Actress Danielle Cormack doesn't follow trends

Danielle Cormack. Photo / Babiche Martens

Actress Danielle Cormack shares her style secrets.

Margaret Thatcher is back in vogue with the release of The Iron Lady and countless fashion editorials dedicated to the former prime minister's style. Locally, a production of Caryl Churchill's famous play Top Girls, opening in Auckland tomorrow night, will examine attitudes to feminism and gender discrimination during the Thatcher decade. Danielle Cormack stars in the production as power-dressing career girl Marlene, alongside a strong female cast directed by Shane Bosher. The actress, who recently featured in Underbelly: Razor, has a refreshingly broad approach to style, whether she is wearing leather from Danish brand Day Birger et Mikkelsen, a kaftan or embroidered neckpiece from Vietnam.

My heroes and heroines ... Patti Smith, impossibly cool rock goddess and poet; Deborah Leaver - all round brilliant woman, humanitarian and director of ChildFund Vietnam; Martin Luther King for leading a non-violent civil rights movement; Aung San Suu Kyi, political heroine; and all the countless unsung heroes who activate their rights, or help others, to influence and change the scope of our world.

I'm at my happiest when I'm living in the moment. Thinking too much about the past and future is never as satisfying as being in the present.

Luxury is ... having good food, a roof over my head, a warm bed and a healthy family. Not to be scoffed at.

My approach to beauty is to smile.There is nothing more beautiful than a good smile. And if it doesn't warm another's day, then it will certainly intrigue.

I don't follow trends while they are trending. My rule of thumb is to either get in before something is fashionable or way after it has had its moment. My wardrobe is a very colourful array of styles. I don't buy a lot of clothes anymore, I have most things I need.

The designer that I respect right now ... is the label Day Birger et Mikkelsen. Their leatherwear is most definitely something to respect.

My most recent fashion purchase ... was a vintage embroidered neckpiece from northern Vietnam.

My favourite item of clothing ... In winter, my black sheepskin boots that lace up the front. In summer, my array of gorgeous kaftans are ready to wear for any occasion.

I don't shop online, yet. I like the tactile experience of shopping, to see dimensionally what it is I'm purchasing. However, I've just been turned on to supermarket shopping online and that is going to make life a little easier.

The most treasured item in my wardrobe ... a rose gold armband that my grandmother left me.

The most memorable costume I've ever worn ... was a full-body ruched gold catsuit, for the ATC production of Caligula. I had to pour myself into it every night and hoped like hell that the seams would stay together.

If I wasn't acting ... I would be painting my house, it really needs a lick of paint.

A few of my favourite places ... I've just spent time at a bach at Mahia on the East Coast. The free-diving for kina and paua was unforgettable. Also loving the coffee at Eighthirty on K Rd.

I collect ... vintage wedding gowns. Always titillated as to what the story behind each dress might be and I love the texture of old satin.

* Top Girls, Q Theatre, Queen St, City. February 23-March 17. Tickets $25-$59 from qtheatre.co.nz or ph (09) 309 9771.