June 21, 2025 • 26 mins
In this weeks fashion update, style and confidence go hand in hand—but what if fashion feels out of reach or just not you?
Enter Donny Galella, aka The Confidence Creator. With 17+ years styling everyone from everyday Aussies to Hollywood stars, Donny believes great style isn’t about trends—it’s about feeling good.
In this episode, he shares how to ditch fashion fear, the simple styling tricks that boost confidence, and the wardrobe essentials for a Good Outfit Day (GOD), every day.
Check out Leigh's article: LEIGH CAMPBELL: 'The "confidence clothes" I wear when I want to feel my best.'
LINKS TO EVERYTHING MENTIONED:
Decjuba Becky Jeans $109.95
Women's Genuine Suede Loafer $40
Seed Heritage Hannah D Frame Sunglasses in Rainforest $49.95
GET IN TOUCH:
Want to shop the pod? Sign up to the Nothing To Wear Newsletter to see all the products mentioned plus more, delivered straight to your inbox after every episode.
Feedback? We’re listening! Call the pod phone on 02 8999 9386 or email us at podcast@mamamia.com.au
CREDITS:
Host: Leigh Campbell
Guest: Donny Galella
Producer: Stef MacFie
Audio Producer: Leah Porges
Video Producer: Marlena Cacciotti
Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.
Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:10):
You're listening to a MoMA Mia podcast. Mama Mia acknowledges
the traditional owners of land and waters that this podcast
is recorded on Hey you bis, it's Lee here, and
it's Sunday, and I know that you all love the
Shop my Stash section of you Beauty, and we've kind
of got a similar version on Nothing to Wear. It's
all about how we just make the most out of
(00:31):
what we already own. So here's a wonderful episode in
your feed to help you do just that. Whoever said
orange is a new pink with seriously disturbed.
Speaker 2 (00:41):
Laurels spraying groundbreaking.
Speaker 1 (00:44):
Oh my god, you have to do it.
Speaker 3 (00:46):
You live for fashion.
Speaker 1 (00:49):
Hello, and welcome to Nothing to Wear, the podcast that
solves fashion problems and levels up your wardrobe. I'm Lee
Campbellon every week I talk to an expert who helps
us work out how to get more out of the
clothes we already own and tells us exactly what is
and isn't worth adding to our wardrobe. Style and confidence
go hand in hand. But what if fashion feels intimidating,
(01:09):
out of reach, or just not you. Maybe you're stuck
in a rut I'm sure of what suits you, or
just don't have the budget all the time. Well, that's
where today's guest comes in. Donnie Allela calls himself the
confidence Creator, and for good reason. He has over seventeen
years in the industry and he style everyone from every
day Ossie's to huge Hollywood celebrities, and he's proven through
(01:31):
his work the great style isn't about trends or price tags.
It's about feeling amazing in what we wear. In this episode,
Donnie shares how to break through fashion fears, the styling
trick that instantly boosts confidence, and some wardrobe essentials that
give you a good outfit day. What he calls God Donnie,
Welcome to the show.
Speaker 3 (01:50):
Thank you for having me.
Speaker 1 (01:51):
I can't believe it's been so long and we haven't
had you on yet. Considering we're neighbors, we're friends, we
see each other around all the time.
Speaker 3 (01:57):
I'm so excited to be here.
Speaker 1 (01:58):
Well, I ask first time guests two questions. Firstly, can
you describe your own style in three words?
Speaker 3 (02:04):
Oh? Okay, I would say definitely tailored. Love a lot
of tailored pieces. I feel there's an element of polished
as well, and I feel confident my clothes are quite
confident so yeah, they're my three.
Speaker 1 (02:16):
That works perfectly with what you do for a job.
But I agree you are always so tailored and polish,
Like have you ever warm tracksuit pants?
Speaker 3 (02:23):
I absolutely do. But I guess I really believe the
power of clothes. And every day I'm helping people look
and feel good. Yeah, and I feel if I've got
to start that myself. Yeah, so that I can bring
that energy to my clients.
Speaker 1 (02:34):
I love that. Okay, A theory that rings pretty true
for a lot of people. We've got a wardrobe full
of clothes, but there's a ten percent that we reach
for the most what's in you or ten percent?
Speaker 3 (02:43):
I've probably got them on today. I mean a good
tailored suit and whether you wear them dressy or wear
it paired down with some sneakers. But I love tailoring,
and I've got so many suits, so many blazers.
Speaker 1 (02:54):
I was going to say, do you know how many
blazers you've got?
Speaker 3 (02:56):
Must have at least other thirty. Yeah, And I love
them and I put them on and I feel polish,
I feel good finishes off my outfit. It's almost like
putting on my Superman cape.
Speaker 1 (03:06):
Your amah, but in a confidence exactly.
Speaker 3 (03:08):
Yeah, you just put it on. I am ready, I
feel good.
Speaker 1 (03:12):
I agree too with my blazers. I'm glad it's getting
cool on out because it's just been too humand for me.
I don't know how men do it. My poor husband
half the time I'm like, oh, your poor thing in
a shirt and or a blazer. But blazers for women
to just like add that layer of confidence.
Speaker 3 (03:24):
A wardrobe essential definitely.
Speaker 1 (03:25):
Well, speaking of confidence, I love in your Instagram bio
you say you're the confidence creator. So how do you
do that? How is style and confidence connected?
Speaker 3 (03:36):
Obviously I've been a stylist for in over fifteen years,
but in the last kind of year or two have
kind of repositioned myself as a confidence creator because at
the crux of what I do the stylist, it's making
people feel confident. And that is the power of clothes.
You put on a good outfit, you look good, you
feel happy, are you're nice to people around you, You nice
so your partner, you're more productive at work. The benefits
go on forever. So I just wanted to teach people
(03:56):
the power of clothes and confidence and help women shop.
I think we'll have a bit of a comfort zone
sometimes so helping people get out of their comfort zone
and look, there could be a celebrity or they could
be an every day Aussie mum and it's really done.
Wonders in terms of I think always a stigma with
stylus and it's like, oh, I can't see a stylus.
They're just for celebrities. Oh my god. Yeah, it's true.
Speaker 1 (04:14):
Fans in expensive and they're going to take me bad
of Chanelle.
Speaker 3 (04:16):
It's like, no, I can literally take you to Target,
Big w Cuba, whatever your price range is. Of course
you want to shop with Guccie, let's go to Gucci,
but like, whatever your budget, let's go.
Speaker 1 (04:26):
Yes. And the joy of the transformation that you help
with I can imagine that's so rewarding.
Speaker 3 (04:30):
It is phenomenal, Like it's the power of having those
cores from clients. Afterwards, they're like, thank you so much.
Like I've I've had more jeans for twenty years and
now wearing jeans. I get calls from husbands saying thank
you so much. My wife is so happy now things
in the bedroom are good again. I'm like, well, okay,
too much information.
Speaker 1 (04:46):
Yeah, the confidence, does you know? It affects every part
of your life.
Speaker 3 (04:49):
It is that flow on effect and you forget that
you know you can have that impact on people and
it's really really rewarded.
Speaker 1 (04:54):
And look, there is kind of two parts to your
job because you do a lot of beautiful celebrity dressing
for events and stuff. But I think for the listeners here,
it's probably more the everyday Aussies that you're right need
help with the shopping because if they get the shopping right,
then they can put it together when they get home.
So what's the biggest blockers with confidence that we see
or you see when it comes to fashion or your clients.
Speaker 3 (05:15):
I think a lot of us are stuck in a
bit of style rut and we go shopping, we come
home empty handed. I think, what the problem is. You're
going shopping and you're going to the same shopping center,
you're going to the same brand, You're going back to
the same color, the same shape. It's your comfort zone.
You're not getting the right thing. So for me, it's
saying stop, Okay, let's look at clothes in a whole
new way. Let's start. Let's work out what you need.
Let's work at what are your best assets, what are
(05:36):
the parts of your body you love, Let's celebrate that.
Let's find clothes that make you feel good and celebrate
your best assets. Then we've got the parts of our
body we're not as confident with. It's like, all right,
here are some styling tips and tricks that we're going
to use to make you feel more confident about that.
And it's just helping people get out of that shopping rut.
And when they go shopping, they'll see shopps in a
whole new way. They'll go to shops they haven't been to.
(05:56):
I think when you get into maybe your forties, your fifties,
you kind of tell yourself you can't shop in particular
shops yep, And you're making shopping hard because as soon
as you get to that west Field you already said, well,
I can't shop there.
