The Haute Escape: Melbourne
20 - 25 May 2027
An intimate luxury retreat with curated fabric shopping and insider inspiration, designed and personally led by Kelly & Sarah.
We cannot wait to welcome you to The Haute Escape: Melbourne 2027.
Five nights in one of Melbourne's most stylish precincts, with your days built around curated fabric shopping and your evenings built around being thoroughly looked after, with beautiful meals, good company and nothing left for you to organise.
This isn't just a shopping trip. It's direct access to Kelly, fabric expert, designer and teacher, who'll help you choose fabrics with confidence and clarity, and to Sarah, personal stylist and your ultimate hype girl, who'll help you see fresh possibilities and shop with purpose and joy. You'll leave with fabrics you'll actually use, inspiration that lasts, and memories you'll treasure.
Your Experience
Picture yourself...
Discovering fabrics in Melbourne's most inspiring stores, with Kelly's designer eye and Sarah's styling expertise guiding you every step
Evenings filled with conversation and beautifully prepared meals
Unwinding in a stunning 5-star hotel in Melbourne's Paris End, a district known for its fashion, dining and culture
The Haute Escape Studio, a relaxed session to unpack your fabric finds, talk through projects, and get personalised guidance from Kelly and Sarah
Time carved out just for you, to relax, explore, or simply soak it all in
What is The Haute Escape: Melbourne?
This is not a hectic “do all the things” trip. It’s a carefully curated escape for women who:
Enjoy being looked after, with the details handled for them
Love sewing, creating or working with fabric
Want to shop with purpose (not overwhelm)
Crave time away that feels nourishing, inspiring and fun
There is no sewing on this tour, this is all about fabric shopping, style inspiration and time for you.
Your Pre-Retreat Planning Session
Before we even arrive in Melbourne, you’ll meet privately with Kelly and Sarah for a pre-retreat style and fabric planning session. This is our way of getting to know you, what you love to sew, how you dress, and what you’re hoping to create. This helps us to be able to support you thoughtfully and make fabric shopping feel fun, clear, and easy once we’re together in store.
A peek at the itinerary.
The full itinerary will be shared with guests, but here’s the flow of your week:
Day 1 – Thursday: Arrival & Welcome
You’ll arrive at Next Hotel Melbourne, settle in at your own pace, and join us in the evening for welcome drinks and a relaxed dinner with the group.
Day 2 – Friday: Fitzroy Fabric Heaven
You’ll start the day with breakfast before heading to Fitzroy to explore a collection of favourite fabric stores with guided support from Sarah and Kelly, enjoy a hosted group lunch, and spend the afternoon wandering, shopping, or unwinding before returning to the hotel.
Day 3 – Saturday: City Chic & Beauty Treats
After breakfast, we’ll visit a central city fabric store, followed by a special beauty experience at Mecca Bourke Street, and finish the day with a fun and welcoming group dinner where you can dress up or come exactly as you are.
Day 4 – Sunday: Fabric Finds & The Haute Escape Studio
We will have a slower start this morning and then explore another of Melbourne’s iconic fabric stores. The afternoon will host The Haute Escape Studio; a relaxed session over afternoon tea where you’ll unpack your fabric finds, talk through project ideas, and leave with a clear, confident plan for what you’ll create. The evening is yours to enjoy Melbourne in your own way.
Day 5 – Monday: Buttons, Bargains & Farewell Toasts
We’ll begin with breakfast before visiting a treasure trove for unique finds and great sewing accessories; enjoy a hosted group lunch, and end the evening with relaxed farewell drinks & canapes.
Day 6 – Tuesday: Departure
Your final breakfast before checking out and departing at your own pace.
Where you will stay.
Your home for the retreat is Next Hotel Melbourne, a boutique 5-star hotel in the prestigious 80 Collins precinct, often called the Paris End of Collins Street and known for its fashion, dining and culture.
Your room is a sanctuary in itself:
DreamWeave luxury bedding
Espresso machine, Who Is Elijah amenities, Dyson hairdryer
Curated Australian artwork
Curated minibar
Kelly is a Perth-based sewing teacher, designer and lifelong maker. Sewing has been woven through her life since childhood, from stitching doll bags at her mum’s feet to studying fashion, patternmaking and even fashion forecasting at Central Saint Martins in London. After many years of teaching, she’s helped hundreds of women turn beautiful fabrics into garments they truly love to wear. On tour, Kelly will guide you on fabric types, drape and suitability for different garments. She will help you match fabrics to patterns and project ideas and she is always sharing her deep love of craftsmanship, detail and good design.
Meet your hosts - Kelly and Sarah
Sarah is a personal stylist who helps women discover joy, confidence and individuality in what they wear. She’s warm, practical and encouraging and loves showing you possibilities you might never have considered in your wardrobe. On tour, Sarah will be there to help you connect your fabric choices to outfits you’ll actually wear. She will give suggestions on colour, proportion and lifestyle. She will always help you to feel comfortable, seen and supported and never judged.
Sarah is also here to make sure every detail during The Haute Escape is taken care of and you just get to relax and enjoy.
Is this small group fabric tour right for you?
