Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Home Inspiration



Now if my home could look like any one of these, I would be very very happy.
Images: theselby.com

Topshop and Kate Moss

Thought I would post some sneak peak pictures of the new Kate Moss collection for Topshop. I'm loving the vintage floral prints, the white cocktail dress embellished with sequins and the whole rock 'n' roll folk/boho vibe. Like most people I adore Kate Moss' sense of style and am insanely jealous that she manages to pull off a thrown together look with such effortlessness and confidence all the while looking gorgeous.
Images: topshop.com

Save Venice Spring Ball

I've fallen in love with the high drama and stylised romantic glamour seen at Save Venice's Annual Masked Ball. It's dress ups for adults and at the moment is the closest I can get to Venice without travelling half way across the world.
Images: style.com

Monday, March 30, 2009

Most Wanted

I absolutely love this patent leather oversized bag. Sure it's ridiculously big, but it's oh so pretty, modern and sexy. Best part? It would fit all my uni books in it, plus the usual miscellaneous items that find their way in (but never out) on my handbag.
Image: mycatwalk.com.au

Fleur De Lis Boutique


When I lived in the Sunshine Coast I used to frequent Fleur De Lis Boutique every few days. Other than being a beautiful store, the salesgirls (salespeople?) were incredibly nice and most importantly the clothes were gorgeous and well priced. My wardrobe is filled with great buys from the stores owner and designer LeAnne McClay, a hot pink tuxedo bolero is a particular favourite. Above are a few pictures of the pieces currently available in store and if you want an even better look check out the website here.
Images: fleurdelis.com.au

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Temperley London

Alice Temperley is one of my favourite designers, her clothes epitomize everything I love about fashion. Clean and elegant lines, gorgeous fabrics, exquisite patterns and elaborate and beautiful embellishments. There was not one item from her ready-to-wear fall 09 collection that I didn't immediately fall in love with. Inspired by the Silk Route, the collection was whimsical and other worldly with military tailoring and embellishments mixed with delicate patterns and moments of dazzling colour. The jewel embellished necklines and waists cinched with studded belts added the perfect touch. The collection was sexy, but not overtly so, delicate but not girly and best of all, it was infinitely wearable. Sigh.
Images: style.com

American Museum of Natural History Dance

I usually love what Julia Restoin-Roitfeld wears and this is no exception. The Balmain mini dress is just gorgeous and the colour looks perfect on her. Though I could do without the opaque tights, the minimalist accessories and unfussy hair keep it on the right side of dramatic. Nice work

Friday, March 27, 2009

The Anti Marilyn

Scarlett Johansson is gracing the April cover of French Vogue, sporting her new(ish) dark locks and looking old school gorgeous. Scarlett could probably wear a garbage bag and still look stunning, but with her auburn hair, alabaster skin and smokey eyes she reminds me of Rita Hayworth. What's not to love?

Alberta Ferretti Spring/Summer 09

I am currently wide awake in the early hours of the morning due to an unfinished assignment that is due in approximately eight hours. It's my own fault, I've known about the assignment for the past two weeks I just ignored the looming deadline in favour of House and playing with my kitten. Anyhow, I'm taking a much deserved break and thought I would take the time to post about one of my favourite ad campaigns this year. Photographed by fashion photographer Steven Meisel this Alberta Ferretti spring/summer 09 ad campaign is simply gorgeous. Channeling the jazz age with fringed dresses, dark lips and textured fabrics, the whole 1920's style reminds me of the lavish parties in The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. It is all very decedent, glamorous and fantastically unattainable. Now wish me luck as I dissect dominant European traditions and the modernist movement in relation to artistic and social changes in affirming primitivism. Goodness.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Woods, Witches and Wonder...








