Brizstyle, brisbane fashion and art

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival Brisbane Day 1

2011-08-20T21:33:00.000-07:00

And so here we are again at the start of another Brisbane Fashion Festival. With bright lights, pretty dresses, and air-kisses all around it's a terribly exciting time for Brisbane fashion lovers.

The first show off the rank was 'Virgin Australia Group Show' with brands Scanlan & Theodore, Akira, Aurelio Costarella, Lisa Brown, and Easton Pearson as well as 'Kisses' on James st showing there wears.

Stand out's were Aurelio Costarella with his haute couture like garments of feathers and drapery, Lisa Brown with her 60's hippie inspired feminine dresses, and Easton Pearson's African fabrics inspired print.

Aurelio Costarella

Lisa Brown

Easton Pearson

Kate Anderson's First Flower

2011-05-13T22:03:00.000-07:00

If you ask me, there is a shortage of new fashion labels coming out of Brisbane of late... Or maybe, I just don't know about them, because let's face it, advertising is expensive and when you’re just starting out, you usually don’t have the money to do things like hire a PR and Marketing person to get all the media to come to your launch.

That’s why I was quite impressed when I went to the launch of new label ‘Kate Anderson’ the other night. The event itself was very well managed, with a table of sparkling wines and exotic flavored juices and a bevy of staff walking around with platefuls of canapés. It was held at the White Canvas Gallery and before the fashion show began guests were kept entertained with a sneak look at their next exhibition which was to open the following night

The Kate Anderson debut collection 'First Flower' was inspired by the time the designer was given a flower by her partner, picked from the ground. After spending ages looking at this treasured gift, Kate was inspired by the symbolism of what a flower means - new beginnings and natural beauty, which became the driving forces behind her collection. 'First Flower' is a collection full of pastel colours, many garments designed for the corporate wear market, with some party dresses and casual attire thrown into the mix.

I have to admit I feel like she definitely has something going for her in the corporate wear department. I really liked the little surprises, like the gathered pleated shoulders on the lustrous blazer and the Bow Peep jacket with pleated back, featuring a bow sitting on the centre back waist line. As for the party dresses and casual wear, I did feel like the designs kind of missed the mark when it came to creating something that is unique to the label, to make her designs differ or stand out from other dresses out there. The floral party dresses did go some way to achieving that though.

The Designer taking her debut walk down the catwalk.

The photo's that weren't taken by myself were sourced at KateAnderson.com.au

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival Brisbane 2011 Launch

2011-04-26T03:55:00.000-07:00

God! I can’t believe it’s almost a year since Brisbane Fashion Week 2010, how time flies. It’s a new year and with a new year comes the launch of the 6th Mercedes Benz Fashion Festival Brisbane. As in 2010, it is Going to be hosted by South Bank and with the same passionately dedicated team. For this year’s campaignthe face of the festival is model Claire Ralston of Vivien’s Model Management Wearing a Paul Hunt Capri blue silk gown, Diamond accessories from McKinney’s Jewellers and photographed by Ian Golding . The festival is currently looking for designers and retailers who want to show during the event and the way to do that is to go
into their website at www.mbff.com.au and request the application form. The full program will be announced on19 May so if you want to apply for a place you must be quick, tickets will also be on sale on 20 May from www.qtix.com.au or by phoning 136 246.

Tovah's New Beginning

2011-04-08T03:36:00.000-07:00

Thanks to a fellow Fashion Blogger I discovered a brand new Brisbane Label ‘Tovah’ and oh boy is this labe going to go places. The creative mind behind it is a designer by the name of Tovah Cottle. Coming from Cyprus, Tovah arrived in Brisbane at the tender age of 12 and soon after was discovered by Dally’s Model Management. Modelling took her all over Europe and Asia but more importantly it opened her eyes to the world of high fashion and gave her the love and drive to move into designing. In 2008 she enrolled into Advanced Diploma in Fashion Design At MSIT (My old School) and 2.5 years later she graduated with an even bigger passion for fashion and determination to succeed as a designer.

Tovah's designs are highly structured with obvious influences from architecture and form not usually seen on the human body. When combined with a fascination with Edwardian Detailing and the grace of the women of the early 20th Century, you're bound to see something out of this world. It seems like Tovah is unafraid of technical challenges and even thrives on making the impossible possible. I would even go so far as to say that give her a few more years and Tovah could even rival Thierry Mugler.

Tovah was the Australian finalist in the 'Triumph Inspiration Awards' and was voted Top 10 by judges Mathiew Williamson, Helena Christiensen, and Hillary Riva.

