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With the city's pubs and clubs overflowing with metrosexuals - well-groomed men who dress to impress - a burgeoning market is developing to educate the average Aussie blokes who want to look the part, but have no idea. Forget about Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, Leesa Fogarty is turning the city's duds into studs. Leesa’s male makeover business teaches clueless fellas how to shop, how to dine, how to win their ladies and how to dress to impress.
“I think men these days men are realizing more and more, how important it is to look good in order to attract women and to climb the corporate ladder," Leesa says. Leesa takes blokes on a “Gussy Up” shopping safari across the city's top fashion and beauty haunts -- places in which most average Aussie males wouldn't be caught dead. "It's all about breaking down the barriers and making them feel comfortable," Fogarty says.
To find out how the Gussy Up experience works, we teamed Leesa up with Australia’s number 1 beach Volleyballer, Brett “Richo” Richardson. Before setting out, 25 year old, Richo, admitted to a phobia about shopping. "I've never really felt comfortable walking into boutiques he said. “I don't know what to do, what to get, or what combinations suit what.”I find the whole thing very intimidating and usually go with my girlfriend."
With his hectic coaching and athlete lifestyle, Brett added that like countless other guys, he went clothes shopping on a needs-only basis. "If I need something for a certain occasion I'll go and get it," he explained. "But it's kind of like a mission. I go in, buy it, and get out – as fast as I can."
The first port of call on Leesa’s agenda for Richardson is Cathouse Couture at Neutral Bay. Queen of the Cathouse, Owners Vanessa and Tracey go to work with Leesa on creating a new style for Richardson. Vanessa, an award-winning hair stylist says men's hairdressing is changing rapidly at the moment. Lots of messy texture -- that's what guys want these days," Vanessa says. “In its place, she says, trendsetters are opting for colour and dishevelled hairstyles that might look messy, but actually require lots of work.”
"Blokes generally come in for the haircut first, Tracey says. “Then they see our Western style shirts, belts and boots, and before they know it, they walk out with a whole new look and attitude. Guys know they have to look good to get ahead and we work with their individual style and personality to make them feel comfortable."
A second stop at Dee Why’s Essential Wellbeing sees “Richo” put under “hotstone therapy. Brett relaxes with local therapist and Owner Marama Carmichael to ease the aches and pains of his grueling schedule. Special hot stones are laid on Brett’s back along meridian channels to soothe muscles and stimulate blood and energy flow. Heated stones are then used along with her hands to massage the body with long flowing strokes, stimulating the blood and lymphatic system while simultaneously providing the ultimate in relaxation. Phew! Now Richo is ready for serious shopping.
A third stop at Manly’s “SpaceJunk” sees Richo pick up a few of the hottest custom made tees from local designer and Photographer, Jason Ierace and his crew. Worn with jeans or under his favourite suit, this is one look that will take Richo from morning to night when travelling overseas and is one look that will set him apart from the crowds.
Last pit stop on the list is John Serafino Menswear in Pitt Street, Sydney. Serafino has styled many of Australia’s hottest stars and knows Italian tailoring like no other. “If John Serafino can tailor a suit for “Liberace”, Leesa says, he can tailor for anyone”. Leesa fits out 95kg, 198cm Richardson with a stylish smart-casual look that would be suitable to wear to work, but with a jacket also smart enough to wear out afterwards for dinner and a few drinks with a pair of jeans. Lined with hot red satin lining, this striped suit is like nothing Richo has ever worn before but puts a smile on his face when his fiancée Kim looks him up and down adoringly.
Richo is planning his 5 month Olympic Qualifier across 4 continents with his wedding at the end, and has no idea what he is going to pack for the journey.
"Every stylist will tell you that looking good does not have to cost a fortune. The real secret is buying key pieces that you can mix and match to suit any occasion," Leesa says. "The main thing is that, at the end of the day, if you don't feel comfortable then you aren't going to pull it off."
As well as offering style tips, Leesa and her team provide dance lessons, public speaking lessons, social skills and etiquette classes for men who are looking for a little bit more class in their lives, and for those blokes preparing for the big Wedding Ceremony. Leesa’s team recently ran the Social Skills and Etiquette lessons and judging for the Miss World Australia Finalists at Darling Harbour’s finest Indian Restaurant, Zaafraan. Leesa, herself is the personal stylist to the Miss World and Mr World Australia winners that compete in the second most watched television program in the world in front of 2.8B viewers.
Leesa Fogarty is the fashion designer who has forged an international reputation for helping to set the trend for a healthy body image on the worlds fashion runways with her controversial Closing show at RAFW in September. The VIP Guest International Designer at Sarajevo and Mallorca Fashion Weeks in 2007/2008 and one of 60 Australian designers who have participated in UNICEF’s United Designers Campaign with her couture swimsuit for MaraJoara, Leesa is also the stylist behind the Ambassador of Ferrari’s 60th Anniversary, the ING Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix and Mr and Miss World Australia. Her Miss World Australia 2006, was voted as one of the 9 best dressed Celebrities at the Melbourne Cup.
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jeanmarie[.]bluepedal.com.au 
