Style Spotlight: Lisa Corbo
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I’d describe my style as chic. I hope that regardless of what I'm wearing – whether modern or classic – it's always chic. Then I’d say current. It’s not necessarily ‘fashion’, but relevant to who I am in the moment. And I always try to be effortless. I don't like things that are too complicated. I used to love designers like Yoji Yamamoto and Demeulemeester when I was young but now, I don’t have the patience. These days I’m more into layering because I might want to achieve something that's more interesting or unusual.
Things have definitely evolved over the years. I mean, I dressed like Boy George for a solid three years when I was much younger. But now I’ve lived in Europe, in Milan and worked for big designers who gave an education and understanding of fashion. There’s also been enormous change in this business and the way women dress. I've understood it and reinterpreted it, and my style will continue to change as I get older. But one thing that won't change is that, if I feel comfortable wearing a bikini, I'm going to wear one. I'm not going to let my age define me just because that's what society is telling me.
My love of fashion came from my mother. She always loved aesthetics. She was of the mindset that you just bought the best you could afford and had less. She said that from the age of two, as soon as I could understand and feel, I always wanted a say in what I wore. I always wanted to wear a hat. I always wanted to wear the sunglasses. I always wanted to wear the gloves. Then, I went to a private school in Australia and it's very much like England. There was a uniform – the blazer, the tie, the hat – and my mum said I didn’t need to wear everything. But I wanted to because I loved it all.
My mother also taught me a lot about quality. We’d go to this department store called George's of Melbourne when I was a child, and she'd buy one pair of shoes a year because that's all she could afford. But it was never about quantity. I also remember going to Biba when I was probably ten and everyone there was gorgeous. One thing I’m really grateful for is she didn't allow me to grow up too fast in that world. I wasn't allowed to wear make-up until I was a certain age and, while she let me experiment, it was never to look older.
The best piece of fashion advice I've ever been given is not to overthink it. Go with your gut. It's good to just feel it, own it and move on. And if it’s not working, forget it. Don’t spend five hours trying to make something work. It’s also a good rule for shopping: if you put it on and it just works, then it’s a keeper. If you have to buy more to make it work and spend a lot of time trying to mix and match it, it’ll never feel natural.
In many ways, I’m an actress in my own head when I’m getting dressed. I love to experiment – so that day’s character could be based on my mood or what I'm anticipating or where I'm going. If what I’m visualising doesn’t work, I have two choices – either make it work or start over. Many times, I don't have time to start all over, so that's why accessories have become my go-to. They have the power to instantly take a look up a notch.
The more comfortable you get with playing, the more comfortable you will be in yourself. For example, I now know I'm short-waisted, so a high waistline with a big belt just won’t work for me. But that’s something I’ve discovered over time, and I now know to focus on my hips instead. I think sometimes women are too afraid to experiment because they're too busy following the rules or looking at what everyone else is doing, especially online.
Good grooming is another big part of this conversation. Regardless of all the clothing and the accessories, if you're not groomed – hair, nails etc – you’re not going to feel your best. My mother always prioritised that and so do I. Don’t be afraid to turn up to the school gates looking good. As women, we can sometimes be judgmental of others but it’s not about being superficial, it’s about self-respect and actually, showing respect for other people too. Standards are still really important to me.
Adjusting your heel height and jewellery is the easiest way to take a look from day to night. I also like investing in bags that can transition well into the evening – I often carry a big bag at night. I think some women are afraid of minimalism because they're afraid that because it’s effortless, it’s going to translate as lack of effort. So, a lot of it comes down to attitude. If I'm going out, regardless of what I'm going through, I leave it behind. Being consistent in the way you look can also help you cope with life’s unpredictability. You should dress like it's your last day because it is only one life.
The YSL bangles are the top of my spring/summer wish list. Okay, confession, I already bought them. So, something else would be one of the dresses from the latest Jacquemus collection. I’ve been hot and cold with him over the years, but this show was such a standout. However, if there’s one piece every woman should invest in this season, it’s a silk scarf. I’ve never been very interested in trends and I am a believer in a capsule wardrobe – that can look different for everyone but essentially, it’s about finding pieces that form the foundations.
The brand I'm obsessed with right now is Chloé. It's having such a moment, and it feels really modern again. It’s romantic, clean and a new chapter for that brand. I feel like it’s a look we’ve been missing during the quiet luxury years, so I’m pleased to see it resonate so strongly. I’m also really interested in how the younger generation are gravitating to brands like The Row. The price point is so out of reach, but the aesthetic is so achievable – plus, it suits all body types, probably because there are female designers at the helm. And there’s a quality there that I think is lacking a lot these days.
The one trend I can’t get behind is leggings. I don’t even like wearing them to work out, but I mean more like wearing them out to a bar in the evening or something. I see it a lot – athletic leggings and crop tops and, well, I think it’s just a bit vulgar. There is something to be said for time and place – I do wear different kinds of pieces depending on where I am. If I’m in Bondi, I’m back to being a beach girl and maybe it’s a bit sexier but, if I’m in Toronto or New York for work, it’s a completely different look.
The thing I’d save if the house was burning down is a green dress that belonged to my mother. It was made by a famous couturier in Australia who was related to Cristóbal Balenciaga. We actually did have a fire in a studio basement we rented to store all my clothes. Thankfully, I’m meticulous and everything was in protective garment bags and labelled. I’d have been heartbroken if I’d lost that dress.
The most nostalgic piece in my wardrobe is a Gianni Versace dress my mother bought for my daughter. She’s never worn it – I think my mum thought she was shopping for me not her – but I love it and wear it at least once or twice a year. It’ll stay with me forever. I never like to give too much away because I think things come back around. Even now, my daughter and her friends are on The RealReal looking for Philosophy clothes from the 80s – all of which I owned at one point in time. I clearly just never appreciated it!
The one piece you’ll always find in my wardrobe is a suit. I've always invested in suiting and have always preferred blazers to cardigans. The other thing is probably a white shirt. At a certain age, you have to forget t-shirts. I have multiple white shirts, and I’ll never get rid of them. You can buy high, low and it doesn’t matter what you’re wearing on the bottom or over the top, it’s always a statement. I’d also prioritise a great shoe. Find the shoe that you feel most comfortable in – I like Gianvito Rossi, which is really expensive, but I also like Zara shoes. If you have good shoes, a blazer, a great pair of pants and the right lipstick, you’re good to go.
My style icon will always be Coco Chanel. I loved how revolutionary she was for women; she really changed the way women approached dressing. From a fashion point of view, she was aspirational. Miuccia Prada is another one – especially as she still feels so relevant. She's an incredibly intellectual fashion person in Italian culture, but also very global. She’s created a world that has real significance and she’s just herself and has her own style. It's so refreshing.
The secret to good style is not being afraid to make mistakes. You live and you learn – it’s just clothes. At the end of the day, it's meant to be fun. It's not supposed to be life or death, it’s supposed to be a positive experience. That’s why I’m online – to show people how fun it can be. Among all the turmoil of global economics and politics, it's important for people to feel beautiful.
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