From Runway to the Streets

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From Runway to the Streets - Fashion & Beauty, Fashion Designers, News & People - Fashion Directory - Australian Fashion Guide

Harness Your Style

Right now everyone is talking about harnesses. A little bit bondage and a whole lotta rock'n'roll, this is one versatile look that can go from coffee to cocktails. Sienna Miller shocked the critics back in 2006 but in 2010, every girl is trying to get her hands on one. Blake Lively looked ravishing earlier this month in her straight-off-the-catwalk Lanvin and Roberto Cavalli recently showed off his interpretation for Spring 2011, incorporating the new season trend of nude colors, as seen below.



However, we are more inclined towards Australian label Sass & Bide – who seem to have been showing them for two seasons now – many attached to dresses and tees. ‘The Answer Harness’ made from a combination of crocheted lace and leather with gold stud detailing. In black and ivory (RRP $290). Wear this regal piece of body jewellery over long simple maxi’s and plain scoop neck tee’s or tanks for maximum impact. Remember, this item is the statement piece, so keep the hairstyle & extra bling super simple, or risk looking overdone.



Next up on the hit list is by independent Sydney based brand, Metallic Dreamer. Exclusive in their form, these intricate works of art are hand crafted by the very creative Tanya Arlidge. Think mysterious & somewhat tribal, this brand is so on-trend it had clothing label, Tallulah, use pieces to style out their lookbook. This brand isn’t for the meek – with Tanya describing her collection as less jewellery and more styling/layering tools. The pick of the collection? The ‘Black Ceremony’ harness (RRP $120.00). Picture the perfect mix of black leather, crochet appliqué with dirty silver pyramid stud detail & ostrich feather trim Work them back with bodysuits and form fitting shifts. http://www.metallicdreamer.bigcartel.com



Now you know you’re on to a good thing when the likes of Miranda Kerr, Gwen Stefani, Kate Bosworth, Emma Booth and Megan Gale are wearing their pieces, so look no further than Damselfly. At the helm is Melbourne based Christianna Heideman, with the ‘Mesh Body Chain’ (RRP $189) from her new range "I hate myself for loving you". Ultra sexy and rock inspired, this adornment is an intricate web of silver plated brass based chains and will be available from www.damselfly.com.au from early December, or check out her pop up store - Shop 20-28 Chatham Street, Prahran.



More Kaleidescope than Casio (Digital Print Dresses)

Digital print dresses are a breath of fresh air for Fashionistas in a sea of played out Boho and overdone Retro. Finally, something that hasn’t been done to death and it seems that the fashion savvy are embracing the look with gusto.

Josh Goot pioneered this look here in Australia for his Spring Summer collection in 2008, using a more neutral colour palette, as if to be testing the buying public. These days he’s confidently made a bigger commitment in his collection to Digi prints – using brighter, almost fluoro tones, his fabrics are like a dream of acid paint swirls and lightening strikes that make for a bold statement. Of his latest collection, the pick has to be the Mirrored Sleeveless Mini Dress (RRP$945). Keep accessories to a minimum and let this piece speak for itself.



Moving on to my love of this Kaleidoscope inspired look is design sensation Dion Lee. Bursting onto the Australian fashion scene only last year, the 24 year old LMFF Design Award finalist presented an impressive and highly anticipated collection showcasing Ultraviolet coloured Rorschach (ink blot) prints, as seen here Dion is certainly the designer to watch, invest in his pieces now to pass down to future generations.



And finally we have the scandalous Sydney based fashion trio ‘Illionaire’ with their interpretation – the ‘Worshipper Frock’ (RRP $638) available in the very wearable tones of peacock emerald and bronze. This dress has very structured tailoring with its layered and folded hemline – work this back with ankle boots and a blazer for a softer look.

Once you go black, you'll never go back

Muchos grazias to Tony Bianco for inviting me to attend their Black Card launch earlier this month. Guests were greeted on arrival with a glass of Veuve Clicquot and the most delicious cupcakes known to man - so much that I had to go back for seconds!