Speaker 1 (06:05):
There.
Speaker 3 (06:05):
There there, They're half your options are gone. So it's
teaching women that you can shop in body or sports,
go wherever. It is just going looking for the things
that you want and need, don't.
Speaker 1 (06:15):
Worry about yeah, and just having brows. You don't have
to buy. But if you haven't been in there for
one year, five years, ten years, go and see what
it's like.
Speaker 3 (06:21):
Absolutely, and sometimes you know we have had a bad
experience as a brand, and we're like, I'm never going
back to that brand again because bloody Cheryl, she ripped
me off me. Can you give me the receipt? But
forget about those bad experiences or those past perceptions what
you think a brand is like because brand's always changing
and evolving and having new collections. So almost like, don't
even look at the brands or the stores you're going into.
Just go in with knowing what you want to buy,
(06:43):
and forget about the brands that you're looking at and
just go in.
Speaker 1 (06:46):
So true because despite this job of mine, I go
to my local shopping center and I know the stores
there and I go to them same three. And you know,
of course I do research for work and shop online.
But even online I go to a bunch of websites
that I go to far more than any others. So
it's getting out and just going to places you haven't been. Absolutely, yeah,
I want to go shopping with you.
Speaker 3 (07:04):
All right, let's do it now.
Speaker 1 (07:05):
I want to ask you about a good outfit day,
so we want to for a wardrobe full of God,
good good outfit day. I love that.
Speaker 3 (07:13):
I always say to people, you want to have a
God experience every day, and God is good outfit day.
You wake up put on that God all day. You
look good, you feel confident, you feel empowered, you own
the room, you have good day at work, you're happy
with a family. And that's the power of a good outfit.
And you want to create a wardrobe full of God outfits. Yes,
(07:34):
so every day you can feel empowered and amazing and wonderful.
Speaker 1 (07:37):
That is the best acronym. I love it. I thought
of GHD for good hair Day, but I like this
related to fashion, yeah, exactly. Listeners to this show will
have various problems or just want to hear various people
like you, experts, opinions on you know, it could be budget,
it could be not knowing what suits them like you say,
it could be something from their past or something they've
told themselves. If they don't have a U to take
(07:59):
them shopping, how can we help them if they can?
Speaker 3 (08:02):
So many ideas here. So the first thing I would
say is, I guess you need a sense of inspiration.
So I say Pinterest is a good source in terms
of working out what you like. So, you know, I've
got a few Pinterest pages and I'll go through and
I'll pin things that I love, and then when you
go back through your fold as you kind of be like, Okay,
these are the things I love. These are the vibes,
these are the shapes of the colors. I think it's
great to have celebrity crushes and people style that you love. Again,
(08:24):
go through those pages and be like, oh, I like
as you's done that that bad and I love these pieces,
and start to get some ideas of your missing pieces
of what you can buy to achieve those looks.
Speaker 1 (08:33):
So listen to start to get a common theme. Then
don't you I feel saved enough or looked enough. You're like, oh,
maybe that's my.
Speaker 3 (08:38):
Shapes and colors and things that be like, Okay, this
is what I want to shop for. But I think
most importantly too is know your own wardrobe. I think
we're very much guilty of going out and buying lots
of things. But know what you have, know what your
gaps are. Have you got those top fifteen things that
every woman should have in a wardrobe, because if you don't,
that should be your starting point. Have those wardrobe essentials first.
(08:59):
Got those great, Now we can get some trend items
or some pieces that you know you might see some
celebrities wearing, but actually go into your wardrobe first, do
the cull, get rid of the crap, get the weeds
out of it.
Speaker 1 (09:09):
Yes, it's like gardening. You're that's such a good you get.
Speaker 3 (09:13):
Those weeds out first. Then you've got to get the fertilizer,
and then you can have that beautiful grown gardens.
Speaker 1 (09:18):
So true because if you've got to, like I'm thinking
of my wardrobe at the moment, if you've got a
garden full of weeds, you know it's a mess. It
hasn't been cleaned out, and you don't know what's there.
You don't want to go and play in there. But
once you've got all the weeds out, it's such a
joyful place because what's left is valuable.
Speaker 3 (09:30):
One hundred percent. And then when shopping becomes so much
easier because you know what your gaps are and you
kind of got a bit of a plan. Now you
kind of thinking, Okay, if I want to create that
style of that celebrity, then I know I want to
buy these pieces, and I've got all my essential pieces
and then you have these beautiful garden of clothes.
Speaker 1 (09:44):
I'm going to use that analogy all the time. So
on that point of confidence, and you mentioned the essentials,
I think you said fifteen. Is that I've done fast.
Speaker 3 (09:53):
Number pretty much? I think. So if I had to
really condense your and have fifteen things you could buy,
I think it's about fifteen essentials.
Speaker 1 (09:59):
And have you come up with that. I'm going to
ask you what a couple of them are in a moment,
but have you come up with that over your years
and years of taking real women shopping and what they're
missing and then what fills the holes?
Speaker 3 (10:08):
Yeah, So whenever do any style session, we sit down
for a coffee first before we hit the shops, and
I'll actually say do you have these items? And we'll
go through so you know, your little black dress, your
white shirt, your pair of gean, your black planets, your
black skirt, laser. You know, if you don't have any
of those, that is the first things we're going to
shop for because they become the cornerstone of your wardrobe.
They are the glue, so anything else you buy will
(10:29):
stick with that, so you'll always have something to wear.
Then when you're traveling, if you just pack those fifteen
items or so, always got something, that.
Speaker 1 (10:35):
Is such a good point when you meet with these clients.
Is it often that they don't have them, or you know,
enough combinations of them, or sometimes do they have just them?
You know what I mean?
Speaker 3 (10:44):
Actually shocked at how many pieces of women don't have
from those things because they seem so basic. You know,
for example, a classic white shirt. Most people are like, oh,
white shirt, how boring?
Speaker 1 (10:53):
Yeah, not fun to shop? Four hens don't have?
Speaker 3 (10:55):
Yeah, Bill, I think where they If you work in
a business world, it's like, no, a white shirt you
could wear over a cozee, you could wear it open,
over a T shirt, you could layer it. So I
think a lot of people are missing those essential pieces.
So when you shot for those and suddenly they've got them,
it's a game changer.
Speaker 1 (11:09):
And now what about if those essentials are outdated? Not
saying that we have to follow every brand new trend,
but you know, I went through my black pants recently,
and black pants are a classic kind of staple, but
some of them I was just like, you are not
right for me anymore. So do we have to update
our staples?
Speaker 3 (11:26):
I think so? You know, like for example, you know,
classic black pants you might have bought ten years ago.
Right now you might want something with slightly wider leg
or a higher waist. Our bodies change over time. Right
now I need a high waist, So it's absolutely perfect
idea to update your essentials everyone in a while as
your body changes or your needs change. Absolutely yeah, I
know it. And jeans. I think jeans are one of
those things that always kind of changing too. So it's
always good to update your gyms.
Speaker 1 (11:47):
But don't throw away your skinnies because apparently they're still
coming back. I'm hearing you.
Speaker 3 (11:50):
Know what I swear. If I got a dollar for
every time I get asked, can I just to wear
my skinny jeans, I would be rich.
Speaker 1 (11:56):
And what's your answer?
Speaker 3 (11:58):
I say, if they make you feel good, keep wearing.
Speaker 1 (12:01):
I was going to say, if they make you feel comfortable.
Speaker 3 (12:03):
That's what fashion is all about. You know. I got
to admit, these wide pants don't do a lot for us,
are adding bulk to our friends. So you know, if
a skinny jeen makes you feel good, keep wearing that
skinny jean, girlfriend, because do it.
Speaker 1 (12:16):
And because that goes to show again why your service
is so valuable. Because confidence is different to different people,
and confidence might not be you know, quote unquote looking
cool if you don't feel good, if you feel silly,
if you feel like it doesn't suit you absolutely.
Speaker 3 (12:29):
I always say, don't follow trends just because it's a trend.
If you don't love it, don't follow it. You know
you have to love it, Your heart has to love
it because when you wear it, you want to feel it.
You just feel with joy. So don't weigh things just
because you know someone else is wearing it.
Speaker 1 (12:52):
Getting a stylist can be intimidating or exclusive, but even fashion,
and you know, caring about what you look like can
feel like you're vein or you don't know how. You
know it's for the fancy people, But how do people
shift that mindset to realize that everyone deserves to enjoy
getting dressed if they want to or enjoy shopping, or
at least not hate it and be scared of it.
