Boh Runga. Photo / Supplied.
At the New Zealand Music Awards last week, Boh Runga had her choice of "a few wonderful dresses from our great designers", but she was feeling casual, so pulled together her own distinctive look.
"It's black jeans, some beige Steve Madden patent sandals (with some happy pink nail polish on the toes) a vintage bib waistcoat over a singlet, topped off with a crazy-shouldered Karen Walker trench coat."
"I think the look is 'a naughty spy on holiday'," she joked to Viva.
Whatever the theme, it was singular and stunning - like Runga herself, an original mix. The singer is used to standing out from the crowd and makes bold fashion choices, with the confidence to pull them off. She usually plans awards night outfits, but relies on innate style at other times.
"Usually if I am just going out with the girls I throw on mascara, a moody mouth and heels with whatever and I'm good to go."
The creativity she shows in her appearance is also evident in her various, and varied, collaborations. This month alone she's on tour, is launching another line of jewellery with New Zealand Mint, and lending her name to a limited edition beauty project with Shiseido, for its New Zealand-exclusive Moisture Mist cosmetics line.
While back from her song-writing base in Los Angeles for a few weeks, she is also recording a version of the Chris Knox classic, Not Given Lightly and catching up with family, and then there's a fashion project in the pipeline.
Runga was a finalist at the Tuis in the Best Female Solo Artist category, for her Right Here album which charted on release mid-year. She is now focusing on this month's national Acoustic Church Tour with Greg Johnson. He's also LA-based and is an old friend and musical collaborator.
"I used to play guitar for him in his band. We are performing together, playing each other's songs, and generally will be giving each other a hard time. Good fun."
The venues are acoustically ideal and Runga says: "I'm half-tempted to try something a cappella".
Runga is getting used to the thrill of seeing people wear her jewellery, with the Birdland, Messenger Stories and Feather Kisses ranges all yielding favourite pieces from chubby little lovebirds necklaces, to a giant fantail tail-feather pendant, to delicately interlinked Miromiro feather earrings.
Now there's The Lotus and The Snowbird, a four-piece collection in silver on sale this week, timed to match the limited edition release of the Moisture Mist Boh Beauty Cake, a face base housed in a Tiffany blue compact decorated with her Lotus design.
Wearing a feather headpiece, Runga read the fairytale she wrote about a pond-bound Lotus, lifted high on a voyage of discovery by a Snowbird, at an exclusive launch event at the Northern Club.
It was hard not to think there might be a parable buried somewhere within about her own venture to see where the fates will lead the exotic songbird in another land.
This latest jewellery range is a bit of a departure, what was the inspiration?
The Lotus and The Snowbird was inspired by a story I wrote for my collaboration with Shiseido. I like fairytales and myths so I thought I would like to write one about how friendship can lead to great things. There are still the feather elements that I've become known for, but I've used them to make a snowflake design that has the Lotus pod in the centre.
Did living part of the time in LA lead you away from native NZ symbolism?
I think living in a very different country makes me look at New Zealand with more romantic eyes. Absence, fonder, etc, etc. I feel connected to my home country even this far away.
Will we see more Kiwi-inspired designs?
Yes! Of course, there is much to explore. Aotearoa has so much beauty to be tapped into. Our wildlife and flora. Maori art and culture. I know that all of this is waiting for me. My next range coming out in February is a complete departure from the previous designs, and isn't Kiwi inspired but I already know how much fun it will be to wear and I believe that those that have my jewellery now will enjoy the upcoming range. It's kind of fun and sexy. Sorry, secret squirrel for now.
What are you working on now?
Right at this moment I'm planning how to display my jewellery at an art show happening in Santa Monica on October 20 called Kiwis in LA. Dressing the display case and doing the name plates. I'm also working on a cover of Chris Knox's beautiful song Not Given Lightly. It's for his covers album due out this year and the proceeds will help his recovery from his stroke. Chris is an amazing man and anything I can do to help, I will do.
