Simply Monochromatic

The simple shapes, graphic lines and monochrome palette of Josh Goots' S/S 14/15 lookbook; just keeping it clean and classic whilst wearable and real.

Just the way a modern woman likes it.

I particularly like the sleeveless coat and those shoes...

Via Vogue Aus

In The Schedule

So much to do, so little time... when did August come to an end - it's so sudden.  But I'm really looking forward to the cautious steps of a new season and a burst of Spring sunshine that is forecast for Sunday (Fathers Day), Monday (a friendly catch up) & Tuesday (a spring clean).  I'm thinking of an update to my standard wardrobe right about now...

+  If like me, you need a little encouragement,  a slight nudge to get on with it,  move it about, eat right, get active, be positive, radiate and glow... then website is for you - MoveNourishBelieve from the people that bring you the Lorna Jane range of activewear, has all the imagery, motivation, talk and the walk that'll get you over the line ... well to get you to start thinking about it anyway!

+ I'm loving the little details and clean, sharp lines of Australian label Sass & Bide's new collection entitled Sing, Brother! .  With a sleek, urban aesthetic with a mastery of panelling, tailoring and fit, the collection sits comfortably in any fashionista's wardrobe.  Just gorgeous.. via Sass&Bide here.

+  An interview with the inimitable Diane Von Furstenberg from the pages of Interview Magazine here.

  The craze, the nightlife, the homelife, the brand, and the relaunching.

+  Take a look at this lovely film featuring the underwater ocean inspired Alexander McQueen Spring 2012 collection from Wmagazine.  I love how Sarah Burton describes the craftmanship of each piece so lovingly and shows the construction underneath, the detail of chiffon 'shells' and lace 'coral'...- the craft of actually sewing and constructing a stunning piece of art is sometimes outshone by the 'name', but I say a humble dressmaker or modiste is required to be a translator for the visionary and in that, has an extremely important role.

+  Now, I love the jewellery, and hubby loves the car... a match made in heaven if ever I saw one!  Take a ride in the country with these baubles featured in a film from Aurelie Biderman via Wmag.

+  Forever a supermodel in my eyes, one of the originals, Linda Evangelista is having a bit of a renaissance these days and here she is photographed by Norman Jean Roy and featured in the pages of Vanity Fair Spain - 47 years old and still looking great!  (via designscene)

+  A look at the top ten faces that keep gracing the cover of Vogue.  You'll agree they're pretty timeless and that's why they keep getting featured.  (via Vogue)

+ I love the neo classical lines of this gorgeous home belonging to Vogue Australia's Deputy Editor Georgie Abay - lets take a sneak peek here...

Wishing you all a relaxing weekend, whether you catching the end of summer or the tentative steps of Spring... enjoy!  x

In The Schedule

Hope you all had a wonderfully refreshing weekend... here are some links that I was wandering through during last week.  And refreshing being the theme...

Alexander McQueen Dress, Azzaro Leather Gloves, Givenchy Suede Clutch / Ph Kevin Sinclair

+  What's your tip for wearing a peplum?  Let's refresh with these gorgeous looks cover flounced softness on dresses and structured flares on jackets - more than enough inspiration for you waistline!... via FGR

Aurelio Costarella Dress / Ph Holly Blake

+ Some behind the scenes shots taken during the recent Myer Spring Fashion launch via Style Me Romy.  Love these gorgeous Aurelio Costarella gowns!

Tom Ford Dress

+   I admit, I'm an avid Downton Abbey viewer... can't wait for the series return!  And my favourite character is Lady Mary played by Michelle Dockery, seen here in the pages of Harpers Bazaar September issue.   A refreshing look from the delicate, beaded, lacy gowns from the halls of Downton Abbey.   How does one get skin so clear and luminous, isn't she just stunning?  ... via 

Versace Haute Couture / Illustration Lotty Rose

+  During the recent Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week, online fashion site Trendland invited UK illustrator Lotty Rose to attend the shows and document the weeks proceedings with her fashion illustrations.   Capturing outfits from the catwalks of Armani Prive, Bouchra Jarrar, Versace with a blend of colour, whimsy, and elegance.  More images here via Trendland.  Talk about a dream job!

