Inside the wardrobe of Melbourne chef Shannon Martinez

Each week, Sunday Life quizzes a prominent woman about her style and the inspiration behind it. Ahead, contributing editor Georgie Gordon chats to Melbourne chef Shannon Martinez.

How would you describe your style?
I was a goth in high school and I still am today, in a way, just more refined. Now, like most of Melbourne, you rarely find me out of black: big boots, statement jewellery, layering, long jackets. Winter fashion forever! I hate summer, if not for anything else but the clothes. And since I lost my hair to cancer treatment, hats and scarves will feature heavily this winter.

What are the three essential items in your wardrobe?
Big platform boots, a leather jacket and tartan pants – I’ve probably got 30 pairs.

What’s the oldest thing in your wardrobe?
A black velvet suit jacket I’ve had since my school formal in 1998. I wore it with a long skirt, corset, huge hair and black talon nails that were so long I couldn’t get my seatbelt on.

And the most recent addition?
A French linen boilersuit from Manteau Noir in Daylesford. Boilersuits are a new thing for me. It started because of chemotherapy – finding outfits where the port in my chest could be easily accessed without me having to strip off was important. Now I’m all over them.

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What would you wear …
… on a first date? A tartan tunic dress, big belt, long socks, big boots and lots of jewellery.
… on a plane? A black velvet Zara tracksuit and platform sneakers.
… to the Oscars? An outfit of latex, sequin and lace – I love mixing textures – with a headpiece of some description.

What’s your favourite fashion era?
The punk era: late ’70s, early ’80s. The Sex Pistols, Vivienne Westwood, lots of tartan, leather and grungy jewellery.

Who’s your favourite designer?
Vivienne Westwood was revolutionary. I love the way she mixes fabrics and patterns. I love that mix of traditional British fashion with almost fetish fashion – she’ll pair suiting with something off-centre like some wild PVC pants or insane boots.