Me and my car: Kathryn Wilson

Shoe Designer and BMW Ambassador Kathryn Wilson. Photo / Ted Baghurst.

Kathryn Wilson is our premier footwear designer and BMW brand ambassador

What do you drive?
I am driving the new 3 series Gran Turismo. We used the 3 Series BMWs as our wedding cars earlier this year and the bridal party were excited to be arriving in style. The GT's spacious boot carries 50-60 pairs of shoes in shoeboxes daily from our head office in Devonport to the Auckland stores. The best part is I get to look good while doing it and enjoy the drive over the bridge. There is generous leg room in the back and a higher seating position which is all going to come in handy with an addition to our family arriving in January next year. I'll be on the look-out for a stylish BMW car seat!

First car?
A red Californian VW beetle named Bugsy.

Dream car?
I'm excited about BMW's electric cars, the i3 is coming here later in the year and the i8 next year.

Favourite car colour?
You can't go past black, or white if the car suits it.

Who taught you to drive?
My sister's boyfriend taught me in my first car when I was 15. He made me bunny hop around supermarket car parks for months before I was allowed on the roads. He was determined for me to master a hill start in a manual car before I was allowed to go for any driving lessons.

Manual or automatic?
I love using the automatic eight-speed transmission in the BMW 3 Series with its steering wheel paddles that I can use to change gears. To be able to drive in the inner city and have the car do all the thinking for you is the best.

Most memorable road trip?
A summer camping holiday with girlfriends to Ohope Beach in the Bay of Plenty where we sang at the top of our voices and laughed all the way.

Do you enjoy driving or would you rather be a passenger?
I love driving. My husband has to fight me for the driver's seat.

How often do you clean your car?
I feel so happy getting into a valeted car. It's something I book in regularly and visit the local drive-through car wash weekly.

Do you wear flats or heels when you drive?
I always have a spare pair of shoes in the car in case I need to change for a meeting or to visit our warehouse. But I drive in all shoes.

What do you listen to?
I have Bluetooth installed in the car which picks up my iTunes playlist on my GS5 phone automatically when I get in the car. It's more often than not playing Beyonce.

Great day trip out of Auckland?
We love to head north to the Matakana markets on the weekend followed by pizzas at the Leigh Saw Mill. My parents live on a farm on Awhitu Peninsula which is also a favourite weekend spot.

Do you judge people by what they drive?
I think the car you drive says a lot about the person, just like the shoes you choose to wear.

What irritates you most about other drivers?
Not [staying] a safe following distance behind you.

Would you rather drive in Auckland or take public transport?
I often have four to five different meetings before I get to the office each day, so I would be lost without my car.

Who else is allowed to drive your car?
My assistant, Julia, will sometimes use my car for work. The valet parking guys at Britomart also love to drive it into the parking building most days ... My husband is under strict instructions not to scratch the alloys when parking!

NZ Fashion Week
Kathryn Wilson is showing at NZ Fashion Week, followed by a catwalk show at Ostro restaurant on September 19.

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