You could say Bianca Spender has fashion running through her veins. The daughter of late Australian fashion matriarch, Carla Zampatti, Spender not only grew up around the timeless, transcending designs of her iconic mother, but has spent more than a decade cultivating her own distinctive aesthetic through her eponymous label. Just as the designer describes her own style, “playful and spirited”, her designs often reflect a whimsical and boundless movement, created to “dance and move with you.” That playfulness effortlessly weaves itself into her own personal style, with a collection of clothes that add a sense of dimension and wonder. Peeking into Spender’s Black Book, the designer shares some of the sentimental pieces she’s collected over the years, including a necklace from her late mother that was worn in the ‘70s, the go-to makeup and skincare products she’s discovered, and the treasured collection of ceramics that tell a story in her home.
“The Bianca Spender Curvature Skirt is definitely a piece I truly treasure in my wardrobe and each time I wear it, it brings me pure joy! It’s play on volume and movement feels like a rejuvenating wave washing over you—it really does make me smile whenever I put it on."
It’s just so feminine and I find it works with every pair of trousers in my wardrobe.”
“For my 30th birthday my mum gifted me my most treasured half apple necklace which she wore in the ‘70’s and I would also say my mum’s Elsa Peretti for Tiffany and Co scorpion necklace.”
"My Thierry Mugler jeans and my vintage Jean Paul Gaultier denim jacket are two of my favourites.”
“My go-to beauty item is the La Mer Crème de la Mer. My mum was a devotee to this cream, and the scent brings back such fond memories.”
“I’m really drawn to aromatherapy oils for their wellness benefits for both the body and the mind. I could spend the full day experimenting with harmonising chakra and energy balancing oils.
"My favourite brand is Synthesis Organic for their pure essences, energies and extracts from the earth and the ocean. They are all hand mixed in Byron, using Australian native botanicals and are cruelty free. Wedge Eyeshadow, M.A.C—It’s a really neutral and subtle taupe eyeshadow which I’ve been wearing for years."
"This shade is a really beautiful blue red. The Volume Mascara, Kevyn Aucoin—I have eyelashes that tend to drop mascara. I was recently introduced to this tubing mascara which has been revolutionary."
“Some of the pieces I treasure the most in my home are my collection of ceramics, created by Bridget Brandon. Each piece has its own story to tell, it’s own unique grooves and scores, as they are all hand thrown. I also cherish my set of gold, hand painted wine glasses, handed down to me from my father, and from his father before me."
“My collection of hand thrown ceramics by Bridget Brandon surround my home—I love how each of the pieces differs from the next, there’s a real sense of rebellion against uniformity and perfection! At the moment I feel my most creatively stimulated when I am trawling through my art, fashion history and photography books. When I returned to Australia from living in Paris, I felt most settled when I could have big heavy books again.”
Follow Bianca on Instagram: @biancaspenderImage Credits:Rafael Bonachela, Bianca Spender, Synthesis Organics, Rachel Kara
