Interview

Style Queen

MasterChef personality Melissa Leong wears many hats as TV host, food writer, critic, cookbook editor, marketer and fashionista. She shares her style secrets and favourite one-stop shops for Melbourne design.

Melissa Leong, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Describe your perfect day out shopping. 
If I am after something specific, it’s satisfying to find it, but an ideal day involves not being in a hurry, finding something cool and, obviously, having lunch somewhere delightful.

Your favourite Australian designers?
Right now, Oroton, Camilla & Marc, Scanlan Theodore, Viktoria & Woods, Bassike, Jac & Jack, St Agni, Collective Closets, Venroy, Gary Bigeni, Kitx, and Leo Lin.

Where would you shop for elegant eveningwear? 
I usually divert to my stylist for eveningwear, but David Jones is beautifully curated for eveningwear, as are Marais and Harrolds.

Your hidden gem? 
I love Lore Perfumery. My partner Rob and I are both fragrance obsessed and this is one of our favourite places to nerd out on niche fragrances from here and around the world.

Do you have a favourite shopping street? 
I have a few, depending on my mood. Collins Street for luxury fanciness, Brunswick Street for an eclectic mix of plants, fashion, books and fragrance, and High Street Armadale for high-end Aussie brands. 

Where do you hunt for bargains? 
I love Hope Street Space for random gift items, bric-a-brac, quirky pots and other random things I don’t need but definitely want. 

Other favourites? 
I would head to Pieces of Eight for interesting jewellery. There is nothing like a piece from William Llewellyn Griffiths, who makes tiny cathedrals and castles into intricate rings and other heirloom pieces. 

What are your favourite ethical brands? 
My partner’s brand, Morris Motley, makes amazing hair products, but also the best handwash you’ve ever experienced that comes in glass pumps with recyclable refills available. I’m so proud to see a cool Melbourne brand knocking it out of the park when it comes to formulation, form and environmental consideration. 

A version of this article first appeared in our autumn 2023 Melbourne and Victoria Official Guide.


Melissa Leong, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Collective Closets