Kiwi footwear designer Kathryn Wilson gives her top tips for staying stylish at the snow.
Queenstown is definitely a winter destination that requires stylish and warm outfits planned! I love to visit Queenstown during the colder months as we don't get to layer up in winter luxe looks in Auckland too often. Here are my top tips on how to stay warm but in style.
1 Keeping your feet warm
My husband is an avid skier so he is very fussy about what I wear up the mountain
. . . especially on my feet, so he doesn't lose kudos. Sorel seems to be the boot brand to wear in the snow (perfect for a Clicquot picnic at Snow Farm's Meadow Hut), they have a range of fashion options now available at Issimo in Queenstown, and at Torpedo7 stores nationwide.
2 Invest in smart quality basics
I have the basics that come with me each year: black leather pants from Camila and Marc, cashmere sweaters from Juliette Hogan and faux-fur jacket options, which I will accessorise with new season metallic sneakers and bright heels (closed toe of course).
3 Layer up
Winter outer layers are key to arrive in Queenstown warm and in style, but with such great heating and open fireplaces in restaurants and hotels, you can get away with a dress or blouse and pants indoors.
It's perfect timing to wear your new season spring pieces. Luckily, Queenstown has some of the best fashion retail stores in the country, so I can always pick up new-season outfit options from my favourite NZ designers at Angel Divine, IKON in Arrowtown or 47 Frocks in Wanaka.
4 Protect your skin
Beautywise I rely on Dermalogica barrier defence booster and phyto replenish oil for sensitive skin in the cold, dry climate. I love a bright lip like M.A.C's Lady Danger red to dress up a casual outfit in the day or a black-tie gala look at night.
5 Call in the experts
I make sure to book in blow wave appointments locally at Hush Spa as my hair tends to do its own thing in the cold dry air . . . some things are best left to the professionals!
● Kathryn Wilson returns to Queenstown's Clicquot in the Snow for a runway show on August 3 at Jack's Point Clubhouse. The show will give an exclusive pre-release viewing of Kathryn's Spring/Summer 18 collection. Clicquot in the Snow runs from August 2-5.