+  A complete master bedroom update from Cup of Mai with the addition of a little bits of yellow and a zhush... voila - a completely different vibe.  An easy refresh for Spring!



Wishing you a great start to the week ahead xx...

Working it

I love the range of chic exercise/gym gear by label Work Out Life and being inspired by the recent Olympics I'm visualizing getting out there and moving it all about (not necessarily on the roman rings, or the gymnastics floor, or the track!).   But, if I were to be a spectator even, my wardrobe would definitely benefit by the addition of some of these fab pieces.

I think it was the extra piece of cake over the weekend that did it for me!

Via Broadsheet mag

Edgy glamour entrance

It's ball season in Melbourne and that means finding an outfit that will make an entrance, that will be on trend, and that will give you the unique edge ... I think I found it.

The complete Spring/Summer 2012 range of dresses from Melbourne label, Scanlan & Theodore!

I love every look here; asymmetrical lace, luxe leather, long lean skirts, colour block chiffon, and of course what would your evening be without something tactile, delicate, black?  Do you want to make an entrance and stand out in a crowd- well leather and luxe is the way to go.

Just something else to jam into the already S&T filled wardrobe.... sigh!  And if I HAD to pick a favourite - umm,... outfit 1 or 2... or 4 or 6... or....

View more spring/summer images at Vogue aus here.

Do you have any gala events planned in your calendar?

In The Schedule

Trying to schedule these links in this week's post took a while this time around; but I hope you'll be able to click through and enjoy these beautiful picks sometime this weekend... here we go -

Romeo Gigli SS/87
photo Paolo Roversi

+  If you're a fan of late the 80's you will remember those stunning haunting images that portrayed designer Romeo Gigli's romantic, sublime creations.  Here he talks photographic collaborations, how he started out and the ethereal, other-wordly images that he envisaged (via AnotherMag).

+  These romantic images will transport you to another time;  photographed by Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott and styled by Katie Grand for the pages of Love Magazine via FashionSpot.

Kate Moss on the cover of Vogue Dec 2000

ph Nick Knight

+  What is Chic?  Super chic; Chic, Chic, Chic; Uber-chic... the word has been used to described a myriad of looks and styles.  But where did it originate and what does it actually mean?  Carine Roitfeld talks about her take on all things Chic here at Style.com.

Farida Khelfa, Ambassador Schiaparelli / Elettra Weideman, Model / Diane Kruger, Actress / Stella McCartney, Designer / Sheikah Mozah Bint Nasser of Qatar

+  Across all ages, across differing timezones... there is definitely a bit of chicness in the Vanity Fair's 2012 Best Dressed List released this week.  The above images are my pics - for day, for night, for red carpet, for fun and for utterly chic!  I love that turban... Do you have a favourite?

Of course, the men didn't miss out either - it must be the suits I think... via Fashionologie

Carlos Souza, Brand Ambassador Gucci  /  Matteo Marzotto, President Vionnet

Ph James Pipino
Stylist Vass Arvanitis

+  In India the art of fabric-making, beading and embroidery is handed down generation to generation; craftsmanship, passion and valued handiwork that is currently being reproduced by the steady hum of automated machinery.  In this article for Broadsheet, founder of Artisans of Fashion Caroline Poiner, gathers Australia's leading designers including J'Aton, Fleur Wood, Romance Was Born and Akira to set up series of collaborations with India's craft experts and showcase the skilled craftsmanship of local families.    The images taken will be exhibited together with a runway show at the Artisans of Fashion official launch in Sydney. 

+  Take a look around the charming home of Ines de la Fressange in sunny Provence in the latest issue of Elle Decor via PagesDigital.  If I were travelling to France, I'd just knock on the door and invite myself in for a glass of vino.

Valentino with Christy Turlington 1991 after a show in Paris
image via VogueUk

+  Well if I was travelling to London between November 29 and March 3 2013, I would really like to make time to view an exhibition of Valentino couture gowns at Somerset House.  Vintage couture gowns worn by Gwyneth Paltrow, Grace Kelly, Julia Roberts, Sophia Loren, even Jackie Kennedy Onassis' wedding dress will be displayed.  Broken down into 3 distinct eras, History of Valentino, The Catwalk, The Atelier, the exhibition will display 130 dress from Valentino's 50 year career.  More details via Vogue UK here.   I loved these old images of Valentino Garavani's career from the 60's to present day here - the man always had a great head of hair - its always an auspicious sign!