From the 'Shadow' S/S 2010 Collection

From the 'Barra from Elle set celui' S/S 2010

From the 'New Beginning' A/W 2011 Collection

Photo's from Tovah.com.au

The Creative Studio Of Sean Young

2011-03-31T03:36:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday night I was invited to attend the opening of a new studio space in East Brisbane. ' SYC Studios ' is what it's called and it's the home of Sean Young. The studio is meant to be a place for a multitude of uses, whether it be for a photo or film shoot with its 7mx8mx5m tall ceiling or renting office space. Sean is happy to share the space to foster any creative endeavours, including use of the venue to showcase performance art, which you can tell is one of his great loves. That's why the studio will be holding special nights to support the performers of Brisbane, but more about that later. I would also like to talk more about Sean Young's work on a later date because it is so amazing and vast I feel that It deserves its own post altogether.

So about the night. Well, even before we walked in we were greeted by a film crew who recorded us while we got to cut the ribbon with golden scissors. We were then handed a flute of champagne and given a choice of what flavoured gelato to put into it (best idea ever). The event was filled with food carried around by a stilt walker, speeches, a performance by an acrobat, and more of that fab gelato champagne.

On one Saturday of every other month, SYC Studios will play host to an event called 'Snapshot' which is an experimental performance night in where one performer curates and themes the evening and selects a number of other performers to create a short, relatively lo-fi, experimental work based on the theme. The first curator is the performer Leah Shelton (of Polytoxic and the Brides of Frank) and her theme is "death scenes / fatalities". It will be a multimedia event including visual artists responding to the theme of the night. 'Snapshot' will most likely be licensed (to be confirmed) and if you bring your own cup you will save $5 off the door, so it's $15 BYO cup or $20 without. All money raised gets divided among the artists so they can keep making the world a more entertaining place to be.

The night will finish off with some great music, dancing and mingling till around 2:00am.

Doors open 7:00pm
Shows start 8:30pm
Party finishes 2:00am

For any inquires about the space the details are:

SYC Studios
37 Manilla st, East Brisbane, Australia 4169
0401313974
info@sycstudios.com

On entering the front door your'e greeted with images of some of Sean Young’s work.

Some images of the studio, I love the 1950's rockabilly feel of the place.

An acrobat and other performers entertaining the crowd.

All photos are my own and taken by me.

The Diva's Wardrobe

2011-03-24T20:16:00.000-07:00

IT'S FRIDAY YEAHHHHHHHH! Which means the weekend is upon us well almost and this
weekend holds a extra meaning to any lover of fashion in Brisbane. The Diva's wardrobe is the event that I'm talking about. It's a one-day only event on this Sunday from 12noon to 4pm. It's an event where you will have access to purchase items from Brisbane's fashion 'it' crowd's personal archives including items from their personal wardrobes, as well as samples from photoshoots and sale items from their shops.

Some of the Divas who will be selling their wares are:

Julie Sutherland - owner Jules & Roc
Lucia Arias-Martinez - stylist
Zina Sciacca - owner Red Cordial
Chaille Zahl - owner Vegas Agencies
Tracey Gillinder - blogger, Shoe Addict
Marnie Goss - owner Frockshop.com

I'll be there taking photos of the event and naturally do some shopping while I'm at it, so come and say hi if you see an Asian girl with a camera around her neck and a stack of clothes in her arms. See you there.

OK, so the details are:

WHEN? One Day Only, Sunday 27 March
WHERE? MIRRA, 86 Bridge Street, Fortitude Valley
TIME? 12pm - 4pm
COST? $10 presale $15on the door
TICKETS? STRICTLY LIMITED
ON SALE NOW at http://www.stickytickets.com.au/5360

'Michael Zavros' forever young

2011-03-21T04:09:00.001-07:00

Michael Zavros must be one of Brisbane’s most celebrated artists right now, with exhibitions
around the world as well as commissions from companies like Hermes. If you haven’t heard of him then you should. His work ranges from amazing realist paintings and sculptures of horses, to his expressions of his love of luxury as well as the narcissism that comes with it.

Born in Brisbane in 1974 before growing up on the Gold Coast, Michael has said he drew everyday of his childhood, so it’s no wonder he graduated from Queensland College of Art with a Bachelor of Visual Arts in 1996. Within ten years of graduating, Michael was winning International arts competitions, as well as doing residencies in Milan and Barcelona, on top of showings in Paris, Hong Kong New York - ‘OH MY’. Pretty amazing if you consider that most artists spend their whole careers trying to get just a glimpse of this kind of acknowledgment, let alone achieving it at the beginning of their career. Don’t get me wrong, Australia has also proudly embraced and bragged about this local boy made good. Michael’s works, on top of being owned by numerous private art collectors, are owned by numerous prestigious art galleries such as The
National Gallery Of Australia, Queensland Art Gallery, University Of Queensland Art Museum, National Portrait Gallery, and Tasmanian Museum and Gallery just in Australia alone.

This Oil on Board Painting is a self portrait call ' Narcissus' 2005

' Man' Oil on Canvas 210x167 cm painted in 2009

' Falling August' 2006, charcoal on paper, 123 x 86cm

Winning is Easy, Bronze sculpture, 2009

' Forever' Oil On Board, 18x28cm 2005

Oh, and I just have to put this picture of me with the man himself at the 2009 IMA Christmas Party. This was the first time I had met him (I've caught up with him several times since this night) and I'm really working hard on not acting like the giggly school girl who’s in too much in awe to say anything!

