style bar

Over the past two days Chadstone the Fashion Capital has once again cemented itself as *the* Melbourne shopping centre for the fashion conscious by hosting a Spring Racing Style Bar, providing FREE 15 minute styling sessions full of tips to help look fabulous for the upcoming spring racing carnival. 

Ashley from Burberry Beauty at David Jones was providing makeovers, noting that race-goers this season would be wearing bright lips in everything from fire-engine reds to intense plum colours.  If you're going to go with this trend, stick with smokey eyes in neutral tones.  Avoid pairing bringht lips with coloured eyeshadow unless the tent you're heading for is the big top.

As every girl knows, a bad hair day can ruin even the best outfit, so many were flocking to the amazing Campell Ritchie who was tending to tresses of all lengths and colours and giving advice on how to ensure your hair lasts as long as you do on race days.

Melbourne Milliner Melissa Jackson was on hand to help choose the perfect headpieces to go with race day outfits, while stylists Franco Schifilliti and Anika Walker were giving individual expert advice about how to marry personal style with on-trend, showstopping looks.

Franco emphasised that 'co-ordinating' does not mean 'matching'.  Would-be fashionistas should be looking achieve a "total balance" with their look.  To do this, Franco recommends never combining more than three colours in a single outfit.  Anika and Franco agree that this season is all about colour, colour and more colour (yay!) along with a healthy dose of prints. 

Accessories came from a range of stores including Portmans, Colette, Wittner and Rubi Shoes and highlighted the focus on bright colours and embellishment.

What did Anika choose for the Cheeky Fashionista?

seduce bliss cap sleeve dress

I must admit, not a piece I ever would have chosen myself, but I guess that's the point of a style bar - to push us out of our comfort zone and into a whole other world of fashion possibilities!