Chapter One.

Nestled very comfortably in the window seat of my flight, as the pilot began his descent, I stared at the skyline beside me. You only really understand how many people live in Sydney once you leave it. I stared at familiar city lines, pockets of houses, and skyscrapers in between. The harbour was a deep-sea blue, as it always was. And smack-bang in the middle of all that water, decorated with the white tops of yachts and boats, was the iconic Harbour Bridge. What does it mean to be a Sydneysider? It means admiration for the Harbour Bridge, the Opera House beside her, and all the nuances that make Sydney lovable. Wherever you come from in Sydney, you love the city. Its charm is undeniable. Walk down George St in the city centre, and you’re surrounded by fashion houses like Louis Vuitton and Fendi, and busybodies slinking up and down those streets like they’ve got somebody to be. That’s what I always loved about this city. At times, it feels like the centre point of the entire country.

Four years have flown by since my departure to Brisbane, Sydney’s sunnier, more laidback sibling just a city above. There are many contrasts between Brisbane and Sydney, and they don’t just have to do with the climate. Brisbane belongs to the Sunshine State; of course, you’ll feel the hotter days. A fun fact for you: I never owned one piece of linen before I moved — there was just no need for it in Sydney. There wasn’t a time nor a place. Brisbane is beautiful in its easygoing charm, but Sydney will stand out time and time again with its shining bright lights and tailored outfits. In my job at Ralph Lauren in Brisbane, we admire double-breasted suits and navy pants to match. We love the idea of jackets and coats, but we just don’t reach for them as much as we’d like to. In Sydney, there is much more demand for the tailored, the classic, and the timeless.

Those three words I’d use to define the growing aesthetic I have seen on the streets of Australian Fashion Week: this being the reason for my stay in Sydney. Commencing on May 13th, fashionistas from all over the country began congregating at industrial Carriageworks in the suburb of Redfern for the annual fashion spectacle. On Monday, revellers who didn’t make it witnessed adventurous street style from their Instagram feeds. I was one of them, for my flight was booked for the next day. Daring silhouettes and dark colours caught my eye the most. From my home in Brisbane, I critiqued the look with friends online. Growing accustomed to the Queensland way of living, it had been a while since I’d seen designs that pushed the envelope and redefined what “cool” meant. In any case, I was eager to get to the city of sparkle and see the outfits for myself.

With stars in my eyes, I got ready for my first runway show of the week at the QT Hotel on Market St. This divine hotel can only be defined as boutique and boujee. I chose it because it was a dream of mine; for years, I had lived in Sydney, and I had always wanted to stay at the QT. The hotel’s entrance (you’d miss it if you blinked) is beside the State Theatre, where shows are every night, and gold flashing lights decorate its exterior. The QT hotel welcomed my stay with decadent pastries and indulgent macaroons made by world-famous patisserie chef Adriano Zumbo.

If you’re Australian and know what food’s good for you, you’ll know who Adriano Zumbo is. The Australian-born to Italian parents revolutionized the macaron in Sydney in the early 2010s. His creativity in food and desserts was showcased on the Australian TV series MasterChef, and the patisserie conglomerate single-handedly made Australians obsessed with the macaron during his television peak. Imagine my surprise when I bit into this delicious dessert and discovered that the QT Hotel prepares this welcome gift for ‘special guests.’ The receptionist informed me when I asked where to grab more.

Feeling very comfortable and boujee myself, prepping for night two of Australian Fashion Week, I did my hair and makeup in the hotel mirror. Another factor that sets this hotel apart is that every room provides a top-of-the-line Dyson hair dryer. At $500 a pop, this device takes styling your hair to the next level. As I straightened my curls for the special occasion, I looked forward to seeing the creative designers behind Acler — the show I was about to attend. As a brand that redefines the feminine silhouette through elegant draping techniques, I chose to wear a caramel-coloured Ralph Lauren dress with pleating in its skirt as my very own homage to the Acler label. With my Tony Bianco leather boots and a beige fur coat to match, I lit a Vogue cigarette outside the hotel for old times’ sake as I waited for my ride. As I got into the taxi, which swiftly ushered me away, I couldn’t help but look back at the twinkling lights of the State Theatre. Excitement, my companion. 

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