Invitees were provided with the new Black Card - offering a 30% discount off purchases, which set the room abuzz. The only problem? Too many options as I just loved EVERYTHING! From the most devine peep toe stacked heels, to rock n roll inspired handbags and statement making jewellery, Tony Bianco is the perfect 'go-to' for building an outfit! See my pick of the bunch above - the Alexis - which retails at $169.95 and comes in 6 colours! Pick up a pair here - http://tonybianco.com.au/product.asp?page=8&categoryID=26&productID=1637&colourID=4393

And with the news that 'model-of-the-moment' Bambi Northwood-Blyth has taken over from Jodi Gordon as face of the brand, get set for fresh inspiration for all things Bianco!

J'adore Vogue Français!

I just had to post a pic of my new baby. No, not a real baby, child or even a puppy. Im talking about a copy of French Vogue, signed by the editor Carine Roitfeld! I die x 100!

This is going straight to the pool room! Well not really ... it's getting framed and will hang in my dressing room, but you get the idea! And a huge thankyou goes out to stylist Mia Jones for this kind and generous gift! xoxox

follow Mia on twitter! http://twitter.com/mia_jones

Aussie Models Making an Impact Overseas - My latest article for Australian Fashion Guide!

Australian models are taking the world by storm right now, snagging some of the biggest international campaigns right out from under the noses of seasoned professionals. Gone are the days of 'one look' being in vogue (think back to heroin chic, wide spaced alien eyes or even exotic Amazonian sized bronzed bombshells) as we Aussie seem to have a little something for everyone.

Our first example is the pixie-esque crowd pleaser Abbey Lee Kershaw. Discovered on Bronte Beach in 2005 by Kathy Ward of Chic Management, then going on to win the Girlfriend CoverGirl Model Search, she was catapaulted to international catwalks within the year, debuting in the Fall of 2006.

At just 23, she's got quite the lengthy resume, with campaigns for Gucci, Chanel, D&G, Ralph Lauren, Chloe, Fendi, Calvin Klein & H&M, just to name a few.

This is one young lady who epitomises the ideal of a true model, being able to morph from an ashen haired beach babe, to a mod-chic sophisticate with a sharp bob and then on to a rock'n'roll platinum blonde within a matter of months, never losing her appeal.

Managed all over the world by various agencies, her mother host being Chic Management here in Australia, however is managed by 2pm Model Management in Denmark and Next in Paris, Milan and New York.

Alice Burdeu is the flame haired winner of Australia’s Next Top Model who has gone on to huge international success with her Grace Coddington style of beauty. Becoming the face of Napoleon Cosmetics and then being the only ANTM winner to achieve a Vogue cover, she’s proven to be much more than a one-trick pony - debuting at New York Fashion Week in February 2008.

Since then she’s walked for Marc Jacobs, Proenza Schouler, Christian Lacroix, Louis Vuitton, Alexander McQueen, Dolce Gabbana, Lanvin, Sonia Rykiel, Jil Sander and Alex Perry (who was very vocal in his support of Alice during her stint on ANTM).

This exposure has led her on to some very high profile campaigns with D&G, Blumarine, Sonia Rykiel and Mimco. Alice was awarded the title of one of the ‘Top 10 Newcomers’ by Models.com and the ‘Latest Rising Star’ by Style.com in 2008 With a look that is dissimilar to others, the quietly spoken model is kicking goals on the international scene with a career that looks to be a long and successful one

Standing at 5’11, Brisbane girl Catherine McNeil shot to international fame after signing an exclusive contract with famous photographer Mario Testino in 2006. Another winner of the Girlfriend CoverGirl Model Search, this self titled ‘Bogan from Logan’ then went on to debut on international catwalks in 2007, and has since appeared in campaigns for Versace, John Paul Gaultier, Givenchy, Carolina Herrera, and Narciso Rodriguez.

