Meet Simone Fergus of Carolina Lifestyle in Camberwell Junction

Simone Fergus loves nothing more than a happy customer, and more than 25 years in retail proves this is where her passion lies.

These days she puts that energy for ensuring satisfied customers into her managerial role at Carolina Lifestyle in Camberwell Junction.

“I really love to see someone leaving the shop happy with what they’ve bought,” Ms Fergus said.

“I love to think they’re going to look and feel great in that.”

Carolina in Camberwell Junction is one of the fashion brand’s four stores in Melbourne and women travel from as far as Gippsland to shop there.

Discover more than just clothes

Ms Fergus said it isn’t simply the clothes and accessories that customers love but the service, including the style advice and the fact that an entire look can be found in store.

“We have the clothes, the belts, bags, jewellery – everything,” she said.

Ms Fergus and her colleagues can also offer styling advice and help dress a customer if they want that.

“There is absolutely no hard selling. We are there to answer questions and talk through fabrics and looks and we can choose outfits for women to try if they want that,” she said.

“Often, having someone else choose clothing for you to try on takes you out of your comfort zone a little and you get to try something you may not have chosen yourself. And often women are pleasantly surprised.”

The Camberwell Junction store lends itself to a comfortable browsing experience.

“Everything is put together on one rail, too. Pants, skirts and tops to match. You can easily see how an outfit can come together,” Ms Fergus said.

Caroline Lifestyle prides itself on what Ms Fergus said are “short, sharp runs”, so the shopping experience is always fresh and new.

“We get new patterns in frequently, making it interesting for the shopper and also for us,” she said.

Experience the Carolina vibe

Founder and creative director of Carolina Lifestyle, Carolina Giraldo, is a proud Colombian-Australian, and a mother.

She recognised a need to “create a beautiful, comfortable, and versatile range of clothes and accessories to inspire confidence and bring ease to the lives of busy women”.

“And that’s what we do every day,” Ms Fergus said.

“We have women from 30+ come to the store – some women in their seventies. Everyone wants wearable, age-appropriate clothing and that’s what we can give and provide advice on.

“Sometimes, as we get older, we lose sight of what looks good on us – or even what we should be wearing – because our body shape changes as we get older. That’s why I love that we hang pieces together in store and that we are prepared to take you out of your comfort zone a little.”

Carolina Lifestyle designs garments to fit and flatter all body shapes, from a size six to 22. It prides itself on clothes that easily move from day to night, corporate to leisure, and are tailored “specially for the natural curves of women”.

If you’re not sure what you should be buying anymore, Ms Fergus recommends visiting Carolina Lifestyle and having a look around.

“Browse and ask questions. We are truly happy to help and there is no pressure whatsoever to buy,” she said.

“I know you will be glad you came in. Our pieces are easy, comfortable and stylish. We do not compromise on style.”

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