‘I put it on and my world changed’: Robin Bailey reveals most-loved outfit
When asked to nominate the most sentimental item in her wardrobe, Robin Bailey doesn’t hesitate. This dress changed her life, and it only cost $300. All the A-List gossip and social pics from the week.
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Most people who work in breakfast dress for comfort over style, but you’ll often find Robin Bailey strolling into the studio in high heels and red lipstick - even before the sun rises.
“When I started in radio, 30 years ago, I was the only woman in the room and I realised early that I needed to try harder and feel more in control. Clothes helped me fake it till I made it,” she says.
“Clothes reflect my mood; if I’m having a hard day I slap on my highest heels and my reddest lipstick and stride out into the world.”
A self-confessed shoe lover with more than 300 pairs, Robin still wears the RM Williams she bought at the age of 19 with her first radio pay check, but these days she’s more focused on shopping her wardrobe than buying new pieces.
“It’s been wonderful to rediscover things that had been forgotten,’’ she says.
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How would you describe your personal style?
I love clothes; I look at my wardrobe every day and think to myself, ‘Who do I want to be today?’. Clothes reflect my mood; if I’m having a hard day I slap on my highest heels and my reddest lipstick and stride out into the world.
Given you get your for work before the sun is up, how do you dress for the studio?
I always wear heels and get dressed up. When I started in radio, 30 years ago, I was the only woman in the room and I realised early that I needed to try harder and feel more in control. Clothes helped me fake it till I made it. Plus, I enjoy dressing up and playing in my wardrobe. I have a story for everything and I like wearing clothes that remind me of moments. And I love a bargain and never pay full price.
Do you remember your first big fashion splurge?
When I started in high school my mum gave me $30 per month to spend on clothes and accessories. It was my allowance for everything and I soon learnt to budget and save for the things I wanted. My first big splurge was a Stuart Membery jacket; I loved that jacket and took it overseas when I was an exchange student in America.
What’s your favourite off-duty, casual day off look?
I love second-hand clothes. I scour markets and second-hand stores and mix them with overseas and local designers. On weekends I’ll wear sneakers instead of heels or my RM Williams boots in winter. And sequins go with everything.
What are your favourite brands?
I have to say Urban Outlet. It’s owned by my friend and stylist Renae Jackson and we do a side hustle called Styling Stories. Pre Covid she would go overseas four times a year and buy unique brands on sale. She knows my style and size and, bless her, she finds lots of things I love, to complement my wardrobe.
Top three wardrobe must haves?
Sequins, animal print and a pair of nude sky high heels as they go with everything.
What’s the best fashion advice you’ve received?
Be you. Wear what makes you feel amazing and don’t be afraid to own whatever that is for you that day. And as a side note to frustrated partners, woman change a million times because we are trying to find that feeling that says ‘Yep, this is me!’ and I’m ok with that.
What is the most sentimental item in your wardrobe and why?
My wedding dress. God, I love it. It was made by an up-and-coming designer, Stephanie from Sant Elia. It was a sample that she adapted for me and because it had been worn in lots of photo shoots it was just $300. I put it on and my world changed. That dress represents the most glorious, love-filled, wonderful day of my life.
What are some of your favourite brands?
I am a huge supporter of local designers like Nat Sui, Maiocchi, Sasha Drake and White Label Noba. The fashion business is so tough and these amazing women - Natalie, Dee, Sasha and Tracy - keep creating beautiful, bright, pretty clothes and shoes with such a Queensland disposition and uniqueness.
Is there anything from your wardrobe you’ve regretted throwing out?
Everytime I do a clean out I regret it because I don’t buy based on trends but what I love, so if I throw something out I often still love it, but fashion should be shared and enjoyed so if I don’t wear something for a while then its time to give it away.
How many pairs of shoes do you own? And do you have a favourite pair?
Um, over 300 pairs. Does it make it okay if I say that I don’t throw any out? I still have shoes from my 20’s. Since COVID I stopped shopping and instead shopped my wardrobe with themes every week. It was wonderful to rediscover things that had been forgotten. Since Sean died I’ve cared less and less about acquiring ‘stuff’, it’s the moments and memories that count.
THE SCOOP
There are two very happy chappies on the Gold Coast right now whose personalised leather goods brand, MAISON de SABRÉ hasbeen riding a wave of social media exposure, having become one of the must-have accessories for Hollywood “It-girls”.
