Style Stories with Madeleine Park

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 and the power of yes. 

I hope you’ve been moved and motivated by the style stories of the Dress for Success Sydney community and if you’re seeking more stories with heart, look out for Season 12 of Style Stories, coming soon. If you’d like to know more about my style and my story I’d love for you to subscribe to my recently launched newsletter. You can do this at  https://madeleinepark.co/newsletter

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 colours outside them exposing her classic style to a little more flair, a lot more fun, and the freedom to express her authentic and vulnerable self.

To join the Dress for Success Career Hub, a one-stop shop to help you at every stage of your career journey, visit dfscareerhub.org.au

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 is never afraid to show off her confident style.

To join the Dress for Success Career Hub, a one-stop shop to help you at every stage of your career journey, visit dfscareerhub.org.au

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 boldly let her voice be heard. 

To join the Dress for Success Career Hub, a one-stop shop to help you at every stage of your career journey, visit dfscareerhub.org.au

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 power, poise and a pursuit of excellence and its her style to always be dressed for success.

To join the Dress for Success Career Hub, a one-stop shop to help you at every stage of your career journey, visit dfscareerhub.org.au

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 enough to occasionally break the rules. 

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 their take on the organisation and it’s significance to them. Across the sunlit venue, over a beautiful breakfast, we laughed, we cried and of course we shared our style and our stories. A successful event I thoroughly enjoyed being a part of and with this episode I hope you too can sit back, relax and enjoy.  

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 clothing, confidence and community to help women thrive in work and in life. 

This series will continue to share stories of creative people with a strong sense of style, but with women who not only understand how we dress serves a purpose to success but are able to circle back to the significant impact clothing can have on confidence and community. 

I hope you can sit back, relax and enjoy listening to Season 11 of Style Stories. 

For episode 6 of Style Stories season 10, we end the season with a bang! In this episode I chat with larger-than-life celebrity chef, Big Sam Young, in his neighbourhood restaurant S’more and I promise you after listening to this interview you will want some more. Forget quiet luxury, Sam is all about luxury in it’s largest, loudest forms, whether it comes in the shape of a Burberry suit or a lobster lasagna. Sam might enjoy the finer things in life, but don’t be fooled by the Balenciaga hoodies that his got, Sam will never forget where he came from. And while he likes to live life large, the key ingredient to his success is sharing happiness and it’s his style to make sure everyone is invited to the table.

In episode 5 of season 10 I chat with Yianna Velos, self-confessed oil magnate, caviar dealer and co-founder of fashionable olive oil brand, Golden Groves Co, which she has created alongside her sister Katianna. Keeping it in the family is central to Yianna with her olive oil hailing from the idyllic Mani Peninsula in Greece, where both her parents were born. And while it may have been in her stars to find a force that forged family with food, it seems fashion was also in her fate. Her beginnings were borne out of a pair of sunglasses and since then Yianna’s sense of self has found itself in fashion. Underpinned by pleasure and pride, Yianna does denote a certain decadence, but like her upbringing around food, she is also learning to bring colour, creativity, and community to her sense of style.