This is a fab mini documentary I found called 'The Good Son' that recorded his preparations for an exhibition of fine drawings to be shown on the Gold Coast.

Salita Matthews Charmhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

2011-03-14T06:22:00.000-07:00

I always love discovering new designers, especially ones that jump out at you and their designs seem to stay in your mind for weeks and ‘ Salita Matthews ’ is my newest label crush. Coming from a family of leather and silk artisans and manufacturers, it only seems natural that Salita went into the fashion industry. Embracing her Thai heritage, Salita spends half of the year in Bangkok sourcing materials and manufacturing with her team in Thailand. Started in 2007 ‘Salita Matthews’ is fast becoming the label to keep watching as more and more people discover this designer . She not only creates beautifully feminine dresses that are modern with a twist of retro, but also designs accessories to accompany her pieces which make a statement in their own right. The famed Tribune Boutique on James St, New Farm has hailed ‘Salita Matthews’ as their most successful local label, with her last Autumn/Winter collection a sell out. If these pictures are anything to go by, Salita will only go from strength to strength. She has also plans to launch a
children’s wear label next year, now how cute will that be.

Here is the young designer in her own creation, including belt, accompanied with a Scanlan & Theodore bag outside one of the stores she is stocked in CECYLIA

ID Couture Creation

2010-05-20T19:52:00.000-07:00

Oo, just found this video for a local styling company 'ID couture' based in Brisbane with also an office in Melbourne. ID couture is headed by fashionistas around town ''Tanja Mrnjaus' the company can do anything from just having a privet chat t show you how to dress for your shape and colouring while still maintaining your personality for both men and women, to corporate styling , and retail styling which is basically fashion shows.

The Video itself was created by ruwan De Silva who also did the Video's for the fashion event 'Je Ne Sais Quoi' that I featured a few months ago. My favourite bit I have to say is the images of a model wearing a black chiffon dress in and seeing the movement of the fabric in slow motion.

Hats: An Anthology by Stephen Jones

2010-04-06T03:44:00.000-07:00

I am so obsessed with the new Hats exhibition. It's at theQueensland Art Gallery and the area where the hats are shown is done up like a French boudoir with a milliners'workshop in the centre of one of the rooms.

I was there on the first day the exhibition opened to the public and just took my time
exploring all the creations. I have to admit that being a whore of all things in the media, I
did get a kick out of spotting the "celebrity" hats. It was especially a thrill to see the carved-out top hat that appeared in a Dior cosmetic ad campaign I loved when I was still in high school and the Darth Vader helmet, but I don't remember if it was the actual one from the movies or just a replica.

I went again on the VIP night to meet Stephen Jones and adored looking at all the different feathers, pompoms, flowers and playing cards made into all manner of head wear.

Not wanting to spoil the surprise, I haven't posted any photos of the exhibition itself
because I think you all should go see it yourselves... and also because some Security Guard was pouncing on anyone with a camera taking photos - something about copyright! But here are some photos I took of the VIP night. Hats: An Anthology by Stephen Jones
will be at the Queensland Art Gallery from the 27th of March to the 27th of June.

The man of the night; famed milliner Stephen Jones giving a speech to launch the event.

The Hats salon stocked with locally made hats.

Some of the fab people who attend the event.

This is a one of the Videos that is playing at the Exhibition of a hat been made in Stephen Jones studio in London.

Millinery in action: making a hat in the Stephen Jones workroom from Victoria and Albert Museum on Vimeo.

Enjoy.

Mercedes-benz fashion festival Brisbane Launch new ad campaign

2010-03-22T05:51:00.000-07:00

It’s that time of the year again (Well not really, there’s still another 5 months) but this week “Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival Brisbane” have lunched it campaign for this year. With the announcement that the new venue for the parades is at Southbank. The Festival will commence on the 7^th of August with 6 full days of fabulous fashion and beautiful people.

The look of this years campaign is the total opposite to last years sleek, bold, bright look, with a feminine, soft look with an overuse touch of nature.

The information on the new look ad campaign are as follows:

Photographer - Ian Golding
Designwork and concept - designfront
Styling - Liz Golding
Hair - Leesa Smith for Schwarzkopf Professional
Makeup - Tracey Zenatti for Napoleon Perdis
Model - Olivia Thornton - Viviens.
Silk beaded dress (one off design) from Easton Pearson, Lauren McCowen - State of Noir paper headpiece, necklace from McKinney's Jewellers (Opera length multi facetted square cut, Rose de France, green amethyst and lemon topaz necklet
with an 18ct yellow gold cube design clasp and two rhondels set with Rose de France, green amethyst and lemon topaz.)

