Zara set to open in Queen Street Mall at the end of the year

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All Brisbane-based fashionista’s rejoice! Fast fashion Spanish brand, Zara, is finally gracing Brisbane with their fabulous presence, opening their doors at 155 Queen St Mall at the end of the year.

If you can remember from Zara’s first Queensland store opening at Robina, the public went crazy, with a consumers lining up (and even sleeping) out the front of the store in anticipation. We can guarantee this same level of excitement will grace the Brisbane streets when Zara’s doors open.

Zara creates beautiful, transitional items which can be taken from day to night. Through the brands 4 categories of specialisation, including Zara Women, Zara Men, Zara Kids and Zara Home, there will be something for everyone for any occasion.

With the successful openings of Topshop/Topman, Forever 21 and H&M in Brisbane, and now the upcoming opening of Zara, it proves that Brisbane is stepping up its fashion game and finally being recognised for being a style hub.

Brisbane's Ultimate 2015 Melbourne Cup Guide

There is no excuse for not celebrating the race that stops the nation, regardless if you’re in Melbourne or not. With Melbourne Cup just a few weeks ago, we have you covered for all of your race day celebrations here in Brisbane!

Bacchus Restaurant

Celebrate Melbourne Cup with a traditional high tea at Bacchus Restaurant. Attendees will be treated to a fashion show by Brisbane label White Label Noba’s latest collection, with designer Tracey Watkins judging fashions on the field, all the while raising funds for the Children’s Hospital Foundation.

What: Bacchus Restaurant, Melbourne Cup High Tea
When: Tuesday 3 November
Where: Bacchus Restaurant South Bank
Price: $70 per ticket

Ecco Bistro

E’cco Bistro are offering their Melbourne Cup event once again, an in-demand occasion which sold out last year. Attendees will be spoilt with an all-inclusive beverage package, three course meal and the chance to win over $10K in prizes, with QWeekend editor Kylie Lang emceeing the event.

What: Melbourne Cup at E'cco Bistro
When: Tuesday, 3rd November, 12-3pm
Where: e’cco Bistro, 100 Boundary Street, Brisbane QLD 4000
Price: $185 per person

Emporium Hotel

Emporium Hotel’s Melbourne Cup – A Vanity Affair will feature an exclusive fashion parade by iconic Australian designer Carla Zampatti, delicious canape’s and exclusive racing inspired cocktails, including the Aperol Spritz and Havana Mojito Embassy.

What: A Vanity Affair – Emporium Hotel
When: Tuesday 3 November, 11.30am-2.30pm
Where: Emporium Cocktail Bar
Price: $145 per person or $130 per person early bird

Delfina's Bistro

For the very first time Delfina’s Bistro are hosting their own Melbourne Cup extravaganza. The package includes fee drinks, a 3 course meal inspired by Spring racing, live music and in-house games.

What: Delfina’s Bistro Melbourne Cup Day
When: Tuesday 3 November
Where: Delfina’s Bistro, The Emporium, 50/1000 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006
Price: $89 per person.

Les Bubbles

Celebrate Melbourne Cup at Brisbane’s iconic Les Bubbles, with free Veuve flowing for three hours. Attendees will receive canapes upon arrival, a main meal and dessert. The after party will take place in the Bath House downstairs for patrons wanting to celebrate their wins.

What: Melbourne Cup at Les Bubbles
When: Tuesday 3 November, 12-3pm
Where: 144 Wickham St, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006
Price: $129

Lutece Bistro & Wine Bar

Lutece Bistro & Wine Bar are hosting a 3-course luncheon in celebration of the race that stops a nation. Attendees will receive a complementary glass of Sparkling or Rose and appetiser on arrival, with lucky door prizes, best dress and best hat competitions to entertain all afternoon.

What: Melbourne Cup Lunch Celebration
When: Tuesday 3rd November, 11.45am-3.30pm
Where: Lutece Bistro & Wine Bar, 1/60 Macgregor Tce Bardon
Price: $89 per person, call 07 3161 1858 or email.

