Fashion Whimsy...

There would have to be no Australian designer who creates more whimsical fashion than Alannah Hill. From the 'secret garden' entrance to the website and through each bright, bold image, her eccentric design and whimsical play with fashion shapes and prints blends to create truly outstanding fashion and images that are just so much fun to look at!

Images via Alannah Hill website

Hope you are having a fabulous weekend! M xx

Fashion for flood relief - Booty Huggers

With the floods in Queensland continuing to wreak havoc, a great many people have pledge support to those who have been affected by this crisis. One of those is fashion designer Clint Webster of Clinton Charlie and Booty Huggers. Clint has announced that $10 from every pair of Boot Huggers sold will be donated to help those affected by the floods. So you can look sensational and help a good cause all at the same time - now that's what I call multi-tasking!








To find out more visit Clinton Charlie.

Something for the boys

Oh alright - and little something for the girls! I know how much you all like checking out the male models, ahem, clothes. :)
Joking aside, the trans-seasonal collection from Melbourne based Oscar Calvo has some seriously sharp clothes for the sophisticated man in your life.












The brand is described as
"a young, cutting edge contemporary Melbourne-based label making its mark on the Australian fashion scene...The Collection and Designer re-invent the contemporary genre and inject the menswear fashion scene with its unique brand of modern, sexy, edgy yet upscale and wearable offerings for the active urban man. The collection for this season continues its tradition of excellence in quality and construction, favoring a range of natural luxurious fibers including cotton, silk and linen blends."




You can find out more at the Oscar Calvo website.

Have a great week everyone!

Goddess of Summer - Australian Frocks from Miss Lyndel Yeo

Firstly, I want to thank everyone who is reading - I was blown away when I checked out the number of readers over the last month despite zero posts. My writing commitments for work and getting ready to launch the new look blog soon are to blame, but I hope when it's finished you'll all come to the site and check it!

I've never made any secret of how much I love Australian frocks and the new Summer Goddess collection from Miss Lyndel Yeo is no exception. I got these gorgeous pics today from the lovely Lyndel and just have to share them with you. These are just the kind of gorgeous Australian frocks to make a big impression as we start into the silly season.

This collection is described as having a "gorgeous pallet of hazy sunset shades, carefully balanced with a mix of floating silks". This along with the dramatic styles and cut of the dresses is everything devotees of this label have come to expect. Miss Lyndel Yeo does frocks well. I'm sure you'll agree this talented designer's latest summer styles are no exception!

So without further ado - the Summer Goddess collection from Miss Lyndel Yeo!

To find out more visit Miss Lyndel Yeo online.

Related posts
Spring and Summer Frocks from Miss Lyndel Yeo

Celebrities Heart Frocks from Aussie Fashion Designer Leona Edmiston

I think I've made no secret of the fact I love Leona Edmiston's Frocks, but I was pretty blown away by this stunning picture of singer Joss Stone wearing this Leona Edmiston dress. The Australian fashion designer's stunning frock was worn by the singer in this picture that appeared on the cover of Los Angeles trade publication LA Weekly.


Joss Stone wearing Leona Edmiston for LA Weekly

So basically as an excuse to find out which other celebrities heart Leona Edmiston Frocks, I hunted high and low to get these celebrity fashion shots! (Oh ok, the kind folks at Leona Edmiston gave them to me - they're super cool people over there!) It's great to see our fabulous Australian fashion designers getting plenty of recognition. To share the love I thought I'd include just some of the celebrities who have shown their impeccable taste wearing frocks from Australian fashion designer Leona Edmiston.

Emma Bunton in a Leona Edmiston frock

Jennifer Hawkins wearing Leona Edmiston (with Sex & the City's Chris Noth)

Sex & the City's Kristin Davis wearing the Tiffany frock from Leona Edmiston

***Thanks to Prue at Leona Edmiston for again helping out by supplying photographs

Spring and Summer Frocks from Miss Lyndel Yeo

Well I have to say I love these designs and I've been hankering for my own ever since I was lucky enough to get my first glimpse! Miss Lyndel Yeo is designed by Melbourne based Lyndel Yeo. Following a successful launch as a finalist at the Mercedes Benz Start Up parade in Melbourne in 2005, this unique fashion label has been going full-steam ahead. Winning the 2005 'Designer of the Year' at the Federation Square fashion showcase was just the beginning. Since the inaugural collection in 2005 this fiercely feminine fashion has gained a number of avid fans and continually succeeds in producing compellingly unique frocks that women love.