Speaker 3 (13:12):
I think one of my manch has always has been
is everyone does to look good and feel fabulous, and
no matter your age, your size, of shopping budget, I
think that's really important. We all want to feel good,
we want to feel happy, we want to feel confident, and
clothes allow us to do that. We wear clothes every day.
Like you said earlier, it's our arm are in life.
Speaker 1 (13:27):
It's illegal, not too unfortunately, you know, I'm this.
Speaker 3 (13:31):
Colony correct do what you want. But otherwise you were
in clothes every day, So it is important to invest
time into your clothes. Like think about how much money
we put into our hair, our nails, our tans and that,
and they're not really essential that the clothes are. So
if you just invested in the stylist once in your lifetime,
or even just a stylish friend or you know, one
(13:53):
of your gay mates who has a bit of you know,
loves going shopping just to have.
Speaker 1 (13:57):
Better ones to go shopping with. I fine, because you
don't both fall in love with the same piece and go.
But I want to wear it to lunch on Saturday.
Speaker 3 (14:02):
And they'll tell you, and they'll tell you the truth,
you know.
Speaker 1 (14:06):
So we've got a listener. Let's pretend this listener or
anyone out there, wants to feel more confident, wants to
get the courage to care about what they wear or
to go shopping. Where did they start. Let's pretend they're
starting with a few key pieces, and we're talking about
sort of now autumn, going into the cooler months. What
would you say to look for in terms of shapes
or colors.
Speaker 3 (14:25):
Okay, so I think right now it's time to start
getting ready for autumn. As you said, so must have
is a great coat. I think a coat is an
absolutely must have. A trench would be a great starting
point if you don't have a trench. A beautiful wrap
style coat as well, I mean cash me would be
the dream if you want to invest in a cashmere coat.
So a good coat, a couple of beautiful knits. Obviously
it's all that layering. So some beautiful knits, and I
(14:48):
think you want to keep warm in your lower halfs
there's some nice pants or maybe a nice knit dress
or something like that. So you know, three to four
pieces that you can layer and that will get you
through the cooler months.
Speaker 1 (14:57):
Okay, what colors are you seeing for this autumn?
Speaker 3 (14:59):
We're seeing a lot of beautiful rich burgundies and those
beautiful deep reds, which are so gorgeous.
Speaker 1 (15:05):
I agree, they're pretty much fluttering on everyone they are.
Speaker 3 (15:07):
They really are such a beautiful colors, so many different shades.
Speaker 1 (15:10):
Of it too, Okay, and brown are's singing brown everywhere.
Speaker 3 (15:13):
I am seeing brown everywhere.
Speaker 1 (15:14):
I've always liked brown, And then I thought I hated brown,
and now I love brown. I'm such a sheep.
Speaker 3 (15:18):
I'm so into this chocolate. Give it to me or
shades or flavors delicious.
Speaker 1 (15:24):
I love it.
Speaker 3 (15:24):
But again, as I said, it is a bit of
a trend. So I wouldn't go out and buy a
five thousand dollars brown coat.
Speaker 1 (15:29):
Good point.
Speaker 3 (15:30):
So this is where, you know, invest in those essentials
that we spoke about, but then the trend items like
a brown coat that's maybe Azara or something like that.
I feel more affordable now.
Speaker 1 (15:40):
You take people shopping for a living like hello, you
spend other people's.
Speaker 3 (15:44):
It's the dream.
Speaker 1 (15:45):
We're going to do some stores a bit later, and
why in bougie and budget. But I want to know
where do you take your clients. Where do you have
the most luck. It can be expensive, it can be affordable,
but perhaps they would normally go, oh, I can't go
in there, or oh I wouldn't go in there. Okay,
tell me where?
Speaker 3 (16:01):
Yeah, okay, So you know most ladies I'm peaking too.
Obviously it's their local Westfield, so you know key stores
to Cuba. For me, strike great is incredible. Like I
think greed, I'll always come out with handfuls of stuff,
especially their genes.
Speaker 1 (16:13):
Yeah, and they're basics. I think it's like deluxe.
Speaker 3 (16:16):
Yeah, basic and venim is the core of their brand.
That's where they began. So when a client says, I
don't have gena like right to Cuba, get the Becky gene.
Speaker 1 (16:23):
Oh what I need to google that one. Do you
think that they've just better in the past few years
as well? It's always been a good Basis's.
Speaker 3 (16:29):
Always absolutely really evolving. Their latest collection. Looking at it's
so fashion like you've got all the fashion colors, but
they understand, especially the mum who just needs something that's
stylish but yet practical and versatile. Dress it up school pickups,
wear it out for dinner and that's what we want.
Speaker 1 (16:44):
Yes, okay, so we like to Cuba.
Speaker 3 (16:46):
This is a bit of a surprise one. But the
last month taking clients to sports Girl and you know,
I'm taking women who are generally in there, like thirties, forties,
fifty is like not going in sports Girl. And then
when we get in there, amazing, like the beautiful two
piece sets. I want to say, give me vibes or
the Lemon vibes without the price tag.
Speaker 1 (17:03):
And do you know why. I love that because you
were and I a similar age, and there was a
point where I saved up all my money to shop
at sports Girl and then I haven't really been in
there much lately, and yeah, I would think it's too
young for me or whatever.
Speaker 3 (17:14):
They've got some great pieces to Max So, like we
have these preconceived notions of brands, you've got to let
go of that and just shop everywhere. So they're doing
some fabulous things Portman's right now. I've taken clients in
there recently, some gorgeous stuff. I think we had ideas
of Portman's being very suity.
Speaker 1 (17:28):
Yes, definitely. It was definitely cool pretty when all my
friends were starting to be lawyers and I was starting
out in media, and then I thought, oh well I
don't need a pencil skirt.
Speaker 3 (17:36):
But some of the dresses that they're doing at the
moment absolutely phenomenal. Chic is another brand I can always
take client in, will always walk out with bags and stuff.
Forecast again Forecasts, very very under the radar, yes, but
again always finding beautiful things in there with clients.
Speaker 1 (17:50):
Funny you say that, because I was looking for something
to wear it all fancy event lately and I was
on the Iconic actual they saw it on the They
do have something phenomenal pieces, very expensive.
Speaker 3 (18:00):
Okay, yeah, they're doing some good things.
Speaker 1 (18:01):
Now i'm your pretend clients. They've got a bit more money.
Speaker 3 (18:04):
Where are we going? Okay? So I think into that
next kind of little shelf, Country Road, of the beautiful things,
some leather pieces that are just absolutely divine at the moment.
Have you shopped in Control.
Speaker 1 (18:16):
Look, there's a skirt. I really want to let that
like almost like a circle skirt. Yeah, beautiful. Will I
get enough? We're out of it. No, I'll probably buy
an inspired by piece, but yeah.
Speaker 3 (18:25):
Country Road. Yeah. And then I think, you know, if
you want to start speaking at some gorgeous designers like
me in a beautiful Alime two piece set just for
something color, I'm all about color and prints that spark
joy and Alime. I look at their pieces and it
makes me happy. I don't know they just if you
just had one piece, beautiful two piece set from alame
gorgeous and they were just in a new White Lotus
(18:46):
Alamee and is in them and both of you the
New White Lotus design The designers a snag a piece
before the paring price.
Speaker 1 (18:52):
Yeah, and I like that you said two piece set
because you're I can tell you're thinking versatility of it
is a set.
Speaker 3 (18:57):
Where them are separate, you put them together. It's just easy.
It's polished, and people be like, oh Ali mae, yeah girl.
Speaker 1 (19:04):
I love that. So, like I said before, you do
have sort of two sides of the coin to your job.
You dress what I would say, fancy celebrities and fancy
you know, events, and then you more everyday people that
aren't celebrities. Do they ever have anything in common? You know?
Speaker 3 (19:20):
Is it so lead or.
Speaker 1 (19:21):
Is it similar?
Speaker 3 (19:22):
Regardless if they are a list Hollywood celebrity or every
day mom. One thing they have in common is they
both have insecurities. And we often look at these gorgeous
lebrities and say, oh my god, they are perfect. They
must be so happy, they can wear anything. No, I
feel they almost have more insecurities than every day people,
maybe because they are in that limelight and they know
there are millions of people watching everything that they do.
(19:45):
But you know, it's just a great reminder that we
all have insecurities. We all have things about our bodies
we don't like. Really, it is an eye opener and
eye open. It's good.