Limes Rooftop Bar

Limes Rooftop Bar are hosting a Garden Party with a 3-hour beverage and canape package, filled with the very best Moet, Chandon Champagne and in house spirts and brews. With canapes being crafted by Alfred and Constance, roving entertainment, sweeps and awards for best dressed, this garden party is set to be one not to miss.

What: Limes Rooftop Bar: Limes Hotel Garden Party
When: Tuesday November 3rd, 12-3pm
Where: 142 Constance St, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006
Price: $149 per person.

Soleil Pool Bar

Like the sound of Bacchus high tea, yet want something a little less formal? Well Soleil Pool Bar’s chic garden party in celebration of the Melbourne Cup is definitely for you! White Label Nobu’s latest collections will also launch at the event, delicious gourmet canapés from the Bacchus will be available as well as flowing premium drinks and live entertainment.

What: Soleil pool Bar Melbourne Cup Garden Party
When: Tuesday November 3rd, 12-3pm
Where: Bacchus Restaurant South Bank
Price: $115 per ticket

Stokehouse Q

Stokehouse Q are hosting an exclusive 4-hour spectacular featuring an all-inclusive beverage package and 4-course meal offer. Prizes for best dressed will be on offer, as well as sweeps and live entertainment.

What: Soleil pool Bar Melbourne Cup Garden Party
When: Tuesday 3 November, from 11.30 am
Where: Stokehouse Q, 1 Sidon St South Brisbane
Price: $250 per person, call (07) 3020 0600 or email.

Palazzo Versace

Wanting to celebrate Melbourne Cup in absolute fabulous style and elegance? Than festivities hosted at Palazzo Versace, Gold Coast , are perfect for you! The Palazzo is be hosting numerous events, including an elegant garden party, a 4-course meal and 3-hour beverage package at the Vanitas restaurant or La Medusa Ballroom (where attendees will be spoilt with an exclusive fashion show) or a High Tea Buffet in Il Barocco.
Best dressed to the garden party will be in the running to win over $20,000 worth in prizes (including a trip to New Zealand exclusive Versace products), with all raffle ticket donations going towards the Gold Coast Hospital Foundation.

What: Palazzo Versace’s Melbourne Cup Celebrations
When: Tuesday 3 November
Where: 94 Seaworld Dr, Main Beach QLD
Price: $175 upwards (depending on event)

Grown Alchemist Hydra-Repair skincare duo review

A recent weekend trip to the countryside provided the perfect opportunity to trial a selection of the Grown Alchemist Hydra-Repair range.

The first product that I trialled is the Grown Alchemist Tinted Hydra-Repair Day Cream: Camellia & Geranium Blossom ($49.95). Apart from dark spots and the random blemish, my skin is usually clear which means I can get away with wearing only a tinted moisturiser on low-maintenance days. In the evening I like to lather on layers of hydration to ensure I wake up with glowing skin, so I was excited to also try the Grown Alchemist Hydra-Repair Cream-Masque: Olive-Polyphenol & Babassu ($69.95) Hydra-Repair Cream-Masque: Olive-Polyphenol & Babassu ($69.95).

Tinted creams come in a variety of formulations, I’ve tried ‘tinted moisturisers’ that were basically just light coverage foundations, but the Grown Alchemist Tinted Hydra-Repair Day Cream encapsulates the words tinted moisturiser. The product is ultimately a facial moisturiser that provides a slight tint of colour to the skin. I love this product for a natural look and to add some colour to my face. It provides decent hydration but I would suggest dry skin types use a separate moisturiser underneath as I do.

Call me strange but I love products that smell good! When browsing the isles of any beauty store I am always sniffing the testers. The Grown Alchemist products smell AMAZING and contain only natural ingredients. Back on topic, I discovered the tinted moisturiser looks great worn under a mineral powder foundation for more coverage. It provides a radiant glow to your face.

