Lovers of fashion and anything style worthy living in Canberra can finally breathe a sigh of relief. ACTStyle has been born and they are going to bring exciting fashion events to Canberra to celebrate Canberra’s fashionistas and local talent.

To launch ACTStyle, the committee (made up of four Canberra fashion forward women) is hosting a fashion and millinery extravaganza, La Dolce Vita on Thursday 14th June. The Italian Ambassador is generously opening up his residence to hold the event. This event will showcase the key looks for stylish race goers in 2012 by talented Canberra designers, stylists, retailers and milliners. There will also be a raffle on the night, as well as items to be auctioned off. The funds raised on the night will go to Vision Australia.

We met with the four ladies, Jessica Adelan, Sofia Polak, Briony Young and Janette Lenk, and we were excited to find out more.

The president of the ACTStyle committee and winner of the Black Opal Stakes 2012 Fashions on the Field, Jessica Adelan is also the owner and head stylist of Forward Styling. This fashion business was established in 2010 to provide a personal shopping service to clients as well as the provision of styling sessions in the comfort of one’s own home. Jessica’s speciality is providing clients with style advice to attendees of race meets and participates in Fashions on the Field. Jessica has also assisted with many fashion events, including Melbourne Spring Fashion Week.

The second piece of the puzzle, designer Sofia Polak has been part of the Canberra fashion scene since 2006. She has designed one-off pieces for fashionistas including judges from Fashions on the Field, a Miss Australia 2010 finalist, race goers and modern brides.

Since launching her self-titled label sofiapolak, her designs have featured in local media as well as the national publication Cosmopolitan Bride in May 2011 and March 2012. The successful brand offers glamour and sophistication and boasts an intricate ‘edge’ of detail. Contrasting soft feminine fabrics with bold silhouettes, every piece is beautifully crafted to reflect impeccable style.

In addition, Sofia has styled a multitude of both creative and commercial shoots, catwalk shows, is the official Stylist of The Myer Face of Canberra Racing for the second year running and is a regular on the Fashions on the Field judging panel.

Briony Young is the third member and is the Sales and Marketing Manager at Thoroughbred Park – home of the Canberra Racing Club.

Briony’s experience with fashion and the horse racing industry stems back to 2000 when she ran her own promotions agency Verve Promotions. The agency has recently been re-opened with high-end clients such as Jurlique, Elizabeth Arden and Dove to name a few.

Her current position at the Canberra Racing Club spans over 5 years where she has resurrected the Fashions on the Field competition to the high quality event that it is today and the implementation of the Face of Canberra Racing Model Search which is now in its 4th year. Her goal is for all fashion-minded people in Canberra to experience a Fashions on the Field event and for more Canberrans to embrace the races as a social day out and the perfect opportunity to frock up in style.

The final member of the committee is Janette Lenk, founder of T-Heinrich Fashion and Westfield Stylist.

In 2010 Janette was selected alongside Miss Australia, Laura Dundovich to be a judge for “Myer’s Fashions on the Field” at the annual Black Opal Stakes Day. She has made appearances on Win News and has styled one of Southern Cross’ presenters. Lenk has also styled for The Canberra Weekly.

Recently Janette showcased with one of Australia’s elite designers, Peter Morrissey and worked backstage at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week 2012.

For tickets to La Dolce Vita

Click Here For General Admission tickets

Click Here For Seated tickets