Dress code: Gizzi Erskine, Punk Chef

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What are you wearing right now?


I want to say my new bloodred velvet Sixties shift dress with cream lace collar and cuffs, but I'd be lying. I'm sitting here in my nautical navy and white striped jumper and my pants!

Who's your style icon?

Edie Sedgwick, Audrey Hepburn and Poly Styrene. I think that defines me. A little bit Sixties, a little bit punk.

What can't you live without?

My beehive, lots of black eyeliner, mascara, my little spurred Chelsea boots, my Betsey Johnson body-con dress and my leopard-print fur Barbara Hulanicki coat.

Describe the best outfit you have ever worn

I'm still waiting to wear it, but my friend Pearl Lowe gave me this stunning black lace vintage dress and it's so beautiful and delicate that I am terrified to wear it, but every time I put it on everyone says I look like a princess, albeit a slightly dark gothy princess.

What's in your wardrobe?

Tons of vintage. I love the Sixties so have a bit of Ossie Clarke and Biba scattered among lots of shifts and tunics. Vintage floral jumpsuits and body con dresses. Then lots of holey band T-shirts, PVC, leopard print leggings and DMs.

What is in your make-up bag?

Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat and Faux Cils mascara, Mac studio fix, Dior skin sculpt foundation, Nars bright pink blusher in 'desire', Mac Costa del Coral lipstick, Lancome black liquid eyeliner, dark brown Anastasia eyebrow pencil, Bobby Brown eyeshadow in Champagne, and Nars eye shadows in Nepal and Bali – oooh and Tweezerman tweezers.

If you could live in any decade, style-wise which would it be?

The Sixties may seem like an obvious choice for me, as I feel so at home in that era both in terms of fashion and music. But actually I have always been fascinated with the Twenties too. The fashion was so elegant then and it was quite a debauched time. I like to think I'd be right at home.

How often do you look in the mirror?

Ha ha, all the bloody time.

Any fashion confessions you want to share with us?

I had a pair of PVC knickers that I used to wear over thick opaque tights with a stripy holey jumper. That was punk rock baby! I should drag them out again – not!

What's your secret style tip?

eBay – some of my best finds have been made on there.

Gizzierskine.com

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