In The Schedule

Just back from the hairdresser feeling great with an updated colour and shiny, glistening do... now how can I make this style last for more than a few hours into the weekend?... and although the wardrobe is more casual for day, it's always good to glam it up a smidge when you're at the salon don't you think?

+ Someone who knows how to glam it up 'a little' is veteran to the modelling scene and fashion catwalks, China Machado - did someone say 83 years old!... Muse to Richard Avedon, inhouse model at Givenchy, wooed by Spanish bullfigher Luis Miguel Dominguin (who left her for Ava Gardner), China is keeping busy with a biography, painting, fixing furniture and still being sought after for modelling.  Doesn't seem there's much glam about wiping makeup off with Ponds cold cream and washing it with a gentle soap and water to cleanse it is there?  But it works... read her interview here from The Cut.

+  For a little glam in our own backyard, Chanel has just opened a super store in the middle of the city in Melbourne.  The building at 140 Flinders Lane boasts ready to wear, handbags, shoes, accessories, fine jewellery, watches and fragrances.  The interior is a nod to Gabrielle Chanel's Parisian apartment at 31, rue Cambon and the exterior looks like it's been transplanted from the classic city too.  If you're luck you could 'bag' one of the limited edition Boy Chanel handbags that Karl Lagerfeld exclusively designed for the Melbourne store.  Via Vogue Aus.

+ Someone else who epitomized the glamourous French fashion world, Yves Saint Laurent is the subject of a bio-pic due out in January 2014.  It's on my list as a must see!  See the trailer here via Fashion Copious.

+  Employees of Lesage for embroidery, Maison Michel for hats, Lemarie, specialists in feathers and flower making and Goossens jewellery makers, have all contributed to the top couture houses throughout the last century or so; but as busy hands and creative minds weary and age, and fashion becomes more and more industrialized, these original early 20thCentury workrooms could not accommodate the pace.  Enter Chanel, who has purchased these ateliers over the past few years, and come to the rescue by putting them all in a brand new, airy complex in north eastern Paris.  Of course other couture houses (Valentino, Christian Dior, Louis Vuitton) are able to use the ateliers for their work too... what a dreary fashion landscape it would be if we didn't have the intricate and delicate work of those skilled couture artisans.   More here via NY Times.

+  And what better way to spend a quiet glamour weekend, but to have some friends over for a light lunch followed by a rustic cheeseboard... mmm cheese!  The one below is by Melbourne caterers Cookes Food which was showcased on The Design Files earlier this week (view how to make here).

Have a good one...

In The Schedule

What a glorious day it is today and the weekend will bring us more sunshine, perfectly timed for the races tomorrow!  It's Derby Day so the dress code calls for Black & White ... do you have your outfits ready ladies?  I'm not going but if I were, I would suggest something light and feminine, sleeveless, lots of sunscreen and a wide brimmed hat - and remember to stay hydrated all day long (I don't mean just bubbles!).

Here are some links I've had stored on file to share -


+  I love to see the different interpretation of racewear on the ladies and tomorrow morning if I were to go to the city I would glimpse an array of outfits as ladies make their way via train out to Flemington Racecourse.  Below Tanja Gacic of My Empirical Life shares some ideas for dressing for the races via Vogue - I like it - it covers enough skin while being quite elegant and classic; and the Massimo Dutti hat is a great touch.

Below, Romy Frydman from Style Me Romy adds Valentino Top with a gorgeous Balenciaga skirt and Saint Laurent heels for a modern, classic look  - I love those shoes!

For me, I love the lines of this dress at Country Road.  Balance the flounced hem with a wide brim hat (white with an enormous black velvet flower and some spotted tulle), pull back your hair in an elegant low side ponytail, add a soft red lip and a simple chain link handbag and you're done.  Don't forget the sunscreen!

I think a flounced hem is the go for the races!

+ Don't forget about your manicure ladies; your hands will be on show as you raise those bubbles to your lips for most of the day so pay attention with a fabulous and classic, French manicure.  Did you know that the french manicure did not even begin in France?  I didn't... well here is a definitive guide to  this modern mani via Style.com.