Established in 2017 by Iraq-born/NZ-raised brothers Omar and Zane Sabré, the label is only available online and includes monogrammedleather products such as iPhone covers, Airpod cases, clutches, wallets and billfolds. Amongst the stars to post pics of theirMAISON de SABRÉ products are actors Dakota Fanning and Millie Bobby Brown and model/actor Kaia Gerber (daughter of supermodel Cindy Crawford).
The Runaway Bay-based brothers are basking in the love for their products with Omar saying “We always get a buzz when we seea celebrity styling their look with MAISON de SABRÉ and sharing their love for the brand.” Zane added, “It’s so great to seeour products…in the hands of icons such as Kaia Gerber and Millie Bobby Brown…(it) affirms we are creating quality pieces.”
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It worked a treat for Sex, Madonna’s famously sealed 1992 coffee table book, and recently rumours have been swirling thatcelebrity fashion designer Sonia Stradiotto will be following suit by including a “sealed section” of the book she’s currentlypenning. It’s got everyone from Burleigh to Brissy speculating as to what and whom it will contain. The award-winning GoldCoast designer, whose clients include Annastacia Palaszczuk. Bianca Dye and Tania Kernaghan, plans to share how she went from “zero to hero” with her business this year in the face of the challenges posed by the pandemic.
Stradiotto confirmed that the rumours are indeed true about the R-rated section but remains tight lipped on exactly what sortof content will appear saying only, “You’ll have to wait for the launch to discover the raunch!” A-List can only assume thecontent will be juicy tidbits drawn from her more than 30 years in the rollercoaster rag trade.
The business savvy Stradiotto has recently transitioned her popular Marina Mirage boutique into a “Café Couture” experience.Visits are now by appointment only with clients offered a very personalised service that is similar to the European salon-styleformat…champagne included, of course. Released last month, Stradiotto’s vibrant Portofino Summer Collection is already provinga hit with die-hard fans of the label.
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After years buying products that never quite met her needs, Gold Coast PR maven and podcaster Courtney Mangan has launchedher own stationery brand while undergoing cancer treatment. The self-proclaimed “Goldilocks of stationery” is a powerhouseon the GC where she owns Spin&Co. and podcast producers The Spin Studio with brother Sam. She’s also the Creative Directorfor James Cosmetics and hosts her own podcast, She Was The Fire.
Juggling multiple roles is just one of the reasons the 34-year-old loves writing lists.
“I’m very efficient with my time and use a lot of productivity tools,” she says.
However it wasn’t until Mangan was diagnosed with melanoma for the second time that she decided to push ahead and create thestationery she always wanted - and she’s taken it from concept to product in just two months.
“Launching a stationery collection has been a dream of mine for years but it wasn’t until I received my cancer diagnosis latelast year that I realised, life is short,” she says.
“I need to start living my dream life and stop being scared of failure or what others might think.
“My whole life I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect planner, the perfect shopping list and so on, but I could never findone that was just right, so I’ve decided to make my own.”
The new Courtney Mangan Co products, which launch tomorrow, include planner notepads, a shopping list, quote calendar andpens. Prices start at $10.
EVENT OF THE WEEK
Freelancing Gems Breakfast Series Launch
The Calile Hotel, Fortitude Valley
Fifty of the River City’s most influential businesswomen gathered for the launch of female freelancers job platform Freelancing Gems’ new employer breakfast series, The Future of Work for Women. In addition to a delicious brekky, guests were served up a healthy dose of inspiration by the event’s panel moderated by Freelance Gems CEO and Brisbane entrepreneur Fleur Madden that featured panellists Leanne Kemp (Queensland Chief Entrepreneur), Susannah George (Founder and CEO of Urban List) and former Network Ten newsreader Georgina Lewis.
Topics discussed ranged from the challenges women at work face in 2020 to whatwomen of influence in our community can do to help shape a better future.
Pictures: Emma Russell
LOOK OF THE WEEK
Event: Sky Racing Cox Plate Day
Location: Doomben Racecourse, Ascot
Name: Kate McKell
Age: 61
Suburb: Thorneside
Occupation: Millinery Designer (J.A.R. Millinery)
Blouse: Self-designed
Pants: H&M
Headpiece: J.A.R. Millinery
Shoes: Shoes of Prey
Handbag: Nicole Lee
Sunglasses: Dita
Watch: TAG Heuer
Bracelet: Vintage
