The woman they call Australia's queen of frocks, Leona Edmiston, can't help but dish out style advice.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
The fashion designer, who celebrated her 10th anniversary in the business this year, even has a suggestion for the Prime Minister - a wrap dress, of course.
''Navy and cream would look beautiful, striking and smart and would set off that red hair.
''I'd start her gently at first, as she's not much of a dress wearer ... then rev her up with bright prints.''
You too can get style tips from Edmiston. She is appearing at the Canberra Centre on Tuesday and will be at Dendy Cinemas for a fashion preview. This will be her first time in Canberra for about a decade.
She'll do a Q&A session. Women often ask about racewear, especially in the lead-up to the racing season. Edmiston already has her Melbourne Cup outfit picked out: a frock from next season in red snakeskin-print Italian jersey teamed with a Nerida Winter hat.
Her advice for Cup Day fillies was to choose hot hues. ''Bright colours are so strong this season,'' she said. ''It's the perfect day to go full on with colour and clashing prints. It's a statement-making day; not for the bashful.'' Edmiston recommended a ''concise'' hat as bigger hats created problems in crowds.
''Choose one with a great shape,'' she said. Asymmetrical is always interesting.''
Her advice to rookie fashion designers who would like to stick around in fashion as long as she has was to ''find your signature and stick to it''.
''Keep developing what you do best,'' she said. ''It's such a tough industry, but that's so exciting.''
- An evening with Leona Edmiston is on at Dendy Cinemas at the Canberra Centre on Tuesday from 5.30pm. Tickets $30 from customerservice@canberracentre.com.au. Some of the money from ticket sales will support community organisation Working Wonders.