Speaker 1 (19:53):
I was gonna say that's really nice to hear, which
it's not, because I don't want anyone to feel that way.
But yes, you can feel very us in them. And
you know, we both are on social media and could
sometimes you know, our lives are very glamorous and not
with glamorous as a less celebrities. But everyone is human.
Speaker 3 (20:07):
Absolutely, They're all humans. They have emotions and they definitely
have insecurity as well. So regardless if it's a celebrity
every day mum, I'll always begin with a briefing session
and chat to find out what they're comfortable in. Even
a celebrity, I'll ask you what parts of you what
did you love them most of the parts that you
may not like as much, and I factor that into
out because if you're going to walk down a red carpet,
I want them to own that red carpet and feel
(20:28):
amazing stuff. I'll put them in something that's hiding all
their best assets and accentuating parts they don't like. You're
going to see them walking down the red carpet like
looking really nervous.
Speaker 1 (20:36):
And so it's the same for strutting into school pickup yeah.
Speaker 3 (20:39):
Exactly, You're want to state school pick up and be like, damn, yeah,
looks amazing.
Speaker 1 (20:44):
So confidence is at the root of everything you do,
no matter who.
Speaker 3 (20:46):
It is, exactly, And I always ask those same questions
right at the beginning, doesn't matter if they're a celebrity
or an every day mom, because I really want to
get inside their head to understand how can I make
them feel amazing? What pieces kind of put on them
that they're just going to love them feeling powered totally?
Speaker 1 (20:59):
And back to your point before. We all have to
wear clothes every day. We don't have to spend a
huge amount of money. You know, we can still be
on a tight budget, but we can feel good.
Speaker 3 (21:06):
Absolutely.
Speaker 2 (21:07):
Yeah, it's very expensive.
Speaker 1 (21:20):
How wondre these? So we thought we'd do some stores.
I mean, I've already drilled you on that, But do
you want to do that? Because I've got two not
unexpected ones. But I've got a bougie store that I'm
loving what they're doing for this autumn winter.
Speaker 3 (21:35):
And a budget one. Okay, give it to me.
Speaker 1 (21:37):
Okay, My budget is Target because as we know, you know,
Camart had to glow up. Target had to go up.
Big W's just had to go up the Target's autumn
winter range. Now is pretty phenomenal. All three of those stores.
Speaker 3 (21:49):
I was in there the other day, right, are used.
Speaker 1 (21:51):
To you know. I would always do a bit of Target,
particularly having a son. Some came out in big W.
But now all three of them. I'm going to the
women's section and I'm blown away.
Speaker 3 (21:59):
It is amazing. Target. The other day I saw they've
got a faux leather trench. Oh my goodness, it is
just beautiful. And this shoes access through John if you
got to that section.
Speaker 1 (22:09):
But Donnie, I bought forty dollars real Swede loafers from Target.
They come in black and beige. They are killing and
they're very comfortable.
Speaker 3 (22:19):
And don't the men's section. I have a client she
likes oversized blazes, and she bought some men's blazes from
the Target section. So a lot of women love that
because it'll be more size and unstructured.
Speaker 1 (22:29):
And I go thrifting all the time and look at
the men's section, but I never thought to go to
cam up big W or Target. Man.
Speaker 3 (22:34):
Yes, so check it out. Don't sleep on that people,
It is incredible.
Speaker 1 (22:37):
I've got to go and my bougie, you know it's
not outrageous, but it's more expensive than those stores. Is
seed this season? I've always loved seeds, dip in and out.
I find that there's summers maybe a bit too linen
near for me. But like we said, the rich chocolates,
the Burgundies, there's furry texture, there's velvet.
Speaker 3 (22:54):
Oh yes, love it.
Speaker 1 (22:56):
The Swede. I am so back in love with seed.
I'm saving up for a pair of shoes. They're not
extremely expensive, but I don't need another pair of shoes.
But I bought some fifty dollars Sunnies from them, their
new autumn collection. They're just a big, simple sunglass but
with sort of it was called Rainforest. It's kind of
like an olive green frame. And I've never had more
comments on a pair of Sunny's now fifty bucks.
Speaker 3 (23:16):
Accessories really are the best way to up that your outfit.
I must say, do you get to that point with you?
I do, yeah, yah, absolutely, because I think accessories are
the frosting on the cake. And it's a part the
love of struggle with thought. Because we're busy mums, You're
running around. It's like the last thing we have time
adding those accessories.
Speaker 1 (23:31):
But it feels optional, but it's actually sometimes the easiest.
Speaker 3 (23:34):
And people know, I noticed your necklace so as I
walked in.
Speaker 1 (23:37):
Yeah, and that was literally running back in the house
because I was like, god, I basically so plain.
Speaker 3 (23:41):
It's like the frosting on the cake and I really
noticed that. So taking those few extra moments in the
mont at that frosting. But also like, we're like magpies, right,
we are literally drawn to anything shiny or blingy. So
that's exactly what my eyes went to. So I always say,
if you are feeling they self conscious about, you know,
our tummy section, if you wore that nice, big statement earing,
you've shifted the focus up here and away from our
area of concerns.
Speaker 1 (24:01):
So true. And your handbag always fits, your sunglasses always
fits you. It doesn't matter what your body's doing.
Speaker 3 (24:05):
Absolutely, So accessories always is the perfect way to finish
off your out but draw the attention away from our
eras of concern.
Speaker 1 (24:12):
So you I ask you where you're like shopping for accessories, then.
Speaker 3 (24:15):
Look, it can just be somewhere as affordable as Levisa. Yeah,
like they just wear things. Target even have some great
things in their jewelry section, and their bags are amazing
as well.
Speaker 1 (24:23):
Levisa does a waterproof collection, which you think is you know,
for summer and swimming it if you go to Europe.
But I honestly just live in it and shower because
I'm lazy, and it does not tarnish.
Speaker 3 (24:31):
And all these really beautiful sculptural gold earrings that are
at the moment to Cuba have them and they are
like twenty thirty bucks and they are phenomenal.
Speaker 1 (24:38):
Yeah, and then you can keep rocking that away. Can
you tell me we're anywhere else? Do you like to
go shopping? Or I really putting you off the.
Speaker 3 (24:44):
No, I think I kind of nailed nailed it.
Speaker 1 (24:47):
Do you do the big H and M's and Zara's
of course?
Speaker 3 (24:49):
I mean, yeah, yeah, I mean I think that. I
actually did a post the other day and it's kind
of gone a little bit of viral. But I went
into Zara and I was just horrified what was available,
Like it was bad Boho, the Ruffles, the Prince. I
was shocked. I was like a beginning April falls right
that we're getting punked by Zara.
Speaker 1 (25:07):
Yeah, and both seasons stores are stronger than another.
Speaker 3 (25:11):
It does, but it goes through phases like I'll go
back in a month and most of that stuff's probably
gone and some new stuff will hopefully be better. Yes,
h and M's are of course. I always got some
great things cut and on, especially around summer when they
start doing their swimwear, their beach cover ups and stuff
like that. Absolute chef's kiss.
Speaker 1 (25:26):
Definitely that, Donnie. Do you know what else I love
about your philosophy. What I've taken from this is that
confidence doesn't mean you need to have a lot or
spend a lot of money.
Speaker 3 (25:34):
Absolutely not.
Speaker 1 (25:34):
And that's just so relatable and so refreshing to hear.
Speaker 3 (25:38):
I think. I mean, growing up and Dad was a
boiler maker, we didn't have a lot of money. I
remember Mum will take a shopping and we'd get a
best and lesson places like that. But as a young boy,
I was always fascinated about pulling out fits together, watching
mum a bit of a s interest making things and
how she just add this finesse and polish to her clothes.
Growing up having background, there's a saying called loudbella fie gooda,
(25:58):
which means you try to look put together and nice,
even if you just going to the local shops or
just putting some effort in and I think that's always
just stuck with me.
Speaker 1 (26:05):
Yeah, and that makes so much sense because I can
see you in forty years and you'll be the most
polished old Italian man.
Speaker 3 (26:15):
Honestly.
Speaker 1 (26:15):
No, you're such a joy to all Australian women that
you help shop and around the world. What's your Instagram handle?
Speaker 3 (26:21):
It is just at Donnie Guillella Easy.
