“Another beautiful day, another good movie and another good meal.”
When you work in a creative role, it can be difficult to know how to dress for the day. Instead of a set uniform of crisp white shirts and tailored black pants (as much as I love both), an ever-changing schedule brings with it a series of questions each morning. Do I run around or just sit at my desk? Do I need to dress specifically for a project? And most importantly, will I be in the background of someone’s TikTok?
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This week, Australian actress Jillian Nguyen takes us through her work week. She’s in town for the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF), attending screenings and dinners. She’s also one of the esteemed jury members for the Bright Horizons Award, where she helps decide which filmmaker will receive the prestigious award. Read on to find out what pieces she’s drawn to.
Day one
Melbourne was so lush when I arrived. After a swim at the Chateau Rydges (that’s my nickname for the recently renovated hotel), I changed into my favorite black ensemble to grab some vegetarian noodles at Kim Sing, a Vietnamese-Chinese restaurant I’ve been going to since I was 15. After doing some work and wandering through familiar streets that I love so much, I headed to my first filmmaker’s dinner at Victoria by Farmer’s Daughter in Fed Square, which was lovely.
It was so wonderful to meet filmmakers, critics and people involved in the festival from all over the world. I wore my vintage Scanlan Theodore top, Italian leather boots (both from the Red Cross), an Issey Miyake skirt and a hand-knitted hat I bought from a local artist at a market in London last winter.
Day two
On the second day, the Centrepiece Gala for Links, Writing, Hooks by director Shannon Owen. It was important to me to be involved in a documentary that gives a voice to survivors of domestic violence, a global issue that is very close to my heart. I believe the film has the power to educate, inspire and improve people’s hearts and minds, so I really hope more stories like this one are told.
I wore my favourite jeans that I’ve had for ages from a film shoot, a red Bossini top from the thrift store that my mum bought for me for $1, a camel hair trench coat from a vintage shop in Paris and a handmade toque by Melbourne-based designer Amy Lawrence.
Day three
Day three was my birthday! I’ve spent my last few birthdays at MIFF as it’s on August 15th. I caught a screening during the day, took a nap, then enjoyed a sumptuous meal at Sunda on Punch Lane with the MIFF family and saw the new Francis Ford Coppola film. Big city at IMAX.
My dear friend Rhys Graham, an amazing writer and director, got a seat in row A. He had to leave halfway because he was sitting too close to the screen. I stayed for the whole film and honestly hadn’t laughed so much in a long time. It was a really fun day and evening. I wore my black Milkmaid top from Vinnies, my favorite classic jeans, a hand-knitted aqua blue headband from a super sweet and talented 75-year-old Ukrainian grandmother who I buy crochet/knit items from on Facebook Marketplace, and my MIFF bag.
Day four
Another good day, another good film and another good meal. I did some more film work, had a nap and then enjoyed a delicious meal at Bistra in Carlton, followed by a screening of the new David Cronenberg film, The Shrouds. I wore a silk Scanlan Theodore dress that I’ve had for years and a vintage cream Max Mara blazer.
Day five
I watched my friend Rhys Graham’s documentary Rewards for the tribe at ACMI. It is about Restless Dance Theatre, a troupe of disabled dancers, and Chunky Move. The film deals with dreams, the pursuit of perfection and fear.
It was very captivating to watch and made me think a lot about the importance of listening to our bodies. Dance is such a magical way to express yourself and be vulnerable. I wore an old Scanlan Theodore knit jumper that I’ve had for ages, a blue silk trench coat from a vintage shop in Paris and a denim hat from Emma Mulholland on Holiday.
Day six
I take my duty as a jury member for the festival very seriously!! I sat on the hotel couch with my notes, staring at the cityscape in an existential crisis, pondering the fate of these films (and my own). I wore a dress from Emma Mulholland on Holiday.
You can find more looks from Jillian here.
