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Sue Carter Flinn
Read Hali in a Handbag
About Sue
My day job is arts editor for The Coast, Halifax's alt-weekly newspaper, but by night, I'm an aspiring fiction writer and filmmaker.
Originally from Toronto, I moved to Halifax five years ago and travel every opportunity I get (next stop: Iceland in July). I live in a cozy house with my husband and cat, but I'm running out of room for my collection of handbags, hats and cookbooks.
Who is your style icon and why?
It changes all the time, I think, but I have to credit Siouxsie Sioux for the many hours I spent as a thrift-store teenager trying to get that halo of teased black hair and sharp eyeliner.
What's your favourite item in your closet?
A pair of black-and-white-striped canvas boots that I bought in Europe last summer. I always get stopped on the street when I'm wearing them, and I love telling people that they're from Helsinki, the coolest city on the planet.
What was your favourite childhood outfit?
When I was a kid, I was obsessed with Laura Ingalls, so it would have to be a Holly Hobby-style dress and bonnet my mom made for me. My great uncle did a painting of me in that dress and I still have it hanging on the wall. This also explains my fascination with costumed workers.
What's your worst outfit ever?
When I look back at photos from first year university, I think that all I ever wore were moccasins and ancient Rolling Stones T-shirts. Ugh.
Name a current celeb whose style you admire and tell us why.
I love Sofia Coppola, Miranda July and Charlotte Gainsbourg for the same reasons. All three are understated in their clothing choices and designers, but they exude this effortless cool that I find really appealing and natural. Coppola is my favourite filmmaker and I think she really lets her style shine in gorgeous films like Marie Antoinette and The Virgin Suicides.
What's a trend you hate?
I just can't feel the gladiator sandal (especially the boot-tall Balenciaga ones). I'm not sure what it is, but I think they make most legs look odd when paired with just about everything. Except for maybe a toga.
Why do you love the shopping/fashion scene in your town?
Oddly enough, the best thing about shopping in Halifax is that you have to work for it. Without major fashion chains like H&M around, you often end up shopping at local boutiques and vintage shops to hunt down stylish, unique pieces. And because it's still a relatively small city, you can get to know shop owners and designers, which makes fashion much more personal and fun. But things are changing: Before I became arts editor, I worked on the newspaper's special issues, including a shopping guide where I wrote about every retail store in Halifax, and it's amazing how much selection there is now. While the city is traditionally conservative in style, NSCAD University has a big influence on Halifax fashion. The art school is notorious for its dress-over-pants look and for breeding fantastic looking hipsters who just don't give a toss about trends.
