The style I stole from my mum

Michael Kelly, 35, owner of Salon Her, in Sydney’s Darlinghurst, and Lucinda Pitt, 52, former magazine editor and brand strategist, met in 2009.

Michael: “I met Lucinda when I was a junior hairdresser at a salon near Lucinda’s office. She worked at Grazia magazine and came in all the time – up to three times a week. It started as a professional friendship, but now it’s a lot deeper. We do have the kind of connection I believe is maternal. She gives tough love. She’s not into lip service. I can always rely on her honesty and true support.”

Lucinda: ”Michael worked at a high-profile salon, and it could be a pretty intimidating environment. I did feel a connection right away, and that has developed into a real maternal-style bond. He is an old soul and he has a huge heart. When he moved to London he trained someone to do my hair exactly as he did it.

“Michael has always had great style. Even when he was 20, when I met him, he wasn’t earning what he earns now, but he always looked sharp. He was always exploring a new cut or piece of clothing. He’s a bit of a peacock; I love looking at him!

Michael: “Luc is an ageless beauty. So many people tell me she is like [movie character] Benjamin Button; she is so striking. She never looks too ‘done’. She has a very youthful energy and is not afraid to wear colour or take chances. It’s not about brands or copying trends.

“We both love a bargain. We love looking at outlets and reporting back on what we’ve found. I’m a sassy shopper, and so is Lucinda. We’re both pretty bold when it comes to asking for a discount.

“Lucinda really dresses for her body. She really embraces her height. I love that; it gives her presence in a room.”

Lucinda: “That comes with age. You commit enough fashion crimes, eventually you learn your lesson. With Michael, I think quality – even if it’s a T-shirt and ripped jeans, they are the best version. I always wonder, who is cleaning his clothes? Because he always looks immaculate. Even if we are only going on a walk together, I make sure I look good when I go out with Michael. He makes me want to present my best self.”

Jenny Garber, founder of InArt tours and Holly Garber, 43, business and career coach.

Holly: “Mum was always a very glamorous dresser. She worked for a company that licensed Pringle of Scotland. She wore an ankle-length kilt and a flat brogue … my brother and I hated that outfit! And a fabulous Giorgio Armani suit that I really loved. But I also remember Mum going to the Cointreau Balls in some very skimpy outfits.

Jenny: “I went as a Playboy Bunny once.”

Holly: ”I wasn’t going to mention that. Mum just loved fashion. We always had Vogue at home. We went shopping on holidays. It was a part of our world.

“I have a different approach to dressing to Mum. We are both very neat dressers; we have never been interested in grunge or being overly feminine. My grandmother was the same: she always wore a navy wool skirt, a silk shirt, pearls; her nails were immaculate. There is a through line there with all of us. But there are differences, too – Mum’s hair was always done, her makeup was perfect. She wore a lot of red lipstick. That never interested me. I’ve always enjoyed clothes but in a more relaxed way.”

Jenny: “I worked in fashion when Holly was little, and I was expected to look smart all the time. I always loved suits. I like a neutral palette; I would never wear a floral print, for example. Even now, I work three days a week and I wear suits even though the world is much more casual. I certainly never dressed in a ‘mumsy’ way. That’s not me.

“When Holly was little I dressed her in a pretty conservative way. Never frilly. She had lovely clothes and I loved shopping for her. When I travelled overseas for work, I would bring back half the Gap store for her, which she loved.

“I don’t remember Holly ever making a fashion mistake – except one time. She was desperate for these burgundy Kepper jeans when she was about 13. She is very slight and they were enormous on her. And she wore them with a big stacked shoe. It was very un-Holly.”

Holly: “But fair play to you, you bought them for me.”

Jenny: “Holly is a fantastic dresser. I recall her showing up to a family christening wearing a crushed velvet, sleeveless floor-length gown. And I thought, ‘I never would have thought to wear that to a christening, but Holly has really pulled it off’. Her style is unique. She is clearly comfortable in what she wears, and you can see her confidence. That’s very stylish.”