eleven

fashion. style. life.

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vogue

So let's back up a minute.  During her Australian tour, the divine Lana Del Rey came in store, and spent an hour going through our racks, and left with all our hand made flower crowns, which she continued to wear during the rest of her tour.

While in store, I had created a widnow display for our involvement with the Look Stop Shop program throughout the City of Melbourne. A paper dress hung in the window, fragile and poignant, surround by cascading books and paper hearts, the words of Lorna Doone, William Blake and ballroom dancing instructions a delicate chain from words to clothing.  It was glorious, and caught the eye of Lana and her stylist, Johnny Blue Eyes, who mentioned she had a shoot for Australian  Vogue, and the theme was 'young poet'.

He saw the books I had hand cut in the window and took one with him.  Lo and behold, when I get a copy of this months vogue, the stunning shoot of Lana Del Rey features.... my book! Am I credited? Of course not! But it doesn't matter! The book I found at Savers for $3.50, and lovingly hand cut with a scalpel is in a Vogue shoot!! One day, a chapter in my autobiography will look back on this moment as life changing and career defining! x 

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progressive

The Progressive Runway was a mix of neon hues and bold prints at Melbourne Central today, with the most amazingly innovative (although I'm kicking myself I'd never thought of it sooner) runway I've seen: escalators.

Nothing says Melbourne street fashion plus urban ease like brightly dressed models descending slowly, then showing the back of their garments by riding the escalator back up. Too fabulous, and so Melbourne.

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designer series runway 1

Last night at Town Hall the first of the MSFW Designer Runway Series started, with designers Lui Hon and Ellery showing us beautiful metallics, prints and fringing. Lui Hon ( a friend of my boss Petrova Hammond from Project Runway days) as always really presented an amazing collection which felt very alive in the presence of soul. There was a very grounded feeling to his collection despite the ethereal women floating down the catwalk.  You could definitely feel the energy flowing through each piece, and the entire collection. Like always, Lui Hon just radiates elegant understatement, and this collection was definitely one of my favourites.  Ellery presented amazing metallic pieces, with beautiful draping design and gorgeous, effortless movement as the models traipsed past.  The prints on display were reminiscent of the wave of digital designs already popping up, from everyone to Cameo, to brands using the digital print as their corner stone, We Are Handsome. These prints were bright, and easy to wear, partnered with exquisite tailoring and grace. 

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free

The free runway show marquee is situated on the lush green grass on Swanston Street, (right near the temptation of Brunetti's macaroons and other yummy treats), and right by work.  Its so lovely strolling over to watch a flash of billowing silk or fabulous updo (not to mention convenient being so close!)  slip down the catwalk, as well as spotting both fashion worshippers and curious passerby's stopping to take a look. 

If you are in Melbourne city this week and have some time, make sure you stop past! 

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melbourne spring fashion week

So, Melbourne Spring Fashion Week is here, and it's a whirlwind of seminars, breakfasts, champagne and runway shows, and I have been running around on my 7 inch heels between shows and parties, trying not to miss a thing.

What better way to start the festival than with champagne, cupcakes and fabulous ladies at the Cupcake Central Breakfast. Cupcakes are the perfect way to start any day x

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obsessed

At work today I officially met the fabulous (and my new bff) Iyan, the fabulous stylist and online magazine writer. In between swapping business cards and whose train line was more ignorant of fierce fashion ( the Craigieburn line will always reign supreme in it's aversion to fabulousness) he showed me his newest purchase.

I pretty much died. Givenchy's A/W 11 collection is fairly new to Australian shores, and this septum nose ring is just about the most amazing piece of jewelery I have ever seen. The Givenchy menswear show made a real focus on the half man, half monster of the modern gentleman with mythic overtones of the minotaur. This collection really worked to reinforce gothic themes and darkness with slick lines and exquisite tailoring.

A key trend, the septum ring hasalready made it's mark on the catwalks of Alexander Wang, Hakaan and Thierry Mugler for A/W 11 collections.  Even Madonna has male dancers and models rocking the septum ring in the film clip of her single, 'Girl Gone Wild'

Septum rings will be everywhere, will be impressive, and will be big -  adding a hard and almost tribal feel to polished looks. Amazing.

Iyan can found on twitter, facebook and instagram via: iydstyle

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cool

My friend Josh and I out at the Night Cat very late for our friend, Ellie's birthday. No matter what time of night, or if your hair needs to be washed, everyone feels better in Ralph Lauren and Alexander McQueen.

This is our 'Cool Waters' advertising inspired photo. What do you think?

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jewels

Gorgeous little girls in the night market of Chiang Mai, during my trip to Thailand in January. The colours and fabrics of their traditional dance clothes are just so beautiful and bright.

So when they asked me to join in, how could I possibly say no?

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parlez vous

My happy place, is lying on my grandad's green carpet, with his two adorable cats in front of the heater. It's been my favourite place since I was little. This is where I curl up to read the last chapters of a book, or edit my manuscript on my MacBook drinking earl grey tea. These are the moments where you want to be comfortable and effortless. So, what else is a girl supposed to wear, than leggings? My new favourite leggings label, Uptights, is all designer Penny, who sources all the prints and sews all items herself.  Her prints are so gorgeous and bright, and favoured by Kimbra, which is so exciting for the burgeoning label. I'm more than happy to pay $70 for handmade tights, sewn by Penny herself, then $100 + for mass produced leggings in generic print.

My jumper is ASOS' 'Merci Beaucoup' style. It's cropped at just the right length for maxi skirts or to skim the top of your jeans, and perfect over peter pan collared shirts.

And really, what is more effortless warmth than a Ushanka? I bought my faux fur hat when I was in prague, and it really is one of my favourite purchases of all time. It always makes an outfit complete, but it so easy to just throw on. And it's perfect for keeping my ears warm when I'm waiting for the morning train. Uptights Etsy store can be found here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/Uptightso

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I'm reobessed with instagram again (isn't everybody?) There's something about the grainy feel of the filters that I've been really inspired by lately. Using your iPhone to take photos, especially with my new self timer camera app, makes any shoot feel a little more accessible, and in the moment, which I love. Spring is just so close in Melbourne, I just couldn't not go into the brief sunshine with my cat Blade and dream of warmer weather.

In this shoot I'm wearing: Vintage glasses from Etsy                                         Faux fur coat from a vintage store in Thailand                                         Hat from Sportsgirl                                         ASOS Stacked Heels

The Quite Contrary dress by Lady Petrova is still available in store, and just lovely. I got a larger size because I'm tall, and love the 90's boxy look, but it looks amazing with a tighter fit. I wore mine with a mint slip, but I love the contrast of a darker shade like navy or ocean blue as seen in the lookbook shot.

Lush x

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Seen

I was interviewed a couple of weeks ago for The Age Newspaper's StreetSeen for the Sunday M supplement. I was wearing Mel brogues in navy, Lady Petrova Once Upon A Time Dress, my favourite vintage coat, and a grey turban.

So Sunday morning came and I took my scottish cairn, Tilly Tea-Leaf, up the street to buy a copy of The Age.

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In complete love with these vintage glasses I found on etsy, and Quite Contrary dress from Lady Petrova's Greatest Hits Collection