Speaker 1 (26:23):
Thank you so much for joining me, Thanks for having me,
Thanks for listening to Nothing to Wear. Don't forget to
sign up to our Nothing to Wear newsletter. There's a
link in the show notes. It hits your in box
for free. This episode was produced by Grace Roofrey, with
audio production by Lou Hill. This podcast is powered by
our subscribers. If you believe in independent women's media and
(26:44):
want to support us, a subscription to mma Mia costs
less than the price of a coffee each month. There's
a link in the show notes and a big thank
you to all our current subscribers.
You're listening to a MoMA Mia podcast. Mama Mia acknowledges
the traditional owners of land and waters that this podcast
is recorded on Hey you bis, it's Lee here, and
it's Sunday, and I know that you all love the
Shop my Stash section of you Beauty, and we've kind
of got a similar version on Nothing to Wear. It's
all about how we just make the most out of
(00:31):
what we already own. So here's a wonderful episode in
your feed to help you do just that. Whoever said
orange is a new pink with seriously disturbed.
Speaker 2 (00:41):
Laurels spraying groundbreaking.
Speaker 1 (00:44):
Oh my god, you have to do it.
Speaker 3 (00:46):
You live for fashion.
Speaker 1 (00:49):
Hello, and welcome to Nothing to Wear, the podcast that
solves fashion problems and levels up your wardrobe. I'm Lee
Campbellon every week I talk to an expert who helps
us work out how to get more out of the
clothes we already own and tells us exactly what is
and isn't worth adding to our wardrobe. Style and confidence
go hand in hand. But what if fashion feels intimidating,
(01:09):
out of reach, or just not you. Maybe you're stuck
in a rut I'm sure of what suits you, or
just don't have the budget all the time. Well, that's
where today's guest comes in. Donnie Allela calls himself the
confidence Creator, and for good reason. He has over seventeen
years in the industry and he style everyone from every
day Ossie's to huge Hollywood celebrities, and he's proven through
(01:31):
his work the great style isn't about trends or price tags.
It's about feeling amazing in what we wear. In this episode,
Donnie shares how to break through fashion fears, the styling
trick that instantly boosts confidence, and some wardrobe essentials that
give you a good outfit day. What he calls God Donnie,
Welcome to the show.
Speaker 3 (01:50):
Thank you for having me.
Speaker 1 (01:51):
I can't believe it's been so long and we haven't
had you on yet. Considering we're neighbors, we're friends, we
see each other around all the time.
Speaker 3 (01:57):
I'm so excited to be here.
Speaker 1 (01:58):
Well, I ask first time guests two questions. Firstly, can
you describe your own style in three words?
Speaker 3 (02:04):
Oh? Okay, I would say definitely tailored. Love a lot
of tailored pieces. I feel there's an element of polished
as well, and I feel confident my clothes are quite
confident so yeah, they're my three.
Speaker 1 (02:16):
That works perfectly with what you do for a job.
But I agree you are always so tailored and polish,
Like have you ever warm tracksuit pants?
Speaker 3 (02:23):
I absolutely do. But I guess I really believe the
power of clothes. And every day I'm helping people look
and feel good. Yeah, and I feel if I've got
to start that myself. Yeah, so that I can bring
that energy to my clients.
Speaker 1 (02:34):
I love that. Okay, A theory that rings pretty true
for a lot of people. We've got a wardrobe full
of clothes, but there's a ten percent that we reach
for the most what's in you or ten percent?
Speaker 3 (02:43):
I've probably got them on today. I mean a good
tailored suit and whether you wear them dressy or wear
it paired down with some sneakers. But I love tailoring,
and I've got so many suits, so many blazers.
Speaker 1 (02:54):
I was going to say, do you know how many
blazers you've got?
Speaker 3 (02:56):
Must have at least other thirty. Yeah, And I love
them and I put them on and I feel polish,
I feel good finishes off my outfit. It's almost like
putting on my Superman cape.
Speaker 1 (03:06):
Your amah, but in a confidence exactly.
Speaker 3 (03:08):
Yeah, you just put it on. I am ready, I
feel good.
Speaker 1 (03:12):
I agree too with my blazers. I'm glad it's getting
cool on out because it's just been too humand for me.
I don't know how men do it. My poor husband
half the time I'm like, oh, your poor thing in
a shirt and or a blazer. But blazers for women
to just like add that layer of confidence.
Speaker 3 (03:24):
A wardrobe essential definitely.
Speaker 1 (03:25):
Well, speaking of confidence, I love in your Instagram bio
you say you're the confidence creator. So how do you
do that? How is style and confidence connected?
Speaker 3 (03:36):
Obviously I've been a stylist for in over fifteen years,
but in the last kind of year or two have
kind of repositioned myself as a confidence creator because at
the crux of what I do the stylist, it's making
people feel confident. And that is the power of clothes.
You put on a good outfit, you look good, you
feel happy, are you're nice to people around you, You nice
so your partner, you're more productive at work. The benefits
go on forever. So I just wanted to teach people
(03:56):
the power of clothes and confidence and help women shop.
I think we'll have a bit of a comfort zone
sometimes so helping people get out of their comfort zone
and look, there could be a celebrity or they could
be an every day Aussie mum and it's really done.
Wonders in terms of I think always a stigma with
stylus and it's like, oh, I can't see a stylus.
They're just for celebrities. Oh my god. Yeah, it's true.
Speaker 1 (04:14):
Fans in expensive and they're going to take me bad
of Chanelle.
Speaker 3 (04:16):
It's like, no, I can literally take you to Target,
Big w Cuba, whatever your price range is. Of course
you want to shop with Guccie, let's go to Gucci,
but like, whatever your budget, let's go.
Speaker 1 (04:26):
Yes. And the joy of the transformation that you help
with I can imagine that's so rewarding.
Speaker 3 (04:30):
It is phenomenal, Like it's the power of having those
cores from clients. Afterwards, they're like, thank you so much.
Like I've I've had more jeans for twenty years and
now wearing jeans. I get calls from husbands saying thank
you so much. My wife is so happy now things
in the bedroom are good again. I'm like, well, okay,
too much information.
Speaker 1 (04:46):
Yeah, the confidence, does you know? It affects every part
of your life.
Speaker 3 (04:49):
It is that flow on effect and you forget that
you know you can have that impact on people and
it's really really rewarded.
Speaker 1 (04:54):
And look, there is kind of two parts to your
job because you do a lot of beautiful celebrity dressing
for events and stuff. But I think for the listeners here,
it's probably more the everyday Aussies that you're right need
help with the shopping because if they get the shopping right,
then they can put it together when they get home.
So what's the biggest blockers with confidence that we see
or you see when it comes to fashion or your clients.
Speaker 3 (05:15):
I think a lot of us are stuck in a
bit of style rut and we go shopping, we come
home empty handed. I think, what the problem is. You're
going shopping and you're going to the same shopping center,
you're going to the same brand, You're going back to
the same color, the same shape. It's your comfort zone.
You're not getting the right thing. So for me, it's
saying stop, Okay, let's look at clothes in a whole
new way. Let's start. Let's work out what you need.
Let's work at what are your best assets, what are
(05:36):
the parts of your body you love, Let's celebrate that.
Let's find clothes that make you feel good and celebrate
your best assets. Then we've got the parts of our
body we're not as confident with. It's like, all right,
here are some styling tips and tricks that we're going
to use to make you feel more confident about that.
And it's just helping people get out of that shopping rut.
And when they go shopping, they'll see shopps in a
whole new way. They'll go to shops they haven't been to.
(05:56):
I think when you get into maybe your forties, your fifties,
you kind of tell yourself you can't shop in particular
shops yep, And you're making shopping hard because as soon
as you get to that west Field you already said, well,
I can't shop there.
Speaker 1 (06:05):
There.
Speaker 3 (06:05):
There there, They're half your options are gone. So it's
teaching women that you can shop in body or sports,
go wherever. It is just going looking for the things
that you want and need, don't.
Speaker 1 (06:15):
Worry about yeah, and just having brows. You don't have
to buy. But if you haven't been in there for
one year, five years, ten years, go and see what
it's like.
Speaker 3 (06:21):
Absolutely, and sometimes you know we have had a bad
experience as a brand, and we're like, I'm never going
back to that brand again because bloody Cheryl, she ripped
me off me. Can you give me the receipt? But
forget about those bad experiences or those past perceptions what
you think a brand is like because brand's always changing
and evolving and having new collections. So almost like, don't
even look at the brands or the stores you're going into.
Just go in with knowing what you want to buy,
(06:43):
and forget about the brands that you're looking at and
just go in.
