Michelle Bridges breaks another world record!

Guinness World Record broken on TODAY (USA).

Michelle Bridges leads several hundred participants on TODAY as they set out to break the Guinness World Record for the largest exercise ball class.

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

RSPCA - Hens Deserve Better

http://www.hensdeservebetter.org.au/

Gail Elliott Shares her Top Beauty Products and Insider Tips

Gail Elliott, model and designer of hot fashion label Little Joe Woman, is the ultimate insider. She’s worked with the most illustrious makeup artists, designers, and calls rockstars and supermodels her best friends. In this week’s Beauty Bubble, Michael Brown sits down with Gail to unearth all of the beauty tips and tricks that she has picked up throughout her fabulous career in fashion.

The best example of Gail Elliott’s love for natural beautyis her wedding, an A-list affair at which supermodels Cindy Crawford and Helena Christensen were bridesmaids. ‘We didn’t have a makeup artist actually,’ she recalls. ‘We all sat on the floor cross-legged in front of a mirror in the gymnasium of the house, and we all did our makeup together. We all decided on the day what we were going to do… It was a wedding, it was pretty natural, we weren’t doing a fashion show so it was lipgloss, eyeshadow, eyebrows and that’s pretty much it.’

Gail Elliott always looks glamorous, but the key to her radiant beauty is simplicity – she sticks to a palette of neutrals. ‘I don’t really like a lot of makeup,’ she says, ‘and for me beauty is confidence.’ Preferring limited coverage, Gail dislikes heavy makeup that ‘feels and looks like a mask’. ‘I don’t think I really need heavy makeup all over my face, I pretty much put it in the red bits in the centre of my face where I need it.’

Over her 24 year modeling career, Gail Elliott has done it all, gracing runways from Versace to Calvin Klein.  She says that everything she knows about makeup she learned backstage, from innumerable talented makeup artists. ‘there were so many, that even have their own brands now, such as François Nars, we were all sort of starting out together at one point,’ she says. ‘everything we know now, we learnt from those guys. I think they learnt some from us as well.’

No beauty look is complete without fragrance, and Gail Elliott likes to try new scents. ‘I kind of go back and forth,’ she says. ‘At the moment my new favourite is a fragrance by Tom Ford. He’s done quite a few, they’re very, very beautiful and they last a long time. There’s one that’s a tobacco vanilla, that’s really nice, that I’m wearing at the moment.’ Tom Ford’s Private Blend Tobacco Vanille ($290-$750) is available at TomFord.com.

Gail Elliot’s 3 Can’t Live Without Beauty Products: 

1. Maybelline Colossal Volum’Express Mascara ($19.50). ‘It’s not too wet,’ says Gail, ‘I have really long eyelashes, but thinner, it’s a really good brush.’ The extreme volume mascara, which packs a punch with collagen formula and thickening agents, is available at selected pharmacies, department stores and supermarkets nationwide.

2. ModelCo – Lip Lights Ultra Shine Gloss ($18.95). For Gail Elliott this high shine gloss is the ultimate finish to a look. ‘It also has a light for when you’re out at night, it’s really cool.’ Available at modelcocosmetics.com.

3. The perfect concealer palette. Gail loves her concealer, a key ingredient for natural beauty. ‘It seems to somehow blend with my skin colour, even if I’ve had some sun.’ She even mixes shades together to get the perfect tone for her skin.

RESCU Recommends: Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Kit ($52). This multi-purpose kit includes ultra-soft, creamy concealer and pressed powder, creating a smooth, line-less finish. Available at selected David Jones and Myer stores nationally.

source Rescue.com.au

The year that built Michelle Bridges

Weight-loss queen Michelle Bridges is taking on the world one town at a time.

Behind the scenes of The Biggest Loser recently, there was almost as much drama as in the series itself.

Since the reality weight-loss program aired last year trainer Michelle Bridges - as countless news stories revealed - divorced her husband of nine years, started a relationship with series co-star, Steve ''The Commando'' Willis, subsequently split then reunited with him, before their relationship status, whatever it may currently be, quietly became their own business.

"I know I'm making a difference."

It was all a bit melodramatic but through it all, Bridges remained focused on what was most important to her and The Biggest Loser - helping people lose weight.

She's at the helm of three companies and has a fitness empire - including books, DVDs, workout gear and her phenomenally successful online program 12 Week Body Transformation - worth an estimated $67 million. She's also about to make headway into America.

