The Pursuit of Image

How do you reimagine a refined wardrobe that feels effortless?

This question in truth, is the ‘why’ of Edition by Nu Studios.

For more than two decades, I have worked within the world of fashion from corporate retail to entrepreneurship - studying the subtleties of consumer behaviour, observing the ebb and flow of trends, and analysing brand endurance. Through it all, I have rebuilt my own wardrobe season after season - most times with clarity and confidence, other times with doubt, but rarely with regret.

What I have come to understand is this, style and taste is about knowing oneself and curating with intention.
It is the quiet dialogue between what we value internally and how we choose to express it outwardly.

Style is expression. Taste is discernment.
Together, they form the essence of how we dress and who we are.

For years, I found myself adrift in trends, chasing whatever was having its moment, never certain where I belonged. From bohemian to biker chic, and nearly everything in between, I experimented with it all.

In my twenties and at the start of my career, I gravitated toward pieces that felt instinctively feminine, naively believing that allure might attract the lifestyle I desired. By the mid 2000s, I had veered to the opposite extreme: boxy silhouettes, oversized cuts, a monochrome uniform that swallowed my petite frame. I believed hiding within masculine shapes could convey competence and resolve.

The idea that attention to style is seen as shallow was once my belief. I thought that nonchalant dressing would enable me to be taken more seriously. It took years to realise that style and substance can coexist, finding a delicate balance in being elusive and self confident.

Today, elusiveness feels almost extinct. Social media has a way of blurring our sense of self chipping away at confidence. The influencer aesthetic - curated for the feed, visually arresting, yet so heightened for spectacle - rarely translates into the kind of versatile wear that functions in everyday life.

In every phase, my wardrobe remained organised and consisted of year-round essentials. Colour blocked and coordinated. Each season, I curated my closet, combining pieces intentionally. This led to the conceptualisation of Edition by Nu Studios - capsule collections designed to be worn time and time again.

And so I return to the question, how might a wardrobe be reimagined - not in pursuit of excess, but with a sense of simplicity guided by discernment?

Pause before purchase. Observe what you reach for each day.

Two truths come to light:

You wear in reality only a small fraction of what you own.

You already have a go-to look, whether you choose to define it or not.

Pay close attention to the ensemble you slip into instinctively without hesitation. For me, it has always been denim, sometimes with a white t-shirt; most times with a relaxed shirt - be it in cotton, linen or silk, tucked in and completed with a worn in leather belt. Season after season, it is the silhouette that feels most like me.

Since shifting to this method, my buying habits have evolved. I now focus on quality over impulse, meticulously checking care labels for fabric content, investing in craftsmanship and attention to detail. By opting for natural breathable fibres and sustainable recycled materials, I have also rediscovered the significant value in my existing pieces by giving them new meaning, and revamping old with new.

Most of all, I feel at ease. At home, in my Oversized Shirt and Drawstring Short, I'm lounging in sophistication. Stepping outside, I drape the Relaxed Cardigan over my shoulders, add a pair of loafers and with Tote in hand - instantly, I feel put together.

Perhaps this is a nuance of dressing in my mid forties. It is no longer about chasing every trend, nor about hiding behind outfits that feel contrived and unnatural. It is about cultivating clarity and a deep knowing what feels most like me. I let that wisdom shape my choices. 

The Edition canvas begins with the Everyday Tee in hemp and organic cotton; and the Ribbed Mock Neck Tank, crafted from a blend of organic cotton and ribbed spandex, offering softness with subtle stretch. Then there are the shirts: I lean towards the Linen Button Down Shirt, which feels polished, yet refined for casual business meetings. For something more elevated, I reach for the Tuxedo Shirt, beautifully finished with mother-of-pearl buttons, french cuffs and pearl shanks.

No wardrobe of mine is complete without denim. I keep it in high rotation in lighter washes for spring and summer and darker tones for the cooler seasons. The staple cuts I turn to are modern yet timeless; Classic Denim in straight leg and the Carpenter Pant in a wide leg silhouette that carry ease without losing refinement.

Equally essential are knits. I prefer organic cotton knits in the warmer months and soft wool in the cooler. The Cable Cardigan offers a fitted silhouette, while the Relaxed Cardigan provides a more effortless option; both pieces balance structure and softness with considered simplicity.

When it comes to statement pieces, I choose to buy less, but better. The Blazer remains a transeasonal essential, perfect for anytime of year. Perfectly paired with the Wide Leg Pant, it’s my reliable travel attire whether I’m in Sydney, Paris or New York.

For spring simplified, you can't go wrong with the Cable Cardigan and Tennis Skirt. An effortless set, refined yet versatile and ready for any occasion.

When it comes to shoes, I never compromise on comfort or quality. My shelves are lined with classics that have served me for years: the iconic Gucci Horsebit loafers and Tod’s Gommino, the durability of Timberland 3-eye lug boat shoes, and the nostalgic tone of Birkenstock Utti - coveting in Roast Grained Leather after producing this Birkenstock Australia campaign.

For flats, I reach for buttery leather and soft suede from The Row and Jil Sander. When the occasion calls for low-mid heels or boots, I opt for sculptural silhouettes of vintage Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquière and Céline by Phoebe Philo; or a mule by Toteme. And when I’m in a hurry or in between errands, I reach for Puma Speedcats or Asics sneakers paired with Solid Socks or Stripe Socks in organic cotton.

Accessories are what bind everything together. A leather belt (preloved or vintage) - cinched over jeans and a tucked-in shirt always feels more polished. A classic handbag is indispensable, especially when vintage. I gravitate toward both old treasures and new collections of Loewe and Céline from the 80’s, alongside Gucci Tom Ford era and 90’s Bottega Veneta. My jewellery remains pared back and understated. The scents I'm partial to are quiet whispers on the skin. Goutal, Maison Louis Marie and a custom blend from Olfactory West Village NYC are a few steeped with nostalgia and memories.

To welcome the new season, we’re giving one reader the opportunity to curate their closet with a $1000 Edition gift voucher. Simply subscribe to The Notebook and follow @editionbynustudios on Instagram. The winner will be notified by email on September 30, 2025.

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