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Paper Dolls actor Miah Madden on her style

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Each week, we quiz a prominent person about their style and the inspiration behind it. Ahead, actor Miah Madden.

Madden lives near the beach, so she’s often wearing swimmers, a maxi skirt and sunnies.

How would you describe your style? Classic chic. My staples are a linen shirt, denim jeans, gold hoops and black Adidas “Spezial” sneakers.

What’s the oldest thing in your wardrobe? I came home from the [TV series] Paper Dolls with a huge bag of clothes from the 1990s. My favourites are a Dior T-shirt and an epic pair of low-rise Versace jeans.

And the most recent addition? An oversized blazer from Aje.

Miah Madden loves Maison Essentiele’s “elevated” silk slip dresses.

What are the three essential items in your wardrobe? A pair of ’70s jeans I found at a market stall at a music festival when I was cold and needed some pants. They fit me like a glove, I wear them everywhere. Also, my Blundstone boots and Nude Lucy basics – shirts, singlets, tees.

What would you wear … on a first date? A long black silk dress with black knee-high boots and gold jewellery … on a plane? I’m a massive dag in a jumper, trackies and slides. I can fly three or four times a week for work, I want to stay comfy … on the red carpet? Ginger & Smart’s dresses are so flattering.

What’s your favourite fashion era? I wore ’90s fashion for six months filming Paper Dolls and I love all the big sunglasses, cute miniskirts and matching active-wear sets. Even the low-rise jeans look has grown on me.

Who’s your favourite designer? Sustainable label Kitx is amazing. What it stands for aligns with what I stand for.

What’s your fragrance of choice? I switch between Chanel “Coco Mademoiselle” and Hermès “Twilly d’Hermès”.

Any go-to jewellery? A By Charlotte gold and diamond ring my grandmother gave me and some gold rings I made when my boyfriend took me to a jewellery-making class.

Can you remember a favourite outfit from when you were a child? I had a tutu obsession when I was really young – I wore one everywhere. Then, in my tweens, I went through a neon phase. The photos are hard to look at, doubling and tripling up on neon pieces. All the cool kids wore Supré and when I got my first neon Supré tank top, it was incredible.

What was your first fashion moment? Doing a fashion spread for Marie Claire with my four sisters – Lille, Thea, Ruby and Maddie – was pretty amazing.

And your worst fashion mistake? It was at Australian Fashion Week in 2021. I was invited to the Kitx show and they gave me an amazing dress to wear. I was coming straight from work, so I got changed in my car and forgot to zip up the back of my dress! Thankfully, as I was lining up to go in a lovely girl came over and zipped me up.

What’s on your wishlist? I’d like to replace the Reliquia gold hoop earrings I lost recently.

Is there something you would never wear? I avoid spaghetti straps at all costs.

Is there a current trend you like? I love the elevated chic of a silk slip, such as Maison Essentiele silk dresses.

What shoes do you wear the most often? My Tony Bianco “Como” slides. I’ve worn them all through Europe and in Bali and they still look brand new.

Who’s your favourite fashion icon? I love everything model Mia Regan wears – she nails that everyday elevated look. She’s 21, about the same age as me, and it’s cool to see her make her own style.

What do you wear on a typical working day? For me, that involves being put in clothes that I have no control over! But I’ll rock up to a shoot in my market-find jeans, a linen shirt, slides and my Polène bag.

What’s your favourite off-duty, casual Sunday look? I live on the beach, so I’ll be in my Fae swimmers, a Sovere linen maxi-skirt and Vehla sunnies.

Miah Madden is the face of Jan Logan’s “Winona” collection.

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