I had a ball last year starting off going to the launch of the Easton Pearson exhibition which was in conjunction with the launch of the fashion festival as well. Then the next night dancing with Vogue editor Kristie Clements and Akira Isogawa. Sure Kristie Clements had no Idea who I was and would not remember me at all, But I still tell the story with fond memories. My top pick from last year for a stand out collection was George Wu and Paul Hunt and I look forward to see who I'll choose this year.

This year the festival just like last will be launched in conjunction with GOMA for the Valentino Retrospective which I had announce on this blog late last year. The great Man himself will be at the opening and how exciting would it be if he were to stay for the rest of the week to cheek out our talent, and why not now that he has a lot of time on his hands.

Iv been going to the festival since its inception in 2006 and every year Iv seen it grow bigger and bigger, to the point where tickets are sold out weeks if not a month in advance. This is a clear sign from the ever growing fashion savvy public saying “we need this, were just as good as Sydney and Melbourne” and I totally agree. For years our local designers have had to travel to the other states to join in there fashion weeks or festivals just to get exposure. True our festival is a consumer driven event but more and more interstate and overseas media are showing interest and coming to the festival. Especially this year with the Valentino retrospective showing outside of Europe for the first time ever, there will be more international media over in Brisbane then we’ve ever had before. This is going to be bigger then Obama.

So get your Shizzal together all you up and coming designers out there and send in your applications, be quick there’s already high interest in who wants to show. Because there website is down for a overhaul for this year you need to get in touch with there facebook page.

Here is also a quick behind the scenes video of the photo-shot for this years campaign.

Next week Ill be going to the Launch night at GOMA for Hats: An Anthology by Stephen Jones. Hopfully I'll be able to get some great photos and stores as well.

The Masters at Gucci

2010-03-15T04:48:00.000-07:00

Ahhhhh, another great promotional video for a European luxury brand focusing on the true craftmanship of making a product by hand. this time it's 'Gucci' and there Master artisans crafting their leather good, all by hand of course. I love how they all wear white laboratory coats as if they're doctors about to do a delicate operation. I do love it when I find these types of Videos.

Brisbanes Je Ne Sais Quoi

2010-03-02T04:33:00.000-08:00

A good night had by all on Friday 12th of February when in an art gallery at west end fashionistas from around Brisbane came to attend the sold out ' Je Ne Sais Quoi Exhibition' A meeting of up and coming local talents to express fashion as an art form and to show what they had to offer though photography and a fashion show. The exhibition focused not only on the clothing itself but also on all the different people who contribute to get to the final look, IE the hair stylist, make-up, fashion designer, styling and photographer. The people behind the scenes who hardly ever get a mention except fashion designers (It’s always all about them) As I mentioned before on top of the photography was also a fashion show, where instead of the audience surrounding the catwalk the models walked around the outside of the audience.

With the smoke machine doing it's thing and me standing right in the front row of the catwalk (a meter radios around the room) I maneged to take these shots.

And also 2 short films put together for the exhibition by Runwan De Silva with Romesh De Silva and Joel Devereux (who said was going to comment on my blog but never has) and music by Lucas Arundell. Enjoy.

Irenas Sex and Landscape

2010-02-06T21:31:00.001-08:00

Only graduating last year from the Australian Institute of Fashion Design Irena jusufovic is full of the high ambition and the can do attitude that we all admired in the young. Motivated by her ambition and hard work ethics Irena single-handedly design and created her debut collection 'Sex and landscape'. Ripe with femininity the collection which is all black puts your focus on form and figure while mixing different textures to get a contrasting looks withing the same garment. The collection is something you can wear to a nightclub or dinner with the girls. 'Irena' is the label and 'Sex and Landscape' is the collection which is sold exclusively though the Internet you can contact her by her Blog or her website .

The designer (second from the right) with her muses.

Paula Walden's Fanciful Swirls

2010-01-27T03:36:00.000-08:00

Just like last weeks post, I first discoverd ‘Paula Kyle Walden’ when I was talking to a someone at a Party, while at the same time scanning around the room untill I fixed my eye upon a big necklace with what seems like black feathers attached to a chain. So as I was admiring the necklace I say to the person I was talking to how much I loved that necklace only to have the girl say “I made that”, and that’s how I meet anddiscoverd Paula Waldens Jewellery.

OK the 101 on Paula Walden is She’s trained as a jeweller and even during her apprenticeship she was made a finalist in the Jewellery Association of Australia’s bi-annual competition, and now with years of experience behind her she is annually invited to enter the Harper’s Bazaar Diamond Design Guild Awards. Oh and she’s also a part time model, yeah I know talented and beautiful it’s about this time that I would start hating her as well but how can you hate someone who makes such beautiful things.

But even now her thirst for knowledge hasn’t been quenched and she’s is currently 6 months away from getting her Bachelor degree of Fine Art with Fashion at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT).

Paula Walden’s latest Collection Is called “STARLIGHT ECHOES” Chapeter 2. It’s made out of black perspex with touches of lace, feathers, metal, and crystals as well. OH and FYI She has a shop in her website Paulawalden.com that you can buy her pieces from.