I'm so utterly in love with every single item from the new Zimmermann winter 09 collection Woods, Witches and Wonder it's a little ridiculous. Earthy tones, draped silk, laser cut leather, stud embellishments, floral patterns and soft knits make for an effortlessly decedent, modern and simply gorgeous collection. It reminds me of the fairy tales I read as a child, especially Little Red Riding Hood. The simple, innocent stain glass silk combined with the harder, more sinister elements such chain prints, studs and lots of black are perfect for winter. I am especially loving the mustard yellow draped silk asymmetrical dress. Check out the rest of the truly fantastic collection here.
Images: zimmermannstore.com

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Birds of a Feather

This beautiful chandelier was recently featured on one of my favourite blogs Absolutely Beautiful Things and I just had to share it. It has nothing to do with fashion, but when it is this gorgeous it doesn't matter. I'm jealous.
Images: absolutelybeautifulthings.blogspot.com

Hussy Winter 09

I was just looking through the latest Hussy winter collection and thought I would share a few of my favourite pieces. I'm currently lusting after the Love Struck top and Bohemian skirt (top right) and the violet Poetic Love Skirt (bottom left). Have a look at more of the collection at the website here.
Images: hussy.com.au

Reese and Rodarte

Though I've read some criticism of Reese Witherspoon in the above Rodarte ready-to-wear fall 2009 mini-dress, I think she looks stunning. I love the futuristic and romantic feel of the mini-dress and the slash of bright green is the perfect offset against the pale marbled grey. I'm also a big fan of Kate and Laura Mulleavy and their creation Rodarte. The current fall collection is gorgeous, pale autumn colours mixed with bright slashes of blues and greens, marbled silk chiffon, slashed skirts and leather embellishments create a whimsical and romantic feel exaggerated by modern silhouettes (high hems and high heels). The collection isn't exactly Stella McCartney wearable, but it's gorgeous nonetheless and if you've got legs like Reese's why not wear a mini-dress to show them off?
Images: style.com

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Melbourne Fashion Week 2009 - Gorman

I've always liked Gorman, but I haven't been blown away by past collections. The collection shown at the Loreal Paris Melbourne Fashion Week was no different, but in my opinion infinitely more wearable and inspired. The burnt orange cropped leather jacket in the first picture is fantastic, a gorgeous and modern winter piece and I heart the simple floral dress. Though the collection wasn't a stand out, a few of the pieces, such as the tiered laser cut mini dress on the right, were gorgeous and overall I think Gorman showed one of their best collections in awhile.
Images: fashionising.com

Kate Moss for Versace

I think Kate Moss looks so fantastic in the above Versace spring/summer 2009 campaign photographed by Mario Testino that I had to share them. Her sun bleached blonde hair, subtle tan and the gorgeous black cocktail dress with silver heart detail against the vivid aqua of the ocean looks so beautiful and inviting it makes me wish summer would come all over again.
Images: models.com

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Most Wanted

I want this whole entire Balmain outfit. From the high waisted black skirt with zip detail, studded heels and gorgeous purple top with exaggerated shoulders. Isn't it lovely?
Image: style.com

Givenchy Spring Couture 09 Collection


Described as "erotic turn-of-the-century paintings of imagined ancient rituals and the austere, attenuated ballet costumes of Pina Bausch," the Givenchy Spring Couture 09 collection is quite simply put, stunningly beautiful. The colours are gorgeous, the designs decadent and perfectly structured, the fabrics striking and floral pattern is exquisite. I could rave endlessly about Riccardo Tisci's creative vision (hopefully without sounding too pretentious), from the exaggerated shoulders, draped fabric embellishments, peekaboo panels and lace and feather details. Even the black catwalk was perfect, covered in white and pink rose petals. It makes me happy just looking at his designs and they are truly some of the most beautiful creations I have ever seen.
Images: style.com

Mink Pink

Mink Pink rocks. The clothes are cute, modern, current and affordable. What's not to love? Their current collection is great, florals mixed with tye dyed tanks and oversized boyfriend tees. The above four pictures are my favourite pieces of their spring/summer 08/09 collection and I especially heart the Beowulf tee (bottom right) and Floral Trip dress (top right).

