Spotlight On: Glynis Traill-Nash, Fashion Writer & Commentator
Flaunter: Can you tell us about how you got started in fashion writing?
GTN: I was a sub-editor for 10 years, in Perth, London and Sydney. When I arrived here in 2000, I started working at Who, and later became their first beauty editor. Then In Stylecalled, and I started as their fashion news editor.
F: Who were your inspirations? The writers/editors/stylists who made you want to work in fashion?
GTN: Judith Cook at In Style was particularly inspiring when I was starting out. She looks at the big picture, is informed by everything, especially art, and is just so damned chic and funny.
F: And which fashion writers/bloggers do you like to read these days?
GTN: I adore Suzy Menkes, and also follow Cathy Horyn, Tim Blanks, Godfrey Deeny. I like reading well-informed writers. And of course, my good friend Damien Woolnough, who always impresses with his sheer wit and smarts. Alyx Gorman of The Vine has a refreshingly twisted way of looking at fashion, she’s a really fresh voice.
F: Who are your favourite designers – local and international?
GTN: I really love to support Australian designers. In terms of what’s hanging in my wardrobe, I love Toni Maticevski, Aurelio Costarella, Yeojin Bae, Fleur Wood, Jayson Brunsdon, Josh Goot, Willow and Dion Lee.
Internationally, I’m positively obsessed with Roksanda Ilincic, and I love Haider Ackermann, Erdem, Peter Pilotto and Mary Katrantzou. I’ve long admired Alber Elbaz, Raf Simons, Christopher Bailey, Karl Lagerfeld and Phoebe Philo, who have all managed to marry their vision with that of their respective heritage houses. Having said that, Yves Saint Laurent has always been my catnip, but I’m not yet convinced of Hedi Slimane’s approach. And, if I could fulfill a current wishlist, it would be the entire pink sequence from Frida Giannini’s Spring 13 Gucci collection.
F: Any predictions for big fashion trends in 2013?
GTN: The bomber jacket has gone from a hint a year ago to being ubiquitous. Not something I’ll be buying into, though, as I remember them from the first time around. I think the tunic-and-trousers ensemble looks great (did I mention that Gucci collection?), a fresh update on a ’60s classic. One request: can we call time on leggings as trousers now, please?
F: You’ve been using Flaunter for a while now – how’s it going for you?
GTN: I’m finding it a really useful tool, especially when I’m working on heavily trend-based stories that require a lot of supporting imagery. It’s a real time saver, as instead of doing call-outs to a host of PRs, sifting through the options put forward, then following up for high res images and details, I can find a selection of suitable images in one place.
F: What are you finding is the most useful function for you?
GTN: Definitely the search function – I can search by item, trend, colour or even fabrication, to a point.
TPD: Who would you most like to see on Flaunter?
GTN: The more the merrier – and the easier. It’s great to see so many high street brands coming on board – they’re always great for trend stories. But it would be good to have more of the big Australian names up there, and eventually internationals.
F: What’s the last big fashion purchase you made?
GTN: I just took possession of my latest order, a beautiful Maticevski cocktail dress in gold and black organza. It’s a very classic, early-’60s silhouette, but there’s a contrasting box pleat in the back of the skirt that makes a nice surprise when you turn around.
F: And lastly, what’s the worst fashion purchase you’ve ever made?
GTN: If I can pass on any wisdom, it’s this: never shop when heartbroken or drunk. I think possibly my worst purchase – and there have been many – was made after a particularly bad break-up about 10 years ago, after seeing a hot pink shearling jacket in a shop window… It was to that date the most money I had ever spent on a single item, took me three months to pay off, and I wore it three times. It’s currently at the bottom of a trunk, where it belongs. Although, if anyone’s interested…