Behold the designer herself, modeling her beautiful swirled ribbons of black toffee.

All Photo’s courtesy of paulawalden

Yes Vincent, you see me

2010-01-18T03:05:00.000-08:00

Iv always thought that accessories make or brake an outfit but to me Iv always believed more on the make side of it. I am a true fan of the statement necklace which will sensationalize the most boring of boring outfits, it's like a cure all for fashion. So really what I'm trying to say is, I Like big bold statement pieces.

It's no wonder I totally fell in love with the feather collars I first discovered about a year and a half ago. I was talking to a friend of a friend at a 'blond Venus' sale, who was telling me about these feather collars she was making by hand and selling. That night I Myspace stalked her profile to check them out and I was totally blown away by the pieces.

The label is called 'Yes Vincent' and the designer is called rose and I think her collection is so creative and out there, while still being totally soft and wearable. Well since my first discovery I have had regular spottings of the statement pieces around in the pages and covers of magazines and on party goes like the one i took a picture of for 'My Sartorialist Moment' blog a few weeks ago.

The vintage inspiered pieces are stokes in Miss Mouse Shop 2, 28 Logan Rd, w'gabba, Brisbane or you can contact the label via the Yes vincent myspace.

Yes Vincent collar on the cover of magazines.

A few pieces from the collection.

OZTUBEs report on MBFF09

2010-01-11T02:38:00.000-08:00

Its a few months old now but I found this little video of the '2009 Mercedes-Benz Brisbane Fashion Festival' created by a company called ‘OZTUBE.com.au’. They are a Brisbane based production company that reports on the goings on around this here city of ours and releases it to the world Wide web. They also do commissions for privet companies like restaurants, bars, clubs, shops and other such things as a marketing tool. Quite a clever business Idea I think.

The company’s fairly new but that doesn’t come out in there videos, I think it looks like anything you would see on TV as the quality of the presenting, camera work and editing goes.

The only thing that raised my eyebrow in this video was when the presenter ‘Joel Brisblat’ ( is that his real surname?) asked ‘Lindsay Bennett’ “ is this the first year you’ve been involved” when if he did the most simplest research about the event he would know that Lindsay Bennett created the event so has been the director of it since the beginning, but besides that he was fine as a presenter but I thought that Katherine Feeney was great in the video as the interviewee to the point where she practically took over as host.

enjoy.

My Sartorialist moment

2010-01-05T02:27:00.001-08:00

Well it's 2010 already can you believe it? Time for new beginnings, adventures and meeting new people.

Really I see the start of the year as the time for rest and recovery from the month just past As well as rest and recovery from a certain time in all shoppers lives that we Waite eagerly for 'THE BOXING DAY SALES' I still say I will wear that grey bodysuit with a cape someday soon....Hell maybe I'll wear it tomorrow.

Anyway back to December, with all the Christmas partys I was sober long enough to be able to capture some people who I believe stood out when it comes to what they're wearing. So this as the title indicated is My Sartorialist Moment (The Startorialist is a fame fashionista who captures people on the streets of New York and is listed in time magazines 100 top design influences)

I love her skirt and I'm a sucker for accessories so I thought this daring necklace fitted perfectly with the look she was going for.

We all need flowers in our hair sometime or another and the caftan is from the wearers own soon to be released caftan label. Not for the shrinking violets.

One way to dress up a white shirt is a beaded belt and frilly skirt.

Yes, this is a bespoke 'Leigh Buchanan' puffball dress in white. Loves it.

Stand out accessories.

This amazing feather collar behind the wine glass is from local label 'Yes Vincent' who also do other feathered accessories like cuffs and headband. I hope to profile more of the label on a later date.

I love the contrast of the simple 'Karen Walker' necklace with the busy print of her dress.

You can never go wrong with a vintage bag

'Heven'

Lovely silver beaded shoes

Oh and if you like what you see pleas become a fan on My Facebook fan page.

All I want for Christmas is George Wu

2009-12-22T02:53:00.000-08:00

George Wu has become a powerhouse of Brisbane fashion since launching in 2005, which is also the year he finishing a fashion bachelor degree at QUT.

After only a few seasons George was invited to showcase at Mercedez Brisbane Fashion Festival, with more invitation to prestigious fashion events around Australia to follow like Sydney Australian Fashion Week, and Melbourne Fashion Festival which all put George Wu into the international Fashion Market.

He was even asked to be a representative of young Australian fashion in the G’Day USA annual trade event to show America What Australia has to offer. All this resulted in him now stoking in stores around LA and NY.

Including gathering some celebrity fans like Cat Deeley who wore a George Wu on her show Americas version of ‘So you think you can dance’, Kate Miller-Hedike who wore him to this years ARIA Awards (And I’m loving the new hair color by the way), to one of the gossip girls been snapped around town wearing George Wu.

