jasmine Webster

Vickie Chan
"As a child I was obsessed with Barbie colouring-in books - drawing within the lines. Being detail-orientated and fashion obsessed has always been a thing of mine," says blogger Jasmine Webster.

Looking at her now, you wouldn't guess Barbie had a role in forming the 29-year-old New Zealander's love of fashion.

Webster describes herself as a classic dresser. "I like black and white clothes, especially if they'll take me through more than one season. I prefer clean lines and well-tailored shapes," she says, explaining that this also happens to be what suits her best. "I'm not a very out-there person. I aim to be well dressed - but not fashion forward, that's not me."

Moving to Hong Kong was almost an accident for Webster, the result of a layover while moving from New Zealand to Britain to explore a career in fashion styling. "After three days here I decided to stay - there's entrepreneurial attitude, and the city's focus on fashion showed me an immense amount of scope that I wanted to be a part of."

Five years on, Webster has moved from styling to blogging as the face of Dress Me blog (dressmeblog.me) and the founder of the HK Fashion Bloggers Facebook community.

She explains how that has developed her role in the fashion world. "Blogging has changed the way I interact with fashion. I am closer to it - I get the clothes, the launch invites, interviews and my relationship with my audience.

I still adore the visual elements of fashion like how different bodies wear various shapes and lines or how colour can play a huge role in persona. Fashion is a powerful way of expressing yourself. I love the intricacies that go into doing just that."

American model and actress Olivia Palermo is one of her favourite celebrities. "She makes sleek, casual fashion choices. I have a pair of Ray-Bans that I think are her style."

Not a slave to seasonal trends, Webster enjoys taking advantage of shopping in places such as Horizon Plaza in Ap Lei Chau and the Tung Chung Citigate outlet mall. "The Lane Crawford and Joyce outlets are fantastic," she says. "I also like Tai Ping Shan for the boutiques. I often go to [menswear shop] Sartorialoft for inspiration."

Webster also enjoys online shopping. "There are two web boutiques I like. Every time I go on christingc.com I want to buy a million things - I bought these trousers and jacket from her site. The style is more like Australian street fashion, which isn't easy to find here."
The other is the Hong Kong-based maisondej.com - the site where she bought the shoes she wore for our shoot - which stocks more European brands. "I like being able to browse in bed in the evenings, but I also love to support local companies," she says.

As a former stylist, Webster has a simple tip for looking good. "Always iron. It's never OK to step out of the house with a creased shirt or dress. Being chic is about having an eye for detail - and that means keeping your garments as polished as possible. A quick steam or press will make a huge difference."

 

 

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: Black, white and read all over
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