Courtney Blood and Donna Guest are once again casting a little styling magic over the latest episode of our Style Confidante series.
Between them, Courtney and Donna bring a wealth of styling expertise. Courtney firmly believes in the power of personal style, encouraging her clients to build a timeless, considered wardrobe that will see them through every chapter of life.
Meanwhile, Donna is at the helm of our wonderful Blue Illusion brand. After falling in love with provincial French style, Donna, together with her husband Danny Guest, embarked on their next business venture, opening the first Blue Illusion boutique in 1998. Since then, Donna has continued to share her love of French-inspired style and a little joie de vivre with women across Australia and beyond.
Are you dreaming of your own makeover moment with Donna and Courtney? Keep reading to discover all the details of our next competition!
But first, it is our pleasure to introduce the latest recipient of our Style Confidante Makeover, the wonderful Iloka.
Iloka’s Style Discovery
Anyone fortunate enough to spend even a little time with Iloka will quickly discover her joy and passion for life. Working as a successful Office Manager, Iloka balances her career with plenty of time for family and friends. Whether she’s with her husband and daughter, walking her beloved dog, Toffee, or catching up with friends, she loves being surrounded by the people she cares about.
Alongside her busy social life, Iloka enjoys getting out for a walk and regularly travels to Sri Lanka to spend time with and support her mum. Her wardrobe needs to keep up with a full life while still reflecting her personality.
From the get-go, Iloka’s transformation wasn’t about following trends. She already knows what she loves but wanted an extra helping hand putting outfits together in a way that works for her silhouette. With Courtney sharing her personal styling expertise and Donna bringing her eye for colour, print and those special pieces she knew would suit Iloka, she was encouraged to try something new – with plenty of tips for the rest of us to take away too!
As a true Blue Illusion fan, Iloka trusted Donna and Courtney’s guidance as she stepped a little outside her comfort zone and discovered new ways to wear the styles she loves. From flattering silhouettes to beautifully coordinated accessories, the transformation showed just how much difference thoughtful styling can make.
3 Looks for Iloka’s Special Moments
Iloka was incredibly excited by the opportunity to spend time with Donna and Courtney and explore her personal style. She was looking for pieces that felt elevated while still working with her busy lifestyle. More importantly, she wasn’t afraid to reach for something with a little je ne sais quoi!
For her first look, Iloka shimmers in our Printed Sequin Dress, layered with the Reversible Linen Coat in a beautiful Antique Rose print. Courtney chose the shift dress silhouette to complement Iloka’s tall frame, creating an elegant look for special occasions.
With spring finally here, Courtney embraced a floral theme. From the floral placement of the Reversible Linen Coat to the Flower Embellished Clutch, every detail brings a little romance to the look.
Our second look sees Iloka stepping outside her comfort zone. The Crinkle Textured Blouse and matching 7/8 Pant can easily be dressed up or down, making the set a wonderful choice for travel. Crushed viscose is also wonderfully low-maintenance – little to no ironing required, and it packs beautifully into a suitcase.
Courtney brings a little fun to the outfit with her choice of monochromatic accessories, while the contrasting beaded necklace works beautifully with Iloka’s natural colouring. Now, that’s the difference between wearing an outfit and styling one!
During Iloka’s Style Confidante transformation, the Blue Illusion team immediately noticed how drawn she was to the Jersey Midi Dress – and once she tried it on, it was easy to see why.
The beautiful drape flatters Iloka’s silhouette while offering comfort throughout the day. Courtney also selected a dense print that draws the eye across the silhouette and creates a beautifully balanced look.
Much to our surprise, Iloka had never ventured into Blue Illusion’s jewellery collection before – but we don’t think she’ll be skipping past it again! Courtney selected simple jewellery to complement, rather than compete with, the dress’s beautiful Blue Tone Ikat Print.
Donna's Style Tips:
After many years designing and dressing women, Donna has picked up plenty of styling wisdom along the way. Here are three of her tips to help you become your own Style Confidante:
- Consider your natural colour palette – it’s the foundation of a beautiful outfit.
- Discover the silhouettes that make you feel your best.
- Choose beautiful fabrics that feel as good as they look.
At Blue Illusion, we believe every woman deserves to feel confident in what she wears and embrace her own joie de vivre.