Not bad for someone who’s only been around for 4-5 years, but to George I’m sure it seems longer, considering he still does a lot oh his own production form pattern cutting to sewing and beading. which in hearing a well established designer is still doing themselves is really a breath of fresh air.

I would like to thank George Wu for taking the time to send me his photo’s of the current S/S 09/10 collection which is in stores now. I can't make up my mind so Ill just have to take it all for Christmas.

Marry Christmas everyone and hope it's safe and fun and all that jazz.

Something that's daring and a fun play of drapery.

This Is the one I want the most.

I think this says I'm daring but
sophisticated at the same time.

I do like a good twist or in this case a tie
at the front.

I want this one the most as well.

Love the color and I think the pleated scarves is
going to be a must have.

Perfect for the party girl with some class.
lovely use of color for someone who
doesn't usually wear it.

Fashionistas for Leigh Buchanan

2009-12-13T02:42:00.000-08:00

Last Friday 'Fashionista Events' held a Christmas Luncheon with a Exclusive premiere showing of Leigh Buchanan's Project Runway Australias finale collection.

The even was held at 'Freestyle Tout' in west end. Freestyle tout is a Popular restaurant in Brisbane that specializes in Deserts.

The whole show was held like they use to do back in the day when lady's have lunch while models walk around there tables dressed in the latest dresses and the lady's would be able to take a closer look at the garments and take a feel of it as well. It was very "Lady's who lunch"

A big thank you to Natalie D'Alessandro of Fashionista Events for organizing EVERYTHING and To Leigh Buchanan for being a Total inspiration and an Amazing Designer. The event was such a highlight I had the best time, BEST LUNCH EVER.

'Leigh Buchanan' with the MC for the day 'Kath rose', introducing his collection that was about to come out.
This is the first piece that came out, It's from the episode that the contestants were given a surprise challenge of making a bridesmaid dress to complement there wedding dress from a previous challenge, only using the materials from the garments they already made in other episodes.

School Boy Chic. Inspired by Rufus Wainwright's "Release the Stars" album which the designer dedicate this to his mother.

"Barb's Frock!" Inspired by a pleated organza dress by leigh's Nanna dress that she made and wore to his uncle's wedding in the 70's.

This is noted as leigh's mum's favorite dress.

More of the 'School boy Chic' look with a close up of the crystal detailed embroidery on the vest.

" The little fringed cabaret corset". I tryed this on after the show and it didn't even reach my back. :'(

Leigh Buchanan's signature kilt look and the Egyptian collar corporate inspired outfit. With a little nipple action.

This dress was originally adorned with a gold and crystal cobra, posed to bite the breast. The cobra was the initial inspiration for the whole collection, but broke at the finale Project runway Australia after party.

"The Puff Ball" or as it's also know as "The Powder Puff" Dress.

This is literally my dream wedding dress. My mum will kill me for not wearing white but it would be worth it, now all I need is a groom.

A behind the scene shot of the clothes on the rake .

Just had to take a photo of the famouse Freestyle deserts but couldnt wait to dig into my Vanilla Crème Brulee topped with fairy floss & served with mixed berries, nut biscotti & blackberry sorbet. The person next to me had the White Chocolate Raspberry Brioche Dumplings with liqueur raspberries, vanilla bean ice cream & dark chocolate dipping sauce.

This guy was the entertainment for the afternoon, he was SO FUNNY. A true entertainer.

For more photo's of the event Click here to go to my facebook photo album.

The raven call of Emma Rea

2009-12-13T02:40:00.000-08:00

Since lunching her label in 2008 Emma Rea has been the person to “keep an eye on” and “a name to remember”. She’s being featured in publications such as Oyster, Russh, Fallen, and Grazia, to name just a few.

Emma Rea is also a favorite amongst the fashion bloggers of Australia, so it was only a matter of time before I featured this local talent. Just in time for her A/W10 collection to come out.

Ever up for a challenge Emma Rea still hand makes every piece of clothing in the range herself, and ever the creative being this collection is called “ The Raven” with every piece of garment been named after the word raven in defend Languages.

I would describe Emma Rea’s range as being Poetic, Romantic, Feminine, dark, Ethereal, earthy, organic, and any other worlds you could think of when imagining a world of raven haired porcelain skin high priestess worshiping on the alter of both light and dark magic, under a full moon of an enchanted forest. I'm really quite obsessed with her use of flowing fabrics and organic shapes.

Emma’s range is stocked at both ‘Bessie Head’ ( City) and ‘Fallow’ (Fortitude Valley) in Brisbane as well as ‘Ricarda’ ( in both the Albany and Dalkeith stores, WA), ‘Dorbry Den’ (Surry Hills, NSW) and ‘Tuchuzy’ (Bondi Beach, NSW) with international stores to follow I’m sure.

Here's some choice garments from Emma Rea's Raven Collection.

All Photo's courtesy of Emma Rea

The madness of Simon Degroot

2009-12-13T02:39:00.000-08:00

When I first looked at Simon Degroot's paintings my first thought was it looked like it was the artist representation of his internal feelings, as if it had to come out in one way or another and this was the result "Emotional throw up" I call it.