+  Loved this interview with Ines de la Fressange and Bruno Frisoni as they talk about their decade long involvement with the Roger Vivier brand via Glass Magazine.

+  I enjoyed this video of Vogue US' Hamish Bowles in rapture as he meets Yves St Laurent's house model/muse Danielle de Saint Germain and gets an inside view of her amazing couture collection which she amassed whilst working for the maison in the 60's - Iconic to say the least.  I loved the cubist inspired dress he pays particular attention to.  View here via Vogue US.

+ How beautiful is blogger Nicole Warne of Gary Pepper?... in demand blogger, editor, style curator sitting in the front rows with international fashion editors, stylists and fashionistas.  After starting out with an e-commerce vintage store, Nicole took a chance and quit her day job and along with $200 started out on her international style adventure.  Here she talks about her journey.

+  Two coffee table books that I'd like to get my hands on are the Giambattista Valli's Couture book and Giancarlo Giammetti's Private.    The images alone conjure all sorts of glamour, elegance and jet setting that is just the thing for wallowing in on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Country Road Leopard Pointy Toe Flats & Zara Tote
Givenchy Hobo Bag & Zara Pumps

I hope the sun is shining in your part of the world wherever you spend your weekend; and if you're still interested in little tidbits of style, you can catch me over at Classiq today, where I give some of my tips on dressing for your body type and lifestyle on lovely Ada's 'Chic Files' segment.   See you there!

In The Schedule

My goodness, is it the weekend already?... so much to do and so little time; I've been saving these links on my desktop since last week (notice, no ITS last Friday!) and simply must put them all through in this massive bundle for the weekend.  As for me, I've got guests coming to Sunday lunch - a Mediterranean feast is the theme, so I'll be busy preparing, setting, freezing, rolling, and braising.  Wish me luck!

But you can sit down with a cuppa and click through some of these stories instead!...

+ A little bit other-wordly in this editorial at FGR by Paul de Luna.  Floaty, feminine, ethereal...and some prettiness.

+ I  know I'm not the only one waiting for the release of 'Mademoiselle C', the documentary on Carine Roitfeld and the making of her CR fashion book.  'A legend in her own time'... 'A true dreamer'... 'Lives for fashion'... statements from her contemporaries and friends from Tom Ford, Alber Elbaz, Ricardo Tisci, Karl Lagerfeld... truly a must for any fashionista.  See the trailer here via Fashionista.  She's quite unique I think.

+  Loved this vintage footage of fashion models from the 1950's ... 60 years old and still sporting, citrus brights, structured collars, oversized coats, and fabulous accessories - who says fashion is revolutionary!  View more here.

+ Glamour certainly does go a long way... here Cameron Diaz enlisted star designer Kelly Wearstler to steer her in the right direction when decorating her NY home, and what a home fit for a star this is.  Vibrant, bold, elegant, it's rather special with stunning architectural lighting and furniture.  View more via Elle Decor.

+  The cutest and coolest campaign featuring littlies and Karen Walker's new sunglasses range.  Stripes will take you anywhere won't they?  More images here via Vogue Aus.

+  It's the guy's turn... a '5 ways with' focus on Navy suits for the gents over at Mr Porter.  I'm quite partial to the bit where the model tries on the roll neck jumper!  Take a look for yourself ladies!

+ This weekend if you've got nothing booked and you're in Paris for a couple of days, you could be lucky enough to gain access to the Yves Saint Laurent headquarters, from meeting rooms, to atelier and behind the scenes, see an exhibition of iconic designs of the last century.  Pity I'm busy!  View details here via Vogue Fr.

+  And because it's New York Fashion Week, have a look at the sketches behind some of the designs walking down the runway here via The Fashion Spot.

+ And finally, it's nice to know that I share some beauty rules with Alexa Chung.  I am all for Lucas' Paw Paw creme as a lip balm and winged eyeliner has been part of my make up routine for years.  I feel so on trend now! More here via Vogue Aus.

In The Schedule

Isn't it great when the weekend comes around so quickly?...a freezing cold start this morning, then a quick trip to the shops (nice shopping trip for one!), then some homemade pizza and a glass of wine - a great way to end the week.

Here's what else I found earlier this week...

