Brisbane Style and a Runway on a Bridge

Brisbane fashion put on its most stylish weekend and I got to be right in the middle of it.

A personal stylist-dedicated weekend called “Styled to Succeed” in late August was two days of fashion, connection, and inspiration. I can’t wait to share what I saw and learned with you.

This wasn’t your average fashion event. It was intimate, select, and so thoughtfully designed that every conversation felt personal. Personally I found the small group size was a blessing because we connected deeply, swapped stories, and had so much fun while soaking in the best of Queensland’s fashion scene and weather.

The Gold Coast set the stage

Saturday kicked off at Pacific Fair Shopping Centre on the Gold Coast, and honestly, there’s no better place to start a style-filled weekend. It’s really the shopping destination in itself! So spacious, bright, and full of luxury brands sitting alongside accessible fashion finds.

The morning started with an insightful session focused on our businesses. While this was designed for image consultants, there were plenty of takeaways that translate directly to how women like you shop, dress, and express themselves. The big themes? Authenticity and consistent effort are what it’s all about, whether you’re curating your Instagram feed or curating your wardrobe.

After a lovely bite for lunch, we headed for a guided shopping tour. We walked through the latest seasonal drops, unpacked what’s trending (and played a sort of “bingo” to see who could pick the different trends at each store first). We were fortunate to listen to a history (and the reality of retail) of some of the most iconic Australian brands, such as Scanlan Theodore and Aje. If you’ve ever wanted a personal stylist to give you the inside scoop while you shop, this was exactly that.

Here are current fashion trends as we head into the Spring/Summer season this year:

• Colours are predominantly neutrals. There are also plenty of brown, warm or true reds, burgundies. A smattering of softer blues. Overall colours seem “Autumnal”.

• Leopard print for anything, you name it… separates, dresses, shoes, accessories. It’s basically the neutral version of patterns. Clothing patterns leaf motif prints, together with ubiquitous floral.

• Silhouettes are still mainly midi, maxi length dresses. Fuller skirts remain the trend. Strapless popping up. Drop waisted and “floaty” skirts are common.

• Separates are generally softer tailoring. Crew neck tees. Cropped and fitted. Or very relaxed fit. Wide leg jeans still dominating.

• Seeing a subtle move away from linens (but still quite present), more to cottons and blends. Suede and faux leather definitely trending. Denim remains a strong theme.

• Shoes are wedges, slides (inc. chunky ones), sandals. Focus on neutrals again. Same Autumnal colours and leopard print to match clothing. Ballet flats, mary janes and slingbacks also trending. Sneakers and sambas still popular.

• Handbags mainly in neutral colours. Key styles are totes, baguettes, hobo and variations. A few barrel and saddle crossbody styles still around. Noticeable in their lack of colour, sticking to neutrals or Autumn colours.

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Sunday took it up a level

Day two was all about Brisbane. And the star of the weekend? The Brisbane Fashion Festival Resort Runway, staged outdoors on the Kangaroo Point Bridge in the middle of a perfect Winter day.

Picture this: models striding across the bridge, the river sparkling in the background, and the city skyline as your front-row view. It was quintessentially Brisbane. Casual yet polished, effortless but striking.

The collections showcased were a mix of breezy resort wear, structured daywear, and glamorous evening looks. The colours were very much for the warmer palettes, not many options for those with cool undertones (like myself). Some of my favourites included floaty dresses or separates paired with structured sandals (your spring/summer wardrobe hero) and pops of gorgeous colour. A reminder that colour is confidence.

Style is better when shared

After the runway, we kept the energy going by taking an elegant stroll through the Brisbane Botanical gardens, followed by our reward of a group lunch on the river. It was the perfect afternoon setting of Brisbane sunshine, cool breezes off the water and an abundance of delicious food. The conversation was the highlight, like a mini styling circle. We talked about what women really want from fashion right now. Clothes that make sense for their lives, styles that feel modern without being over the top, and a way to shop that doesn’t feel overwhelming or wasteful. Sustainable fashion was a topic many times discussed during the weekend.

One of my favourite moments was hearing women open up about where they feel stuck or overwhelmed… and leaving the weekend with ideas, clarity, and passion to try something new. There were honestly several incredible breakthroughs! That’s what style should do for you by energising, not exhausting.

Why this weekend mattered

Fashion events like this aren’t just for industry insiders. They’re a chance to press pause, get inspired, and reset how you approach your wardrobe. Spending two days immersed in fashion gave me a fresh perspective and I’m already working new ideas into how I support my clients.

If you’ve ever wished someone would just show you what works for your body, your lifestyle, and your personality, weekends like this are proof of what’s possible. You don’t have to do it alone, and you don’t have to waste time guessing.

Bringing it back to you

I came away from the weekend buzzing with fresh ideas and I want to pass that inspiration on to you. The standout trends were playful colour, soft tailoring, statement accessories (and yes, silk scarves are back, whether worn as headwear or belts)… all perfect for refreshing a spring wardrobe.

When you’re out shopping next, look for one piece that feels modern yet wearable, maybe a relaxed blazer shorts-suit, a bold statement earring, headscarf or a floaty dress in a warm leafy print. Small updates like these can completely change how your wardrobe feels, without starting from scratch.

And if you’re feeling ready to take the guesswork out of getting dressed – whether that means Colour Analysis, a Personal Style Consultation, or a Personal Shopping session – I’d love to guide you through it.

Brisbane style showed us this weekend that it doesn’t have to be serious to be effective and inspirational. It really can be fun and effortless.