Interior designer Sibella Court is known for her distinctive, gypsy-like aesthetic. She chats all things fashion.
Sibella’s wardrobe is full of vintage finds. Styling by Sheree Commerford of Captain and the Gypsy Kid. Credit:Steve Baccon
How would you describe your style?
I have a limited colour palette when it comes to clothes: white, cream and caramel, and no patterns. Definitely a mix of old and new. I try to create an essence of storytelling or history.
What's the oldest thing in your wardrobe?
A turn-of-the-century skirt I bought from a vintage store in Santa Fe. It's a medicine woman does Anne of Green Gables kind of look. It's beautiful, I wear it all the time.
What's the most recent item?
A really cool 1970s shearling vest. It has an oversized zip, the kind you'd find on an old-school ski jumpsuit.
What would you wear …
… on a first date? If the first date was surfing, which it was with my husband, high heels wouldn't be quite the right thing. So, a wetsuit and sunscreen.
… on a plane?
I do the old-fashioned thing and get dressed up. I don't know if it's in the hope of an upgrade, which never happens, or still that romance of travel. I have an outfit for the plane – a really nice pant, beautiful loafer, shirt and jacket – then I have the comfy clothes I change into, which are usually from RTH in LA.
… to the Oscars? The white dress Katharine Hepburn wore in the 1941 movie The Philadelphia Story.
What's your favourite fashion decade?
Late 1800s, early 1900s, that time of exploration, particularly around Egypt and the Middle East. You'd be in leather boots, linen pants and maybe a leather vest for walking in the desert or going on a felucca down the Nile, but you'd also have your ball gown and tiara packed for a soirée at the outpost.
Your favourite designer?
Hermès.
Your three wardrobe essentials?
My Golden Goose boots – they are an explorer boot, you can just imagine Indiana Jones wearing them – my hats, and classic white shirts.
Sibella has long kept a simple palette in her wardrobe, as she shows here with her mum, in 1978, wearing white.
Can you remember your first fashion moment?
I was very into fashion as a child; I started to have an opinion at around the age of two. I distinctly remember Esprit opening when I was seven or eight. My mum bought me two miniskirts – one pink and one turquoise – and a T-shirt with the logo on it that had to be tucked in. I was very particular about that.
Your worst fashion mistake?
I'm sure I've done plenty. Throughout your teens you make many mistakes and that's how you find what you are good at or what suits you. I vaguely remember some Benetton tartan cotton jeans that probably shouldn't have seen the light of day.
What clothing would you buy if money were no object?
I don't even ski, but Hermès did some amazing ski clothes last season. If I had heaps of money I'd wear those, just to the office.
What does your perfect suit look like?
I love suits. It would be today's modern take on a tailored pant suit, beautifully made in lightweight cotton.
Who is your style muse?
Katharine Hepburn, obviously. Meryl Streep in Out of Africa, Kristin Scott Thomas in The English Patient, and Diane Keaton, she's pretty damn cool.
Sibella Court is an author, interior designer and owner of The Society Inc.
This article appears in Sunday Life magazine within the Sun-Herald and the Sunday Age on sale September 1.
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