International model, gorgeous human, but more importantly Melburnite, Ashley Hart has been announced as this year’s Melbourne Spring Fashion Week (MSFW) ambassador. I got to sit down with her post-launch yesterday to get her thoughts on all things MSFW, her beauty routine and her liking for vegemite on toast.
LM: You were ambassador last year, how does it feel two years in a row?
AH: Yeah it feels great, it doesn’t even feel like last year is over. I mean, I grew up with the event and with Jess (Sister Jess Hart, also an international model) being the face of MSFW over the years it’s a role that feels regular to me and I’m thrilled to be back for it.
LM: What’s ambassadorship all about?
AH: It’s great because I get to have a creative role involved in all the different aspects of the event. It’s really lovely to be able to attend the parades as opposed to walking in them, because you can relax and really appreciate the fashion.
My favourite part of the week is the designer runways in the evenings, and this year there’s some great new designers being showcased so I’m really looking forward to it.
LM: This year, the really exciting news is that Melbourne gets to host the global event Vogue Fashion’s Night Out (VFNO) as part of MSFW, ahead of the rest of the world. Are you doing anything special?
AH: I’ll be involved for sure, but I’m actually looking forward to having a shop this year, to be honest, because I don’t think I’ve done any serious shopping since the event last year!
LM: Really?! I think a lot of people think that models, being surrounded by clothes all the time…
AH: Have the best clothes?
LM: Yeah!
AH: We’re just like everyone else you know! I don’t have a lot of time to shop, and I’m one of those people who doesn’t shop online. I still love the whole experience of shopping and trying things on, and I’m also really selective about where I buy clothes. New York is amazing, but I really love to shop in Melbourne because we have such great designers here.
LM: On a beauty note, will you still have your platinum hair?
AH: Absolutely! I’m channeling Marilyn (Monroe) at the moment, I love that whole beauty look. It’s something fresh for me, and was one of those moments of living fearlessly where I said, ‘Ok, this scares me but I’m just going to do this.’ It hasn’t been all smooth sailing, I have had a bit of a disaster with going platinum but I’m letting it grow this whole month in preparation for MSFW so it will look great by then. (Ed’s note: it looks great now!)
LM: You travel a lot, you have access to the most incredible make-up artists with your job, so I’m wondering what kind of look you favour, and what products go with you all over the world?
AH: I love the look of a fresh, beautiful, dewy face and I do like to wear makeup. I used to be one of those people who would walk out of the house with a bit of moisturiser and some lip balm, but these days I prefer some tinted moisturiser, mascara and lips. I don’t mind contouring my cheek bones either.
I take my sisters Luma Tinted Moisturiser with me everywhere and because it’s got the SPF factor, I feel like I’m doing it ‘all in one’ but without wearing too much makeup.
LM: What do you always do when you come back to Melbourne?
AH: I always go and see mum, but this time she’s actually in New York with Jess! I still went down to the house and stayed there because it’s the best thing for me, to connect with my roots.
Then there’s eating all of the amazing food, not to mention getting stuck into the vegemite on toast and milo! When I’m home I re-indulge in all of those nostalgic things. You know, I might even get a good pie this time round!