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Sitting around letting the gossip get her down? Not likely.

"I feel like [the last year] has been great, actually," Bridges says. "I had a great year. I learnt a lot about business, about myself, my health, my wellness, and I'm ready to take on 2014."

Which is a good thing, considering what she's got going on now. Case in point: The Biggest Loser.

Most years, Bridges shoots the series for five months. This time, production went back-to-back, wrapping series eight before taking a quick two-week break and heading straight into the next.

"We just went cracking straight through from one to another," Bridges says. "You always go, 'What am I doing this for?' when you're in the thick of it, but we all love it.

"We know we're making reality TV that has a bit of backbone …

"These are real people who are transforming themselves, doing it in front of the whole nation, and if you ever watch a series back to back, you can see why it's the longest-running reality series on Australian TV. It's great."

This year Loser and Bridges are taking on the show's biggest transformation, an entire town.

"Put it this way, there were several moments along the way where the production team, the crew, the trainers - everyone - were all looking at each other going, 'What were we thinking? Did we really think we could do this?'

"I know when they told me about the concept for the show, I was like 'Holy moly. This is crazy town'. But we had some phenomenal results.''

Their chosen makeover town is Ararat in Victoria - one of the country's most overweight towns.

They've set themselves the goal of overhauling the population's health and fitness habits, with a lucky few given the chance to enter the Biggest Loser house up in Sydney to continue their journey.

"We're talking about a Victorian town that's one of the most overweight ever - that does enormous damage to the psyche of a town," she says.

But, by all accounts, it seems her message sank in.

"Every time I'd go there and get up in the morning for a run, there were more people on the streets at 6 o'clock; more people in the gym; more people in the swimming pool. Everyone was noticing it.

"Once it caught on and we got the town moving and involved, they were spruiking it from the rooftops.''

It's that enthusiasm, Bridges says, that keeps her going.

"People stop me in the street, in cafes, in the supermarket.

''The second thing they want is a photograph, but the first thing is to tell me their story …

"I'm a pretty inspired person, but I listen to these girls, and I think, 'Holy shit, I have to go to the gym, or I have to go for a run' - because if they can do it, then I can too."

Bridges knows how lucky she was to have landed Loser six years ago, and says it's helped enormously in getting her evangelical health and fitness message out.

"I was extremely well known in the fitness world, but as far as the general public went, no one knew who I was until I started Loser," she says.

"All the things I had in the making, that I was trying to get going, it gave me this amazing platform to really get it all up."

And if there's a bit of press intrusion along the way, then so be it.

"I know I'm making a difference," she says emphatically.

"I know people are now sitting up and paying attention, and that's cool.

"I couldn't be happier."

Biggest Loser, Ten, Sunday, 6.30pm

source Sydney Morning Herald

Erika Heynatz for STYLERUNNER

URBAN WARRIOR

The sizzling season is upon us - Stylerunner and Erika Heynatz talk bikinis, body brushing and the magic of a good pair of leggings.

“Bikini panic!” Erika Heynatz exclaims. She's kicking back at Stylerunner HQ and her eyes are wide.

“Flesh open for all to see, that walk from towel to shoreline. I have been known to yank my husband behind me to 'hold hands romantically' but really, he's just on butt-cover duty.”

Toned, terrific and inexplicably glam in boyfriend jeans and a white tee, it's boggling to think the model/actress/singer could dread swimwear. But she is human, and she's divulging all her secrets.

The first is love thyself.

“So much of it is posture. If you’ve been sitting at your desk or particularly, if you’re feeling self-conscious, your posture changes quite significantly. Doing some yoga stretches makes your limbs longer,” she says.

“More important is to remember that ultimately, we’ve got the body we’ve got. You’ve got to stand tall, love it for what it is and nourish it in the best possible way – with a healthy attitude. And the best fat-sucking tights you can get your hands on.”

And on that slightly wry sidenote, she introduces her latest obsession – body brushing;

“It's the business,” she says.

“At first it hurts and your skin gets rosy, but it never breaks. It's one of the best things for stimulating circulation, and it blasts excess fluid – especially where women hold it.”

Alas, as we well know, a body brush alone does not make a bombshell. Rule number one: You can't out-train a bad diet.

