My week with Celia Holman-Lee: Ela Maria visit rekindled old friendships

Thursday's book signing event at Ela Maria's stunning boutique in Newcastle West unfolded like a love letter to fashion — glamorous, glitzy, and joyfully alive.

From the moment I arrived, there was a sparkle in the air. The room buzzed with style, confidence, and that unmistakable energy that arises when women gather to celebrate stories.

The Ela Maria founder, Mary Hayes, a dear friend, welcomed me with warmth and flair.

The conversation flowed effortlessly, weaving together decades of my life in fashion. We spoke about the drama, the discipline, the reinvention — the glamour on the surface and the grit behind it.

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Fashion has always been fabulous, but it has also demanded resilience, courage, and constant change. Looking back, my book gave me a chance to process just how much both the industry and I have evolved.

What thrilled me most was how the book tour has become a celebration rather than a schedule. This isn’t about selling a book, rather, it’s about building an organic community. Stocking the book in beautiful boutiques like Ela Maria feels symbolic, particularly when I think of how I am returning stories to the very spaces where style lives and breathes.

I have modelled up and down the country for many boutiques over the years, and revisiting the places and people I love feels like a full-circle moment.

Last Saturday, the glamour continued with a book signing at the Crescent Shopping Centre. This journey had been bold, brilliant, and unapologetic - a celebration of a lifetime spent in fashion.
-Xx Celia