NAME: Melinda Oliver
SOMETIMES PEOPLE CALL ME: Mel, but I really don’t like it.
I EARN A CRUST BY: Delving into the fashion industry to write features and news stories for Ragtrader.
JUST BEFORE I ANSWERED THESE I WAS: Checking the newspapers online, which I do many times a day.
MY WORST HABIT IS: Not being able to relax. I always have to do something.
WHO I’D LIKE TO BE IF NOT ME: Actress Audrey Tautou.
PEOPLE TELL ME I’M: Lucky to have such curly hair. I’m trying to love it.
MY WARDROBE FAVOURITE IS: My Marc by Marc Jacobs oversized handbag bought in transit at about 6am from Harrods, Heathrow airport.
MELBOURNE IS THE NATION’S FASHION CAPITAL BECAUSE: Creativity prevails over revealing flesh.
MY BIGGEST SPLURGE WAS: Living and working in London, with lots of trips to Europe!
MONEY CAN’T BUY HAPPINESS BUT: It does pay for yoga, theatre tickets, books and ice-cream, which all make me smile.
I’VE NEVER TOLD ANYONE THIS BUT: My dream is to live in a gorgeous Parisian apartment and be an editor-at-large for Vanity Fair.
WHEN DOWN TO MY LAST $1000 – TOM FORD OR TARGET?: Can I spend it on a trip to a divine health retreat?
WHAT THIS INDUSTRY NEEDS IS: About twice the population to support all of the fledgling brands.