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Like many downcounty residents, Lora Applegarth hit the mall this weekend. But the North Bethesda resident came away with more than just a few shopping bags.

After a personalized style consultation with celebrity designer Christian Siriano, Applegarth showed off her new look on the runway at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda on Saturday. Wearing "skinny" jeans, a lavender blouse and a dark purple scarf, the full-time mom said the look — gleaned from mall retailers — made her feel modern.

She said she came away with an updated style and a new appreciation for the season's hottest color — purple.

"Since becoming a mom, I've gained a bunch of weight and I've been very conscious about how I look," Applegarth told The Gazette. "I didn't want to look to old and mom-ish."

As for her experience with Siriano, who gained fame as a contestant on the fashion reality show "Project Runway?"

"I was amazed," she said. "He was fun, patient, helpful and really charming."

The event was a part of the "Westfield Style Tour," which brings fashion celebrities and stylists to Westfield shopping malls throughout the country to ramp up retail spending. As a part of the tour, shoppers take an online test to determine their fashion style. Then, they're paired with celebrity stylists who serve up suggestions in a fashion "recipe" based on styles offered at mall retailers, such as Forever 21, Banana Republic, and Macy's.

A few lucky women won a consultation with Siriano as a part of a drawing and took to the catwalk on Saturday. Siriano, an Annapolis native, hosted the runway show and took questions from a throng of fans.

"For me it's important to really choose something signature for yourself," Siriano told The Gazette. The designer, 23, was the youngest contestant to win the hit fashion reality show "Project Runway." He recommended zeroing in on a fashion style but changing it up with different prints, shoes and accessories. "Choose a signature you love and do it every which way."

The Westfield Style Tour launched in Skokie, Ill., on Sept. 25, and will also stop at malls in Paramus, N.J., San Jose, Calif., San Diego and Los Angeles. Celebrity appearances at those locations will include television star Tori Spelling and "Project Runway" co-host Tim Gunn. The event also features workshops, presentations and hair and makeup consults. It's aimed at increasing traffic to fashion and beauty retailers, according to Westfield Northeast regional marketing manager Lee Sterling.

At Westfield Montgomery, the event was a success, according to marketing director Kafi Virtue. "This is the first time we have put on a fashion platform of this magnitude, and it was very well received by our retailers and we had an overwhelming response from shoppers," Virtue said.

The tour gives shoppers a taste of celebrity for the day, organizers say.

"The whole idea is to get the mall business, so I ask [shoppers], what are you missing in your wardrobe?" said stylist Gali Barraza.

The sessions with celebrity stylists were a hit with shoppers. "It's so much fun because they give you the places you can buy the clothes, and the prices," said Playaha Plaz, 18, of Washington.

Potomac resident Serena Durrani, 15, came to the style session along with her sister, Aleena. She said she came looking for "brands that work for me and cuts that work for me."

Barraza said many women come to her confused about what their style is, unsure how to pair pieces, and feeling overwhelmed with choices.

"A lot of women come in here and say "That's not my style," Barraza said.

"But when I show them a couple of things they say, ‘Yeah, I would totally wear that."