The label is described as a combination of "Tokyo Street Chic and School Girl Innocence". The words that came to my mind when I first clapped eyes on this season's frocks are "cute, cute, cute"! These gorgeous dresses have quirky details and I love the reversible options. The Spring 2008 frocks bring together a limited edition range of soft silks with oriental prints; combining bold colour and dramatic cuts. Being from a Melbourne based designer, the obvious destination to wear a frock like this is none other than the Melbourne Cup. If the Spring Races are high on your social calendar, then the cute Rose fascinators are the perfect complement for just such a destination!

Here is just a taste of what to expect for spring 2008 at Miss Lyndel Yeo:

Earth Dress

Wrap Top

Silk Tie Dress

Silk Cloud 9 Dress

Reversible Earth Dress

Silk One Frill Dress

The Miss Lyndel Yeo range is available from selected boutiques in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. For those in other states or overseas visit http://www.misslyndelyeo.com/ to view the collection and purchase your own MLY frock online.

Tom, Dick and Harry - New season collection

Tom, Dick and Harry is the men's fashion line from designer Faydi Saddik. This Australian designer label was started in 2004, with the debut collection presented in 2005. Following a showcase at the Mercedes Australian Fashion Week in Melbourne in 2006, Tom, Dick and Harry hit the international stage in 2007. The launch of the label in London and Tokyo in 2007 coincided with a four part documentary series being aired on Fashion TV, following the label's journey and success.

Last week those lucky enough to make it to the Blue Hotel in Sydney's Woolloomoolloo (incidentally one of my all time favourite spots!) got to see the launch of the forthcoming Spring/Summer collection. The collection features a blend of tailoring and style that encompasses the many elements that complete the overall wardrobe, from casual sportswear to three-piece suits. The inspiration for the new season was the fusion of Japanese Art and Rock; with Japanese art forms highlighted in prints and embroidered work, as artsy graphics and abstract patterns dominate the collection, alongside sharp, tailored suits.

So today I've got some pictures to give you a taste of what to expect this season from Tom, Dick and Harry!

I also managed to get these behind the scenes shots with designer Faydi Saddik right in the thick of things! The backstage buzz of a runway show has a unique vibe all of it's own and I thought these few shots here really capture a glimpse of how it all looks behind the scenes at the shows....

Tom, Dick and Harry can be found online at http://www.tomdickandharry.com.au/

Fleur Wood Spring/Summer

This week is all about what's happening for spring/summer 2008 in Australian fashion, while the weather outside is still looking pretty wintery round here, I think it's time for a sneak peek at what is coming this year in the 2008 spring and summer collections. For today's post I've found these gorgeous dresses from the Fleur Wood collection, coming soon to Vivienn.

This ultra-feminine, floral creation is one of my favourites, and with the dramatic impact that florals have been making in the Northern Hemisphere this summer, I'm sure it's highly likely this trend will follow through here making this a sure style winner.

Bella Dress with Removable Cape

This hand-embroidered dress is simply stunning, the marigold colour is one of my favourites and these cute hand-crocheted cardigans are a soft and sumptuous option to keep you warm in the cooler spring days and summer evenings.

Matilda Embroidered Dress and Hand Crochet Knit Cardigan

Fleur Wood's flowing, rosy take on the maxi dress is typical of the feminine and floaty style that is popular in this year's spring/summer style trends. Dress this one up or down for great summer style and feminine dressing when the weather warms up.

Keira Plain Maxi Dress

The crochet garments in the Fleur Wood collection are a unique element to the summer season, and the warmth in the crochet dresses and cardigans are a great addition during spring while the weather is still transitional. This cute dress with the a-line skirt, paired with the contrasting crochet cardigan fits the bill perfectly.

Wool Embroidered Cocktail Dress and Hand Crochet Knit Cardigan

For a fresh take on the little black dress, this cocktail number is ideal for evenings out. Providing stylish design with wool embroidered details, this is a beautiful dress that is sure to make a big impact this spring.

Wool Embroidered Swift

The Fleur Wood collection is fabulously feminine and offers unique statement dresses, cardigans and fabulous design.

