KEY POINTS:
Drop-dead elegant. Nelly Dupuy is the first of many stylish elements that enthral as you enter Q, the restaurant in Auckland's newest five-star hotel, the Westin.
Tall and gamine in her sharply cut suits, restaurant manager Dupuy fits in perfectly among the Mexican marble walls, mesh curtains and Italian chairs.
Dupuy was born and raised in Normandy, France. Food was an integral part of family life and she remembers drawing menus for family dinners when she was only a child.
She found her niche at luxury five-star hotel One Aldwych in London's West End, where she managed the restaurant.
When One Aldwych's Mark Gregory returned to New Zealand to become director of restaurants and kitchens at the Westin, Dupuy and her chef partner, Russell, jumped at the chance to come here, too.
She is enjoying the relaxed feeling. "It's such a clean country. I keep comparing it to the pavements of Paris, where dog poo is everywhere and you have to watch where you walk."
What do you think of the shopping in Auckland? I like it. The hardest thing for me is to find trousers long enough and pullovers with long sleeves. I am very tall (1.8m) and slim (size 8) and it is hard to find clothes that fit properly.
Have any New Zealand designers caught your attention? I really like the tailoring of Karen Walker and Kate Sylvester, but I haven't yet had the chance to buy any of their suits for work. I've also spotted Trelise Cooper and love the prettiness of her dresses.
Last item of clothing you bought? A nice jumper to keep me warm. I've been surprised at how chilly Auckland is. Why did no one tell me?
Favourite stores in France? I love the big department stores in Paris, like Galleries Lafeyette and Printemps. The choice is fabulous. You can get really high-end fashion or just pick up something for one season's fun. I've lost hours in both stores - they're real shopping destinations in themselves. A chain store favourite is Zara, which does fabulous trousers with long legs. I also love marine-style wear, typical French white and blue stripes. It's a bit cliched but I love it. It reminds me of the holiday atmosphere of the French coastline in Brittany - places like St Malo, Trouville.
Favourite store in Auckland? I love going to the French market at La Cigale in Parnell on a Saturday morning. Although it's only small, it has a really nice atmosphere, great coffee and a nice selection of fresh foods, chocolates, and bread. I've also discovered the Pyrenees delicatessen in Devonport, which has superb meat. I also like Tessuti for beautiful scented candles and soaps.
How does French and New Zealand fashion differ? Size, first. There's a greater variety of sizing in Europe. And in France, women are much more conformist with fashion. It really matters what you wear, and people judge you accordingly. It's frowned on to be too outlandish or whacky, yet here people wear what they want. No one is too worried about what anyone else thinks, they just want to be comfortable and at ease. I really admire that. Amazingly, everyone goes barefoot in the summer. That's really surprising to me.
What could New Zealand women learn from French women? My father would always say to me, "Remember you're French, put your lipstick on before you go out". That kind of attention to your appearance is natural with French women. I guess New Zealand women would find that sort of approach rather formal, but it does mean French women always tend to look well groomed, even when popping out to the supermarket on a wet Sunday afternoon.
What can't you live without? My lipstick. My father did a good job. My favourite make is Yves Saint Laurent's Pure Shine.