A high profile romance with MTV VJ Ruby Rose ensued, with the lovers tattooing each others initials on themselves before ending their relationship citing ‘they’re better off friends’, much to the relief of her Sydney agent at Chic Management, sources suggest. Claims ‘working on cars’ is her favourite pastime the controversial model recently took time off from the international modelling scene, only to return refreshed and better than ever in 2010.. She is currently ranked No.12 of the Worlds Top 50 Models.

Holier than thou!

I die for these dominatrix styled Stella McCartney perforated over-the-knee boots from the Fall of 2009. Perfect for cold weather, they're almost an alternative to pants or hosiery. Being a Melbourne girl, I do love my layers, however with these babies, you can just throw them on the look is complete!

Perfect with chunky knits or simple mini dresses. And Blake Lively, I salute you! Even Victoria Beckham is jumping on the Dominatrix bandwagon in her Antoinio Berardi PVC leather legging boots as seen here.

I want!

Glamour 24/7

Big thankyou to Angela Mollard and the Sunday Magazine for featuring me in their latest "Glamour" issue!

Susannah Murray recently had to move house. Not because she and her boyfriend were upsizing or even because they fancied a change. No, the reason they were forced to relocate was because there wasn’t enough room for her eight wardrobes.

“I have two wardrobes for dresses, jumpsuits, shoes and boots, two for jeans, pants and jodhpurs, another two for tops, blouses and cardigans, and a final two for trenches, coats and furs” says the 32 year old, smiling through perfectly glossed lips. “Oh, and I do have extra drawers and shelves for underwear, T-shirts and socks.”

With her luminous cheekbones, immaculate magenta shift dress and the sort of posture only delivered by deportment classes, Murray, a fashion writer and blogger, belongs to that rare and delicately perfumed breed of women who never dress down.

While the rest of us slap on a bit of tinted sunscreen and flop down to the beach in our Havaianas, these women go to great lengths to look glam 24/7, wearing makeup to bed, sacrificing their feet in 10cm heels, shelling out hundreds of dollars on hair extensions and repainting their nails several times a week. Or in Murray’s case, several times a night.
“Im a bit obsessive about my nails,” she laughs. “They’re really irritating me today, because Ive painted them with a white Chanel polish, but Im wearing black and gold. I cant wait to get home and repaint them.”

She recently went to an important meeting and chipped a nial as she was stepping out of the taxi. “I was beside myself. All through the meeting, I gesticulated and picked up my glass of water with my other hand.”

Yet far from being annoying or self-obsessed, Murray’s evident pleasure in dressing up and looking her best is rather infectious. She admits some elements of her routine are borderline ridiculous, from taking two hours to get ready, to wearing makeup to the gym and matching her sport socks to her training outfits.

“I’d never risk being caught without makeup,” she says. “Yes, Im sure it may seem a bit vain, but Im not forcing this on anyone else. I can laugh at myself and Im not hurting anyone.”
Having appeared in Big Brother in 2007, where her fastidious grooming was a source of amusement among housemates, Murray subsequently moved from Brisbane to Melbourne because of the fashion.

Rather than envying Murray, friends see her as a constant source of styling advice. But what about the men in her life? Surely all this primping and preening must have ruined the odd romance or two? “It never cost me a boyfriend but I can guarantee its gained me a few,” she says. “My boyfriend, Thomas, doesn’t mind at all. “If any guy thinks he can come between me and my fashion, its all over.”

In fact, far from ditching a high-maintenance partner, it seems certain men find this attention to glamour and grooming alluring. David Beckham has spent 13 years with a perma-tanned wife whose feet constantly teeter in sky-high stilettos and whose carb-starved body is zipped into figure-hugging frocks of her own design. Actor Liz Hurley, who says she always wears makeup because she “doesn’t see the point of looking less than your best,” appears happily married, while 77 year old Joan Collins has no shortage of (younger) husbands trailing in her polished and fragrant wake.

pictures courtesy of Sunday Magazine