To find your own Fleur Wood dress, visit Vivienn.com - this great Australian retailer is one of my favourites. Vivienn is dedicated to promoting Australian fashion and delivering the best of our Australian designers to the world through the online retail format. Please visit them at www.vivienn.com

Aussie Celebrity Style - Kylie Minogue

Now as much as I don't want to give everything away about my age, I'm old enough to remember Kylie Minogue doing the 'Locomotion'. This was the start of a musical career that has taken a lot of twists and turns along the way; and seen this Melbourne girl transition from the tomboy Charlene on Neighbours to a pretty fabulous woman who has overcome breast cancer, recently celebrated her 40th birthday and been awarded an OBE in June. There are a few noteworthy fashion moments along the way, but boy has Kylie become fabulous! So today I've decided to take a look at a few moments along the way, and reveal how Kylie Minogue has found her own sense of style.

Well as I mentioned, Kylie had us all doing the 'Locomotion' in the late 80s, and at around that time a girl called Charlene (Kylie) married a guy named Scott on Neighbours. Of course, in true 80s style she had puff sleeves, a perm and a wicked song by Angry Anderson - wow, there wasn't a dry eye in the place!

So following this there was of course the aforementioned 'Locomotion', and no child of the 80s in Australia could have possibly missed this one. Here the look was fluorescent tights, stilettos and figure hugging mini-dresses (and yes, that was tres cool!)


Well the hype around Kylie continued into the early 90s, and the (probably unfairly) nicknamed 'singing budgie' caused quite a stir when she appeared on the arm of the late rocker Michael Hutchence with this blonde crop. Such was the buzz around her at the time that speculation was rife for days, and debates about whether this was a wig or the real thing made it into every newspaper and television news bulletin nationwide. This period also served to somewhat cement Kylie and ensure her transformation from bubblegum pop to where she has ultimately ended up.



Fast forward a few years and an older and wiser Kylie was strutting her stuff in the video for the song 'Spinning Around' when her gold hot pants started to make a big impact. Yes, Kylies bum was suddenly the stuff that PR dreams are made of and the release of the 'Spinning Around' video had the world this time buzzing about what good shape the girl from Down Under was in.

Not long after this the Showgirl tour that Kylie was taking around the world was cancelled with the news announced that this was due to the fact that Kylie had developed breast cancer. After time spent away from the spotlight, the singer re-emerged looking fabulous and feminine in her first public appearance sporting a short crop and a great smile, despite the difficulties of the disease.

This year it marks 20 years since the launch of Kylie's first single, and shortly after her 40th birthday, Kylie was presented with an OBE (Order of the British Empire), for her career achievements. More stylish than ever the so called 'pint size princess' of pop was dressed in a gorgeous frock from Yves Saint Laurent, broke protocol during a brief chat with the Prince of Wales and looked sensational.

So there you have it people, the abridged version of the stylings of Ms Kylie Minogue. I think this is a woman who has hit her stride and truly embodies the idea that 'forty is the new thirty'. I'm eagerly awaiting more fabulous style moments in the future.

Photo Credits
Kylie and Jason 'Neighbours' wedding courtesy of SMH.com.au, 'Locomotion' from BBC.co.uk, 'Spinning Around' and photograph taken while being treated for cancer courtesy of Telegraph.co.uk, Kylie with Michael Hutchence courtesy of Ninemsn.com.au, Kylie receiving OBE courtesy of ThisisLondon.co.uk

The best boots for winter

With winter well and truly upon us I've abandoned my study in favour of putting the laptop on the sofa in front of me to keep warm near the fire! We had the coldest day in 3 years the other day, and ok, I know I just recently got back from Europe but please! Anyway, in the midst of this miserable weather we all have to venture out, even those lucky enough to work from home like me! So one of the most essential items for winter is a great pair of boots.

My fashion stylings tend to lean towards looks over practicality, but I've generally found there are loads of boots out there that are perfect for winter, combining style with practicality. A pair of boots can be worn with almost anything; making them a truly versatile element for every woman's wardrobe. Since I own three pairs and really basically think you can never have too many shoes - here are some ankle boots and high boots, because we all love options. (My personal pick are the Elvira boots from Sydney designers Andrea & Joen.)

Here are a few great boots available right now for this season:

Andrea & Joen - Elvira boot

Zu - Arc boot

Midas - Ester boot

Nine West - Kabibe boot (now available at 50% off)

Andrea & Joen available online at www.andreaandjoen.com

Zu shoes available around Australia or visit them online at www.zushoe.com.au

Midas shoes available around Australia or visit them online at www.midasshoes.com.au

Nine West shoes available around Australia or visit them online at www.ninewest.com.au