Miu Miu Ready-to-Wear 09

There is nothing Miuccia Prada does that I don't like. Her focus on detail and experimentation with colour and pattern always results in something truly beautiful and uniquely Prada. The current Miu Miu Ready-to-Wear collection is no exception. The collection was focused on minimalist patterns and clean lines, embellished with deep subdued autumn colours, defined waists and gathered silk heels. The apron detail, seen on the majority of the collection, was unusual and not to everyone's to taste, but I adored the texture it added to an otherwise simple shift dress and how it balanced out complex patterens. The pictures below are only a small example of the Prada's focus on detail, the rich elegance of her accessories the perfect compliment to her gorgeous collection.

Images: style.com

All That Glitters

I'm instantly attracted to anything and everything the sparkles. Balmain studded heels, Louis Vuitton sequined clutches and the shining and shimmering example above. Wearing something that sparkles makes me feel fantastic, and I am instantly filled with admiration and just a little bit of jealously at the women who manage to pull off sequins during the day. So when I came across the 3.1 Phillip Lim silver sequined tuxedo vest (pictured above) I felt the need to go out and buy something that glittered. Perhaps a sequined blazer (Sass & Bide have a great loose fitting sequined jacket in grey) or a ridiculously small clutch (they fail to hold any essential items, but look great nonetheless). Yet no matter where I looked nothing compared to gorgeous colour and exquisite cut of the 3.1 Phillip Lim vest. So I am currently staring longing at the above picture and mourning my lack of desperately needed sequins. Oh the humanity.

Image: net-a-porter.com

Matthew Williamson

Aren't these Matthew Williamson clutches fantastic? I've always adored Matthew Williamson's whimsical designs and love that he experiments so much with pattern and colour. The latest season of accessories are a particular favourite, especially the the luxe boho, brightly coloured, kaleidescope patterened silk clutch (top picture). It's the perfect accessory to brighten up a winter look. Now if only I could acquire Oprah's income, I might buy myself the whole Matthew Williamson collection.
Images: net-a-porter.com

It's a Matter of Size

Big accessories have been seen everywhere lately, from Gucci to Dior, Dries Van Noten to Balenciaga and Prada. Oversized clutches, higher than high heels and my favourite, decadently embellished necklaces. The Chanel Plastron with resin and strass black necklace (top left) is the best I've seen so far. It's fantastically oversized, but not gaudy and the asymmetrical design makes it just the right amount of unusual. In all, the perfect statement necklace. Though not nearly as brilliant, Sportsgirl, Samantha Wills, Urban Originals, and Mimco all do their version of the embellished necklace and Urban Orginials in particular has a great collection available on their website. The All Things Sparkly silver necklace has to be my favourite.

Images: features.elleuk.com

Most Wanted

Australian designers are fantastic and in my opinion do not receive the international recognition they deserve. Alice McCall is one such designer. In the past three years her collections have been nothing short of amazing and it is easy to see where her designs have filtered down into chainstore buys. Her current collection, Some Are Not Insects, makes me happy. Like I said her designs are always gorgeous, but I am loving the updated 70's mod inspired feel. It's all stark colours and graphic prints and easy elegance. What's even better is, like Stella McCartney, McCall's designs are accessible. I can see myself in many of her clothes, from the black shift dress with deep blue sequined detail to the yellow, white and black insect print dress. Currently the dress I'm most lusting after is the lovely creation on the left. I have an engagement party to attend and this would be perfect.

These Yves Saint Laurent patent studded platform heels in deep fuchsia are so pretty I want to stare at them all day long. I don't even care that if I attempted to walk in them I would most likely topple over, break several limbs and be too embarrassed to ever wear heels again. They're just so pretty.

Images: alicemccall.com, ysl.com

Delfina Delettrez & Pamela Love

Insects scare me. Spiders and all their creepy crawly friends with their hairy legs and what not are terrifying. Seeing as I lived in Queensland (the home of the giant cockroach) for a few years I don't think my fear is unfounded. So I'm a little surprised that I kind of love Delfina Delettrez's (daughter of Silvia Venturni Fendi) one-of-a-kind skull and insect jewellery collection. Sure it's a little weird, some of it's not so great, but the pieces that work are romantic gothic jewellery at its best. The spiders, scorpions and skulls are softened by ladybug, frog, bee and seahorse charms all in gorgeous vibrant jewel colours. I might not like loads of colour in my clothes but I love colourful accessories, the more unusual the better (a vintage cuff with English Terrier motifs is on high rotation). New York jewellery designer Pamela Love also makes romantic gothic jewellery in a more bohemian, earthy style. Unlike Delettrez, I love all of Love's creations. From the sterling silver shark jaw necklace to the bronze talon cuff and sterling silver crab claw and pearl ring. I'm hoping somewhere along the line their gorgeous designs are diffused into a cheaper, more student friendly prices.

Image: iht.com

Sretsis

I'm afraid I've only recently discovered designer Pim Sukhahuta and her quirky and whimsical brand Sretsis. I'm a big fan of girly dresses with unusual twists and Sretsis fits the bill perfectly. My favourite has to be the soft mint green shift dress with the unusual print. It's the perfect length for a mini and I can see myself wearing it to Uni with an embellished necklace for warm weather and layered with black (perhaps a black leather jacket) on cooler days. To get a better look at Sukhahuta's designs click here.

