Nadia Bailey adores all that is clean, dark and minimal, keeps a silver skull on her bedside table and is obsessed with towering black ankle boots but you may know her better as the girl behind The Animal Orchestra. Her blog draws a devoted following, blending personal style and inspirations with a sprinkling of interviews and industry advice.

Inspired by her favourite blogs and blogging friends including Gala Darling, Nadia decided to take the plunge and start her own in June 2009, relaunching with a new look in May 2010. Almost a year ago Nadia left her beloved hometown of Melbourne for Sydney to pursue a fashion magazine internship which soon turned into a permanent part-time role. Nadia’s singular personal aesthetic influences everything from her style sense to her beautifully sparse place decorated with skulls, scented candles and prints. We caught up on a summery afternoon to chat about her style inspirations, blog and enviable shoe collection.

What’s the story behind the name The Animal Orchestra?

The Animal Orchestra refers to a children’s storybook and also a café I used to go to in Melbourne.

Describe your style:

Clean, dark, minimal.  I love investing in pieces I really love like my Rick Owens boots or Acne Atacomas. I’m attracted to silks, cottons and like playing with texture.

What wardrobe item can’t you live without?

Outlandish shoes!

Any style mantra you live by?

Keep the outfit simple and wear statement shoes and accessories. I try to dress to please myself. I don’t consider myself a follower of trends.

How did you first get interested in fashion?

I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t interested in fashion. I loved playing dress-up as a child and once I hit my teenage years I used my clothing as a form of rebellion. I was lucky enough to attend a high school that didn’t enforce a uniform, so I was free to experiment wildly. And although I was as square as they come - a nerd, really - I expressed my rebellion by dressing in a completely outlandish fashion. I guess I fell in love with the transformative power of clothing - how it can give you confidence or act as armour or signal membership to a particular set of values or interests. There are certain outfits that make me feel invincible. That’s the power of fashion.

Do you have a style icon?

Daphne Guiness. She just doesn’t give a shit what anyone thinks, she’s in her 40s and still dresses exactly how she wants. Another great inspiration of mine is Kate Lanphear, as I love her very focused, very androgynous way of dressing. Locally, Kym Ellery - she knows her own style and designs for herself. I’m especially envious of her Givenchy collection.

Favourite designers:

Internationally: Rick Owens, Alexander McQueen, Damir Doma, Givenchy. Locally: Friedrich Gray, Dion Lee, Alistair Trung.

Can you share your most cherished wardrobe item?

My Rick Owens boots though they’re hagged now because I’ve worn them to death! They were my first big designer purchase - I saved up to buy them. They’re so timeless and classic and so well made. They’re the most comfortable shoes I own.

As a Melbourne girl what do you think of Sydney style?

I think of Sydney as a summer city - as opposed to Melbourne, which is at its best in winter. So Sydney girls seem to be at their best when the sun is shining, all golden tans and cut-off denim and tousled just-left-the-beach hair. Sydney style is flashier, skimpier, more playful. It’s all about revealing the body. You’re far more likely to see people dressed in top-to-toe designer in Sydney than in Melbourne - there’s a cachet placed on wearing the current season and owning whatever the “It” pieces are. I think that happens in Melbourne too, it just seems more pronounced in Sydney.

Has your style changed since you’ve moved here?

I think I’ve gotten more Melbourne since I’ve moved to Sydney perhaps in a reaction to Sydney style. I feel self-conscious about being pale!

Any advice for other bloggers?

Blog about what fascinates you. Blog because you’re genuinely interested not because you want to be famous. Forget that anyone’s reading. Write to please yourself.

Check out Nadia’s blog The Animal Orchestra to see more of her amazing style.