Dressing to a basic beat.
Like her music, Wendy Matthews has lots of style.
In the studio or on stage, Matthews rounds out the
creative process in lush fabrics and imaginative ensembles.
I love the sensation of velvet and fabrics with colour and texture. If its
got a bit of light, is colourful or moves well, it tends to work well under
stage lights. You've got to dress so people are going to notice you from a
distance when you're performing to crowds she says.
On the promotion trail for her current release Beautiful View, the ARIA-
award winner draws on her own fashion philosophies as well as advice from a
stylist. "Before a tour or a new album, I sit down and work out what's
happening in fashion and where I want to go". But like her music, the
singer follows her own lead most often.
"There are so many rules to fashion- what everyone's wearing and
there's a part of me that just resists that. I wear what I like just on
principal".
Mixing the old with the new, Matthews combines her native Canadian Indian
heritage, a love of second hand clothing and her showgirl instincts to
create her signature style. "I can be wearing a plain white t-shirt and
black leggings and I just feel that a bit of turquoise jewellery can lift
the whole look".
Dresses bought by her father in the 1970's remain favourites in Matthews'
well-travelled wardrobe.
"My father was an art-director for an advertising agency in Canada and
used to bring me home pieces from Bebe in London when he visited there for
work in the 70's. He'd pick me out flowery chiffon dresses he thought I'd
like and they've worn well ever since. My body hasn't changed much since I
was 15. I'm still waiting for the boobs and bum to kick in."
Her interest in mosaics also offers an intriguing metaphor for her
individual dress sense.
"I'm broadening my tools for mosaics. I started in tiles, now I'm
breaking up old plates and china, and have just started experimenting with
stained glass as well", she said.
"I guess the way I dress is a bit like that - playing with colours and
textures, bringing bits and pieces together. There's a great challenge in
bringing new life to each piece. It's really about self expression.
Having fashioned a career of easy-listening hit records, singer Wendy Matthews has found great success in the comfort zone. Whether its enjoying nature at her North Coast retreat, Beachside with her dog Bear near their Bondi home or recording tracks for her fifth album, Matthews finds inspiration when getting back to basics -especially her wardrobe. "I do like a bit of earth, so I do tend to wear boots a lot, even in the summer, the singer said.