- Words and photographs by Lia Crowe

Claudia has always been someone I害羞草研究所檝e gone to for fashion inspiration. When I have a nugget of an idea but need to distil it into a concrete concept, I害羞草研究所檝e relied on her knowledge of fashion and trends and her passion for all things visual. She also has a strong sense of personal style and with her boutique Bernstein & Gold, she brings a fresh, current and bold aesthetic that has elevated this city to the category of fashion forward.

So, it is a real treat to meet Claudia for a chat about her life, style and inspiration, and what she holds as important. She害羞草研究所檚 owned a retail boutique in Victoria for close to 20 years, so I wonder what aspect of her work fires her up and keeps her going.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 the customers and the fashion,害羞草研究所� she says. 害羞草研究所淭here害羞草研究所檚 a thrill in the buying for the next season: the trends, colours and fabrics, and what direction I害羞草研究所檓 going to take the store next. And that all comes from feedback I get from clients while working on the floor; being on the floor is everything.害羞草研究所�

And what is Claudia most excited about for spring 2020? 害羞草研究所淭here害羞草研究所檚 an interesting mix. The 害羞草研究所�90s are definitely showing up again, and wild florals in big prairie poofs.害羞草研究所�

Asked what innate quality has led to her success, Claudia says her strength lies in the buying. 害羞草研究所淐hoosing out of the million things you see, sifting through countless amounts of pictures and fabric swatches, going to the showrooms, meeting designers and really paring it down. It害羞草研究所檚 about trusting your instincts and being able to take risks. It can害羞草研究所檛 be boring, it needs to be fresh but still wearable. That害羞草研究所檚 what I spend the most time fretting about 害羞草研究所� it has to be right.害羞草研究所�

And what essential daily practice has she adopted in her work?

害羞草研究所淪omething that I try to show up with every morning is 害羞草研究所� listening to customers. They are coming through the door, they chose to spend their time with me and it has to be special, it has to be personal, it has to be meaningful to them in all aspects of the interaction. I have a great team and they all subscribe to that same philosophy.害羞草研究所�

Since she is the mother of a toddler, I asked Claudia: what is the best life lesson she害羞草研究所檚 recently learned?

害羞草研究所淥ne big thing I害羞草研究所檓 passionate about is self-care and wellness and making it a priority in my life. Going back to basics 害羞草研究所� from natural skincare to even the type of clothes and how much that you buy 害羞草研究所� incorporating the right things into your life, making better choices and honouring what matters to you. My self-care practice is focused on my garden because it害羞草研究所檚 something I can do with my son. It害羞草研究所檚 all about keeping your body well to preserve yourself, so you can be there for that person. You don害羞草研究所檛 think about that in your 20s very much, or at least I didn害羞草研究所檛.害羞草研究所�

When it comes to personal style, Claudia says she likes things pretty and casual.

害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檝e always liked flowing blouses, nice fabrics and patterns, but most days I害羞草研究所檓 in jeans and sneakers because I害羞草研究所檓 running around and I need to be able to move.害羞草研究所�

So what does good style mean? 害羞草研究所淚t has to feel like it害羞草研究所檚 you. And it害羞草研究所檚 a feeling; it害羞草研究所檚 the way your body responds in clothes, the way you move. It doesn害羞草研究所檛 have to be expensive or be designer, it just needs to feel like there has been some thought behind it. It has to work for the person and you can usually tell by the way they carry themselves in it.害羞草研究所�

STYLE INSPIRATIONS & LIFE

Style icon: Stella McCartney.

Favourite artist: Mark Rothko.

Favourite piece of art: Jackson Pollock害羞草研究所檚 害羞草研究所淎utumn Rhythm.害羞草研究所�

Favourite fashion designer or brand: Chlo茅/Stella McCartney style and brand philosophy.

Favourite musician: Too many but Neil Young is in the top five.

Era of time that inspires your style: 害羞草研究所�70s and now.

Film or TV show that inspires your style or that you just love the style of: Toni Collette in Wanderlust.

Favourite local restaurant: Brasserie l害羞草研究所橢cole.

Favourite cocktail or wine: Old Fashioned.

Album on current rotation: Best of the 害羞草研究所�80s on Spotify.

Favourite flower: Thistle.

Favourite city to visit: New York City.

Favourite hotel: 1477 Reichhalter, South Tyrol.

Favourite App: Instagram for the store.

Favourite place in the whole world: Copenhagen.

FASHION & BEAUTY

Uniform: Straight-leg high-waist Mother denim, Ulla Johnson blouse or top with big sleeves, sneakers.

All-time favourite piece: Ulla Johnson blouse with lace and ruffles.

Currently coveting: A new wallet by Celine.

Favourite pair of shoes: Isabel Marant sneakers.

Favourite day-bag: WANT Les Essentiels backpack.

Favourite work tool: My iPhone.

Favourite jewellery piece or designer: Initial necklace by Pascale Monvoisin.

Fashion obsession: Sneakers.

Accessory you spent the most money on: Chanel bag.

Moisturizer: Susanne Kaufmann Hyaluron Serum.

Scent: Love by Chlo茅.

Must-have hair product: Hair mask by Kerastase.

Beauty secret: Sleep, laugh and facials by Jamie.

READING MATERIAL

What you read online for style: Numerous style blogs but I still like traditional Vogue Paris and Sch枚ner Wohnen (interior design) for style news and links to other sites and blogs. It害羞草研究所檚 truly endless.

Fave print magazine: The Gentlewoman.

Fave style blog: Who What Wear.

Coffee table book/photography book: A Frame for Life: The Designs of StudioIlse by Ilse Crawford.

Last great read: She Said by Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey.

Story courtesy of , a Black Press Media publication
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