I was baptised a model in 1991 in an era defined by the supermodel. And the godfather of those models was Gianni Versace. He took Linda Evangelista, Naomi Campbell and Christy Turlington – and catapulted them into mega-stardom with his brand.
If you were in the industry and desperately wanted to make a name for yourself before your use-by date slammed you out the back door, you had to be on covers or in the editorials of the best fashion magazines, and walk for very best designers.
One of my career highlights was leading the finale down a Versace runway that exploded in fire. We were hand-picked for the show. It was honest brand association and we, as the models selected, loved that.
So when I discover I am to stay at the Palazzo Versace Gold Coast, I am delighted. I mean, why stay in a hotel when you can stay in a palace? And steal all the designer cushions.
The Palazzo Versace is the world’s first fashion-branded hotel – and it’s not shy on colour, pattern, texture, decadence, design, or shape – and that’s all in the first few steps into the grand foyer. When I die, I want to be buried with a Versace cushion.
I change as we are dining at the QT, another personality-plus hotel that looks like it’s come straight off the TV show Mad Men – and, like Palazzo Versace, has exceptionally good-looking staff.
When I see the abundance of delights at the QT Bazaar restaurant, I realise I can no longer worry about my figure. Oysters, steak (very rare), lamb shank, more oysters, steamed Chinese dumplings, salad, more oysters, tuna and salmon… back and forth like a yo-yo. I don’t eat the bread roll because I figure it’s not paleo [diet], then devour one of every dessert available.
We’re very noisy, drinking champagne, before we head downstairs to the Stingray Lounge for a Passion Pop and Espresso Martini. By this stage, it’s clearly time for bed.
I’m awake by 5am and look at the beautiful pools glistening in the freshness of a new day.
Colin makes himself at home in the designer hotel, enjoying the view and the champagne.
Breakfast is the meal I most desire, so I eagerly bound up to the chef of Il Barocco and order perfect poached eggs. I drown them in hollandaise sauce, which I think is still paleo.
Today, Palazzo concierge Dillan is chauffeuring me about in a luxury Audi A8 to Robina Town Centre. But first, I need a coffee, and the sexiest source is Black Coffee Lyrics.
This amazing place is run by a few fellas upstairs, in a mall full of dirty little shops with names like “Golden Claws Massage”.
After a refreshing cup, we are off to Robina’s 300 specialty stores for a whirlwind tour of its great designer shops. At Oskars, on the Burleigh waterfront, I share desserts with my dining companions… meaning I stick my spoon in all their choices and block them getting any of my passionfruit soufflé.
I walk off the meal with a bit more shopping along Burleigh’s Esplanade and James St, where I buy earrings to go with a dress I bought for my mum at Le Deux boutique.
Back at Palazzo Versace, it’s Fashionista High Tea at Le Jardin with Russell, the fit, dapper Palazzo GM. I select what he is having, as it’s only polite – coloured eclairs, white chocolate mousse clouds and petite sandwiches.
I tell him how much I’m loving my stay and about modelling for Versace. He shares funny stories of unnamed celebrities taking the cushions or embossed crystal glasses away and the hotel billing their credit cards. The pillows are $570 each. Fair enough, I guess it is theft. We laugh. He is an astute and charming man.
Back in my room, I return the seven cushions I had stuffed into my suitcase and discover the hotel had prepared a candlelit bubble bath and lychee cocktail. I slide into the bath and begin to laugh… I mean, this is the most amazing experience!
The next morning starts poolside at a Versace cabana, drinking champagne again. I’m in a robe and soaking up the rays while being photographed.
I’m so vain, I want to check I’m looking all right, so I turn to the window reflection, open my robe and try to flex my tummy muscles – except, I realise the eyes looking back at me are not just my eyes. I’m flexing and posing like a peacock in front of everyone having breakfast!
Back to my room to change, and a last spot of shopping at the 70 designer boutiques of Marina Mirage, where I enjoy covering myself in pearls from Middleton’s Fine Jewellery.
It’s all about quality in quantity – which sums up my experience of the Gold Coast and the Palazzo Versace. Pure magic.
Gold Coast fun
• Take your pick from a number of theme parks – Warner Bros Movie World, Sea World, Wet’n’Wild Water World, Dreamworld and plenty more, offering an amazing day out for all.
• At Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, you can cuddle a koala, get to feed the wild lorikeet (and even kangaroo) and enjoy a free-flight bird show.
• Surfers Paradise, Main Beach, Burleigh Heads and Coolangatta all have fantastic beaches, plus cafés and restaurants.
• Whether it is the Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk, O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat, or Mt Tambourine, make sure you venture inland and experience the subtropical rainforests, waterfalls and walking trails.
Gold Coast events
• Surfers Paradise Festival is a celebration of Gold Coast music, art, food and culture, presenting emerging local talent, along with national and international artists. April 2-27, 2014.
•Opera Australia has partnered with Bleach* Festival to turn the shores of Greenmount Beach into a fantasyland of fairytales and marvellous music. May 9-11, 2014.
Getting there:
Colin travelled to the Gold Coast with the assistance of Tourism Australia, Tourism and Events Queensland and Air New Zealand. For more information, visit myaustraliapassion.co.nz and www.queenslandholidays.co.nz
Fly there with Air New Zealand book now.
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