Speaker 1 (06:46):
So true because despite this job of mine, I go
to my local shopping center and I know the stores
there and I go to them same three. And you know,
of course I do research for work and shop online.
But even online I go to a bunch of websites
that I go to far more than any others. So
it's getting out and just going to places you haven't been. Absolutely, yeah,
I want to go shopping with you.
Speaker 3 (07:04):
All right, let's do it now.
Speaker 1 (07:05):
I want to ask you about a good outfit day,
so we want to for a wardrobe full of God,
good good outfit day. I love that.
Speaker 3 (07:13):
I always say to people, you want to have a
God experience every day, and God is good outfit day.
You wake up put on that God all day. You
look good, you feel confident, you feel empowered, you own
the room, you have good day at work, you're happy
with a family. And that's the power of a good outfit.
And you want to create a wardrobe full of God outfits. Yes,
(07:34):
so every day you can feel empowered and amazing and wonderful.
Speaker 1 (07:37):
That is the best acronym. I love it. I thought
of GHD for good hair Day, but I like this
related to fashion, yeah, exactly. Listeners to this show will
have various problems or just want to hear various people
like you, experts, opinions on you know, it could be budget,
it could be not knowing what suits them like you say,
it could be something from their past or something they've
told themselves. If they don't have a U to take
(07:59):
them shopping, how can we help them if they can?
Speaker 3 (08:02):
So many ideas here. So the first thing I would
say is, I guess you need a sense of inspiration.
So I say Pinterest is a good source in terms
of working out what you like. So, you know, I've
got a few Pinterest pages and I'll go through and
I'll pin things that I love, and then when you
go back through your fold as you kind of be like, Okay,
these are the things I love. These are the vibes,
these are the shapes of the colors. I think it's
great to have celebrity crushes and people style that you love. Again,
(08:24):
go through those pages and be like, oh, I like
as you's done that that bad and I love these pieces,
and start to get some ideas of your missing pieces
of what you can buy to achieve those looks.
Speaker 1 (08:33):
So listen to start to get a common theme. Then
don't you I feel saved enough or looked enough. You're like, oh,
maybe that's my.
Speaker 3 (08:38):
Shapes and colors and things that be like, Okay, this
is what I want to shop for. But I think
most importantly too is know your own wardrobe. I think
we're very much guilty of going out and buying lots
of things. But know what you have, know what your
gaps are. Have you got those top fifteen things that
every woman should have in a wardrobe, because if you don't,
that should be your starting point. Have those wardrobe essentials first.
(08:59):
Got those great, Now we can get some trend items
or some pieces that you know you might see some
celebrities wearing, but actually go into your wardrobe first, do
the cull, get rid of the crap, get the weeds
out of it.
Speaker 1 (09:09):
Yes, it's like gardening. You're that's such a good you get.
Speaker 3 (09:13):
Those weeds out first. Then you've got to get the fertilizer,
and then you can have that beautiful grown gardens.
Speaker 1 (09:18):
So true because if you've got to, like I'm thinking
of my wardrobe at the moment, if you've got a
garden full of weeds, you know it's a mess. It
hasn't been cleaned out, and you don't know what's there.
You don't want to go and play in there. But
once you've got all the weeds out, it's such a
joyful place because what's left is valuable.
Speaker 3 (09:30):
One hundred percent. And then when shopping becomes so much
easier because you know what your gaps are and you
kind of got a bit of a plan. Now you
kind of thinking, Okay, if I want to create that
style of that celebrity, then I know I want to
buy these pieces, and I've got all my essential pieces
and then you have these beautiful garden of clothes.
Speaker 1 (09:44):
I'm going to use that analogy all the time. So
on that point of confidence, and you mentioned the essentials,
I think you said fifteen. Is that I've done fast.
Speaker 3 (09:53):
Number pretty much? I think. So if I had to
really condense your and have fifteen things you could buy,
I think it's about fifteen essentials.
Speaker 1 (09:59):
And have you come up with that. I'm going to
ask you what a couple of them are in a moment,
but have you come up with that over your years
and years of taking real women shopping and what they're
missing and then what fills the holes?
Speaker 3 (10:08):
Yeah, So whenever do any style session, we sit down
for a coffee first before we hit the shops, and
I'll actually say do you have these items? And we'll
go through so you know, your little black dress, your
white shirt, your pair of gean, your black planets, your
black skirt, laser. You know, if you don't have any
of those, that is the first things we're going to
shop for because they become the cornerstone of your wardrobe.
They are the glue, so anything else you buy will
(10:29):
stick with that, so you'll always have something to wear.
Then when you're traveling, if you just pack those fifteen
items or so, always got something, that.
Speaker 1 (10:35):
Is such a good point when you meet with these clients.
Is it often that they don't have them, or you know,
enough combinations of them, or sometimes do they have just them?
You know what I mean?
Speaker 3 (10:44):
Actually shocked at how many pieces of women don't have
from those things because they seem so basic. You know,
for example, a classic white shirt. Most people are like, oh,
white shirt, how boring?
Speaker 1 (10:53):
Yeah, not fun to shop? Four hens don't have?
Speaker 3 (10:55):
Yeah, Bill, I think where they If you work in
a business world, it's like, no, a white shirt you
could wear over a cozee, you could wear it open,
over a T shirt, you could layer it. So I
think a lot of people are missing those essential pieces.
So when you shot for those and suddenly they've got them,
it's a game changer.
Speaker 1 (11:09):
And now what about if those essentials are outdated? Not
saying that we have to follow every brand new trend,
but you know, I went through my black pants recently,
and black pants are a classic kind of staple, but
some of them I was just like, you are not
right for me anymore. So do we have to update
our staples?
Speaker 3 (11:26):
I think so? You know, like for example, you know,
classic black pants you might have bought ten years ago.
Right now you might want something with slightly wider leg
or a higher waist. Our bodies change over time. Right
now I need a high waist, So it's absolutely perfect
idea to update your essentials everyone in a while as
your body changes or your needs change. Absolutely yeah, I
know it. And jeans. I think jeans are one of
those things that always kind of changing too. So it's
always good to update your gyms.
Speaker 1 (11:47):
But don't throw away your skinnies because apparently they're still
coming back. I'm hearing you.
Speaker 3 (11:50):
Know what I swear. If I got a dollar for
every time I get asked, can I just to wear
my skinny jeans, I would be rich.
Speaker 1 (11:56):
And what's your answer?
Speaker 3 (11:58):
I say, if they make you feel good, keep wearing.
Speaker 1 (12:01):
I was going to say, if they make you feel comfortable.
Speaker 3 (12:03):
That's what fashion is all about. You know. I got
to admit, these wide pants don't do a lot for us,
are adding bulk to our friends. So you know, if
a skinny jeen makes you feel good, keep wearing that
skinny jean, girlfriend, because do it.
Speaker 1 (12:16):
And because that goes to show again why your service
is so valuable. Because confidence is different to different people,
and confidence might not be you know, quote unquote looking
cool if you don't feel good, if you feel silly,
if you feel like it doesn't suit you absolutely.
Speaker 3 (12:29):
I always say, don't follow trends just because it's a trend.
If you don't love it, don't follow it. You know
you have to love it, Your heart has to love
it because when you wear it, you want to feel it.
You just feel with joy. So don't weigh things just
because you know someone else is wearing it.
Speaker 1 (12:52):
Getting a stylist can be intimidating or exclusive, but even fashion,
and you know, caring about what you look like can
feel like you're vein or you don't know how. You
know it's for the fancy people, But how do people
shift that mindset to realize that everyone deserves to enjoy
getting dressed if they want to or enjoy shopping, or
at least not hate it and be scared of it.
Speaker 3 (13:12):
I think one of my manch has always has been
is everyone does to look good and feel fabulous, and
no matter your age, your size, of shopping budget, I
think that's really important. We all want to feel good,
we want to feel happy, we want to feel confident, and
clothes allow us to do that. We wear clothes every day.
Like you said earlier, it's our arm are in life.
Speaker 1 (13:27):
It's illegal, not too unfortunately, you know, I'm this.
Speaker 3 (13:31):
Colony correct do what you want. But otherwise you were
in clothes every day, So it is important to invest
time into your clothes. Like think about how much money
we put into our hair, our nails, our tans and that,
and they're not really essential that the clothes are. So
if you just invested in the stylist once in your lifetime,
or even just a stylish friend or you know, one
(13:53):
of your gay mates who has a bit of you know,
loves going shopping just to have.
