Fashion Plate: Kelly Nash

Contempoary dancer Kelly Nash. Photo / Babiche Martens

Perhaps not unusually for a dancer, Kelly Nash has a weakness for shoes.

Dancer Kelly Nash will perform as part of Atamira Dance Company's new work Te Houhi, a Maaka Pepene choreographed piece that looks at the tribal history of New Zealand. A founding member of Curve, a dance collective formed by female Unitec graduates, Nash has since produced shows, worked with some of the local dance community's best, and teaches at the Performing Arts School of New Zealand and for Unitec and Independance. The mother of two with a weakness for good shoes tells us about her style.

When I'm on stage, I like to wear...

No unitards these days! I can't wait to wear the new costumes for Te Houhi from the Marama fashion label - designed and printed by Tracey Lloydd. One of the other nicest costumes I have worn so far on stage was in Douglas Wright's show Rapt; effortless, a deep blue colour and well designed by Victoria Ingram. The best costume to wear is one that works in context to the piece and adds dimension and movement.

Your most recent purchase?

Shoes from the Fashion Week garage sale.

What do you want to buy next?

Some more jeans and I'm always looking for good tracksuit pants to dance in.

What's your guilty pleasure?

I always like to spend money on good shoes, and I never ever feel guilty about it.

Who or what inspires you?

My friends, who help me to laugh, love, share clothes with and plot and scheme about our next dance work.

Your favourite accessory?

A good scarf and earrings.

What's the one thing everyone should have in their wardrobe?

Suspenders.

What endures throughout the seasons?

Good jewellery.

Your favourite shop, locally?

Pt Chev Hospice. I love opshopping and finding hidden treasures; this is my favourite local store.

Your fashion obsession?

Blazers and costumes - I love having clothes that help to build characters.

Whose wardrobe would you most like to raid?

My friend Georgie Goater, who has an eclectic wardrobe to build many characters from.

Is there anything you'd never wear?

Bike shorts, leggings.

What do you wear to work?

Trackpants.

Most cherished item?

My grandma's own knitted cardigans; it's so special to have some of her clothing.

Favourite place to hang out and people watch?

Cosset Cafe on New North Rd. It's a vegan cafe; they make their own syrups and cakes and it is a beautiful place to visit - good place to people-watch too.

When I was at high school I wore?

Lots of black. I dressed like a goth.

* Te Houhi, until September 25 at Q Theatre. Tickets $25-$35, from QTheatre.co.nz or ph (09) 309 9771.