LAUREN DE CESARE
Co-creator, presenter and sales director extraordinaire for Adelady and hello SA—you’d be hard pressed to find someone in Adelaide that doesn’t know Lauren De Cesare.
A passionate advocate for South Australian brands and forever on a mission to give back, Lauren has been shouting from the rooftops for years about how great our state is (and we tend to agree).
She chats to us about her favourite dinner spots in the city, using her voice for good, and always wearing what you want!
When you want to feel confident, what's your go-to look?
My go-to look has really changed over the years. I was always about wearing a dress, and I'd feel really confident in a dress. But I think after having my little girl, my style changed and I'm actually my most confident when I'm wearing pants, a shirt and a power jacket.
Throughout your career in Adelaide, tell me about your most memorable moment.
Over the last 10 years, there have been a lot of memorable moments. But I have to say, one of our most memorable every year is raising a lot of money for Australian breast cancer research. Hayley and I have made it our work—ever since we met and started Adelady—to always give back. I think everyone's got a social responsibility to do so, and that's always been us. Every year we throw a party—because we like parties—and raise much needed funds for people who need it.
What is one spot in the city that you like to introduce people to?
One of my favourite spots in the city would have to be Gouger Street. Whenever I have friends or family come in from interstate, we hop on the tram and go into the city. We walk around the Central Market and find everything amazing and South Australian in there. And then we'll often find a beautiful Asian restaurant, or Gaucho’s Restaurant. The great thing is, you can have a few drinks, hop on the tram and come back. It's perfect.
When you think about Adelaide’s creative energy, how would you describe it?
I think when you think of Adelaide, there is so much creative energy here—no matter what you want to do. I think there are places here to do it, and a lot more people are seeing that.
A lot of people used to go away and then come home to have a family. But now, if you've got an idea, if you've got a goal, if you've got something you want to do, here is the place to do it.
And we've got so many people starting amazing businesses, from cafés to tech startups, fashion—everything is here. Why would you go anywhere else?
As someone who champions local experiences, what is something that Adelaide does better than anywhere else?
Adelaide does everything better. Can I say that? We’re known for our restaurants, we're known for our wineries, we're known for our beaches and our scenery. All of our businesses are spectacular, from jewellery to fashion, and people starting up new and exciting things.
Adelady always makes sure we follow people on Instagram, and we see people starting off in their garage making something and then suddenly they come to us like, ‘yeah, we've got eight staff now’, or ‘we've just bought a warehouse’.
Adelaide’s got this really cool vibe and people are wanting to stay here and create cool things.
Tell us about one of those, what's a city spot or a retailer you can't walk past without popping in?
Oh, my God, this is really hard! My job is to show people where to go, and there are so many places. Okay, so asking me my favourite place in the city is like asking me my favourite child, and I only have one child, so the answer is easy!
I love staying at Hotel Alba on South Terrace and having little staycations. We often go into Rundle Mall, and we walk down Rundle Street. But there's this little deli called Pinco Deli, who makes the most unbelievable sandwich with pistachios, ricotta, salami and chilli honey—every time I have it, I'm just like, chef's kiss. It blows my mind. So I would say Pinco Deli for something new and exciting, like a hole-in-the-wall sandwich place. I love that sort of stuff.
What does it mean to be a woman in the media with such a strong voice?
Oh, it is strong! Being a woman in the media in 2025, I take that job really seriously, because I know there's younger people coming up through the ranks and wanting to start their careers. For me, the biggest thing is body confidence. When I first went on TV as a size 14 to 16 woman, I was really shy. I was really nervous watching that first episode of TV air. I cried, going, ‘what if people see something that they're not used to?’ Because I wasn't the average size.
So for me, it's showing women that no matter what size you are or how you look, if you've got focus and the dream to be on TV—whatever you want to do in the media—you can do it. Don't let anyone tell you not to, because I've had that before too, and I'm not going to tell you what I said to them, but you know what I mean? We can do anything!
[Aside] I told him to [censored] off. I can't say that though!
If you could only wear one thing for the rest of your life, what would that be?
Honestly, it’d have to be my birthday suit—but nobody needs to see that… unless you’re paying good money. Kidding! I would say it would be a tailored blazer or a tailored trench. I feel like you could be wearing leggings or sports gear, and you throw in that fancy blazer, and people go, ‘Oh, she's got her life together’—even if you don't.
I think the biggest, the biggest thing for me is, honestly, when I did start and I watched that first TV episode, I remember I vomited afterwards. That's how nervous I was—so scared. Because in society, everyone's got that look of what maybe someone should look on TV, that they've got that persona of they should look a certain way.
Over the years, one of the top comments I get on Instagram is: “Lauren, where’s your dress from? Where did you get your pants? Will you take me shopping?” I take that as the biggest compliment and inspiration.
I’ve had women tell me, “I haven’t worn a dress in 20 years.” Then they’ll walk into Serafina—another amazing South Australian brand—and finally buy one. When I ask why, they say, “Because I didn’t feel confident.”
These are women in their 50s and 60s, and that honestly breaks my heart. Because no matter your size, your age, or your style—if you love it, wear it. Own it. Rock it.
STEAL THEIR STYLE
- Bubish Dillon Trench Coat in ivory, available from their SA showroom
- VAN BRUSSEL Sierra Panelled Shirt*
- VAN BRUSSEL Soren Elasticated Waist Trouser*
- Acler Ocheson Mule in vanilla*
- Tom Ford sunglasses*
- Lovisa Earrings*
*Adelaide City is your style destination—shop these pieces and more in-store on Ebenezer Place and in Rundle Mall at leading retailers David Jones, Shades Shop and Lovisa.
