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Charlotte McKay lives in Opoho, Dunedin, with her husband Phil and their two year old daughter, Edie.
Gifted with a melodic and tuneful set of vocal chords, Charlotte is also a professional singer- the type you want to take time to ensure you aren't second in line to at a Karaoke bar.
Smart, sassy and styley, Charlotte flung open the doors of her closet and spilled the beans on her five favourite things.
Favourite Item # 1- The Vogue Frock
When I was getting married, my mum and my aunty decided that they were going to make my wedding dress, which was a pretty big deal. My wedding was being held over the course of a weekend- the guests were arriving on the Friday night and leaving late on the Sunday, so the night before the wedding we were having a big BBQ to celebrate.
At about three weeks out from the wedding, mum was asked me what I was going to wear to the BBQ, and of course I had no idea- I hadn't really thought about it! She insisted that I must have a dress for that too and offered to make one for me. As lovely as that sounded, I was a little hesitant.
By this stage mum had not only made my wedding dress, but she had also made three bridesmaids dresses, and a flower girl dress. On top of that, my mum and aunty were worried about it being cold so they had also knitted cardy's for each of the four girls (twice, actually, after deciding the first ones weren't quite right).
In spite of all of this work, mum found an old Vogue pattern that we both loved and a material that we both loved and she just went ahead and made it for me.
I have worn it a number of times since that night, despite the fact that it is slightly special, and it is probably one of the most commented on items in my wardrobe. With a petticoat underneath it is just gorgeous, like something from another time. I adore it.
Favourite Item # 2- The Graduated Frock
This little number I picked up at the Pioneer Women's Hall in Moray Place. They occasionally have a vintage fair and I went along with Edie and Phil. This dress was hanging on the wall, quite high up and it immediately caught my eye.
I did the circuit round all the stalls and I said to Phil, I just have to go and ask the lady about that dress. I tried it on and it was quite snug so I said to myself, ok, no pies in this dress, that one's locked and loaded!
But I mean, how could I leave that one behind? The material is gorgeous, the graduating colour- I just love it. It's totally outside what I would normally choose but it was meant for me.
Favourite Item # 3- The Nautical Dress
When I lived in Dunedin years ago, I had an "ok" office job that really allowed me to pay the bills and do my singing. I would wander round in my lunchtime and, at this point, I had this terrible, terrible obsession with shopping and lay-buys- I would lay-buy everything! Whether I could afford it or not, it went on the magic lay-buy!
In amongst my shopping wandering, I went up to the top of the Regent Theatre, where a lady named Sharon ran the Vintage Dress Company (now an online company)- it was awesome. I loved going up there! I would often by a little pair of gloves or something small. Anyway, one day I saw this hanging on the wall and it was love at first sight.
What do I love about it? The colour, the pattern, the fabric is amazing. The way that the pleats sit in the skirt. I love that it has this sort of nautical look to it without being too "Shirley Templey". I just thought it was magic.
I don't think she had lay-buy, but I managed to scrounge the cash together to buy it and I am so pleased that I did.
Favourite Item # 4- The Tulle Petticoat
When I was young I belonged to a children's singing group. There was a concert coming up and the mothers decided to do an item as part of the show- the song that they sang was ‘Nobody loves a fairy when she is 40'. They all whipped up these basic cotton dresses with big puffy sleeves- they all looked ridiculous- and underneath, they all wore these petticoats. This one mum sewed this for herself, so it was essentially a costume item that sat in her wardrobe for ages, years!
When I was 15, I was going through her things and I pulled it out. Being 15, I got mum to take about a metre off the length so it sat just above the knee- a Little Miss Muffet kind of thing. The more that I have got into 1950's dresses and the vintage look, however, I have discovered that it can totally transform an outfit- the difference wearing a petticoat can make to a dress is amazing.
It's one of the most valuable items in my wardrobe. It's not something that I wear every week, but when I wear it, it makes a statement and it's fantastic.
My sister lives in the Lakes district in England and mum was over visiting her and bought it for me on their wanderings through the shops. When she first found it she couldn't decide if she really liked it or if it was actually a little bit weird. I have a feeling it wasn't that cheap- it wasn't ridiculous, but I think the price was enough to make her have a think about it! Anyway, she bought it and sent it over to me for my birthday- and I loved it!
I really like the neckline and the way the buttons go down asymmetrically. I love the ridiculous pattern at the bottom. It has a harlequin kind of look. And the hedgehogs with the balloons going up into the sky? I mean, that is just so random! Not to mention the crazy cool colours. It's just totally out there and I love it.