EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Gaynor Alder is a Melbourne based writer with a penchant for vintage glamour and all things Parisian. When not gallivanting around the countryside as a Travel Writer or being the Style Expert for ‘Art of the Cocktail Hour’, you will find her here, penning her thoughts and writing of her day to day adventures. You may even get a sneak preview of her book, but that all depends on her mood – a direct reflection of the state of her hair on any one day

She started writing The Modern Woman’s Survival Guide, after the umpteenth person told her, you know you should really write a book. Her fingers struggled daily to keep up with the thoughts that desperately wanted to become words on pages, to take centre stage in a book that she knew was going to become the new voice of womankind. Her calling, her destiny, her whatever you want to call it, Gaynor writes because she can’t not write.

It would be a grave injustice to describe her, without also mentioning her addiction to products – the fancier and prettier the packaging the better. A marketer’s dream, she believes all the claims on the labels, that retinol will vanish her wrinkles and the latest peptide formula will take years off her face, because, well, she wants to. False prophets perhaps, but products are her religion and her faith is unwavering.

Constantly living outside of her means, she brings new meaning to living the champagne lifestyle. She believes that one should never leave home without gloss (universal law 1.1), wouldn’t dare attend a red carpet worthy occasion without false eyelashes, and isn’t interested in doing anything where she can’t wear her heels – although she can be tempted by a lovely pair of Audrey Hepburn ballet flats, should the occasion call for them.

She hopes to one day snare a spot in the pages of OK, ‘Gaynor Alder opens the doors of her French chateau’ complete with exclusive photographs of her elegantly draped against her chaise lounge. Of course she doesn’t have a French chateau (yet), so that might not work very well, but then, there’s always Vogue’s back page with “My Ten Favourite Things” (call her Vogue, and her people will talk to your people).

BEAUTY EDITOR & COLUMNIST

She adores good hair days, luxury accommodation, picturesque wineries, dining out and swanning around Melbourne’s newest bars, cafes, restaurants and events. Obsessed with trying the latest in beauty, she can often be found lingering at the cosmetic counters of Myer and David Jones, and of course, day spas are her idea of bliss.

After years of pouring over lifestyle and beauty columns online and in the weekend newspapers, Jacinta is delighted to write a lifestyle column and work with the lifestyle department at The Modern Woman’s Survival Guide. Click here to follow Jacinta’s adventures on Twitter.

FEATURES WRITER

Shitika Anand has a very flashy certificate in her drawer that reads “Bachelors of Journalism – with distinction”. But she finds her gradually increasing beauty cupboard and subsequent by-lines more rewarding. When she’s not tweeting or rambling on her blog, ‘Sweet Dreams in my World’, you’ll find her sitting in a corner of her nearest bookshop and hiding under a monstrous pile of international magazines.

While sipping her ridiculous coffee order at a dainty café, she often wonders if there’s a ‘coffeeholic anonymous’ group in Sydney. On most nights, she’s dreaming of a sultry summer on a Greek island with cocktails, baklava and a non-hairy Greek stud. Other nights feature a beauty nightmare where she’s dipping her toes in Bieber-inspired nail polish. She is addicted to a well-written feature, rooibos tea, Mad Men and water-based perfumes. Shitika is still trying to master a perfect top knot, but in the meanwhile, she’s on her way to save the world one illuminator at a time.

Click here to follow Shitika on Twitter, and here to view her profile on Linkedin.

BEAUTY COLUMNIST

Currently slugging it out in a Journalism degree, Kristina has a way with words rivalled only by her ability to sniff out a sequin from the darkest depths of her many favourite clothing stores. Ever the bookworm, it is said that every budding writer draws inspiration from the greats, but Kristina doesn’t always adhere to social etiquette when pulling out her favourite page turner (once at a black tie event, no less). Nevertheless when her nose isn’t buried in a novel or travel brochures for her next adventure, our Beauty Assistant will be bringing you up to date on the latest news and views from the ever-evolving world of beauty.

HEALTH EXPERT

Bridget Jane is a fully accredited and qualified Dietitian who undertook her 4 year Bachelor of Nutrition & Dietetics in Melbourne. Having once been overweight, bullied and incredibly uncomfortable in her own body, Bridget sought out at a young age to find a way to create the health and body she craved, yet in a way that was fun, easy and still allowed her to eat!
It has been almost a 19 year journey, and not a day has gone by in that time that Bridget has not studied some aspect of health, happiness and truly holistic wellbeing. Having evolved from purely a “physical/body” approach and focus, to intensely studying the mind and psychology of it all, to now a completely integrated holistic mind, body and soul approach, Bridget has truly left the title of “Dietitian” in the dust! Bridget does do it differently and to her clients that is an ever so welcome change!

INTERN

Molly Hill grew up in a small country town but is a city girl through and through. She could easily spend her days enjoying the simple pleasures of Melbourne, such as wandering the lane ways with a latte in hand, or indulging at a day spa. She is drawn to all things beautiful and as a result has an impressive magazine and makeup collection that takes up more room in her closet than clothes. Her belief that one’s beauty regime should be more of a ritual means that it takes her nearly as long to get ready for bed as it does for work. And when she is at work, she daydreams of luxurious lotions and pretty perfumes. 

As much as Molly enjoys spending the day in her pyjamas with the box set of Sex and the City, there is a burning desire to see the bright lights of Paris and New York, then dip her toes in the blue waters of Mauritius and explore. Writing is another passion that has snuck up on her and led to the creation of her beauty blog (and baby) ‘Molly’s Maquillage’.

Click here to follow Molly on Twitter, and here to see her Linkedin profile.

INTERN SPECIAL PROJECTS

Mala wishes she was born in the 30s (so she could spend her young adult life in the glamorous 50s with Audrey), has a serious caffeine addiction and loves her Queen Ann dresser with matching lace-draped stool. She also adores chiffon and flouncy blouses, high waisted pencil skirts and kitten heels. She yearns to go to Paris, speak fluent french and one day become a bona fide beauty editor. Click here to read her blog ‘The French Room’.

OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHER | STUART SMITH

Stuart is a photographer with over 15 years in the graphic design and printing industry. He has photographed top models such as Sophie Van Den Akker at Melbourne Spring Fashion Week and his extensive experience in graphic design includes working on covers for Mushroom Records for some of Australia’s top artists. Click here if you would like to hire Stuart to photograph your next event.