+  Uniqueness, Tradition, Elegance and luxury - these are the concepts that Valentino designers Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli harness for the house's ranges year in and year out since their 2009 debut couture show.  Here a great interview with the design duo and what they have instore for the Valentino customer and the future (via Glass Magazine).

+ These shoes were made for walkin'... Cute video of 'handmade finished' Louboutin's making their way across the globe to Saks New York - leaving an impression wherever they go (as they should!) - via Fashionologie here.

+  Check out the Fondation Pierre Berge - Yves Saint Laurent website and find out how they are starting a project of putting the entire YSL archive online.   There's also the opportunity to purchase 'information kits' of archival designs presented in bound folders with info of trims, fabrication, hand drawn designs, production details and more.  For the fashion student in all of us - via French Vogue.

+  Have you seen these cute videos of Elettra Wiedemann catching up with notable celebrities over kitchen counters and a recipe or two?  This one with Grace Coddington, shows us a fabulous, if not comforting, Steak and Potato Gratin recipe that Grace makes when cooking dinner for friends - ummm, perhaps not Vogue friends right?  Here via US Vogue.

+  And to end the week... why not check out the new song from songbird Kylie Minogue ( I bet she doesn't eat much Steak and potatoes gratin?)... via Nowness.







Have a lovely weekend...

About town ... Ballet & Fashion exhibition

A couple of weeks ago I popped into the city and visited the National Gallery of Victoria to see the Ballet & Fashion exhibit (as previously posted here).  The exhibit showed successful collaborations between designers and dance companies over the last 30 years.  From traditional tutus to contemporary dance costumes, designers embracing contrasting materials and working within their own aesthetics and challenged to bring unique style and grace to the stage in contemporary forms.

There were some gorgeous outfits on display, creative, fanciful, graceful with sketches and videos to compliment the collections.

I loved this video of the workroom at the Australian Ballet and the production of the Romeo & Juliet costumes - boiled sequins et al..

As with any textile display, for me, the garments aren't done any justice when they are placed behind glass panels as the lighting doesn't quiet capture the colour, workmanship or detail.  I would much prefer to have the outfits hung on a rail where I can run my fingers through the embellishment and take a closer look at the nimble work of artisans finishing garments designed by Giles Deacon, Akira Isogawa, Viktor & Rolf, Valentino and Collette Dinnigan - well wouldn't everyone I suppose!

Nevertheless there were a couple of standouts for me, - the costumes for Romeo & Juliet that Akira Isogawa designed, the tutu that Giles Deacon created for Natalie Portman in 'Black Swan' and the beautiful lacey tutu by Collette Dinigan that was designed for a project to unite the worlds of fashion and ballet in 2002 by the Australian Ballet.

The exhibition runs through to 19th May so if you're about, and fancy a close up of beautiful costumes, I do recommend a day at the Gallery...  (and besides the coffee downstairs is great!).

You can watch curator Richard Leong talk about putting the exhibit together here.

Amy Harris in Lady Capulet costume, photo Jo Duck

Christian Lacroix costume for Gaite Parisienne American Ballet 1988

Giles Deacon's outfit for Natalie Portman in 'Black Swan' - this was just gorgeous

Akira Isogawa outfits for Romeo & Juliet with beautiful embroidery details

The Akira outfits I think, were really current and quite wearable outside of the stage - what do you think?

I can't remember where this was from - but sure was stunning and sculptural!

Costume designs sketched by Yves St Laurent for
Les Forains a televised broadcast by Les Ballets de France, 1961 

A tutu designed by Collette Dinnigan for 'Tutu: Designing for Dance' project, 2003

A very wearable Akira Isogawa costume for Romeo & Juliet

I can see how some of these costumes are capable of crossing the divide into 'party wear' or 'evening wear' in my wardrobe... how about you?  (Well perhaps not the short tutu's.. unless I was channelling a Rosanna Arquette/Madonna/Cyndi Lauper early 80's vibe!)

Of course the day wouldn't be complete without a stop at the NGV bookshop and cafe downstairs... if only I could carry all these titles home with me!