“My worst fear is being caught without good food,” she says. “My car is like a lunch box on wheels.”

Unsurprisingly, however, it's her active lifestyle that seals the deal. Now staring down the barrel of her latest conquest – the ultra-competitive business of musical theatre – Erika works out at least five days a week doing everything from Tabata (interval) training to Xtend Barre.

“You're looking to a whole new level of lung capacity you need in order to be able to sing and move at the same time,” she says.

“With musical theatre shows you can go a year and a half, working six days a week without a break. That's a different kind of stamina.”

Currently pouring her seemingly-limitless stamina into portraying Magenta in The Rocky Horror Show's 40th Anniversary Tour, it’s a familiar tale – crazy work hours, making time to eat healthy and work out.

“Exercise is an elixir and fixer of everything,” she explains.

“But yes, the transition between commitments means activewear has to be fashion forward - Sports Luxe - so you don't look like you're getting around in your fleecies. That's why my love affair with Stylerunner is so strong.”

Forget diamonds - a good pair of compression tights, she tells us, is a girl's best friend. And though she has a healthy love for anything by The Upside, and says her adidas by Stella McCartney top “snaps necks”, she's particularly fond of what she calls her Power Rangers leggings by Lucas Hugh (Aelita Leggings - Crimson Ore).

“They're decadent and elite, with all these amazing seams, fits and tiny little details. I turned up to Legally Blonde: The Musical rehearsals in it and everyone was like 'Oh my God, you look like an action hero!’ That's what I love about Stylerunner. They have captured us sportswear junkies and given us the very best.”

• WRITTEN BY: Dione David
  PHOTOGRAPHY: Titus Pengelly www.tituspengellyphotography.squarespace.com
  HAIR & MAKEUP: Mia Hawkswell 
  CREATIVE DIRECTION: Mils Achi

source STYLERUNNER

Last minute gifts ideas with Kathy Sheeran

CODE RED with Erika Heynatz

Istanbul for Foodies - with Alana Lowes

Hamdi Restaurant serves a feast fit for a Sultan, with views out over the Bosphorus River.

Words by Alana Lowes

Visiting Istanbul time and time again, celebrity cook, Alana Lowes has discovered that there is more to authentic Turkish food than doner kebabs and mezze plates.

Fresh seafood—tick, meat on sticks—tick, sweet sticky desserts—tick, creamy cheese for breakfast—double tick… Istanbul is a ‘ticks-all-the-boxes’ culinary wonderland.  Join me as I unearth the cultural capital’s exotic and intoxicating flavours.

Best Breakfast Spot

Start your day with a real Turkish breakfast amid the bustling alleys of the Spice Bazaar in Eminönü.  I love to sample before I buy, and in Turkey it is encouraged.  

There are fresh slabs of beyaz peynir (mild, white cheese) or if you are game tulum peynir (goat’s milk cheese ripened in a goat skin casing), which despite its confronting appearance is absolutely delicious. Use large hunks of simit (sesame crusted pretzel) to attack the cheese, and follow with spicy salami and olives.  No breakfast in Istanbul is complete without a rich, strong Turkish coffee.

Sweet Mid-morning Treat

If you visit during summer, like I always have, an ice-cream is the perfect combatant to a warm Istanbul day.  In Turkey, dondurma (ice-cream) is generally bought from street performers. It is always a game of cat and mouse… I try to grab my ice-cream cone only to have it whipped away from under my nose time and time again. It is great for a laugh, mostly for the street performer, and for the crowd who gather to watch your misfortune.  

In the end it is worth the wait as Turkish ice-cream has a unique chewy texture and can be stretched without the fear of it breaking.  And as an added bonus, it does not melt as quickly as normal ice-cream, so you will not end up wearing it. 

Lunch Fit for a Sultan

When thoughts turn to lunch you need not look too far from the Spice Bazaar. In fact, just around the corner, my favourite restaurant in all of Istanbul, Hamdi Restaurant serves a feast fit for a Sultan, with views out over the Bosphorus River.  

I do not usually recommend a banquet menu, but this is the exception. Choose your own mezze selection, and make sure it includes ezme – a spicy tomato and pepper salad, from which I found inspiration for my Alana’s Pantry Spicy Turkey sauce.  Plunge pieces of bread into dip, savour the flavours of lamachun (Turkish pizza), and indulge in the jewel of the experience, a kebab platter with lamb and pistachio and spiced beef.  Trust me you will not be disappointed!

