LMFF Roundup - Forever New

Photo Source: Herald Sun

Forever New launched their Winter collection under a blistering Melbourne sun yesterday. Regardless I was still excited by the prospect of a black shagpile coat and Olivia Newton John black body suite, and happily would have swapped my mini shorts for some of their devine lace stockings and knitted dresses. The collection was an eclectic mix of ladylike vintage glamour with rock sensibilities; Think lace, fur, animal prints and heavy denim jackets ... lots of layering and don't go lightly on the accessories. The models glided down the runway to the angelic voice of Julia Stone with an abundance of great winter staples on offer for shoppers. From Chanel inspired chain bags, boyfriend jackets, to classic knitwear. Ohhh and did I mention ANKLE BOOTIES (probably my favourite accessory of all time).

I also went into the Forever New store in Flinders street mall to scope out how the ladies on the floor were wearing the trends. Their store has also been transformed into a parisian inspired visual feast. It feels like you are walking into a giant jewelery box, with giant strands of pearls drapped through the windows and huge vintage mirrors on every wall.

LMFF roundup - Nervo Twins

Nervo Twins, Mim and Liv are the LMFF Ambassadors this year, and as such have been whisked back and forth between all the shows, which has resulted in my new favourite sport; "Nervo hunting". Yes, I've been getting my stalker on. Always styled perfectly from head to toe, it was really hard to focus on the models with the pair sitting directly across from me. They are absolutely stunning and didn't stop laughing and smiling the whole time, they seem super down to earth; not to mention the hair envy I had. The crazy pixie crop meets Yahoo Serius do, can only be pulled off by few, not to mention its bleached blonde to boot. If you aren't familiar with the twins, they are Melbourne born girls who have shot to stardom as songwriters on the international music scene. They boast an impressive list of hits including "When Love takes Over" written for Kelly Rowland and are being watched closely by the music industry as stars on the rise. 

new kids on the block.

The block in New Farm, where Kent and Brunswick street meet, to be exact. On this lovely little corner lies the love child of Antonia Kelly and Katrina Hess ... Stella + Moon Gallery. A divine collaborative where 'art and beauty meet', quite literally. You can wine and gaze upon works from Brisbane's up and coming creative talent, pop in for a skin treatment or even pick up a unique gift for a friend ..... (or yourself). Either way, its a total indulgence of the senses, and a must see for those looking for new and exciting places to visit in Brisbane.

The next exhibition to hit Stella + Moon, "LIKE ME, LIKE YOU" by Laura and Claire Patterson begins on March 17 through to April 10.

For more information please visit

stellaandmoon.com.au

xx

LMFF

I've taken a moment out of my perfectly coordinated victory dance to share some really exciting news. Received confirmation today that I will be blogging live from the runway at L'oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival for Runway Passport. Which means lots of illegible scribbling, drooling and dodgy amateur photography awaits me over the next week. If this years LMFF campaign is anything to go by, its going to be an amazing week.

Make sure to become a follower of Free Radical or the Runway Passport blog (http://blog.runwaypassport.com) to receive all the latest updates from Melbourne, as I will be blogging away like mad.

The countdown begins ................

xx

Trend Report: Fall 2010

Gucci

Versace

Alberta Ferretti

Luisia Beccaria

what goes up, must come down.

All in all, not overly impressed with Fendi this season. There were still some honorable mentions throughout the collection & the colour palette was right on key for fall/winter; mustards, royal blues, purples and black. However, as your eyes scan down the models from head to toe ... I found myself suddenly start turning my head a little to one side in a sort of bewildered daze.

When it comes to the shoes, disappointed is an understatement. The shoes at Fendi for Fall 2010 are so very underwhelming and a horrible distraction from the better aspects of the collection. The shoes or should I say rubber-toed/frumpy wellingtons, couldn't be more of a polar opposite of last seasons sexy predecessors. The whole "because of the times" excuse is growing tiring too. What they call "utilitarian" is what I would call plain old boring and hideous design. Flicking through the collection, all I did was found myself humming "U.G.L.Y. you ain't go no alibi, YOU UGLY".

The good.

The Bad.

and the WTF were they thinking?

Photo Source: Style.com

Snaps for Brisbane.

I like your hat.

and I like your blog. For those who haven't heard (then you should have and should check it out right away), I like your hat. is a fantastic new blog run by a group of Brisbane folk, who prowl the streets looking to capture the creme de la creme of stylish Brisbane residents. Even in the past 4 years I have lived here, walking up the streets you can really see what a fashion concious hub this city has become, and there is so much great style around. So clearly I am loving that these guys are doing the stalking around the city for me, so I can people watch without having to get out of my pj's. Thanksss guys!!

My beautiful and super stylish friend Erin (who has feature on my blog before, in a few of my shoots) has even made it to the pages of the blog already, bless her cotton socks and docks.

xx

(Above the beautiful Erin)

Carine. How do I love thee? Let me count thy ways

Watched an insightful 3 part-interview with wunderkind Carine Roitfeld of French Vogue, and I've come to learn that there are so many things I love about this woman. I will do my best to keep ranting to a minimum, but it is hard when you have such admiration for influential figures in fashion such as Carine, who is amongst one of the most truly intriguing woman in fashion today.

First of all, I love the way her french accent curls clumsily around broken english sentences, I could listen to her talk all day. Secondly, she seems so genuinely in love with her role in fashion. While she is obviously no fool, she is less concerned about business and more about her romantic ideals of fashion, and strong appreciation for it as an art. Which I can only assume stemmed from her Pre-Vogue resume, where she worked hands-on alongside some of the greats like Tom Ford and Mario Testino as a stylist (jealous??) . So even amidst the doom's day financial situation and commercialism of fashion, she says that she wants to sell French Vogue becase of the "pretty pictures" that fill its pages. Her vision extends far beyond the bottom line.

Thirdly, her romanticism is evident in her style mantra, "style is not always about clothes, but about a look" a mood, a moment. A mantra that I think is a refreshing one, as well as a healthy one for woman. It not only makes fashion more accessible and less about 'following trends' but it makes it more about it being enjoyable. I have always been of the opinion that style transcends mere concepts of fashion, becoming more about the essence of a person. It embodies a persons taste in music, political views, personality, beliefs and so much more. A person should make the clothes; is shouldn't be that the clothes make the person. And I believe Carine herself is a fine example of this. She is a total gem and French Vogue is safe in her hands.

xxx

Photo Source: Business of Fashion, A Magazine Curated By: Blog

Her body Dances ...

"Her Body dances to the illusion of Chanel.
She hunts in sky high burberry heels.
She conquers diamonds from all corners"

Words by: she is frank
Photo Source: The Never Ending Story, Anja Rubik, Natasha Poly.

Celebrating the beauty of Ordinary

Ponyrider.

I have a huge fetish for homewares, and Ponyrider really got me going. Fresh screen printing, hand made by two Australian lasses. Its poetic. I discovered their work some time ago now, and feel I must return to it to share these beautiful pictures from their first lookbook with you. There first collection is crisp, clean and beautiful and makes me want to roll around in sunflowers and doilies all day.

www.ponyrider.com.au

xx