Speaker 1 (13:57):
Better ones to go shopping with. I fine, because you
don't both fall in love with the same piece and go.
But I want to wear it to lunch on Saturday.
Speaker 3 (14:02):
And they'll tell you, and they'll tell you the truth,
you know.
Speaker 1 (14:06):
So we've got a listener. Let's pretend this listener or
anyone out there, wants to feel more confident, wants to
get the courage to care about what they wear or
to go shopping. Where did they start. Let's pretend they're
starting with a few key pieces, and we're talking about
sort of now autumn, going into the cooler months. What
would you say to look for in terms of shapes
or colors.
Speaker 3 (14:25):
Okay, so I think right now it's time to start
getting ready for autumn. As you said, so must have
is a great coat. I think a coat is an
absolutely must have. A trench would be a great starting
point if you don't have a trench. A beautiful wrap
style coat as well, I mean cash me would be
the dream if you want to invest in a cashmere coat.
So a good coat, a couple of beautiful knits. Obviously
it's all that layering. So some beautiful knits, and I
(14:48):
think you want to keep warm in your lower halfs
there's some nice pants or maybe a nice knit dress
or something like that. So you know, three to four
pieces that you can layer and that will get you
through the cooler months.
Speaker 1 (14:57):
Okay, what colors are you seeing for this autumn?
Speaker 3 (14:59):
We're seeing a lot of beautiful rich burgundies and those
beautiful deep reds, which are so gorgeous.
Speaker 1 (15:05):
I agree, they're pretty much fluttering on everyone they are.
Speaker 3 (15:07):
They really are such a beautiful colors, so many different shades.
Speaker 1 (15:10):
Of it too, Okay, and brown are's singing brown everywhere.
Speaker 3 (15:13):
I am seeing brown everywhere.
Speaker 1 (15:14):
I've always liked brown, And then I thought I hated brown,
and now I love brown. I'm such a sheep.
Speaker 3 (15:18):
I'm so into this chocolate. Give it to me or
shades or flavors delicious.
Speaker 1 (15:24):
I love it.
Speaker 3 (15:24):
But again, as I said, it is a bit of
a trend. So I wouldn't go out and buy a
five thousand dollars brown coat.
Speaker 1 (15:29):
Good point.
Speaker 3 (15:30):
So this is where, you know, invest in those essentials
that we spoke about, but then the trend items like
a brown coat that's maybe Azara or something like that.
I feel more affordable now.
Speaker 1 (15:40):
You take people shopping for a living like hello, you
spend other people's.
Speaker 3 (15:44):
It's the dream.
Speaker 1 (15:45):
We're going to do some stores a bit later, and
why in bougie and budget. But I want to know
where do you take your clients. Where do you have
the most luck. It can be expensive, it can be affordable,
but perhaps they would normally go, oh, I can't go
in there, or oh I wouldn't go in there. Okay,
tell me where?
Speaker 3 (16:01):
Yeah, okay, So you know most ladies I'm peaking too.
Obviously it's their local Westfield, so you know key stores
to Cuba. For me, strike great is incredible. Like I
think greed, I'll always come out with handfuls of stuff,
especially their genes.
Speaker 1 (16:13):
Yeah, and they're basics. I think it's like deluxe.
Speaker 3 (16:16):
Yeah, basic and venim is the core of their brand.
That's where they began. So when a client says, I
don't have gena like right to Cuba, get the Becky gene.
Speaker 1 (16:23):
Oh what I need to google that one. Do you
think that they've just better in the past few years
as well? It's always been a good Basis's.
Speaker 3 (16:29):
Always absolutely really evolving. Their latest collection. Looking at it's
so fashion like you've got all the fashion colors, but
they understand, especially the mum who just needs something that's
stylish but yet practical and versatile. Dress it up school pickups,
wear it out for dinner and that's what we want.
Speaker 1 (16:44):
Yes, okay, so we like to Cuba.
Speaker 3 (16:46):
This is a bit of a surprise one. But the
last month taking clients to sports Girl and you know,
I'm taking women who are generally in there, like thirties, forties,
fifty is like not going in sports Girl. And then
when we get in there, amazing, like the beautiful two
piece sets. I want to say, give me vibes or
the Lemon vibes without the price tag.
Speaker 1 (17:03):
And do you know why. I love that because you
were and I a similar age, and there was a
point where I saved up all my money to shop
at sports Girl and then I haven't really been in
there much lately, and yeah, I would think it's too
young for me or whatever.
Speaker 3 (17:14):
They've got some great pieces to Max So, like we
have these preconceived notions of brands, you've got to let
go of that and just shop everywhere. So they're doing
some fabulous things Portman's right now. I've taken clients in
there recently, some gorgeous stuff. I think we had ideas
of Portman's being very suity.
Speaker 1 (17:28):
Yes, definitely. It was definitely cool pretty when all my
friends were starting to be lawyers and I was starting
out in media, and then I thought, oh well I
don't need a pencil skirt.
Speaker 3 (17:36):
But some of the dresses that they're doing at the
moment absolutely phenomenal. Chic is another brand I can always
take client in, will always walk out with bags and stuff.
Forecast again Forecasts, very very under the radar, yes, but
again always finding beautiful things in there with clients.
Speaker 1 (17:50):
Funny you say that, because I was looking for something
to wear it all fancy event lately and I was
on the Iconic actual they saw it on the They
do have something phenomenal pieces, very expensive.
Speaker 3 (18:00):
Okay, yeah, they're doing some good things.
Speaker 1 (18:01):
Now i'm your pretend clients. They've got a bit more money.
Speaker 3 (18:04):
Where are we going? Okay? So I think into that
next kind of little shelf, Country Road, of the beautiful things,
some leather pieces that are just absolutely divine at the moment.
Have you shopped in Control.
Speaker 1 (18:16):
Look, there's a skirt. I really want to let that
like almost like a circle skirt. Yeah, beautiful. Will I
get enough? We're out of it. No, I'll probably buy
an inspired by piece, but yeah.
Speaker 3 (18:25):
Country Road. Yeah. And then I think, you know, if
you want to start speaking at some gorgeous designers like
me in a beautiful Alime two piece set just for
something color, I'm all about color and prints that spark
joy and Alime. I look at their pieces and it
makes me happy. I don't know they just if you
just had one piece, beautiful two piece set from alame
gorgeous and they were just in a new White Lotus
(18:46):
Alamee and is in them and both of you the
New White Lotus design The designers a snag a piece
before the paring price.
Speaker 1 (18:52):
Yeah, and I like that you said two piece set
because you're I can tell you're thinking versatility of it
is a set.
Speaker 3 (18:57):
Where them are separate, you put them together. It's just easy.
It's polished, and people be like, oh Ali mae, yeah girl.
Speaker 1 (19:04):
I love that. So, like I said before, you do
have sort of two sides of the coin to your job.
You dress what I would say, fancy celebrities and fancy
you know, events, and then you more everyday people that
aren't celebrities. Do they ever have anything in common? You know?
Speaker 3 (19:20):
Is it so lead or.
Speaker 1 (19:21):
Is it similar?
Speaker 3 (19:22):
Regardless if they are a list Hollywood celebrity or every
day mom. One thing they have in common is they
both have insecurities. And we often look at these gorgeous
lebrities and say, oh my god, they are perfect. They
must be so happy, they can wear anything. No, I
feel they almost have more insecurities than every day people,
maybe because they are in that limelight and they know
there are millions of people watching everything that they do.
(19:45):
But you know, it's just a great reminder that we
all have insecurities. We all have things about our bodies
we don't like. Really, it is an eye opener and
eye open. It's good.
Speaker 1 (19:53):
I was gonna say that's really nice to hear, which
it's not, because I don't want anyone to feel that way.
But yes, you can feel very us in them. And
you know, we both are on social media and could
sometimes you know, our lives are very glamorous and not
with glamorous as a less celebrities. But everyone is human.
Speaker 3 (20:07):
Absolutely, They're all humans. They have emotions and they definitely
have insecurity as well. So regardless if it's a celebrity
every day mum, I'll always begin with a briefing session
and chat to find out what they're comfortable in. Even
a celebrity, I'll ask you what parts of you what
did you love them most of the parts that you
may not like as much, and I factor that into
out because if you're going to walk down a red carpet,
I want them to own that red carpet and feel
(20:28):
amazing stuff. I'll put them in something that's hiding all
their best assets and accentuating parts they don't like. You're
going to see them walking down the red carpet like
looking really nervous.