Another Sweet Snack

If you are lucky enough to be visiting during the holy month of Ramadan, you will be privy to special seasonal sweet treats. My favourite is the Tulumber – it is crunchy, syrup-coated, soft and fluffy all at the same time. Wait for the sun to set and join locals to indulge in the delicacy. 

Dinner like the Locals

Mix with local workers, feasting on grilled fish and sipping raki, at one of Sultanahmet’s best kept dining secrets, Ahirikapi Balikçisi (Keresteci Hakki Sokak 46, Cankurtaran/Ahırkapı).  Think rickety tables, colourful service, grilled calamari, buttered chilli prawns, cold beers, and the obligatory endless baskets of freshly baked Turkish bread.  

Skills to Take Home

I always do a cooking class while overseas. It is a fantastic way to learn about a culture and to collect new recipes to impress your friends back home.  

Selin from Turkish Flavours showed me through to her cosy kitchen in her apartment. Brimming with jars of marinating olives and plates of kaymak (creamy Turkish cheese) it looked like the set of a cooking show. Turkish cuisine involves hidden surprises – stuffed eggplants, stuffed figs etc – and one item on the menu that caught my eye was kaymakli kuru kayisi (stuffed apricots).  Selin walked me through her recipes step-by-step.  It was a real treat to hear her nostalgic stories about watching her mother cook dinner parties in kitchen in which we stood.  

Plan Your Istanbul Gourmand Getaway

Flights to Istanbul: Together with partner Etihad Airways, Virgin Australia operates flights to Istanbul, from Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne.

Istanbul Hotels: Establish a great base from which to experience the splendour of Istanbul. Select from a wide choice of hotels with Agoda.

More about Alana

Alana Lowes is a celebrity cook of MasterChef pedigree, and has travelled the world co-hosting the television show ‘A Taste of Travel’ on Channel Ten.

Alana has recently embarked on a new adventure with the launch of her own Alana’s Pantry Spicy Sauce range available at Coles Supermarkets nationally.  Inspired by her travels globally, she has bottled up the flavours of the world into her range of gourmet hot sauces.  

To see where Alana is jetting off to next or what is on her dinner plate, 

follow her on Instagram and Twitter @AlanaLowes. 

source

Melissa Hoyer - The Ultimate Party Hosting Guide

The Ultimate Party Hosting Guide with Melissa Hoyer

Leading up to the crazy Christmas & New Year period, high profile journalist and commentator Melissa Hoyer shares her top party planning and styling tips with us. 

    What’s the best party you’ve ever been to?

I love parties, and in my line of work I receive probably around 20 invites per week. For me, it’s all about the people you are hanging out with. It could be a party of two or a party of 100, but if you’re with some fantastic people that make you laugh and feel good about yourself, it’s the best night out!

The parties that I remember and really enjoy are those parties that have a sense of personality and creativity. Those are the parties that I felt privileged to have been invited to.

I remember the yearly Cointreau Balls in the 90s. They were a series of extravagant parties with a secret location each year. The exclusiveness made the party exciting and mysterious. You just couldn’t do something like that nowadays thanks to social media.

Worst party you’ve been to?

Parties or events in my view that have been unsuccessful are those where the organisers haven’t really thought about the guest list. The guests then don’t mesh very well and conversation doesn’t flow easily, which can make the whole event feel uncomfortable and uneasy.

To throw a great party, the guest list is important. Aim to have groups of people with common interests and that you know will ‘gel’ with one another. It could be a really simple venue with minimal fuss but throw in some fabulous people and it makes the party.

In my opinion, parties are all about the people.

What is your favourite type of entertaining?

I have a very relaxed style as I like to enjoy myself with my guests more than over-plan or overthink. 

I’m not much of a dinner party entertainer; I simply don’t have the time or patience so I Iove inviting guests over for a casual affair around some drinks and delicious platters of food to munch on. I have a wonderful terrace, which has become the centre piece of the entire house with lots of laughs and memories collated over the years. It’s where my loved ones and I hang out and share our lives together.

Time of day?

Since I’m not big on playing host at dinner parties, I love when guests pop in for a late afternoon party. To me there is nothing better than sitting around with a few champagnes and watching the sunset. Also, having it that time of day means it can stretch easily in to the early evening, and sometimes kick on even later if the party is going really well!

