Obsessions with Constance McDonald

Friend of Meadowlark, Constance McDonald is a creative visionary. Born and raised in Ōtepoti, she is a photographer, writer, and long hair enthusiast with a soft spot for Leonard Cohen and Princess Diana. We asked Constance to share her current obsessions. Discover them below x

I’m obsessed with listening to?
Dress Sexy at my Funeral - SMOG
Seventeen - Sharon van Etten
The soundtrack from ‘My Summer of Love’ (2004).

I’m obsessed with creating?
Conceptual nails. I love getting my nails done. My ‘hyperlink blue’ nails lasted two months. I love hyperlinks, they always bring me to interesting places. My current nails are Lan Gao Ma red. I brought the jar of chilli crisp to the nail salon in North East Valley, Dunedin, to colour match it perfectly. 

I’m obsessed with going to? 
The Grace Place op shop in Te Anau. The Grace Place just is what an op shop should be: a Versatile-esque garage full of good people. It has a “pay what you feel” system into an unmanned mailbox at the door. 
I love small towns in the South Island, and staying in the (beautifully dated) accommodation above the pub. Most recently, in Temuka. Bliss. 
The Dunedin Public Library.

I’m obsessed with reading?
The Book of Longing by Leonard Cohen.

I’m obsessed with the art of?
Priscilla Rose Howe. 
John Kacere. I wrote about the history of underwear for Fashion Journal’s winter issue, and, naturally, included Kacere. His painting, Jutta (1973), inspired the opening shot of Sofia Coppola’s ‘Lost in Translation’.  

I’m obsessed with the photography of?
Always Julia Margaret Cameron. 

I’m obsessed with the design of?
Michael Thonet who created my dream chair: the bentwood rocking chair. 
Mason Pearson hairbrushes, Papier d'Arménie burnable paper incense, and ABEL’s Nurture perfume. 

I’m obsessed with wearing? 
String of perfect Meadowlark pearls. 
My goat-fur yeti boots, and Nat Peri sterling silver ‘Saddle’ ring. 

I’m obsessed with helping / doing my part in? 
Giving my friends a pep talk. 

I’m also obsessed with...? 
Bottomless popcorn at the club, silk-filled duvets, finding Jil Sander at a flea market (my favourite cashmere jumper, found in Morocco for $4), seeing people wearing my ‘Princess Di Was Murdered’ tees.