You’ll feel right at home if you:
Love sewing, fabric, fashion or craft – at any stage of your creative journey
Want help choosing fabrics that work for your style, lifestyle and skill level
Prefer small groups where you feel seen, heard and included
Are craving time away that’s just for you, but still warm and social
Like the idea of being gently guided rather than doing all the planning yourself
You do not need to be an expert seamstress or a confident dresser. If you enjoy fabric and you’re open to inspiration, you’re absolutely in the right place.
What’s included in The Haute Escape?
5 nights’ accommodation at Next Hotel Melbourne (single or twin share)
Daily breakfast at La Madonna Restaurant
3 hosted lunches at venues close to our fabric stops
2 group dinners, including a fun Saturday night dinner
Afternoon Tea on Sunday with delicious treats while sharing fabric finds
Farewell drinks and canapes on Monday evening
Curated visits to Melbourne’s best fabric stores
On-the-ground hosting and support from Sarah (stylist) and Kelly (sewing and fabric expert) throughout the tour
Style and fabric guidance so you can shop with purpose and confidence
Time built in for rest, exploring and simply enjoying Melbourne
What’s not included?
Flights to and from Melbourne
Travel insurance
Additional meals, snacks or drinks outside of the inclusions
Excess baggage for your (very understandable) fabric haul
Personal shopping purchases
Dates & Costs.
Each tour is limited to 15 women, to keep the experience personal and relaxed.
Tour dates.
Thursday 20 May – Tuesday 25 May 2027
Tour Investment per person
Single Room: $5489
Twin Share: $4650
(Please note there are a maximum of three twin rooms per tour.)
Please let us know who you are sharing with. Simply email their name to us at sarah@sjmstyling.com.au
Payment Options
Pay in full. OR
Pay $1000 deposit and remainder four payments over five months. OR
Pay in full via EFT and receive 5% discount. (email sarah@sjmstyling.com.au for details)
Are you ready to join us in Melbourne? Book now.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Not at all. If you enjoy sewing or working with fabric, whether you’re just getting started or have been sewing for decades you’re welcome. We’ll tailor our guidance to your experience and comfort level.
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No. This is a fabric shopping, style and inspiration tour, with plenty of time to relax, connect and enjoy Melbourne. You’ll head home with fabrics, ideas and a plan – the sewing magic happens once you’re back in your own space.
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Absolutely. Many women will come solo, and the group size is small and welcoming. You will get to know Kelly and Sarah during your pre tour session, however if you have any questions to feel more comfortable please reach out via email sarah@sjmstyling.com.au
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We’ll collect your dietary needs when you book and pass them on to our venues and the hotel so you can relax and enjoy your meals without stress.
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When you click Book Your Place, you’ll be able to choose whether you’d like to pay in full or a payment plan. The links take you to our payments page and if you choose a payment plan we will send you an invoice with the future payment dates and details.
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Yes, subject to hotel availability you’ll be able to add pre or post nights at Next Hotel Melbourne at the group rate, and we can provide details once you’re confirmed on the tour.
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The Haute Escape: Melbourne Cancellation Policy.
We understand that plans sometimes change, and our aim is to make everything as clear and reassuring as possible while honouring the commitments we make on behalf of our touring group. The following policy outlines how cancellations and changes are managed so that arrangements remain smooth and fair for everyone involved.
Deposits and Payments.
A non-refundable deposit is required when you reserve your place on the Melbourne Fabric Tour. This payment secures your room and your spot on the tour, and allows us to confirm bookings with the hotel and our suppliers.
The remaining balance is invoiced in stages, with timing set out clearly in your booking confirmation. Your place on the tour is fully confirmed once all payments are received.
If you choose to pay in full at the time of booking, the deposit portion of your payment remains non-refundable. The remainder of your payment is covered by the cancellation terms below.
If you are travelling in a twin-share room, both guests share responsibility for the full room payment.
If You Need to Cancel.
If you need to cancel your place, please notify us in writing. Because accommodation and event bookings are confirmed well in advance, the following terms apply:
More than 91 days before the tour. Your initial deposit, or the deposit portion of your full payment, will be retained.
90–61 days before the tour. Half of your total tour payment will be retained.
60–31 days before the tour. Seventy-five percent of your total tour payment will be retained.
Within 30 days of the tour start. No refund can be provided, as all arrangements will have been finalised and paid.
We suggest arranging travel insurance that includes cancellation cover if you feel unexpected circumstances may arise.
Room Changes or Twin Share Adjustments.
Once rooming lists are submitted to Next Hotel Melbourne, any changes or reductions may attract fees from the hotel. If you are in a twin-share room and your roommate cancels, we will always do our best to reassign rooms or match you with another guest. If this is not possible, a single-room supplement may be required.
Meals, and Events.
Some tour inclusions, such as special dining and group experiences, are prepaid shortly before the tour begins. Once final numbers are confirmed with these partners, these bookings become non-refundable. If you are unable to attend a particular component of the tour, we will offer alternatives where possible.
If We Need to Postpone or Cancel.
If the tour must be postponed or cancelled due to an unforeseen situation outside our control, such as a major disruption or hotel closure, we will work with you to move your booking to new dates or provide a refund with any unrecoverable supplier costs deducted.
In Kindness
We appreciate the commitment you make when you join us on a creative experience like this. These terms have been designed to balance flexibility with the practicalities of coordinating a group tour. If you have questions or personal circumstances you would like to discuss, please reach out as really want to do the best we can to support your needs. We are here to support you wherever we can.
With warmth,
Sarah and Kelly