Best invitation received?

In my line of work I get a lot of great invites, the ones that stand out are the ones that come with a bottle of something!

For more intimate parties, I suggest sending out printed invites for that personal touch. We are on email all day and every day and I think we all still like a personal envelope delivered. An email invite tends to lose the personality of the party or the personality of the host. I know it’s a bit old school but I like that.

I also love wedding invitations as you can really get a sense of the style and personality of the couple, and how they want the event to be. I always keep wedding invitations, plus they’re a lovely reminder of all my friends’ special days.

Etiquette for inviting guests?

I suggest inviting your guests at least three weeks in advance. Receivers of an invite should also not text their RSVP as that may get lost in translation. Therefore, hosts should give an email address for their guests to RSVP to. That way it is saved and you can go back to it when you finalise the confirmed guest list.

To theme or not to theme?

I absolutely love themed parties! It doesn’t have to be extravagant; it could be something as simple as asking guests to wear something, like their favourite hat or sunglasses. It really gives your guests a talking point, especially for those that are a bit more reserved.

Guests who are nervous at striking up a conversation will automatically start talking about the outfits or the theme of the party, which keeps the conversation going.

Ideas for parties on a budget?

Food does not have to be fancy for it to be a hit with guests. I don’t personally believe you always need to go over the top with smoked salmon and caviar, for example.

Sometimes even the old party favourites like party pies are great to serve, depending on the type of event and your guest list. So if you don’t have a huge budget, go for simple, wholesome but really satisfying foods like vegetable sticks, dips, cheeses, fresh bread and flavoured nuts like Wonderful Pistachios.

LOCATION

Best location for a party?

Anything with a view. I think a fabulous view can be the extra guest at a party. If you’ve got no one to talk to or you don’t really know anyone, you can look at the view.

Worst venue? 

Conference centres! They are very large and most events I’ve been to never fill these rooms adequately. I find them too big and very unemotional. There’s nothing worse than trying to fill up a room that potentially holds 300 and you’ve got 100 guests attending. I tend to feel a bit lost and very much exposed.

PEOPLE

What makes a good party guest?

- Isn’t the last to leave

- Likes to contribute and is able to chat to everyone and anyone about any topic

- I suggest inviting a few guests that you know are very social and outgoing so that they can help you in working the room.

Favourite party guest (dead or alive)?

It would have to be Michelle Obama. You see her on so many levels, as a mother, the wife of a powerful man and a business woman. I am interested with and in Michelle Obama’s layers of her life and it would be a great chat to have.

What makes a good host? 

Always make sure you greet each guest and say good bye as they leave. During the party, spend time with each guest, don’t monopolise any one person or group, hang with your best friend the whole night, or be holed up in the kitchen, otherwise you will be neglecting the other people who made the effort to come. 

Do you bring a gift for the host/should you expect to receive a gift?

I always bring a bottle of wine or a small gift like a candle when I’m invited to someone’s house. Try to bring something tangible that won’t stress the host out. Flowers are lovely but sometimes the host may find it stressful to find a place for them in the middle of party preparations. If flowers are your choice then organise to send them the following day of the celebration. 

Is it rude to ask your guests to bring something? 

No I don’t think so, although of course it depends on the event. If you’re throwing a party at home, for example, it’s perfectly acceptable. Be confident to put the request in the invite but subtly rather than demanding specific numbers of things! Also, don’t rely on the items that your guests may be bringing, make sure you’re prepared with food and drinks yourself.

It’s also fun sometimes to theme your party around food and drinks. You could suggest guests to bring a plate of their favourite nibbles or have a champagne party and everyone can bring their favourite drop. I think this allows guests to contribute in conversation and brings out a bit of personality from everyone.

KIDS

Do you have any tips for entertaining teenagers/ throwing a party for teenagers or kids? 

Offsite! I would advise parents of any kids from 3 years and up to have the birthday party away from the home, particularly if you have a small house with not a lot of room. Taking the kids to a fun activity like bowling or ice-skating is great fun. Or, party coordinators at themed venues like recreational parks like Luna Park in Sydney or children party centres like Lollipop Land are fantastic with the children and it just gives you peace of mind. The kids always have a ball.

Tips for social media with teen parties?

