Each week, we quiz a prominent person about their style and the inspiration behind it. Ahead, costume and set designer Catherine Martin.

How would you describe your style? Eclectic. One of the pleasures of dressing is to be able to float between looks and styles and explore different personalities and ways of interacting with the world. I hope I can find an appropriate language to meet any situation.

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What’s the oldest thing in your wardrobe? I give anything that has some significance away to Sydney’s Powerhouse Museum; for instance my Gatsby Oscars dress and a big collection of Easton Pearson. I’ve had a lot of very special pieces that I think should be preserved and deserve to be a resource for other designers – much to my daughter’s disgust now that she’s 18.

And the most recent addition? White Miu Miu jeans which are far too young for me. But I subscribe to the theory, as does my husband [film director Baz Luhrmann], of growing old disgracefully. Also, I finally found a pair of hard-to-get white Prada loafers.

What would you wear …
… on a first date? A nice frock and tiny heels.
… on a plane? I go totally leopard: Ganni leopard-print silk pyjamas with matching jacket, socks and sandals.
… on the red carpet? I have a wonderful relationship with Miuccia Prada. One of my favourites would be the face dress and coat I wore in 2014.

What’s your favourite fashion era? I can get into any fashion era, but let’s go Dior New Look from 1948 to the late ’50s – that decade just had so many fabulous silhouettes.

Who’s your favourite designer? Miuccia Prada. I also wear Romance Was Born consistently – Luke [Sales] and Anna [Plunkett] keep surprising and delighting. John Galliano is extraordinary; I was floored by his couture collection for Maison Margiela. Thom Browne has such an interesting, playful and craft-oriented way of looking at the world. There are too many to mention.