Shades of Grey

I love the colour grey with an unabashed passion. It is subdued, classic and effortlessly elegant. I own countless grey cardies, dresses and shoes and only plan to purchase more. I have been accused more than one time of owning no colour (I do, it is just outweighed by grey, white and black), but my argument is that I simply know what I like. So as you can guess my heart beat a little faster when many designers in their ready-to-wear fall 09 collections had various shades of grey in matte, metallic, demin and silk. I am so very happy the winter months are coming so I can layer up in grey and hopefully nail the effortlessly elegant look. Above are just a few of my favourite creations from the past few weeks (from left to right: Dolce & Gabbana, Zac Posen, Vivienne Westwood and Gucci).
Images: style.com

Friday, March 20, 2009

Ballet Flats


The weather is becoming cooler, which means saying goodbye to my gladiator sandals and welcoming back my usual opaque tights plus flats combo. This leads to my favourite past time, shopping in order to find the perfect clothing item (this time searching for the perfect ballet flats for the winter months). Taking a look through net-a-porter.com I've decided I want something with colour and perhaps an over-the-top embellishment, something similar to these Lanvin flats (left) and Marc Jacobs heart cutout pumps (right). Pretty awesome right?
Images: net-a-porter.com

My Current Obsessions

No my current obsession is not a gorgeous quilted leather Chanel tote, or fantastically oversized Oliver Goldsmith shades, but it is (in my completely unbiased opinion) even better. The picture above is of my beautiful five month old kitten Sadie. She loves constant and uninterrupted attention, food and lots of it and following me wherever I go (accompanied by her meowing to let me know she's not far away). She dislikes my fuzzy bathroom mat and the sound of the hairdryer, but that's okay because she goes with everything I own and is a lot more fun than a Sass & Bide tartan dress could ever be.
Image: C.L.B

The New Supermodel

In my opinion Australian model Catherine McNeil can do no wrong. She is stunningly gorgeous, takes a killer photo and would look good in a paper bag. She had an exclusive six month contract with legendary photographer Mario Testino, who took the wonderful pictures above, and is also the face of Essence Fragrance by Narciso Rodriguez and Jean Paul Gaultier. Best part, she has managed to become popular despite the current trend of thin, fragile, blonde models that currently stalk the catwalk.

Alexander Wang Pre-Fall Collection

I was browsing through Alexander Wang's Ready-to-Wear Fall 09 collection on style.com and was reminded how much I preferred his pre-Fall collection. The more grown up, thrown together aesthetic works beautifully and the gathered and wrapped fabric on the three dresses pictured above add just enough detail to a collection of modern, clean lines.
Images: style.com

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Myer Autumn/Winter Collection 09 - Nicola Finetti

Sure any other person who was not once Miss Universe might struggle to pull off this Nicola Finetti creation, but Jennifer Hawkins manages to look elegant, confident and unbelievably tall in this gorgeous feathered, jewelled and insanely dramatic cocktail dress. Killer heels too.
Image: theage.com.au

Myer Autumn/Winter Collection 09 - Wayne Cooper

I haven't been a huge fan of Wayne Cooper's past collections. Sure there is always an odd dress that I like, but overall his clothes come across as contrived. Despite all this I'm loving these gorgeous cocktail dresses. The overly bright candy colours mixed with black accessories is very Patricia Field/Carrie Bradshaw. What's more it is a look that can be easily be transferred for all price ranges, and speaking as a Uni student that is pretty fantastic.

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Louis Vuitton Ready-to-Wear 09

I was taking a look through Louis Vuitton's latest ready-to-wear fall collection and instantly fell in love with the flirty, vivid pink interwoven through many of the leather, lace and fur ensembles. The colour is gorgeous and though I determinedly steer away from pink, I feel autumn/winter will see me in my own all black outfit brightened with just a hint of pink.
Images: style.com