It takes just one text message to another friend and you could end up having 100+ rocking up at your front door. You must have a blanket ruling to not divulge any information about the party except to those that are on the guest list. 

FOOD

What is your favourite food to serve at a party?

I like to serve lighter foods and serve them on large platters. Pate, soft and hard cheeses, mixed-herb olives and gourmet dips are my favourite. The platters make serving these items so easy and they are all items that you can buy at your local grocery store. 

I love pistachios. They are so much fun and I find it distracts those more nervous types of guests or shy guests. The shells allow guests to play with something and it’s actually fun watching guests throw the pistachio into their mouths and usually missing! I usually have bowls with a few varieties of flavoured pistachios and by the end of the night they’re all gone!

My typical platter of nibbles includes a bowl of pistachios, brie, camembert, cheddar and Jarlsberg, chili crab, guacamole, babaganoush and beetroot dips and some mixed marinated olives.

Do you have any tips for last minute entertaining?

Get a mini fridge and ensure it’s always stocked with a few bottles of wine. I love Rosé in the summer; it’s something about the ruby colour. A Sauvignon Blanc is always a winner and enjoyed by all. I’m not a heavy red wine drinker but keep a few bottles for guests who enjoy it. 

Above all, my favourite is Champagne. It’s quite affordable now in Australia so I tend to keep a few in my fridge, especially for those more personal moments of celebrations.


Melissa is a huge fan of Wonderful Pistachios. 

Pistachios are actually one of the lowest kilojoule and among the highest protein nuts, a 30-gram serving of pistachios provides more than 30 different nutrients, vitamins, minerals and beneficial phytonutrients.

Here are some excellent foodie ideas for working them into your next party.

A pop of colour; a pop of flavour. See how crunchy pistachios pop in Latin flavour combinations as they deliciously mix and mingle with the tart crunch of lime potato chips and the cool taste of refreshing watermelon lightly dusted with chili-lime salt. The spicy-sweet notes make for a can’t-get-enough combination. Accompany with margaritas or lime soda, and your fiesta will be popping in no time. 

How to serve: Fill colourful bowls with Wonderful Pistachios, chunks of fresh watermelon sprinkled with Mexican chili-lime salt, and lime potato chips. Try nestling the watermelon serving bowl in ice to keep the melon chilly and the presentation cool!  

Your guests will be raving about this pairing, so don’t be surprised to see this flavourful combo at their next party. The creamy texture and buttery flavour of pistachios meld with the subtle goodness of Chevre cheese, an ideal pairing to the sweet dried apricots. The bright, citrusy flavours of the grapefruit beverage offer the perfect pairing to the creamy goat cheese and chewy, tasty apricots. 

How to serve: Roll soft Chevre cheese into marble-sized balls then coat in poppy seeds. Fill a bowl with Wonderful Pistachios and place in the centre of a platter surrounded with the cheese balls and apricots. 

Take the savoury-nutty flavour of Wonderful Pistachios up a notch with the spicy kick of wasabi peas and the salty crunch of rice crackers in this trinity of contrasting flavours and textures. Pair with a crisp, refreshing beer to chill out this uber-hot, uber-cool flavour pairing. 

How to serve: Fill a trio of serving bowls with Wonderful Pistachios, wasabi peas and soy crisps…then, get ready to crack and crunch! 

The subtle earthiness of pistachios really ignites when paired with its Mediterranean counterparts, popcorn and olive-salami skewers, rounding out this savoury snack trio. 

How to serve: Fill two bowls – one with Wonderful Pistachios and the other with salty popcorn tossed with a splash of extra-virgin olive oil. Skewer oil-cured pitted olives with slices of artisanal salami and serve on a small platter alongside pistachios and popcorn.

Wonderful Pistachios are available at both Coles & Woolworths supermarkets.

My Style: Erika Heynatz

Photo: Katie Kaars — Courtesy of Erika Heynatz

Erika Heynatz is an Australian model, actress, singer and television personality. Heynatz was the original host of Australia’s Next Top Model, played Elsa in Rockstar Games “L.A. Noire”, has recently appeared in the musical Legally Blonde, and will star as Magenta in the upcoming Australian tour of Rocky Horror.

Q: The three essential things a woman should know about style are…

Full briefs under floaty skirts on windy days (although it does pay to advertise). Side boob is only really successful in editorial shoots in fashion magazines (flesh is a moveable feast). Don’t eat anything with sauce while wearing something borrowed.

