Style Stories with Madeleine Park

In episode 10 of Style Stories: Stepping Out, I chat with Celia Dragouni, a Greek fashion designer, whose eponymous fashion label has achieved international success and been seen on the likes of Dree Hemingway, Australia’s own Jess Hart, and even Lindsay Lohan. Celia offers a point of difference to her designs by embedding the performative sparkle of Greek fashion culture to a natural, bohemian aesthetic steeped in historical references. Whether she’s borrowing from the gentle draping techniques of Ancient Greece, applying her artful hand at Navajo symbols or taking inspiration from the Edwardian era, Celia’s old soul shines through. And it’s this ability to take ancient history and make it modern that define both Celia’s story and her style.

In episode 9 of Style Stories: Stepping Out, I chat with Juliette Foxx, London-based fashion influencer and designer who is as famous for her pastel pink hair as she is for her vibrant content and character. While Juliette’s London upbringing may have tailored her style, it’s her birthplace of Cameroon that lies at the heart of her story. While she colours her influence with a generous joy for life and a celebration of individuality that honours her roots, it’s her determined attitude, hard work ethic and strong sense of pride that makes her stand out. And it’s this strength of character, combined with a serious talent and her heartfelt belief in herself, her family and her heritage that define Juliette’s style, ensuring her story will always earn her a seat at the table.

In episode 8 of Style Stories: Stepping Out, I chat with Malene Malling, Danish publishing powerhouse and founder of Copenhagen fashion label La Bagatelle. At the tender age of 26, Malene saw herself as  Editor-in-Chief of Elle magazine and has since led the helm of several fashion titles including Costume and her own publication, Cover. Practically Danish royalty in the design and fashion circle, Malene is an authority on the Danish woman and how she dresses. Whether she’s talking about her style, La Bagatelle or Copenhagen Fashion Week the story is always one of respect, reverence and craftsmanship. And it’s this sense of responsibility to both community and environment harmonising with a point of privilege and a hard-working strength that underpin the story of Malene and Danish woman alike, ensuring their effortlessly chic style is tailored to stand out while always fitting in.

If you like Style Stories but are looking for a little more connection please come and join Style Stories: The Circle, a Facebook Group I’ve created to provide a community-minded space where you can discuss the latest episodes, get social, and share your style & your stories.

from Brooklyn, New York and was literally at the airport about to step on to a flight when we recorded this interview. Eman and I met 5 years ago at New York Fashion Week and I was immediately struck by her strong voice, her generosity of spirit and her iconoclastic style (to give you an indication of what that means - at the time she had paired her hijab with a leather harness). Eman’s style may have evolved as she’s started to delayer some of the constraints of her strict upbringing but the heart of her story remains honest, courageous and continues to esteem her Egyptian roots. Whether she’s competing in reality TV shows, studying neuroscience or just simply helping her clients hail a cab, the beauty of Eman is in how she combines strength with vulnerability, hip hop with a touch of Princess Di, and yet all the all the while her style remains whole-heartedly New York.

In episode 6 of Style Stories: Stepping Out, I chat with English actress, model and influencer Sophie Porley, best known for her role as Ellie Nightingale on the popular British soap Hollyoaks. Sophie may hail from Essex London, a place where white high heels and fake tans have been typecast as style but there is nothing fake about her. Instead Sophie keeps it real, whether she’s wearing a white shirt with stains or being transparent about her efforts, and sometimes shortcomings, at practicing sustainability. And it’s this down-to-earth nature coupled with her ladylike looks that render her style that of an English rose. Whether she’s going wild at a music festival, dressing up for dinner dates or planning a girl’s weekend away, Sophie is blooming in her new found freedoms and naturally is stepping out in style.

In episode 5 of Style Stories: Stepping Out, I chat with Dr. Dawnn Karen, New York-based professor, author and mother of the field of Fashion Psychology. Heralded as the first Fashion Psychologist by the Times, Dawnn is a pioneer many times over and it’s her sense of self belief and empowerment that has shaped the courageous and cogent nature of both her work and her wardrobe. And whilst she draws from her formative years in performance to always show up, it’s her sense of authenticity both in her style and her self that define Dawnn’s New York narrative.

In episode 4 of Style Stories: Stepping Out, I chat with Sarah Stuart, celebrity & fashion stylist who leads the charge in dressing the characters that define New Zealand’s major news programs and our interview could not have been more timely. As Sarah also holds an Ambassador role for NZ Fashion Week, we were supposed to engage in the excitement leading up to the event but the world being the tumultuous place that it is, the news that NZ was going into a snap lockdown broke the morning of our interview. Testament to Sarah’s hard-working nature and kind character, she still showed up sporting fresh hair and fierce fashion from one of New Zealand’s favourite designers, Trelise Cooper. And it’s this commitment to performance coupled with a considerate curiosity and an ability to meet the mood of her audience that define both Sarah’s fabulous style and her fascinating story. 

If you like Style Stories but are looking for a little more connection please come and join Style Stories: The Circle, a Facebook Group I’ve created to provide a community-minded space where you can discuss the latest episodes, get social, and share your style & your stories.

In episode 3 of Style Stories: Stepping Out, I chat with Diana Chan, accountant-turned-chef who became an Australian household name when she won Masterchef in 2017. Hailing from Malaysia, Diana turned her hand to food when she moved to Melbourne but it’s both these multicultural melting pots that have informed her style, which is never ugly but always delicious. Today she continues to excite us by drawing creativity from her travels and bringing a visual feast to the table whether it be in her food, her table finery or her fashion. And it’s her demand for good quality and her classic good taste that define her, ensuring Diana’s story is one to be celebrated and is always served with style.

If you like Style Stories but are looking for a little more connection please come and join Style Stories: The Circle, a Facebook Group I’ve created to provide a community-minded space where you can discuss the latest episodes, get social, and share your style & your stories.