Leandra Medine
Ph Kevin Trageser

+ A really funny take on the current status of social media and how we can't live without it ... this sketch features, from what I can gather, a character named P'Trique who is absolutely hilarious, with NY's blogger about town, Leandra Medina of The Man Repeller - take a look here.

Also, Leandra features in this installment of Business of Fashions' series titled The Business of Blogging - again, a great read about the concept of her brand, her strategy and what the future holds.

+  And finally, tomorrow is time for Chocolate Mousse... mmm, I hope it turns out as good as this looks!  Wish me luck. Recipe from Donna Hay here.

Wishing you all a chic filled weekend in the sun (yay, we have sun)...

Martin Grant - Sculptural forms

Producing four collections each year and showing to a small crowd of worldwide buyers and media, Australian Martin Grant's brand is steeped in sculptural forms and tailored simplicity.  Well, when you have customers like Lee Radziwell, Cate Blanchett & Lauren Hutton on your books, you must be doing something right - right?

Moving to Paris from Melbourne, via Koji Tatsuno in London where he learnt bespoke tailoring, Martin Grant uses his early sculptural training gained at the Victorian College of the Arts as his foundation and you can see how it colours his aesthetic.  Old world tailoring, hand-finished flourishes, simple clean lines, intricate details and elegant silhouettes punctuate the collections.  Have a look for yourself here - the library of lookbooks from A/W 2004 through to current season 2012 shows Martin's discriminating taste and impeccably tailored pieces share a classicism and timelessness that you could go back to again and again if you were to have any item in your wardrobe; especially one of his coats which he is most lauded for.

Martin has recently been announced as the new designer for the Qantas uniforms - a job that has previously been filled by Yves Saint Laurent & Emilio Pucci to name a few.  I am really looking forward to see his translation of this global brand via his elegant timeless designs.

Grant's work "...speaks to the international woman, the woman who travels, the woman who works... that appeal when she turns the hand-finished buttons in her geranium red Martin Grant coat".  Andre Leon Talley, VogueUS.


Finally, if you think he keeps his designers eye for his ranges, then have a look through his Paris loft apartment below.  Just gorgeous.

Martin Grant, a/w 2012/13

Martin Grant, a/w 2012/13

Martin Grant, sculptural - S/S 2010

Video, Martin Grant, S/S 2011 here

And finally, a look into Martin's Paris Loft apartment here.  Stylish at every turn!

Johanna Johnson - elegant and refined

Having originally studied graphic design, Johanna Johnson started her first collection when she couldn't find a dress she wanted to wear for her own wedding (I know that feeling!).  Taking inspiration from 1920's and from grand old Hollywood, her designs are beautifully detailed with beads, sequins, and lace and all are hand-finished in Australia.

There is definitely a vintage feel to these designs, the details are just beautiful, the palette subdued but not without the obligatory black for vamping it up.  Johanna designs one or two bridal collections, as well as bridal and evening-wear accessories, a Trousseau line, and a lifestyle range that includes day wear, shoes, candles, lotions and scrubs.  The gowns are all just stunning and you might remember that Johanna's profile skyrocketed last year when Christina Hendricks wore one of her gorgeous creations at the Emmy Awards.  Needless to say, she is now firmly entrenched in Hollywood wardrobes and red-carpets.

Johanna recently showed her Spring/Summer 2012/13 collection at Sydney Fashion Week.

Such beauty, such delicacy and such elegance.  My favourite are the accessories - beaded headbands, cuffs and encrusted capelets worn to add pizazz to any outfit, day or night.  

More images from the Johanna Johnson bridal, trousseau, accessories and lifestyle range can be found at Johanna's website.  But be prepared for some serious oohing & swooning - don't say I didn't warn you.

Luxor Gown from the Red Carpet collection / Headband and cuffs from Accessories collection

Spring/Summer 2012/13 via Vogue

Spring/Summer 2012/13 via Vogue 

Spring/Summer 2012/13 via Vogue