The founder of architecture and design firm Foolscap Studio – the team behind projects including Noma Australia; Neo-nOmadic at MPavilion and Été in Barangaroo, Sydney – is also an architect of great style. Adele Winteridge approaches getting dressed in much the same way she does a creative project: resisting fads or popular labels and staying true to her brief. “Look for what reflects your personality and what looks good on your body type,” she says. “Getting out into the world is a big part of the inspiration for what I wear and how I design,” she adds. She likes to mix vintage finds with contemporary pieces, so she can be comfortable riding a bike to her her Collingwood studio, or meeting clients and suppliers on-site.
Skincare
Winteridge has a less-is-more approach to her skin. Focusing on protection and moisture, she wears Bobbi Brown’s lightweight, hydrating face cream with SPF protection during the day. And at night she reaches for Bobbi Brown’s extra repair eye cream and moisturiser.
Make-up
Winteridge doesn’t wear much make-up. Instead she prefers to let her skin shine through, using Bobbi Brown’s bestselling face base, which does the job of both a moisturiser and primer.
Hair
“I generally just wash and blow-dry my hair myself and wear it out. I go for the natural look. Sometimes If I have been doing exercise I will try and get creative and pin it up or back.”
Glasses
“I bought these in an amazing tiny shop in Venice. I love the shape and the material. I love digging out something vintage and "of an era" and mixing it with something contemporary and new.”
Melanie Katsalidis small oxidised pearl hoop earrings – $380
You won’t see Winteridge without a pair of earrings on during the day. “That’s really the only jewellery I change over from day to day," she says. "A number of my jewellery pieces are designed by one of my dearest friends and talented jeweller – Melanie Katsalidis.”
Jil Sander dress
“This is my favourite recent purchase. I got this because I loved the colour – I usually stick with muted colours, but this was an exception. I also love the utilitarian fabric … I do quite a bit of travel, working across Australia, so I select garments that are easy to travel with and still look great after they come out of my suitcase.
Jil Sander pullover
To Winteridge, hand-loomed, high quality textiles and expert construction are of equal importance. “With clothing I am driven by stories, the places I have been and the qualities of materials and construction. I tend to pair something quite constructed and complex with more casual and beautifully or uniquely detailed work." Winteridge likes to layer this staple over shirts or dresses for its utility, warmth, texture and materiality.
McQ by Alexander McQueen bum bag – $395
“I love the utility of this object and often do not take it off throughout the day.”
Marni bracelet
“I bought this when travelling in Milan. I like it because it looks like a mini building or model of a building … I love the colour and neutral material.”
Melanie Katsaldis ring
A gift from her husband.
MM6 by Maison Margiela sandals –$520
Winteridge has built up a collection of platform shoes over time, preferring their comfort and height. “I bought these in Japan – they’re my all-time favourites. They’re perfect to dress up and wear cross-seasonally with socks and leggings in winter.
*This story originally appeared in Melbourne print issue 26.