Having the words "throw up" by the way is by no means how I feel when I look at his work. Just to clear that up.

It wasn't until later on that I read, he sees some of his paintings as “being about spending time inside yourself and how sometimes there's something, a bit like a screaming beast inside, that's yearning to get out". This would explain why he named his self-publishing book “The Happy Mad"

I would describe his style as being childlike play of symbols and scribbles. It's something you would believe a child would do if he/she knew about playing with shading and had an interest in street art.

The local independent artist has had his work allover the place you would have seen it everyday and not know it. His had commissions from painting a whole side of a building to having a few traffic signal boxes dressed in his designs. In the past few years he's star has started to rise a bit more with several of his work been shown in Sydney, Melbourne and London.

Simon Degroot's latest show is a solo exhibition of new work called "Paper planes" (an obvious reference to his child like style and the name of one of his paintings. It's currently showing at the nine lives art gallery located upstairs of Mellinos Italian Restaurant. 330 Brunswick St Fortitude Valley, Brisbane, Australia. until the 11 of December 2009.

Simon Degroot's traffic signal box in corner of Brunswick and Mclachlan, Fortitude valley. Photo courtesy of 'bandido of oz' on flicker

More of Simon Degroot's traffic signal box in the corner of Melbourne and merivale st south Brisbane. Photo courtesy of 'Rae A' on Flickr

Some Photos I took at "Paper planes" opening night

The Reign of Cyan Reign

2009-12-13T02:38:00.000-08:00

Iv always been fascinated by corsets. There’s just something about them, the way it shapes the body and even the process of making them, and trust me it’s really a process. I think the most sexiest piece of clothing a women can ever own is a corset.

Iv always kept my eye and ears open for a local corset maker and for a very long time I didn’t hear or read of any in Brisbane Until one day way back in the good old year of 2006, I saw a cover of 'Image Magazine" (A local street Press) with a corseted girl on the cover and naturally this caught my eye. Inside was a story of a Brisbane corset maker named Cyan Reign. Finally! We finally have our own corset maker!

She makes all types of Corsets, from the spiral steel boned corsets for both men and women, and she also makes waist-training and tight-lacing corsets to baby corsets (no, there not for babies). Baby corsets are made of plastic bones and are only intended for light wear.

Cyan herself is a corset wearer and has trained her body to do so, so she knows all the ins and outs of how a corset should be worn and how it should feel.

Since my 2006 discovery of her, Cyan has been busy. Not only does she just make corset now, but she also has a label that does made to measure garments for private clients as well as a ready to wear ranges, all under the same name. Earlier this year she has also opened up her own shop called ‘Thread n Bones’ which not only stocks her label exclusively in Brisbane but also that of other up and coming avant-garde labels as well.

The location of the shop is at

Thread n Bone
Lower Level
Shop 5
253 Wickham Street
Fortitude Valley, QLD, 4006

With her design lab on the upper level of the same address

"Amelia Earhart" was her muse for this ' Flight of the Aviator" outfit which she won the 2007 " Do It With Denim" competition for Jeans for genes day That Year.

This is a white Velvet hooded wedding dress. The peacock feathers are from dropped feathers so no peacocks were hurt or killed in the making of this dress.

These are some pieces from her ready to wear range ‘Delusions of Grandeur Collection” which she lunched at Melbourne Spring Fashion Week earlier this year.

All photo’s courtesy of Fashionising.com , Australian Edge, Cyan Reign Myspace

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Melissa by Vivienne at Izabel

2009-12-13T02:27:00.000-08:00

"Izabel at 5, 167 Grey St, South Bank, QLD 4101"

I went to the launch of Melissa by Vivienne Westwood at a shop called Izabel the other night.
Izabel Boutique is one of those shops on the Southbank cinemas strip where I was always afraid to go into because it seemed shiny and expensive and if I went in, I feared that I’ll end up falling in love with something, only to find a price tag of $500 or more.

So when I went the other night for there launch I was pleasantly surprised at how inexpensive they are and better yet that they are also currently holding a end of season Sale!. The sale prices of the woman shoes are $99 or less and men are at $49 or less but only while stocks last.

The shop itself is owned and run by friends Patrick, Salvatore and Leah. The boutique opened 5 years ago as a shoe store but 2 years later expanded to also stock clothing and accessories, with further expansion planed for next year.

"Shoes on display "

"Drinking Bubbly and shopping at the same time "Haven"

"The range of Melissa shoes in Izabel"

"I love this range that I found on the counter"

"The shoes I ended up getting"

Now back to the shoes I came for. The first thing that sparked my interest about this range of Melissa
shoes was the fact that it’s designed by Vivienne Westwood, my all time favorite Idol designer, who if she were a religion I would worship at her alter.

