What They’re Wearing – Fashion article in The Press

Interview by Mary Kirk-Anderson for The Press

Her own store is called La Destina~House of Pretty, and it’s filled with the most feminine of bedroom lingerie, jewellery and pamper pieces, so it is no surprise that Amy Parsons-King is
into things pretty.

But she likes her pretty with a bit of a rock-chick edge, mixing old and new, soft and hard, loose and skinny fit.

“I quite like contrasting styles, maybe wearing leather with a soft fabric, or a flowing silk dress with space-agey boots, or something soft and vintage with something sharper,” she says

Parsons-King opened her Poplar Street store
with her mother Maria Parsons, last year.

Intended initially to focus on jewellery and
other pretty accessories, almost by accident playful bedroom lingerie became part of the
mix. “Everything was kind of feminine and
pretty and the lingerie just fitted in with it all really,” says Parsons-King. “The idea of it is
to make woman feel sexy without having
to go to a smutty sex shop.”

The lingerie is mainly from Australia and Los Angeles, but Parsons-King is hoping to add some New Zealand labels, including one she is creating herself. Her focus will be on lingerie that crosses over into outerwear. That switch is possible with a number of the pieces already in store, she says, especially some of the baby-doll style sheer tops.

Her own outfit is a good example of thinking beyond the obvious with
lingerie. Her black lacy slip dress is by Australian lingerie designer Natalie Begg, a label stocked by La Destina. The slip Amy is wearing has featured
in Australian Vogue magazine.

On it’s own it is as sheer as can be, but Parsons-King has layered it over an op-shop sourced petticoat and opaque tights. “I just thought it was too pretty to be hidden,” she says. “I can wear it over a black top and pants, for a more formal look, and maybe wear a little belt over top.”

The dress-tight-and boots-look is a favourite, creating an interesting,
flattering silhouette and providing an opportunity for contrasting textures and shapes. Parsons-King is fond of patterned tights, particularly those by Leona Edminston, and she is looking forward to the arrival in store of new American lingerie/hosiery range called stocking girl. “They have some great tights-lovely merino knit ones and some great woollen leg warmers. I do love legware.” She also loves footwear and admits to regularly buying new shoes, although at the moment most of the shoes sit in her closet, virtually unworn, because boots are her thing.

Published in The Press, Christchurch.
Photography: Dean Kozanic