What was your first car?
My aunt and uncle were very concerned about my safety so they gave me their old BMW, so I felt very privileged to be able to drive a little 1998 red 325i. I was very excited to get it. I ended up always being the designated driver with all of my friends, so it was a great first car. It was very safe, but it was very cool, too. My mum was not so impressed. She thought the bus was an even safer option.
How did you find the whole learning to drive experience?
I loved it. I really was keen to drive and made it a priority to get my licence. On my 17th birthday I was like, 'I'm not failing this test.' My dad started me off by getting me to drive to school. He was, 'right, let's drive in peak-hour traffic all the way from the North Shore to the Eastern Suburbs'. He definitely threw me in the deep end. At first it was very nerve-racking. I look back now and realise the trust he had in me.
As a Lexus ambassador, what are you driving these days?
A NX 300h. It's a great car. It's got so much space and it's fuel efficient. It's also very luxurious, with all the bells and whistles. It's the perfect car for my lifestyle, whether I'm in mum mode with kids in the back or in work mode with lots of clothing bags running around for Fashion Week.
What's your pet road peeve?
I hate when people just beep you for no reason. I get that a horn is very important, but it's there for safety and to prevent accidents. It's not there to express your frustrations because someone's not driving at the speed limit or trying to get into your lane.
Ever had a bingle?
Plenty, especially when I was younger. I remember once reversing straight into the side of my brother's new car and damaging three panels. It wasn't just a scrape. He'd only got it that day, but he was very good about it. My parents weren't so happy.
Do you have any favourite drives?
We went on our honeymoon all around the south of France, and that was a pretty amazing drive. I also love that drive from Cairns to Port Douglas. But the one I do more often is going down to Bowral. It's about an hour-and-a-half, which is about as long as you want to go with a two-year-old in the back. It's really nice to go as a family.
What's your drive soundtrack?
It's The Wiggles, it seriously is (laughs). They're on high rotation at the moment. I have every album on my iPhone and I know all the songs. I can tell you all the lyrics to Big Red Car.
VITAL STATISTICS
4 – the number of years I had my first car
17 – the age I first drove by myself
The lowdown: the high profile journalist and fashion identity relishes frequent family drives down to the Southern Highlands.
Career highlights: interviewing personalities including Kim Kardashian, Cameron Diaz, Eva Longoria, Baz Luhrmann, Elle Macpherson and Dita Von Teese; starting her fashion and lifestyle blog katewaterhouse.com; featuring on the Foxtel reality show Fashion Bloggers.
Comments