FASHION QUARTERLY: Spring 09

I got Fashion Quarterly's Spring 09 issue last week and its lurrrvely. Very inspiring for the impending warmer weather! Sorry for delay in posting, had an intense week of uni and then worked literally all weekend.

"Garden State"

I love how feminine and elegant this is - whilst still being soft and relaxed. Reminds me of some of my favorite books/films; Atonement, Alice in Wonderland, The Great Gatsby and The Secret Garden.

Photographer: Stephen Chee

Stylist: Marina Didovich

Models: Olivia Hamilton (Chic) & Caitlin Lomax 

"Style News: Jewellery Update"

My heart stopped when I saw this Kate Sylvester necklace. I NEED this!!! It is totally Pebbles Flinstone (one of my style idols - don't ask). I went into the High Street store on friday and the girls said the pieces would be coming in on Monday. I am so amped.

"Naughty But Nice"

I'm tripping all over nude toned pieces at the moment. So calm and cool, yet they have a subtle sex appeal. I love how this editorial has paired them with sharp black and soft grey - adding warmth to otherwise monochromatic and strong pieces. Shanay Hall (one of my faves) kills it, as always. And I am seriously coveting those ears.. Wearable much? Maybe just a little bit?

And can't wait for the weather to warm up enough to wear socks and ballet flats. Have been craving to do this look all winter!

Photographer: Craig Owen

Stylist: Rachel Morton

Model: Shanay Hall

"Sweat Success"

Most people who know my know that I'm a bit of a gym bunny. I never feel more alive than when I have just busted my ass at the gym or run my legs off or been a dog/swan/cat/cow at Pilates. So I loved the article (and accompanying looks) on workout gear; just the right amount of high-tech, girly and old school. The minute it gets warm enough I'm treating myself to a pair of the killer teeny "Run Shorts" from Stella McCartney. Also loving the Stella sports bra and the deliciously retro Nike windrunner.

"Brave New World"

I think the Fashion Quarterly team have been reading my mind! I recently wrote about my love for sexy sideswept hair for Beauty Bible; and here they have executed it PERFECTLY. It's the perfect match for the deliciously sexy looks in this spread; glam, retro and futuristic. Perfectly foiled by the warm, earthy strength of the rocky setting. 

Photographer: Christopher Ferguson

Stylist: Marina Didovich

Model:  Valerija

"Western Front"

Ever since I was a little tyke I've loved The Great American West; probably due to stories told by my American dad, my obsession with books like Little House On The Prairie - and my later studying of (and love for) American history at high school. So obvz this trend page ticks all my boxes!

"Get The Look: Nude"

As I've mentioned, I love a good nude. So I was pleasantly surprised, and somewhat shocked even to see this fully sick ballerina dress from Annah Stretton (I'm not usually a Stretton girl at all) but this is excellent. And I have already had several rambles about my love for the peachy jean jacket from Twenty Seven Names.

Books And Bags

I neeeed this bag. It is actually too perfect. Slouchy and natural, with amazing details. This type of leather is always my favorite - it wears in and ages. Darkening, wearing and aging. Thats the joy of leather - and why I hate the overly processed kinds most bags come in these days. This bag would show where its been and the love you've given it - and reflect that hard work it's put in for you over the years, getting even better with age.

Be&D Woodstock handbag

Source: Style.com

On the same tangent of "Classics", there's something about mountains and walls of leather bound books that I have always loved - probably because I've always grown up with our bookshelves groaning (and literally breaking) under the weight of all our books. I love a few copies I was given by my grandpa that are leather bound and gold embossed - not to mention perfectly battered and worn. Books are always best when they look like they have been read by several generations worth of bookworms.

So understandably the nerd in me is loving the Fall 09 campaign shots for Alberta Ferretti.

Alberta Ferretti Fall 2009 by Steven Meisel

Source: Fashion Gone Rogue

Birthday Debrief

Mega apologies for the delayed Birthday debrief post!! Was an amazing night - I highly recommend Vivace. And thankyou Daddy for the Bollinger!!! Tres delish.

Presents were just as lovely. I got Karen Walker's Leaf Pendant! It reminds us of gum leaves - appropriate as I'm Australian born and (mostly) bred. Works perfectly with my Jet Plane pendant.

Source: Karen Walker Jewelry

Victor & Rolf's Flowerbomb is loovely - shall alternate with old faithful Daisy.

Source

And got a ton of books!!! Have started with the Anna Wintour - it is AMAZING. Can not put down. 

Clockwise: 

Front Row: Anna Wintour - What Lies Beneath The Chic Exterior Of Vogues Editor In Chief by Jerry Oppenheimer,

The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger

The Truth About Diamonds by Nicole Richie

Kate Moss Style by Angela Buttolph

I'm With The Band by Pamela Des Barres

Source: Amazon

Wonderful Wonderland

God I can not wait for the new Alice in Wonderland. Have always been obsessed with it - the original disney film and Lewis Carrol's story. Such a classic trip.

Source: Daily Mail

Book Club

Anyone who knows me knows I'm a bit of a book nerd. Am currently racking up some serious library fines because of end of semester lack of free time. Im really craving some additions to my book stack.

Clockwise: Dear Diary by Lesley Arfin, B Model by Miranda Darling, Paint It Black by Janet Finch, The Thoughtful Dresser by Linda Grant, Lets Spend The Night Together by Pamela Des Barres. Center: Front Row: Anna Wintour by Jerry Oppenheimer.