But it was for Melissa Shoes, “Melissa” is the company who brought us the original jelly shoes back in the 70’s and only made jelly shoes. So I needed convincing, I took a look at the collection which I thought was quite me and naturally had already picked the one I wanted even before seeing it in real life.

I did start having social conscious thoughts tho. About how it’s made from plastic, and how much pollution it must of caused to make it in the first place so I looked up the company on the inter-web and found out that ‘Melissa’ had all the information I was looking for.

All there Products are developed, fabricated and distributed with sustainability in mind. There products are created from a mono-material called MELFLEX which can be easily disassembled and recycled. The formula contains products which are hypoallergenic and 100% safe to your health, it’s odorless, neutral and natural. Also all of the solid, Liquid and gas residues, left over from the production process are recycled and dealt with in-house which means nothing leaves the factory without being properly treated, resulting in practically no waste.

Right well I’m sold.

" Melissa by Vivienne Westwood range that is Stocked in Izabel"

Looking threw the glass of Venues

2009-12-13T02:23:00.000-08:00

On my daily commute past the “Blond venues” shop in the valley I can’t help but to look at there window displays and whenever they change it I play a little game to myself call “Hit or miss” and in spite the reputation of the place sometimes it’s a miss for me. But the latest thing they have on there window is a definite Hit.

I find the current dress on display to be bold, original, clever and yet simple at the same time.

I was intrigued enough to actually do some research on who designed it, and this is what I found out.

It’s designed by a lady call “Mary Katrantzou” she was born in Greece, and first studied at Rhode Island School of Design before transferring to Central Saint Martins where she graduated with a distinction in MA Fashion.

For her graduate collection she featured dresses with oversize jewelery digitally printed on to silk (which would become her signature look) gave the illusion of wearing giant neck pieces. In turn she also created real jewelery pieces design as exact replicas of the prints. This collection made her an instant hit with the buyers and the press alike.

Due to the hit of her gradation collection she started her own label. She received a New Generation Sponsorship to produce a second collection for AW09/10 which was launched during London Fashion Week in February 2009.

Her hyper-real imagery of her graduate collection is further explored but this time the pictures of jewelery have been replaced by art deco style glass perfume bottles.

The print of the perfume bottles worn on a woman’s body creates the illusion of an hourglass silhouette which accentuates the female figure.

Mary Katrantzou’s range is only stocked in 2 places in Australia one at “Le Louvre” in Melbourne and the other being where I saw it, Blond Venus in Brisbane.

At over $1000 a Dress Ill just have to keep dreaming while looking at it behind glass but from now on I promise to keep a lookout for her work.

From Mary Katrantzou's Graduate collection

Some of her garments from her AW09/10 collection that is currently sold in Australia.

Mary’s latest collection for spring 2010 is inspired by the spiraling, fluid forms and colors of blown glass. She also commission British master of art glass-blowing, Peter Layton, to make neck pieces and cuffs to accompany the collection. This collection is not yet available in Australia.

All photo's courtesy of Style.com

When Easton met Pearson

2009-12-13T02:04:00.000-08:00

For the people who know me, you will of course know that I can’t do a blog about Brisbane and fashion and not do at least one on Easton Pearson.

A Brisbane label that started in 1989, this year saw the 20th anniversary of Easton Pearson, which in any industry, let alone fashion, is a milestone.

The way they celebrated was to hold a 20-year retrospective at the Gallery Of Modern Art here in Brisbane.

The exhibition opened on the 28th of November with a very fanciful cocktail party and because it was inconjunction with the start of the annual Brisbane Fashion Festival, everyone who was anyone, or at least thought they were was there. In other words there was a lot of people in attendance.

I definitely thought It was the highlight of the festival.

The exhibition ended last Sunday, but I managed to return a few days before for one last look and brought along my camera to photograph some of my favourite outfits.

So without further ado, here are my photos (I’m still not great with my manual camera and there was no flash allowed)!

"the top is made entirely out of metal sequins and skirt is silk tafetta with metal sequin detailing"

"I call this "The African Princess dress" "

"I call this "The flamenco dress"

"Love it"
"Just a random shot but I do like that coat dress "

Photos of the 6th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art

2009-12-07T05:10:00.000-08:00

Last Saturday was the opening of The 6th Asia Pacific Triennial Of Contemporary Art (APT6) For those who are not aware, this is something that Brisbane has been holding every three years since 1993.

The whole premise of APT is to form a closer bond with the countries within our Asia Pacific region, by commissioning and exhibiting works from artists living in said countries. In the past it has been the launch pad for up and coming artisans who would later on be highly successful.

I personally have been going to these exhibitions since 1999 and it's never failed to inspire me. I promised myself not to miss this year's opening weekend as they are always full of activities
and artist talks and I absolutely loved the APT6 line up!

These photos are some of the highlights that I found especially interesting - which makes for quite a bit actually. So grab a coffee or tea first and sit down to browse through my selections of must-sees.

GOMA Director ' Mr Tony Ellwood'

I just want to say that the photo's doesn't justify the true beauty of it in real life.