It's not every day someone as distinguished in the fashion and jazz cabaret worlds carries a Piece By Piece Home clutch. Hooray! Learn more about trailblazer Glynis Traill-Nash in this exclusive Q&A blog post.  

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Glynis is hands-down one of Australia’s most respected and experienced fashion writers and commentators. She was the Fashion Editor of The Australian for 10 years, and has held similar roles at the Sunday Telegraph, In Style, Grazia and The Sun-Herald. She now contributes to multiple titles including Business of Fashion, Australian Financial Review, Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire and The Nightly. In 2023 she launched the podcast In Fashion, featuring guests including Trinny Woodall, Julie Bishop and Nicky Zimmermann.

She has long lived a double life: fashion writer by day, jazz singer by night. As a singer, she has performed in venues across Sydney, Perth and London. Glynis is currently taking to the stage with her original show, In These Shoes, that's been described by OUTinPERTH as "an absolute romp!"

Glynis Traill-Nash featured in The Australian Culture liftout, August 22-23, 2026.

A perfect Piece By Piece Home pairing

When Glynis happily carried a one-off Piece By Piece Home clutch to a recent performance at the Sydney Opera House, you can only imagine my excitement as a small, independent label business owner. And doesn't she look utterly fabulous?! The clutch and Glynis's signature hair do seem to be a perfect pairing.

I took the opportunity to ask this talented and stylish professional 6 questions. Enjoy reading Glynis's generous (and entertaining!) insights including tips for independent designers, her favourite fashion brands and her ideal day.

Glynis + her one-off Piece By Piece Home clutch featuring vintage Italian velvet. Shop similar. 

How have you found the juggle between fashion writing and commentary, and being a singer of jazz hitting stages? 

"It’s been an ebb-and-flow dynamic between the two over the past 20 years. The singing well predates the writing, but then the bigger and better the writing jobs became, the more the jazz gigs would step back a little - but I always kept a hand in. When I left The Australian, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to have more balance between the two. There is nothing like a redundancy to clarify your focus!

I was also really keen to get back into cabaret, which I had done many years ago. That was the genesis for my show In These Shoes, which brings the fashion and the music together in one romp. It’s been such a satisfying experience, and one that I wasn’t even sure would work, but we’ve done the show across Australia and at last year’s Edinburgh Fringe. Excitingly we have two more stints in Brisbane and headlining Sydney Fringe. Then I really need to write a new show."

In These Shoes: Book Sydney Fringe Festival tickets

What inspires you creatively, and how do you incorporate inspiration into your work?

"Inspiration could strike from anywhere - I don’t have any real formulae. But words, music, movies, design and colour are all part of my creative sandpit. I grew up watching 1950s movie musicals on TV as a kid, and I’ve always loved them - the saturated colours, the sets, the dance scenes, the costumes, the glamour… I think they’re all still subconsciously lodged in my brain. But then I also love Mid Century Modern design, even Brutalism, which seems at odds with that more frivolous side. I’m a Gemini, what can I say? Even in my writing, I will sometimes work musical phrases into stories about fashion, or will pare things back to a more minimal approach, depending on the publication or project. I also like limitations - they can force creativity in a good way."

How would you describe your personal style? 

"With great difficulty! Honestly, the hair and glasses do a lot of the heavy lifting. These days I am in a lot more colour - I used to wear black 90 per cent of the time, but for some reason I just moved away from it in the past decade. I do love a uniform of sorts. For a work day, jeans or trousers with a printed silk shirt and blazer are my main go-tos, usually with trainers; for a special event a beautiful dress and lovely shoes and a luxe clutch do all the work. At home: slob!"

What are some of your favourite fashion brands and what do you love about them?

"So many favourites! Maticevski for sculptural sensibilities and high glamour; Macgraw for whimsy and beautiful pussy-bow blouses; Alemais for earthy artfulness and occasional woo-woo; Rebecca Vallance for precision tailoring and polish; Zimmermann for luxe boho and denim; Monika Branagan for pop-tastic ’80s vibes; and Esse Studios for refined minimalism. From a vintage perspective, I adore YSL for clothing, especially blouses, and Christian Lacroix for jewellery."

Image credit & copyright: Macgraw (one of Glynis's favourite fashion brands)

What's your view on the future of fashion in Australia? Have you got any tips for small, independent designers?

"I think the future is bright! We have incredible talent and skill in this country. That said, the Australian industry also has a lot of difficulties, just in terms of geographic spread within it, geographic distance from other markets, costs, lack of local manufacturing… There are a number of conversations at the moment about bringing back local manufacturing, and I really hope we get some serious traction there. In terms of advice: just focus on what you do, do something unique, and do it well. Australia doesn’t need another brand doing linen slip dresses or relaxed tailoring.

We do need people with interesting voices and ideas, and I think a niche is a beautiful thing. Find your people."

Describe your ideal day.

"Probably something quite lazy if I’m in Sydney, possibly finishing with a martini and steak frites with my bestie at our favourite bar. If I’m travelling, lots of wandering, sneaking down side streets to find hidden treasures, art galleries, and consuming a lot of local specialities."

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Thanks so much for sharing some pieces of yourself Glynis! You're fabulous.

Elizabeth xx

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In These Shoes: Book tickets

Brisbane Powerhouse: Friday 28 August 2026

Sydney Fringe Festival: 2-6 September 2026

Follow Glynis on Instagram