These are the words that come to mind when I think of Marty Thomas: style icon, classic model, and world wanderer. I first encountered Marty back in May at Australian Fashion Week in Sydney. Despite living in Brisbane, a city away, I followed the sophisticated 65-year-old model's life through social media. We connected online, as people often do in this modern era, and decided to meet one day to discuss all things fashion, style, and travel.
So, you can imagine my delight when Marty reached out to let me know he would be staying for a special weekend at the luxurious Langham Hotel on the Gold Coast. He invited me to join him for afternoon tea.
How could I possibly say no?
Whenever I drive to an interview, I am on a natural high. It’s the connection for me, and the inherent curiosity. For days, I pondered what I wanted to know the most from Marty: questions about how his personal style developed over the years and what his favourite clothes were to pack when travelling. I wanted to understand his views on the Australian male, particularly what Aussie men wear. I also wondered about Marty's background, where he grew up, and how he combined his love for fashion, style, and travel.
Driving from Brisbane to the sunny Gold Coast, I played my favourite tunes. The clouds had cleared to reveal the beautiful winter sun. Passing through the tourist hotspot of Surfer's Paradise, I followed the beach and made my way through the Esplanade. I instantly recognised The Langham Hotel, even though I had never set foot there. The Langham, in all its grandeur, stood out like solid gold amidst beachfront restaurants, hotels, and Gold Coast homes. The $1.4 billion luxury hotel was the first beachfront property of its kind to open on the shores of the Gold Coast, one of Australia's most desirable holiday destinations.
The hotel's elegant interior blended modern and vintage aesthetics, with attention to detail in every brass rail, high window, and floral-embroidered seat. Excitement surged through me as I pressed the elevator button, ascending to the Palm Court on the ground floor. I made my way through the light-filled lobby until I reached the venue for our afternoon tea. There, I saw Marty patiently waiting for me on a white lounge, dressed in a royal-purple shirt and matching cravat. When he saw me, he stood up to greet me warmly. We were both looking forward to our sweet afternoon tea (and ideally a glass of bubbly), and our waitress graciously escorted us to our seats.
We sat down at a table overlooking the stunning outdoor pool, which Marty later told me was kept invitingly warm year-round. Our waitress brought over a three-tiered cake stand filled with a wonderful array of savoury and sweet treats as we settled in. The menu boasted an assortment of teas: white blueberry, green, and jasmine.
We were treated to mini salmon bagels, shaved cucumber on super-soft puff pastry, and bite-sized wagyu beef tarts. The scones with lemon curd and jam, according to Marty, were an undeniable match for Devonshire tea. As we slowly made our way to the top tier, we eagerly anticipated the Signature Langham cream rose, dark chocolate slices, and coconut-mango pavlovas.
The food was irresistible, and we took our time discussing Marty's life and his ethos on fashion.
You too can join us for this enlightening Style Conversation on the podcast below. Dive into Marty’s remarkable journey around the world, hear about his upcoming ventures in food and wellness, and gain timeless style tips tailored for Australians. As we explore the essence of true style and the elements that make an outfit unforgettable, you’ll discover how embracing personal fashion choices and empowering others can transform our perception of style.
Don’t miss out—tune in to be part of this captivating conversation and uncover unique insights into the life of Marty Thomas!
Melanie Canosa reporting exclusively for Australian Fashion Platform
Melanie Canosa
Australian Fashion Platform: Guest Writer and Photographer
About Melanie Canosa
Melanie Canosa is a passionate freelance journalist and fashion stylist based in Brisbane, Australia. With Argentine heritage and experiences in cities like Sydney and Buenos Aires, she brings a unique blend of cultural insights to her work. Melanie holds degrees in Communication (Journalism) and International Studies from the University of Technology in Sydney, where she also completed an Honours thesis on feminist street protests in Argentina.
Her blog is a digital sanctuary where reflections on fashion, art, and culture come to life. Join Melanie as she shares her sophisticated perspectives and invites you to engage in this stylish journey of stories and style.
Photography and Article by Melanie Canosa https://melaniecanosa.com/
Written for Australian Fashion Platform, Australia’s fastest-growing Fashion app!
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