I didn’t have tickets for tonight’s L’Oreal Paris Runway One, supported by Grazia, but that wasn’t going to stop me from heading down to the Docklands to people watch and celeb spot at Central Pier. Tonight’s featured labels included Alice McCall; camilla and marc; Colette Dinnigan; Fleur Wood; LIFEwithBIRD; Nicola Finetti; sass & bide and Toni Maticevski.

Central Pier was buzzing with hundreds of fashionistas in attendance for the first official parade of the week. I spotted Karen Webster, Festival Director, chatting to the masses, Kiri Delly, General Manager of the Festival and Dr Andrew Rochford from Channel 10’s 7pm Project. Also seen out and about were fashion bloggers, Fashion Hayley and Kim Smith from Dream Delight Inspire vox popping for Melbourne’s GPO website.

For my fifth or so festival I rocked up with plenty of time til the official ticket time and was surprised to find only a very small queue for the L’Oreal Paris Powder Room. Known for their fabulous gift bags and pampering, the Powder Room offers manicured, skin consultations and lip touch ups. I choose the skin consultation for a number of reasons – one being I had no make up on today. My beautician analysed my skin and recommended the Triple Active SPF 30+ Multi-Protection Moisturiser and a Derma Genesis Night Cream. The moisturiser is actually the first L’Oreal product to be manufactured in Australia.

On to the gift bag and although I have found previous years to better, this one is by no means shabby! The cute metallic purse can be used as a clutch or make up bag and inside you will find L’Oreal Dermo-Expertise Collagen Filler, L’Oreal Glam Shine Volumizer Lip Gloss and a L’Oreal Extra-Volume Collagene Mascara. The mandatory promotional information is also there and bonus discount vouchers for L’Oreal products, plus 15% off new season clothes at Myer Melbourne. I have found in past years that product can vary from bag to bag so I’ll let you know Wednesday if I get something different!

Back out into the sunshine and I enjoyed a Skinny Cow ice cream tub – Chocolate Sundae – 97% fat free, no added sugar and 100% YUM. I people watched and style spotted. Lot’s of black, splashes of colours and amazing shoes. I had wanted to watch the show on the big screen but for whatever reason, the parade never came on (though I did see the LMFF advert ‘Happy’ about 6 million times).

Tomorrow is my next LMFF volunteer shift, 9am til 11pm, working again as an Assistant Stylist with the Vogue team. Stay tuned for the next LMFF instalment at Sarah’s Style Emporium!

Visit www.lmff.com.au for reviews and pictures.

Image One: LMFF hoarding at Central Pier
Image Two: Karen Webster, Festival Director, chats to guests
Image Three: Kim Smith interviews Fashion Hayley for Melbournes GPO