Q: Please describe your style in three words.

Relaxed, sporty, vibrant.

Q: What is the biggest mistake one can make when getting dressed?

Forgetting that fashion is the art expressing who you are, not what you think other people want to see. It’s an opportunity to be authentic and honest from the minute you leave the house.

Q: Do you believe in role models?

Oh, I’m a believer! I look to the successful women in my industry and my life to inspire me on a daily basis. Their interpretation of the world gives them all incredible personal style.

Q: What are your favourite fabrics?

Leather, jersey, denim, and lycra.

Q: Are there any style combinations that you object to?

Animal fur on humans. Bike pants on men outside of the sports environment — I have imagination enough, thank you.

Q: Which city has the best-dressed women?

New York.

Q: Would you say that you are conservative or bold?

Bold.

Q: What are the rules in the way you dress?

Can I have fun in this, and can I run in this?

Q: Celebrities and style…

Make for spectacularly good gossip magazine spreads.

Q: Name one garment/accessory that you can never have enough of.

I am very lucky to have a Christian Dior watch wardrobe I’ve collected over the years. As a result, I don’t wear much by way of other jewels. Some are really opulent and feminine; others are sporty and masculine. I think a beautiful timepiece can transform jeans and a t-shirt into something chic. Equally, I love a modern evening dress paired with a black Dior Christal watch.

Q: A woman should always look like…

She knows what she wants and she gets what she likes.

Q: Who taught you what you know about style?

I have gleaned information off anyone and everyone I could in my early years in the fashion industry. It’s one of the many wonderful side benefits of the business, being exposed to so many well-dressed creative types and tastemakers, such as designers, stylists, makeup artists, models and actresses.

Q: How do you select your clothing every morning?

Colour therapy plays a large part in my style choices for the day. There’s a reason why my yellow Acne sweater is on high rotation. Happy days!

Q: What is your biggest regret?

Wearing sky-high stilettos with really fine straps to an all-night dance-athon. My feet resembled a sizzling string roast when I finally peeled them off. I spent two weeks in soft hotel slippers as rehab.

Q: Do you have any shopping rituals?

I trawl magazines for ideas on smart pieces to buy according to what already exists in my wardrobe and what I truly need. I’ll even do tearsheets or an iPhoto folder. That way, I have an exact list or visual reference so I can try and find something as close to it as possible. I also have less chance of going off track once I get a small hit of shopper’s adrenaline.

Q: We will never see you wearing…

Clogs with socks or crocs.

Q: Which new designers do you follow and why?

Josh Goot and Dion Lee are two Australian designers that use innovation in fabric, shape, lines and tailoring that make me see clothes in a fresh way.

Q: Who is the most stylish person you have ever seen?

The very first was my grandmother, Nancy May Pringle. She made a lasting impression — beautiful blonde 50’s finger wave, a chic pastel twin set and pencil skirt, great kitten heels, fabulous glasses and a very wicked laugh.

Q: What is the first thing you notice on a woman?

Her swagger and smile.

Q: What are the most treasured items in your wardrobe?

My wedding and engagement rings. They still take my breath away when I look at them.

Q: The one image that defined your approach to style…

There’s more than a few photographs of homemade ensembles I’ve reflected upon recently, and I know now that it’s okay to get professional help. A tailor is like a doctor — nothing to be ashamed about! Great tailoring is a mark of sophistication and style.

Q: Which fashion house never fails to impress you?

Salvatore Ferragamo, Alexander Wang, Willow, Scanlan and Theodore, Stella McCartney for Adidas, and Nike.

Q: One article of clothing that a woman needs to pay close attention to is…

Handbags. They become our mobile homes during the day.

Q: Is comfort an enemy of style?

No, modern design and use of fabric makes for a very happy marriage between comfort and style.

Q: Who would you like to recommend for “My Style?”

Julie Stevanja, co-founder of Stylerunner the first online store to specialise in premium international activewear labels, with twin sister Sali. Smart, driven, and influential, Julie has made a brilliant career out of her passion for fashion (and her inspired obsession with purchases from Net-A-Porter), and does everything with incredible personal style.

Q: The best words of advice you have ever heard?

“Suck it in and stand up straight.” Thanks, Alex Perry.

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