In this freestyle episode, following from my recent tip to Tokyo, I share tips on how to apply the thinking of Japanese philosophy Wabi Sabi to our existing wardrobes. In appreciating the aged, the irregular and the natural, Wabi Sabi offers us a great sustainable solution to understand our wardrobes in refreshing ways. I'd love to engage with you more on these discussions and this content. So please follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/madeleinepark.co/ or subscribe to my...

In episode 3 of season 13, I chat with Georgie Vicars, founder of Jamoo. Like’s the label’s name suggests, Jamoo and Georgie alike are one of a kind. Inspired by the Australian coast, Jamoo is a playful pastiche of the past presenting itself in patch-worked pieces put together from a legion of repurposed towels Georgie has hunted, hoarded and handpicked. While Georgie likes to live in a moment and may still be mapping out her ensuing adventures, Jamoo stands as a reflection of her free...

In this freestyle episode, I share tips and stylist insider knowledge on how to rethink all those sequins coming out of our post-Swift era. I ruminate on how to tone down, add contrast and make our sequinned styles more wearable by offering ideas on suiting up, muting palettes, fabric fusions, shifting shapes, and keeping things simple.  If you'd like a direct style consultation from me or have a style conundrum that I can address in future episodes, please connect at...

In episode 2 of season 13, I chat with Camilla Schippa, a refreshing figure formidably marrying circular fashion practices with true social impact. A self-proclaimed migrant matriarch, Camilla is the CEO of The Social Outfit, a charitable organization whose mission is to empower refugee and new migrant women through employment and training in one fashion forward movement. Camilla’s story convinces us to think outside the square by not only understanding the power of freedom in our own...

In this freestyle episode, I share tips and stylist insider knowledge on rethinking and refreshing your wardrobe. I ruminate on how to reorganise, repair, reimagine and replay with your clothes to make them work better for you. There are also tailoring hacks and my ideas on the power of visual inspiration in transforming your wardrobe.  If you'd like a direct style consultation from me or have a style conundrum that I can address in future episodes, please connect at [email protected]...

For the first episode of the new year, I chat with Charlotte Dallison, author, writer & vintage fashion aficionado. Charlotte’s recently released book, How to be Fabulous, not only dares us to defy trends but to refresh our personal styles by diving deep into the world of pre-loved clothing. By sharing her story, Charlotte provides a gracious guide on how to think about style, including how her take on manifestation helped refresh not only her style but her story. And while she still...

A new year can offer us the promise of many fanciful/different things, but often it’s simply an opportunity to refresh, whether it be our style or our story.  Season 13 will continue to share the stories of creative people with a strong sense of style however this season I will turn the wheel to provide more offerings on how you can refresh your style and use it as a tool to share the story you want to tell.  I hope you can sit back, relax and enjoy listening to Season 13 of Style Stories. 

As 2023 wraps up, I conclude Season 12 of Style Stories with a message of understanding for the Christmas presence.  I’ll be giving myself the gift of a small break over the holiday season, returning reenergised and full of heart in January with what will be my 4th year of Style Stories.  As you spend your holidays celebrating the spirit of the season, I hope you find the presence of your own style and story and that you can sit back, relax and enjoy. 

Today I am chatting with Aminata Conteh-Biger, founder & CEO of the Aminata Maternal Foundation and Special Representative for Australia with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).  As we wrap up Season 12, Stories with Heart, it seems only fitting I share a story, also told through Aminata's autobiography Rising Heart, that’s full of passion, strength and life. A former refugee from Sierra Leone, Aminata has seen unimaginable trauma and a gentle warning, this episode...

In Episode 6 of Season 12, I chat with Rachael Johns, best-selling author and prominent voice in contemporary relationship stories focusing on women's issues. She has coined the term 'life-lit,' delving into the intricacies of female relationships and the desire to belong. As this season focuses on stories with heart it's only fitting to talk with Rachael as she launches her latest romance novel, "Talk to the Heart". Rachael's narratives offer a joyful escape from what she would call “the...

In episode 5 of Season 12, I’m chatting with Dana Tomic Hughes, self-confessed design tragic, interior designer, and founder of renowned design platform, Yellowtrace. Vogue may have hailed Dana as one of the most visionary women on the planet, but as narrative unfolds you’ll also find her to be one of the most tenacious, passionate and dedicated. Proud to have popped Dana’s podcast cherry, sharing her style and her story is emotional and a privilege, just the way she sees design. And despite...

In Episode 4 of Season 12, I’m chatting to you. At the midpoint through Season 12 I wanted to do something a little different and talk you through a case study of a fashion styling client. By walking you through their real-life story I hope to answer some of the styling dilemmas I regularly get presented with and help solve some of the questions you may have around avoiding trend-driven dressing and defining what sits at the heart of your own style story. I hope this podcast style helps you...

