This week we catch up with Taryn Williams, a multi-award winning founder and CEO who over the course of 20 years has earned a reputation as one of Australia’s most talented entrepreneurs at the intersection of talent, media and technology.
What is one fashion trend you absolutely love, even if it goes in and out of style?
Shirts – I own over a hundred I’m sure. Oversized, tuxedo, classic business, the works. I love silk shirts for evenings. I guess they just are my thing!
What motivated you to transition from a successful modeling career to establishing your own agency, WINK Models?
I could see a lot of inefficiencies and inequalities in the industry that I wanted to fix. Models didnt get paid for 60-90 days after doing a job, which seemed crazy to me. And I really wanted to champion diversity and inclusion – back when I was modelling everyone was really tall (Im only 5’5!), thin, caucasian – there certainly wasn’t the range in age, body types, size, looks, that there is now.
What is one item in your wardrobe that you cherish the most, and what’s the story behind it?
My chanel 2.55 – it was the first serious luxury purchase I made for myself when I was about 23, to celebrate winning a big client at Wink Models that I had worked tirelessly to secure. It was a real moment for me, self-made woman!
Who is your all-time favorite fashion icon, and how have they influenced your style?
Caroline Kennedy. I love that she was so timeless, effortlessly classy, and incorporated quite masculine pieces into her wardrobe.
How do you approach integrating your personal style into your professional endeavors, such as running your own agency and other ventures within the fashion industry, as well as having tech companies?!
On a day to day basis I keep it pretty simple – well tailored jeans, Celine or Loewe sneakers and a shirt. In winter I might add a leather pant and blazer or chunky knit, but it’s pretty clean and simple style, a lot of monochrome. Finished with beautiful accessories – a great watch (rolex datejust is my day-to-day), tennis necklace, ole lynggaard copenhagen leaf necklace, asscher cut diamond studs, and a bunch of rings including a beautiful east-west set sapphire that holds a lot of sentimental value.
How do you stay innovative and ahead of the curve in both your personal style choices and your business ventures within the constantly evolving fashion landscape?
For business ventures, I almost need to stop myself, I see an opportunity in everything! I guess I just see pain points / friction in day to day situations that I see can easily be solved using technology. It’s more a matter of having time to prioritize them!
In terms of staying innovative in my wardrobe – I dont follow trends and like to stick to basically ‘iterations’ of things I love (great blazer, jeans, black dresses etc) and I know the brands that work on my body (Victoria Beckham, Michael Lo Sordo, Acne, Loewe, Scanlan & Theodore etc) so I find it easy to build a collection of pieces I think are pretty timeless, with a few quirkier additions thrown in (I bought some bright purple Victoria Beckham pants last year, that I havent worn a great deal of, but when I do they bring me so much joy!)
What’s your go-to outfit for a day when you want to feel both comfortable and stylish?
If I have a board meeting or important work meeting, a Victoria Beckham dress and low heel and LV twist bag. It makes me feel put together, but it isn’t fussy or uncomfortable so I can focus on what I need to do, not what Im wearing.
Reflecting on your journey thus far, what are some of the most significant moments or accomplishments that have left an impression on you, both personally and professionally?
Selling one of my companies, The Right Fit, was a pretty pivotal moment for me. It really proved to me that I could scale and exit a company – and made all those late nights, weekend working, missing social events, worthwhile.
Some of my international trips have left a pretty big impression on me – places like Korea, Peru, Vietnam, India… the art, the food, the people, the culture, its just incredible stimulation for new ideas, new ways of thinking, and a great way to shake you out of your comfort zone.
And finally – which upcoming fashion trends are you excited about and will incorporate into your personal wardrobe?
Quiet luxury – I love this! No more bright big logos or overstated trendy fashion that will date. Bring back timeless classics.
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