The beautiful & hypnotizing glass water wall at the
entrance to the Gallery (looking out from within)

Next time: Dior & Yamamoto, The New Look

Images 1,2 via NGV

Images 3 to 8 me

In The Schedule

We're into a new week but what the hey, let's celebrate last week and everything Haute Couture with these links... (battling a head cold and numerous chores last week meant delaying this post until now, I hope it was worth the wait.)

+  Raf Simons celebrated his first outing as head designer at Christian Dior and the result was understated architectural silhouettes, elegant subtle details with a wash of crayola on the lids and vermillion on the lips - my favourite this painterly, ombre strapless gown  - oh, and all the pointy pumps!  More images via Fashionologie.

+  In this era of economic gloom, is Haute Couture relevant?  Every 20 years or so, the commentators say that it is not and that it must shut down - but it's still going strong since its beginnings with Charles Worth in the mid 1800's and pre-war Poiret and post-war Dior; over 100 years of creativity, dreaming, fascination and talented handiwork.

 "Haute Couture will exist as long as people want to dream" 

... said the French Fashion president of Chambre Syndicale, Didier Grumbach (via abc news).  Existing against all odds, a handful of customers worldwide are able to afford the exorbitant price tags for such fanciful creations let alone wear them somewhere.  But aside from the cost of these pieces, I think you cannot put a cost on an Atelier's heritage and age old tradition that is passed down from generation to generation for new audiences to marvel and admire.  

"It is not just about selling clothes; it's an advert, an ideas factory" added Grumbach.

And if it was all doom and gloom, then why would Dolce e Gabbana be launching a Haute Couture line being shown tomorrow/tonight in Paris.  (via)

+  Hedi Slimane celebrated the showing of the YSL Haute Couture Fall 2012 in front of a small private few; so that meant no photos, no images and not much details - but there is always a way to find out what the vibe was, and it sounds very Helmut Newton c1975 capturing images at night on Rue Aubriot, slick, chic, elegant and quintessential parisian Yves.  (Via Fashionista here).  

The Tribute shoe is still there in new colours of fuschia, blue & bright yellow and a pointy toe, the tux, pinstripes, ocelot, hotpants, cigarette pants, fluttery blouses with tie details and bias cut short dresses covered in dots.

And if you're into some more Helmut Newton, here are images by Newton via French Vogue here.

The inspiration- illustration detail of Helmut Newton's photo for
French Vogue 1975 on taken on Rue Aubriot

YSL Tribute Shoe with Pointy toe - might look like this?

When WWD decided to publish some illustrations by Steven Stipelman with his take on what the YSL range might look like, this is what he came up with... they had to pull the images the next day!  More images via Fashionologie here. And if you're interested in fashion illustrator Steven Stipelman's work, he has a book available here.

Illustration by Steven Stipelman - YSL Haute Couture Fall2012

+  For me, Christian Dior is the quintessential couture house, particularly with the advent of the New Look in 1947 - here is a beautiful run down on the history of Maison Dior, (in french but you can get the gist).  I need a mask like this one below!

+ But for some, Giorgio Armani is the most important, influential designer of the era, post New Look, for his adaption of men-style in womens fashion - an article found via here.  What do you think?  Certainly the languid, loose mens style pant suits of the 80's and 90's have permeated every wardrobe - hang-on, or was that YSL and his tuxedo suit?

Armani Prive
Haute Couture Fall 2012

+ Another great article on the ebb and flow of Haute Couture and its rising from the ashes post youthquake London in the 1960's to now, via Vanity Fair.

Illustration by Eric
1950 Schiaparelli

+ A little Haute Couture outfit by Chanel and it's creation  here.    My fingers ache just watching this short film!

+  An oldie from 2007 from the V&A in London- although the Golden Age of Couture exhibition is no more, you can still click on the interactive link and follow the timeline of your favourite designer and expand on its founding, important dates & accomplishes and interesting facts.  PS: Love the David Downton illustrations too.

+ One more.... A look back at some vintage Haute Couture images from archives and the pages of Vogue here.

Image by Irving Penn
Vogue Nov 2007

Phew, I'm exhausted.  I could have gone on with so much more to add, but I think I will keep the rest for later...  Hope your weekend was creative and bespoke as only you can do too! x