The Grown Alchemist Hydra-Repair Cream-Masque is a multi-tasking product, doubling as a daily moisturiser and hydrating face mask. This cream contains a range of natural skin-loving ingredients like extracts from olive oil which is meant to visibly firm the skin, geranium oil which helps improve the appearance of pores and camellia oil to protect the skin against UV damage and premature ageing. I highly recommend using a hydrating mask like this one on flights or in cold climates, as the ingredients assist your skin in retaining moisture. As a moisturiser, this cream is best for dry or ageing skin types as it is a thick consistency. Personally I enjoy using this cream in the evening, when I’m not worried about the shiny residue it leaves on my face. This cream leaves my face feeling plump, hydrated and glowing in the morning.

Both of these Grown Alchemist products have secured a spot in my regular beauty routine – and the absolutely beautiful packaging looks great on my vanity. The tinted day cream comes in a 45ml glass bottle with a pump for easy application while the cream-masque is packaged in a 50ml glass jar that comes with a tiny spoon-like applicator to avoid harvesting bacteria in the tub. Both products have a luxurious look and would make great gifts for any beauty-lovers in your life... or as a treat to yourself.

Why everyone is talking about accessory boutique TotallyJewel

“I’ve always thought of accessories as the exclamation point of a woman’s outfit,” once said designer, Michael Kors. Indeed, he couldn’t be more correct.

Regardless of the season or wardrobe budget, by adding the right jewels a fashion look can instantly be given a style update.

A little black dress can quickly look expensive by adding the right metals, or a loose-fitted kaftan can be individualised with bright bangles and oversized beads.

Finding on-trend accessories is quite easy but finding something unique, with a major point of difference isn’t the case. That’s why we are thrilled to introduce you to TotallyJewel, our new favourite, online jewellery boutique which is locally based in Sydney.

TotallyJewel has something for everyone. If you are after some arm candy, they offer the option to stack it and personalise it. Are you after a bold statement? Then you have the option for instant glamour and a style fix.

The great news is the website is totally mobile friendly so you can even shop on the go. And if you’re in a hurry or you’ve fallen in love with a piece and need it now, then you need not worry, as they will ship your purchase on the same day as long you order before 4pm.

Boasting quality, on-trend designs and affordable price points, TotallyJewel aims to fill the gap in the market where you can shop special occasion pieces or work appropriate staples at a steal.

Accessories are fun, and TotallyJewel is in on the action as they welcome visitors and supply clues for the chance to claim pieces for the discounted price of $10-$15, in their fortnightly “Jewel-Hunt”.

Jewellery is personal and with the many main-stream, chain stores and sites offering similar products, it’s refreshing to have an accessories boutique that you can trust to keep you ahead of the fashion pack.

Your friends will surely be asking where you snapped up that statement necklace and it’s up to you as how much you give away. Maybe all you need to say is, ‘totally.’

For more information or to start shopping visit www.totallyjewel.com.au.

Today's fashion article is proudly sponsored by TotallyJewel and endorsed by Fashion Weekly. Thank-you for supporting the sponsors who make Fashion Weekly possible.

How to stay classy at the races

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Race Day is one of the most anticipated days of the year. Bubbly is flowing, you’re feeling gorgeous, you’re being a social butterfly and you’re hopefully winning a few bets too. However, more often than not, this glamour can be easily skewed thanks to a few too many champagnes, and before you know it you’re stumbling around the track. We have put together some of our best (and learnt) advice to avoid looking like a drunk girl at the races.

1. Play by the Racewear rules.
Race day was created to be a classy event. Keep your modesty intact and keep your dress length to below the knee. Elegance can be sexy too! That brings us to our next rule...

2. We’re not at a club, no plunging necklines.
We repeat, modesty can be sexy too!

3. Wear comfortable shoes.
Avoid being the classic race day drunk girl, walking with heels in hand after a long day of losing bets. Ensure your heels are broken in (and that you can actually walk in them) before race day.

