Signature style: Jennifer Ward-Lealand

Jennifer Ward-Lealand likes to wear clothes that accentuate her height. Picture / Carolyn Robertson

Jennifer Ward-Lealand, one of New Zealand's leading actresses, has a diverse wardrobe that includes op shop bargains and pieces she has fallen in love with while working.

"I took home a couple of gowns from the film Desperate Remedies because they were so beautiful," she says of a silk tartan frock and black lace top with a black tulle skirt. "All the costumes from that movie were works of art."

During her career Ward-Lealand has worked in theatre, film, TV, musicals and radio. A multi-talented entertainer, two years ago she devised and performed a one-woman cabaret Jennifer Ward-Lealand Sings Marlene for the Auckland festival. This month she is directing the musical Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris at Auckland's Silo Theatre after appearing there recently in The Goat with her real-life partner Michael Hurst. She's also performing in Sex with Strangers at the Herald Theatre from today.

Who are your favourite fashion designers?

Helen Cherry and Workshop - great for us tall gals. Helen Cherry's dresses hang so beautifully and look even better on than off. Workshop's shirts are so nicely cut and have a long waist. Zambesi made me feel like a million dollars when they did the costumes for The Goat. They are also responsible for the best black pants I have ever owned.

What is your favourite accessory of the moment?

My 1970s sunglasses. The colour of the lenses ranges from deep purple through to orange. Weird but good.

What do you wear when you're relaxing at home?

Cotton tops, jeans or track pants. As I spend a lot of my working life on stage in costumes and makeup, it is a real relief to dress down in the daytime.

What is your biggest fashion indulgence?

Shoes. I even tracked down a pair of shoes I had seen in InStyle (high, green and plastic) and had them sent from Australia.

What is the last item of clothing you bought?

A Helen Cherry dress. A patterned organza number in deep plum and charcoal grey with a tie at the neck and thinly belted. Just lovely.

What is your beauty routine?

Without fail - Cetaphil cleanser, Dermalogica Microfolliant (brilliant), Environ moisturiser, L'Occitane Immortal eyebalm. And facials at Lotus in Herne Bay.

What was the last CD you bought?

When it Falls by Zero 7.

What was the last book you read?

Blindsight by Maurice Gee. Another fine read.

What item of makeup would you be lost without?

Dermalogica tinted moisturiser SPF 25.

Any style icons?

Cate Blanchett. That woman knows how to wear a gown. Catherine Deneuve, too, is in a class of her own.

Favourite store of the moment?

Texas Radio and the Big Beat in K Rd. Because the women in there really know their jeans and have given me great advice.

Any fashion disasters you'd care to mention?

I was looking through my photos recently and cringing at the patterned shirts with shoulder pads and big woolly cardigans of the early 80s.

What's your favourite look?

Slim-fitting outfits that accentuate my height. Shirts with a long cut waist (when I can find them). Short-cut outfits make me look as though I have grown out of things.

Best outfit ever?

The costume I wear for Falling in Love Again - the Dietrich cabaret show. It was created by Elizabeth Whiting and modelled on a famous gown Marlene wore in Vegas in the 50s. Topped off by a sensational white fur coat that goes on for ever.

Best fashion bargain, ever?

A $20 skirt from a recycle shop. It is patterned, with an asymmetric hemline, very flattering around the hips and can be dressed up or down.