SUPERMODELS Jessica Gomes and Montana Cox have given their definitive list of the top 10 reasons why they love Melbourne fashion.
Gomes and Cox, who are David Jones ambassadors, will hit the runway for the retail giant at the opening night of the Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival on Saturday.

Montana Cox and Jessica Gomes pose up for VAMFF15 at Naked For Satan. Picture: Tony Gough.

1. MELBOURNE IS AUSTRALIA’S STYLE CAPITAL
Jessica: “Melbourne has an undisputed edge in fashion. There is something magical about the whole city — the architecture, the food, the gardens, the festivity. It’s a cultural hub. Melbourne has a very European feel. It reminds me of Paris or Berlin where the environment really reflects what people wear everyday.”
Montana: “Melburnians are experimental with their fashion and like to dress for themselves rather than follow a trend. Melbourne has incredible street style. We have a ‘no rules’ approach to dressing.”
2. MELBOURNE CELEBRATES AND SUPPORTS LOCAL DESIGNERS

 

Jessica: “This city comes to life during VAMFF and Spring Fashion Week — events dedicated to fashion and Australian designers.”
Montana: “There are wonderful accolades (like the Tiffany and Co National Designer Award). There also seems to be great Government support for retail in Melbourne.”

Montana Cox and Jessica Gomes pose up for VAMFF15 at Naked For Satan. Picture: Tony Gough.

3. THERE IS EXCITING DESIGN TALENT COMING FROM MELBOURNE
Jessica: “One of my favourite new designers is Melbourne’s Strateas. Carlucci. Their pieces are beautifully tailored and minimalist.”
Montana: “I love Strateas. Carlucci — it’s a go-to in my wardrobe and it’s been amazing to see the brand take off overseas. For men, I like Jack London, which is very rocker-cool.”

Montana Cox pose up for VAMFF15 at Naked For Satan. Picture: Tony Gough.

4. 50 SHADES OF BLACK
Jessica: “Black is the new black in Melbourne. It is a shade Melburnians pull off so well, styled with different textures, like mixing leathers, furs and wools, to make it more dimensional.”
Montana: “Head to toe black always looks chic when it’s done right. It is a wardrobe staple in Melbourne, worn year-round.”
5. COOLER CLIMATE MEANS INCREDIBLE OUTERWEAR
Jessica: “Melbourne has real seasons so you can go to town with statement outerwear and never feel overdressed.”
Montana: “Melburnians invest in beautiful winter-wear, something which you don’t get the chance to do in Sydney because there are only a few really cold weeks.”
6. VINTAGE SHOPPING
Jessica: “Vintage clothes are iconic in Melbourne. I’ve seen fashionable people in Melbourne who wear vintage and up-cycle their wardrobe.”
Montana: “Being a Melbourne local, I know all about pulling off a vintage wardrobe. Two of my favourite vintage stores are Retrostar and Hunter Gatherer
7. MELBOURNE GETS RACEWEAR
Jessica: “A Melbourne crowd at the racetrack isn’t afraid to embrace new trends, and they do headwear and millenary really well.”
Montana: “There’s total respect for the prestige and elegance of trackside fashion. Women always look classy and men enjoy suiting up.”
8. STREET STYLE SAVVY
Jessica: “The street looks in Melbourne are very considered, like people piece together their outfits thoughtfully. They have a great eye for what works.”
Montana: “People get dressed to go for coffee and you would never go to the shops in tracksuit pants. Melburnians always look polished.”
9. ACCESSORIES AREN’T FORGOT
Jessica: “In Melbourne, it’s all hats, scarfs, knee-high leather boots, statement necklaces, gloves, Everything has its own place in an outfit.”
Montana: “When I come home, I feel like I can go crazy with accessories. I feel right at home wearing my beautiful felt hat in Melbourne.”
10. FASHION MARKETS
Jessica: “Melbourne has some of the best markets in Australia and it’s such a fun outing.”
Montana: “It’s where Melbourne loves to be creative and show off their work. I love The Big Design Market, Camberwell Market and Take 2 Market.”

Swimsuit model extraordinaire and David Jones ambassador Jessica Gomes knows a thing or two about looking great. Steal her tips for yourself.

 

1. Drink lemon and water first thing in the morning

"I love starting my day with lemon and water. I think it just really helps with starting your digestive system and it’s refreshing."

2. Get into the right mindset for exercise

"In terms of my training I think it’s not about feeling tired. I always like to feel rejuvenated like I’m doing the exercises really well and I’m getting a lot of power from them."

3. If you master how to do workout moves correctly you get better results

"When I’m doing the [exercise] moves properly I can really notice the difference. I just feel like my posture and core feels a lot stronger and I feel that comes from doing the moves correctly. And that’s what my trainer talks about as well, that you’re making sure you’re doing all the muscle development and postures and positions correctly. I think if you don’t it can lead to injuries or bad back pain."

4. Up your cardio if you want to strip fat

"Before a swimwear shoot or before a catwalk show I’ll definitely up my cardio. I think cardio really does work with stripping fat." Jessica's fave cardio workouts include running on the treadmill, skipping, dancing, soft sand running and spin classes.

5. Go straight to the source for produce

"I make a point to go to the Farmer’s Market to get my food, it’s just better quality and you can really taste the difference as well."

6. Stop sugar cravings by increasing your protein intake

"One thing that’s really helped me [stop craving sugar] is increasing my protein... A lot of people get the dip in the afternoon where they feel like "oh I just need something sweet" but if I have a good lunch and then a snack with nuts or high fat, I find I don’t crave the sugar that I usually do."

7. Keep meals simple

Jessica's go-to healthy meal is a green salad with broccoli, beans, cauliflower and sweet potato and some grilled salmon. "I just feel that salmon is a great fish. It’s easy to get, it’s easy to cook and it’s got the best vitamins and essential fish oils in there," says Jessica.