Fashion guru on swimmers, sunnies and 'popping his NZ cherry'

Alex Perry mingles with guests at Auckland's Cibo.

Australian fashion guru Alex Perry "had his New Zealand cherry popped" during a 24 hour whirlwind visit to Auckland this week. Life & Style Editor Nicky Park joined Perry for a VIP lunch at Cibo. Here's their chat.

People know you for being Alex Perry - the fashion guy who wears his sunglasses on top of his hairless head. How did that signature look come about?

Alex Perry: I used to flip them on to my head - I just never lost them like that. Then people noticed that I did it and then it became a thing. I've just kind of always done it. Of course they're there (on purpose now). I love that it pisses some people off! I don't care what you think. The fact that you think about my sunglasses on my head and actually have an opinion on it I think is hilarious. I knew it was happening and I did it consciously, of course I knew what I was doing.

It's only your first visit here, but what are your broader observations on the way New Zealand people approach fashion?

I think Kiwi women dress like Australian women dress. It's a little bit more relaxed, because it's a more relaxed lifestyle here. New Zealand women are very aware of what's happening fashion trend wise, I think they travel really well. You dress a certain way when you're at home but I've met a lot of New Zealand women when they travel all over the world and they're beautiful when they're doing it.

Any favourites in the NZ fashions scene?

I love Karen Walker. I mean I love her as a person, I love her aesthetic, I love that her handwriting, she's very true to it. Her aesthetic is who she is. Zambezi for many years has been one of the forces of fashion. Trelise Cooper - my friend Charlotte (Dawson) used to wear a lot of Trelise Cooper over the years. I think a lot of people in Australia think that they're Australians. They've claimed them!

Alex Perry with his late Kiwi friend, Charlotte Dawson.

What summer styling secrets can you give us?
Wear good underwear. Don't wear crappy underwear. If you're gonna wear a body hugging dress, get yourself some good Spanx. What you wear underneath is really important. Good undies, good bras that give you lift and support ultimately makes whatever you wear look better.

And what about togs this summer? We've been seeing a lot of one-pieces show up on our Instagram feed.

I've always loved one-pieces. I think one-pieces in many cases are just as sexy, if not sexier than a bikini. I think that you've got to be honest with yourself when you're wearing a bikini and ask yourself: 'Do I really look good in this?' It's probably not good coming from a man ... but think 'Do I look better in a one-piece?' Find something that makes your body feel great.

You're here to show off your latest collection for Specsavers. What do you look for in a pair of sunnies?

I like something with a little bit of flash. I like something that looks expensive. I love a great aviator. For women I love things that have some colour, like a great pair of leopard print or red on girls. I love it when girls pinch their boy's aviators.

Finally, let us poke around your beach bag essentials?
1. Sunglasses
2. A really plush thick beach towel.
3. 50+ blockout - especially if you've got no hair like me.
4. A big bottle of water that I've had in the deep freeze overnight and some fruit as well.
5. iPod - got to have music.

We should probably take a signature sunglasses selfie.

Check out more from the event on the NZ Herald Life Facebook page here.

- www.nzherald.co.nz