This fashion-conscious consultant quit her job over an outfit

Friska Wirya is a consultant at her own firm, Fresh by Friska, who works with ASX-listed companies to help change the behaviour of employees as part of large transformation programs.

I’ve always loved fashion. My style is feminine and elegant, with a bit of an edge. People used to say, you don’t look like you work in mining. Just because I go on site in steel-cap boots and hi-vis vests doesn’t mean I don’t like nice things. I am often the only person wearing stilettos in the room. That’s OK with me.

Very early in my career, I was told that my appearance was inappropriate. I worked at a conservative Japanese technology company and there was a time when my performance appraisal turned into an appearance appraisal. I left the company, I was incensed. I had 10/10 rankings from my clients, I was performing well. It was a bold move to leave but since then I have backed myself 200 per cent.

Nowadays, my wardrobe has a magnetic pull – so much so that people now reach out to me for styling advice and I’ve turned it into a side hustle. I work with corporate women to give them styling advice. Recently, I helped the CEO of a learning company who had just lost 25 kilos find a new wardrobe. I work with people who have fallen into a rut, or who simply don’t like shopping. Luckily, I love shopping.

White is my signature colour. I had some photos taken and I was wearing white, and since then I’ve been drawn to it. Naomi Simson wears red, I wear white. It makes getting dressed easier; white goes with everything.

I wear a lot of Zimmermann and Scanlan Theodore. I have a great statement dress from Tom Ford that always makes me feel fantastic. I also love Cos. You can make it look very expensive even though it’s not. For client dinners, I love Camilla and Marc and Carla Zampatti.

I’ll never skimp on shoes or handbags. I like Fendi, Gucci and Valentino. A good pair of shoes or bag really makes a difference.

Workplace wardrobes have become more casual post-pandemic, especially in Australia. We have a more laid-back culture. It’s not like that elsewhere – I’ve been to Switzerland, Singapore and Indonesia recently and in those places, office dressing is still quite formal. When I was in those countries, the only time I saw people in activewear was when they were doing active things. I have never been casual like that; I rarely even wear jeans. I like dressing up for the office.

Fashion is not frivolous; it can communicate ideas better than your one-hour keynote. If you know the perception you want to cultivate, it can make getting dressed a lot easier. I always want to look like a boss. I recently pitched against another person – I looked the part, I took it seriously. My proposal was four times more expensive than my counterpart’s but the client accepted it on the spot. We can pretend that appearances don’t matter, or we can use them to our advantage.

Are you a professional with style? Email our fashion editor, lauren.sams@afr.com.