Has living in LA changed your sense of style?
It's very warm here, bordering on scorching at times, so my clothing has become more minimal. I pretty much live in American Apparel racer-backs with jeans or shorts. Something that I've embraced because it makes me think of Rhoda from The Mary Tyler Moore Show is the maxi dress. The more Pucci-esque patterned, the better. Now if I could just pull off a turban.
Is there more pressure to look "the part"?
I have friends that most definitely look "the part", if you mean that glamorous LA kind of thing. They are models and actors and it's part of their job. What gets me the most is how very fit and toned they all are! They are very disciplined and I'm hoping that discipline will rub off on me when I grow up.
What's in and out of your wardrobe compared with dressing for Auckland?
Sandals and sandal platforms. It's warm here, so footwear has less coverage. But it hasn't stopped them from being high. I also live in T-shirt dresses. I can't say that I've missed the Auckland winter at all. I do miss that wonderful snug feeling of getting about in a great, warm coat but I'll take sunshine and margaritas any day.
Has your beauty routine altered to cope with the warmer temperatures?
Most definitely, I have a much lighter foundation or base for one. Mineral makeup is wonderful. Sometimes just concealer is enough with a swoosh of mineral makeup. I still love eye colour and lip colour and I always experiment, as it's a lot of fun. I moisturise like crazy as well. It's dry here and the water is hard so my skin gets sensitive.
What do you take back to LA from Auckland?
Besides good memories usually a couple of new outfits. And Bendon/Elle Macpherson lingerie. And sometimes supplies of Cadbury's chocolate, Whittaker's chocolate, Marmite or Vegemite or bags of Bluebird Rashuns or Cheezels for my friends. I, myself, get cravings for Rashuns and good meat pies when I'm away.
And vice versa?
Gifts for my nephews and duty-free bits and pieces.
What's the best thing about being a New Zealander in LA?
The same reason it's good to be a New Zealander anywhere in the world. You can always go home to New Zealand. Lucky us!
LA lowdown
Boh Runga shares her favourite places in the City of the Angels.
Best place to shop
Paperbag Princess and Decades are uber-expensive (vintage) but very fun. I prefer the Rosebowl Market in Pasadena which is always on the second Sunday of every month rain or shine. Masses of vintage clothing and collectable furniture stalls but a word of warning, it gets incredibly hot in summer, so go early and slather on the sunscreen.
Favourite casual cafe(s)
Two in my neighbourhood, Dusty's, which has tasty organic food, friendly service and a nice atmosphere and Figaro, which looks like it fell out of Paris. Elegantly cool.
Special occasion restaurant
My favourite place that is pricey but so, so good is Matsuhisa, Nobu Matsuhisa's restaurant in Beverly Hills. It's frequented by celebrities a lot, so if you like that kind of thing it's not a bad place to go. The black cod with miso is my favourite dish and my mouth is watering just writing about it.
Bars to kick-back and party
I like the bar in Malo, my local Mexican restaurant. Or 4100 which is my local dive bar. That gets a bit crazy/noisy and I always swear to never go there, but it ends up being the night-cap joint. For a party vibe I recommend Hyde bar/club on a Monday night. It's very Hollywood and not for everyone but Monday is 80s night and it's hilarious.
Best visitor attraction no one knows about
If you happen to be in town at the right time, the Hollywood Forever Cemetery holds classic movie screenings. People pack picnics and make a night of it.
Best quiet place to appreciate the city
The top of Griffith Park, where I like to go hiking. Sometimes you share the trail with coyotes but I like that. The Hollywood sign is to your right and the Observatory to your left. It's a great view, the city stretches out before you, all those people doing the do.
* The Acoustic Church Tour kicks off in Hamilton tonight, Tauranga tomorrow and Auckland on Friday, before other dates nationwide.
* The Lotus and the Snowbird collection (and stockists) can be seen at nzmintjewelry.com