4. Drink water.
We hate to sound like everyone’s Mum, but the key to staying classy at any event is to pace yourself with water between drinks. You’ll thank us tomorrow when you’re hangover isn’t from hell.

5. Know your limits.
This relates to your champagnes, the amount of horses you're betting on, and even the dodgy spray tan the day before!

6. If you’re going trackside wear wedges or a chunky heel.
There’s nothing worse than the feeling of your stilettos sinking in the grass. Wear appropriate footwear, or if you can’t bear to part from your heels be prepared with a high heel protector.

7. Slip, slop, slap.
Again we hate to sound like everyone’s Mum, but sunburnt shoulders do not suit any dress!

8. Avoid White
Hide any red wine or grass stains and stay well away from white. What they don’t know won’t hurt them.

9. Be prepared
If you’re lucky enough to be in Melbourne for the big day, always be prepared for any snap weather change. Just because it’s glorious and sunny in the morning doesn’t mean it won’t pour in the afternoon. Be sure to pack a small umbrella because that newspaper page won’t keep you dry!

Lisa Gorman talks Brisbane's emerging fashion scene

Playing with different fashion trends and styles is what makes fashion such a fun and personal experience. Australian label Gorman specialises in creating beautiful, fun designs for the everyday woman. We spoke to the creator and Creative Director of the label, Lisa Gorman, about her inspiration, her role at this years RESORT festival and her thoughts on Brisbane’s emerging fashion scene.

Gorman is renowned for its quirky and whimsical designs. Where do you find such inspiration to create such fun, beautiful pieces?
LG: Inspiration is from the everyday. I have always found day to day life the most relevant inspiration for what I create and who I create for. It’s about people going about their daily business in their own way. I like both cultural and nature references in my prints, clothing and accessories, and keep a fresh, contemporary feel to what I do because that’s what I see going on around me.

What is your ultimate styling tip?
LG: Be comfortable with how you are looking. Don’t worry about trends, a confidently dressed girl is fashion in itself.

What is the biggest fashion trend for the season?
LG: Layering is strong this season. Skirts under dresses, dresses over pants, any layering look you like really. It's a good way to reinvent your wardrobe and helps to bring prints and plains together, particularly if you're not a big print person. You can create your layering outfit so that just a peek of print is exposed.

How would you describe Brisbane's sense of style?
LG: I would describe Brisbane's sense of style as modern and fresh. Colour has always been more prominent in the warmer climates because the locals tend to permanently hold that healthy warm-weather glow, making colours look amazing on the body.

You’re taking part in RESORT Trailblazers panel discussion alongside Margaret Zhang and Holly Ryan. Do you think that Brisbane’s fashion scene is finally gaining recognition nationally and internationally?

LG: Definitely. Due to technology, the world is a lot smaller than it ever was, and being Australian, or specifically from Brisbane, means that you have the same opportunity for exposure as anyone else does these days. Brisbane has strong local brands, retail precincts and a really competitive offering these days which puts it on the map right there alongside the rest.

If you’re looking for beautiful, quirky fashions for your summer Gorman is definitely for you. To hear more about Lisa’s thoughts on the Australian fashion industry, book your tickets for the RESORT Trailblazers panel discussion.

Slay the dance floor with these 9 moves thanks to Queen Bey

You all know that Queen Bey is our all-time life inspiration. These flawless dance moves by Sascha Fierce will have you d’floor ready this weekend. You’ll find us practicing in our bedrooms.

1.The Power Strut

The best entrance into any club.

2.The Kick and Go

3.The Shoulder Shrug

4.The Bey and Snap

5.The Shimmy Clap

Finge is necessary for full effect.

6.The Stop and Stare

Not a dance move in itself, but feirce enough to be included.

7.The Squad Goals

8.The Ride The Surfboard

9. The Casual Hair Flip Of Life