Speaker 1 (20:36):
And so it's the same for strutting into school pickup yeah.
Speaker 3 (20:39):
Exactly, You're want to state school pick up and be like, damn, yeah,
looks amazing.
Speaker 1 (20:44):
So confidence is at the root of everything you do,
no matter who.
Speaker 3 (20:46):
It is, exactly, And I always ask those same questions
right at the beginning, doesn't matter if they're a celebrity
or an every day mom, because I really want to
get inside their head to understand how can I make
them feel amazing? What pieces kind of put on them
that they're just going to love them feeling powered totally?
Speaker 1 (20:59):
And back to your point before. We all have to
wear clothes every day. We don't have to spend a
huge amount of money. You know, we can still be
on a tight budget, but we can feel good.
Speaker 3 (21:06):
Absolutely.
Speaker 2 (21:07):
Yeah, it's very expensive.
Speaker 1 (21:20):
How wondre these? So we thought we'd do some stores.
I mean, I've already drilled you on that, But do
you want to do that? Because I've got two not
unexpected ones. But I've got a bougie store that I'm
loving what they're doing for this autumn winter.
Speaker 3 (21:35):
And a budget one. Okay, give it to me.
Speaker 1 (21:37):
Okay, My budget is Target because as we know, you know,
Camart had to glow up. Target had to go up.
Big W's just had to go up the Target's autumn
winter range. Now is pretty phenomenal. All three of those stores.
Speaker 3 (21:49):
I was in there the other day, right, are used.
Speaker 1 (21:51):
To you know. I would always do a bit of Target,
particularly having a son. Some came out in big W.
But now all three of them. I'm going to the
women's section and I'm blown away.
Speaker 3 (21:59):
It is amazing. Target. The other day I saw they've
got a faux leather trench. Oh my goodness, it is
just beautiful. And this shoes access through John if you
got to that section.
Speaker 1 (22:09):
But Donnie, I bought forty dollars real Swede loafers from Target.
They come in black and beige. They are killing and
they're very comfortable.
Speaker 3 (22:19):
And don't the men's section. I have a client she
likes oversized blazes, and she bought some men's blazes from
the Target section. So a lot of women love that
because it'll be more size and unstructured.
Speaker 1 (22:29):
And I go thrifting all the time and look at
the men's section, but I never thought to go to
cam up big W or Target. Man.
Speaker 3 (22:34):
Yes, so check it out. Don't sleep on that people,
It is incredible.
Speaker 1 (22:37):
I've got to go and my bougie, you know it's
not outrageous, but it's more expensive than those stores. Is
seed this season? I've always loved seeds, dip in and out.
I find that there's summers maybe a bit too linen
near for me. But like we said, the rich chocolates,
the Burgundies, there's furry texture, there's velvet.
Speaker 3 (22:54):
Oh yes, love it.
Speaker 1 (22:56):
The Swede. I am so back in love with seed.
I'm saving up for a pair of shoes. They're not
extremely expensive, but I don't need another pair of shoes.
But I bought some fifty dollars Sunnies from them, their
new autumn collection. They're just a big, simple sunglass but
with sort of it was called Rainforest. It's kind of
like an olive green frame. And I've never had more
comments on a pair of Sunny's now fifty bucks.
Speaker 3 (23:16):
Accessories really are the best way to up that your outfit.
I must say, do you get to that point with you?
I do, yeah, yah, absolutely, because I think accessories are
the frosting on the cake. And it's a part the
love of struggle with thought. Because we're busy mums, You're
running around. It's like the last thing we have time
adding those accessories.
Speaker 1 (23:31):
But it feels optional, but it's actually sometimes the easiest.
Speaker 3 (23:34):
And people know, I noticed your necklace so as I
walked in.
Speaker 1 (23:37):
Yeah, and that was literally running back in the house
because I was like, god, I basically so plain.
Speaker 3 (23:41):
It's like the frosting on the cake and I really
noticed that. So taking those few extra moments in the
mont at that frosting. But also like, we're like magpies, right,
we are literally drawn to anything shiny or blingy. So
that's exactly what my eyes went to. So I always say,
if you are feeling they self conscious about, you know,
our tummy section, if you wore that nice, big statement earing,
you've shifted the focus up here and away from our
area of concerns.
Speaker 1 (24:01):
So true. And your handbag always fits, your sunglasses always
fits you. It doesn't matter what your body's doing.
Speaker 3 (24:05):
Absolutely, So accessories always is the perfect way to finish
off your out but draw the attention away from our
eras of concern.
Speaker 1 (24:12):
So you I ask you where you're like shopping for accessories, then.
Speaker 3 (24:15):
Look, it can just be somewhere as affordable as Levisa. Yeah,
like they just wear things. Target even have some great
things in their jewelry section, and their bags are amazing
as well.
Speaker 1 (24:23):
Levisa does a waterproof collection, which you think is you know,
for summer and swimming it if you go to Europe.
But I honestly just live in it and shower because
I'm lazy, and it does not tarnish.
Speaker 3 (24:31):
And all these really beautiful sculptural gold earrings that are
at the moment to Cuba have them and they are
like twenty thirty bucks and they are phenomenal.
Speaker 1 (24:38):
Yeah, and then you can keep rocking that away. Can
you tell me we're anywhere else? Do you like to
go shopping? Or I really putting you off the.
Speaker 3 (24:44):
No, I think I kind of nailed nailed it.
Speaker 1 (24:47):
Do you do the big H and M's and Zara's
of course?
Speaker 3 (24:49):
I mean, yeah, yeah, I mean I think that. I
actually did a post the other day and it's kind
of gone a little bit of viral. But I went
into Zara and I was just horrified what was available,
Like it was bad Boho, the Ruffles, the Prince. I
was shocked. I was like a beginning April falls right
that we're getting punked by Zara.
Speaker 1 (25:07):
Yeah, and both seasons stores are stronger than another.
Speaker 3 (25:11):
It does, but it goes through phases like I'll go
back in a month and most of that stuff's probably
gone and some new stuff will hopefully be better. Yes,
h and M's are of course. I always got some
great things cut and on, especially around summer when they
start doing their swimwear, their beach cover ups and stuff
like that. Absolute chef's kiss.
Speaker 1 (25:26):
Definitely that, Donnie. Do you know what else I love
about your philosophy. What I've taken from this is that
confidence doesn't mean you need to have a lot or
spend a lot of money.
Speaker 3 (25:34):
Absolutely not.
Speaker 1 (25:34):
And that's just so relatable and so refreshing to hear.
Speaker 3 (25:38):
I think. I mean, growing up and Dad was a
boiler maker, we didn't have a lot of money. I
remember Mum will take a shopping and we'd get a
best and lesson places like that. But as a young boy,
I was always fascinated about pulling out fits together, watching
mum a bit of a s interest making things and
how she just add this finesse and polish to her clothes.
Growing up having background, there's a saying called loudbella fie gooda,
(25:58):
which means you try to look put together and nice,
even if you just going to the local shops or
just putting some effort in and I think that's always
just stuck with me.
Speaker 1 (26:05):
Yeah, and that makes so much sense because I can
see you in forty years and you'll be the most
polished old Italian man.
Speaker 3 (26:15):
Honestly.
Speaker 1 (26:15):
No, you're such a joy to all Australian women that
you help shop and around the world. What's your Instagram handle?
Speaker 3 (26:21):
It is just at Donnie Guillella Easy.
Speaker 1 (26:23):
Thank you so much for joining me, Thanks for having me,
Thanks for listening to Nothing to Wear. Don't forget to
sign up to our Nothing to Wear newsletter. There's a
link in the show notes. It hits your in box
for free. This episode was produced by Grace Roofrey, with
audio production by Lou Hill. This podcast is powered by
our subscribers. If you believe in independent women's media and
(26:44):
want to support us, a subscription to mma Mia costs
less than the price of a coffee each month. There's
a link in the show notes and a big thank
you to all our current subscribers.
Popular Podcasts
Bookmarked by Reese's Book Club
Welcome to Bookmarked by Reese’s Book Club — the podcast where great stories, bold women, and irresistible conversations collide! Hosted by award-winning journalist Danielle Robay, each week new episodes balance thoughtful literary insight with the fervor of buzzy book trends, pop culture and more. Bookmarked brings together celebrities, tastemakers, influencers and authors from Reese's Book Club and beyond to share stories that transcend the page. Pull up a chair. You’re not just listening — you’re part of the conversation.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!