Not many 26-year-olds have a fashion label named after them, but when your family is one of the stalwarts of New Zealand fashion like Liam Sharma’s, it comes along with the area.
His parents Christine and Vere own the local brands Ruby and Liam, and over the years have had other businesses in the “rag trade”. His sisters, Emily and Anna-Lise, now head those respective brands, while his brother Jared co-owns the New York-based label Live The Process.
“Without trying to sound awful, I was born into the fashion industry, and as the youngest of five siblings, I was fortunate enough to absorb everything when I grew up,” Sharma explains.
With his entire family hidden in the fashion field, it seems like a natural progression for Sharma to follow his example – but feeling he has more of an affinity with the beauty empire, Sharma has taken a different route. Sharma, who now lives in Sydney, is head of PR and partnerships at Emma Lewisham as well as contributing editor at Sauce magazine.
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Regardless of her diverse career, Sharma remains a beloved match on the fashion scene, both here and across the ditch.
Personally, I have always linked my fashion choices to my sexuality. As I explored my sexuality, I found that I was changing my style. I’m really comfortable and confident in my life right now.
I wear clothes that fit well, that are loose but tight in all the right places. I have cute shirts for cute dates and white singlets that show off my body when I want to dance. I have put together outfits for my feelings and where I am headed.
I do not wear very bright colors, because it is not me – I like subdued cuts and colors, which feel warm to me.
How I dress changes every time I move to countries. When I lived in Aotearoa, I was less worried about how I presented myself, and on reflection I think it was because I had so little confidence in myself.
I was not interested in going out and did not go out much, so I only wore lounge clothes that did not need to be unbuttoned after I spotted food.
When I lived in New York, I liked to party, so I wore tight, skimpy clothes. I wanted people to feel my sexuality so intensely that they could almost taste it without me having to say a single word.
I moved to Sydney more than a year ago, and my whole vibe of how I dressed changed; I wake up and think for a good few seconds about how I want to style myself. How do I want to be experienced when I meet new people? I now like to style myself.
At the moment, my ethos for clothes is relaxed but not filthy.
I’m in a fun phase of my life, at least I would like to think so. I’m single, and I like to meet boys when I go out and dance.
Sydney is usually warmer than Auckland, so I like my white Maggie Marilyn rib ankle strap, baggy blue denim skater Levi’s with a black Ralph Lauren belt and Venroy cotton rib shoulder sweater hanging from my shoulders, Vans and my silver necklace to wear. Oh, and socks.
My dad taught me the basics of putting together an outfit, and he did not do it in an open way. This, of course, happened. When I was growing up, I would say hello to him in the mornings while he shaved and talk to him before I go to school while he gets ready for work. I just observed him. I feel like he has the most shirts out of anyone I know in the world.
My mom taught me how to glorify myself and put my personality in an outfit with jewelry. She taught me how to feel fantastic. My sisters have always encouraged me to wear whatever the hell I want and to be unequivocal myself.
I have about 10 Uniqlo oversized crewnecks in white currently on rotation. A bit exaggerated, but I really do not like any stains on T-shirts. Not my vibe. I want them super white and super crisp.
Supply
“I have put together outfits for my feelings and where I am going.”
I have nothing so old in my wardrobe. Because I have moved to countries a few times over the past five years, I have rarely kept things that are very worn and need to be retired.
But I also rarely throw clothes away. I donated a lot of clothes and gave away so many clothes to friends.
I do own this one fleece sweater by Wynn Hamlyn from his first menswear collection that will keep me going for many years to come.
Liam’s wish list
Zambesi classic rib sweater, $ 950
Because it’s getting cold, and I know I’ll look sexy in this.
Dime Classic Denim Pants, $ 213
You can never own enough denim jeans, I love indigo, and one day I will learn how to skate poorly.
Butter Goods Wharfie Mousse, $ 50
Because I love boys who wear beanies, and I’m ready to invest in my future.
Porter James Sports box flennie, $ 165
I lost my last flennie, and it’s going to be cowboy girl summer in 2022.
The Beauty Fridge, $ 242
I’ve wanted one of these for some time now for my vanity, but I’ve never been able to buy one. Although I’m not sold that you need to refrigerate your skin care, it’s so extra that I need to own one and post a cute screenshot of it on Instagram to brag to my friends.