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 does contain sensitive material. Aminata may take hold of her own story however she never lets adversity define her style. Instead, she exudes an infectious deep-seated confidence that carries the unabashed colour and charisma she graciously wears on her sleeve. And while she may have been taught to find beauty from within it’s her style to act out and impel others to do the same.

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 depressing stuff” and she invites her readers to embrace the happiness she believes everyone deserves. But Rachael's ability to spread joy doesn’t stop with her stories and whether it’s her passion for all things pink or her extensive collection of earrings from independent designers, it’s her style to always spread the love. 

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 it’s privilege Dana is determined to make design and beauty accessible to all, which she does with her colourful style that offers humour, sophistication and always tells a story.

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 with your story and that you can sit back, relax and enjoy!

To give you a more visual experience to this podcast episode, the mood board for this episode can be found here: https://www.instagram.com/madeleinepark.co/?hl=en

If you want to hear more about elevating your style at your next event, I am hosting a fashion event, The Party before the Party, in partnership with my favourite consignment store What We Wore in Clovelly. On Thursday the 12th of October I will be guiding guests on how to achieve head-turning, show-stopping looks with pre-loved pieces and we will keep the party going with a DJ and make-up artists on hand to help add that glowing touch. Tickets can be redeemed with any purchases made on the night and can be purchased here: https://events.humanitix.com/the-party-before-the-party

And if you’d like to get in touch to a find a more personal touch to your own style story, please get in contact! You can email me at [email protected], otherwise all contact details can be found on my website MadeleinePark.co. 

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 from a place of kindness and empathy and our chat not only explores Dijanna’s story but she provides award-worthy advice on how to find the very heart of your 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 revered for her altruistic work, she’s also widely recognised for her eclectic style. Whether it’s Indian cheesecloth, oversized accessories or just that happy slap of yellow, Ronni’s style not only stands out but stands for her sense of purpose and repurpose. 

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, Charlotte’s style evolves naturally, is organically told and is open to heartache even if still hungry for a little love and romance. 

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 and my story. I’d love you to join me by subscribing to my fortnightly newsletter at madeleinepark.co/newsletter where I wear my heart on my sleeve and share the things that are inspiring my story, including the guests of Season 12. 

I hope you can sit back, relax and enjoy listening to Season 12 of Style Stories.