Images: whistles.com.au

Brand New Stella

I haven't been a huge fan of recent Stella McCartney collections, however her Fall 2009 Ready-to-Wear collection makes me a little giddy. The majority of the collection was comprised of muted autumn colours (black, grey, deep burgundy), with splashes of houndstooth, electric blue and vivid green. Despite my love of subdued colours, the electric blue slipdress (pictured above) is pure perfection of uncomplicated elegance. The inky blue leather jacket with over sized lapels only adds to the effortless glamour. As I've said before, I'm huge fan of Balmain since it's reincarnation with Christophe Decarnin, yet the simple, clean lines and accessibility of McCartney's collection makes it easy to forget about wrap dresses, studded heels and military embellishments. Well almost.
Image: style.com

The Sartorialist - Les Tuileries, Paris

I'm not sure what I love most about this look. The unusual Josh Goot print dress in vibrant spring colours, the Balmain jacket with leather sleeve and cuff detail or the gorgeous Yves Saint Laurent Tribute boots. In the end I think it's the fact that she is wearing what is traditionally a summer frock, layered with beautiful black accessories for a eclectic and effortless winter look. I'm jealous.

Image: thesartorialist.blogspot.com

New Buys

I'm addicted to mascara and have spent many long hours searching for the perfect (read: separates and lengthens) one. I've tried Dior, Napoleon Perdis, Rimmel, Chanel, Clinique, Revlon... you name it. Thankfully my fruitless search has come to an end. Shop Til You Drop informed me that Yves Saint Laurent had created a mascara so perfect it separates, lengthens and gives you a fake lash effect (Yves Saint Laurent - False Lash Effect Mascara, pretty obvious I know). In one word: awesome. I bought it a few weeks ago and have to say I am not disappointed. The fact that it comes in a gorgeous gold monogrammed tube only makes it better.

Most Wanted

Ever since torturing myself by browsing net-a-porter.com, I can think of nothing but the Yves Saint Laurent Arty Oval Ring. The elaborate sculpted design is beautiful and the basic block of gold keeps the design from becoming over the top. What's more, the dusty orange/pink adds just the right amount of colour. In short, it's the perfect cocktail ring and if I didn't have to spend money on pesky things such as food and paying bills I would happily spend a small fortune to see it adorn one of my fingers.
Image: net-a-porter.com

Shakuchachi & Jessie White

I bought my first Shakuchachi dress late last year for a large summer wedding. I tried countless other dresses, but always came back to the grey silk dress with panel detail. It's beautiful, fits perfectly and the classic cut with a modern twist stops it from being boring. Since that first purchase I have fallen madly in love with Shakuchachi and Jessie White's designs. White's classic cuts and simple lines are embellished with modern details, such as gold studded sleeves, tie-dye fabrics and metal beaded panels. I am especially loving the Where The Wild Roses Grow Summer/Spring 2008/09 collection, the black panelled beaded dress (pictured above) is my current favourite. You can shop the current collection at mycatwalk.com.au.

Image: mycatwalk.com.au

When I Grow Up...

What's not to love about Clémence Poésy? She's gorgeous, talented (I thought she was pretty great as Mary, Queen of Scots in Gunpowder, Treason & Plot) and has an incredibly fun name to pronounce. What's more, she has managed to perfect an effortless (monochrome) style that makes me envious. A woman after my own heart who prefers varying degrees of black, grey and white with an occasional splash of colour, she looks as though she has woken up, put on the first few items that have taken her fancy and walked out the door looking effortlessly amazing. I'm sure it's much more complicated than that, but the fact that she makes it look so easy is admirable. I want to be her best friend, then we can share clothes, style tips and secrets (what was Daniel Radcliffe really like?)

Alice in Wonderland

Artist Maggie Taylor has little to do with the world of Haute Couture, but her Alice in Wonderland illustrations are so beautiful and brilliantly imagined I want to decorate every wall of my little apartment with her work. I'm also in love with her series on women, especially the illustration of the woman carrying the oversized goldfish. Take a look at the rest of her amazing work here.

My Current Obsessions

Being a university student and having an income that is extremely limited at best, my ability to fill my wardrobe with fabulous designer clothes is nothing more than a lovely Dior filled dream (hence the constant sense of heartbreak). However, due to an overactive imagination and a compulsion to read every fashion magazine that comes my way, I can still fantasize about spending the income of a small European nation on Marni platform heels and Chanel metallic totes. Therefore, below is a list of my current (unrealistic) obsessions.

1. Balmain (pictured above). From the acid wash jeans to the studded heels and the military inspired blazers, my dreams are filled with structured tailoring and all that glitters.

2. Alexander Wang. I only wish I could work the model off duty look.

3. Diane Von Furstenburg for her colourful tie-dye maxi-dresses.

and finally...

4. Christian Dior. I'm not a huge fan of the Africian inspired prints and accessories this season, but the models looks so good it's easy to forget a mere mortel would struggle to pull off the majority of the looks.