My week with Celia Holman-Lee: Ela Maria visit rekindled old friendships
What has thrilled me most about this journey is how the book tour has become a celebration rather than a schedule
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.
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