In Episode 3 of Season 12, I chat with Dijanna Mulhearn, fashion presenter and author including her recent New York Times acclaimed book, Red Carpet Oscars. Dijanna’s poise and polish may make a show-stopping impact but it’s her point of view that adds the real texture and colour to her style. By understanding fashion as a communication tool, Dijanna is able to single-handedly challenge every trope you may have about the superficiality of fashion or fashion people. Instead she comes at style...

In Episode 2 of Season 12, I chat with Ronni Kahn AO, social entrepreneur and founder and CEO of food rescue charity OzHarvest. Ronni may call herself an accidental activist but her upbringing founded on principles of generosity and purpose have made her contribution to repairing the world, her calling. OzHarvest gave Ronni a force to find her voice and share her heart and now she colours the world yellow with abundant warmth, engendering joy wherever she goes. And whilst Ronni is rightfully...

In Episode 1 of Season 12, I chat with Charlotte Ree, devoted home cook and author of Heartbake, a personal memoir that not only chronicles Charlotte’s stories of love through her love of food but includes recipes to feed the heart and soul. Whether it’s on paper or in person, it’s Charlotte’s style to be open-mannered and lay her whole story out on the table. And of her lessons in love, she’s been taught not only to feed herself first but dress to please herself first too. Like her story,...

If wearing your heart on your sleeve is understood as an act of intimate self-expression, then fashion and style may be the vehicle that signals the very heart of your story.   Season 12 of Style Stories aims to honour stories with heart by featuring creatives with a strong sense of style who come with care, compassion and connection and candidly share their stories with an open heart.  In this vein, I have started a fortnightly newsletter to share more of what sits at the heart of my style...

Today I’m chatting with Amanda Webb, Chair of the Board at Dress for Success Sydney. As Season 11 of Style Stories wraps up, Amanda and I address some of the broader questions sharing these stories sought to answer. We talk about the purpose and transformative power of fashion while understanding the unique position DFSS holds in cultivating community, and circular fashion practices. Most importantly we discuss the heart of the organisation which relies on the empathy of women helping women...

In Episode 6 of Season 11, I chat with Denise Cheng, National Manager - Active Philanthropy for Equity Trustees and Board Member of Dress for Success Sydney. Denise has devoted her career to giving back to others, inspired by the strong sense of community that was instilled in her at school and at home. And while Denise focusses on fairness, she has broken free from the perfectionist mould her younger self once built around her. One to have always coloured between the lines, Denise now...

In Episode 5 of Season 11, I chat with Yana Malyutina, owner and founder of consignment boutique, What We Wore, and volunteer stylist at Dress For Success Sydney. Yana’s Russian heritage may be at the root of her style but at the heart of her story is graciousness and gratitude. An unwaveringly positive self belief, a hungry drive and a hand at hustle has determined Yana’s success and whether it be leopard print, diamante’s, sequin’s or feathers, Yana proudly wears her heart on her sleeve and...

In Episode 4 of Season 11, I chat with Julie Stocca, former client and current employee of Dress for Success Sydney. Forever a ray of sunshine, Julie has perfected the art of keeping up with appearances. This has lended her an elegance and strength of style that sees her as a reigning pageant queen but has also groomed and protected her through the tougher times. Today, with the help of DFSS, Julie’s inner self matches the strength and grace of her outward expression and it’s her style to...

In Episode 3 of Season 11 I chat with Robyn De Szeoke OAM, Deloitte Director and Former Chair of the Board for Dress for Success Sydney. Forever forward-thinking, it’s Robyn’s fate to forge independent paths for females. Whether it be trough her commitment to family, work or community, Robyn’s strength of character is central to her story and drives her independent attitude as well as her individual attire. Not one to follow trends, Robyn prides herself on statement pieces which emulate...

In Episode 2 of Season 11 I chat with Marina Guilmant, Learning Designer whose work sits at the intersection of technology, education and creativity. Like many members of the Dress for Success Sydney community, Marina’s link to the organisation has gone full circle, taking her from client to volunteer and her style has followed suit. With the support of DFSS Marina finds herself not only reinventing her story but rejuvenating her style, resilient enough to catch up with colour and rebellious...

Season 11 launches with a live broadcast of The Style Edit, the fundraising event I hosted and produced in association with DFS Sydney and in celebration of International Women’s Day. With the support of over 30 sponsors including Elms Store, Tan Temple and Soraya Tailoring, the Butler venue was jam-packed with warmth, positivity and a generosity of spirit. I had the pleasure of sharing the stage with Leisa Sadler, CEO of DFS Sydney and Naima Ibrahim, one of their beloved clients, who gave...

As the world casts its eyes downwards, economically speaking, I want to know how can we look up to fashion? Where in clothing do we understand purpose and what are the stories that give this sentiment power?  Season 11 of Style Stories aims to address these questions by delving into some of the soul reaching stories coming from the community of Dress for Success Sydney, the not for profit organisation whose mission is to empower women to achieve economic independence by providing the...