Sources: Macmillan, Cover Browser, Amazon, The Thoughtful Dresser, Cover Browser, Amazon, Pamela Des Barres,

I love luxurious, big art and photography books, more of an investment but you have the joy of looking through them again and again. 

Clockwise: Wayne Thiebaud: A Paintings Retrospective by Steven A. Nash, Rolling Stones Fans by Joseph Szabo, Linda MCartney's Sixties by Linda McCartney, Lisa Yuskavage by Lisa Yuskavage, Fashion Illustration By Fashion Designers by Laird Borrelli, Welcome To Big Biba by Steven Thomas. Center: Richard Prince: Painting-Photographs by Bruce Hainley

Sources:Photos of Teenagers, Amazon, Amazon, David Zwirner, Amazon, Amazon, Waterstones, 

Lover: "White Moon Rising"

Lover's new collection "White Moon Rising" has finally surfaced! Tres excite. Have been looking forward to this since the teaser image appeared on their fab site. As always, the collection is impeccable. I have loved Susien and Nick's work since way back in high school. As much as the collections themselves, I love all the inspirations and influences that go into each; the back stories, music, cultural figures, films etc (I end up doing an intense wikipedia/library/itunes search after each one comes out).

White Moon Rising is inspired by "the bad seed" namely mesmerising and irisitable figures like "Yoko Ono and Bianca Jagger who entice and tempt men with their off beat beauty". Which is a perfect and intriguing concept as no one can deny how intriguing and hypnotic figures like that are. Whether we like it or not, we are generally all drawn to danger and risk - whatever form it takes; people, experiences, thoughts etc). 

Other influences are African Zulu rituals the films of Kenneth Anger. Both of which I'm loving. Ever since I was a little girl (and probably to my parents slight worry) I have been intrigued by the occult, paranormal and black magic (not in a creepy or weird way) more by the danger and glamour. Probably explains my obsession with velvet, pentacles and candles now. Have also been very interested in the work of Anger since reading Sway by Zachary Lazar - his films are insane trips. And will blow you away when you think of how long ago they first came out.

The opening and closing shots on their website are stunningly ethereal - so evocative of Peter Weir's Picnic At Hanging Rock (AMAZING film. Such a must see - and another childhood (and constantly enduring) obsession of mine. Thank god I have the video. It's v hard to find. Below are my favorite looks from both versions of the collection (accompanied by predictable excited rambling).

SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE - SUMMER 09/10

I love the prints used - sort of a love child of leopard print and tribal thats been put through a kaleidoscope.
As always, the tailoring is impeccable. Marries sharp yet soft perfectly. Im ding for that cream blazer! Has been on my Want List for forever.
As most of you know, I am a total velvet fiend. And the only thing better than velvet, is burgundy velvet. So I'm understandably totally coveting that dress. Leather shorts are also on my aforementioned list, and this pair looks pretty my perfect.
Every season the swimwear comes out I pretty much die. So so perfect. I hate pretty much all swimwear thats around - bright, terribly prints, o.t.t details etc. So Lover's comes as a sigh of relief. One of these summers I think I'll bite the bullet and treat myself to some. Not to taint with chlorine or salt water mind you. Will just live in them as daywear.

NORTHERN HEMISPHERE WINTER 09/10

One of the things I love about every new collection is seeing how the pieces are styled for both hemispheres (same goes with Karen Walker's collection). Its twice as many ideas and inspirations. Spoilt for choice really! Us Antipodeans missed out on getting the fabulous Tallulah, but those of you up top did.

Expectedly, that blood red velvet dress looks killer (appropriate operative work? Haha) with opaques. Therefore I need it even more. The duffle jackets with detachable capelettes are also insanely cute. Much to my mothers dismay, I have always loved a duffle I blame the Paddington Bear I had as a kid - so therefore its your fault Ma!
Also on the vein of cosy (and v necessary) outerwear. I've been coveting their voluminous capes for a couple of seasons now. Pretty much a v stylish blanket, which would be perfect as I am totally cold intolerant.
Lover always do the most amazingly angelic white pieces (that always make me think of Picnic At Hanging Rock). Im totally dying for the dress on the left. It has shoulder cut outs! SHOULDER CUT OUTS!!! Need. Now. Wonder if they will be doing it for the southern hemisphere? God I hope so. I am a total sucker for a white dress in the heat of summer. V colonial. Best accessorised with a gin and tonic.
I can't decide which version of the black lace body con I like best? Dress or bodysuit? And to sleeve or not to sleeve? Im thinking sleeved bodysuit could be pretty amazing. Especially as I feel like I need a wardrobe stable like that right now.

Source: Lover

Into The Light

Oh wow. Love this. Karl and black&white are a match made in heaven (whatever the medium, photography, outfit etc etc). Anja looks stunningly sculptural and statuesque - look at those body lines. Love the juxtaposition of amazing fashion-y pieces (leather paneled skinnies, white feathered jacket, sheer dress) with the manly hobo boots - really grounds (literally?) the looks.

Vogue Nippon July 2009 "Into The Light" 

Anja Rubik by Karl Lagerfeld

Source: Fashion Gone Rogue

Boater

Oh dear god I want a boater so bad. They bring back childhood memories of Wind In The Willows, Anne Of Green Gables, Enid Blyton books, the boys from Brisbane Boys College who always wore theirs. I love the ones Marc Jacobs did for Spring 09; they look worn in and like they have been sat on or shoved in ones bag. Lover have also used them for their Sacred Hearts College collection - playing on the preppy/rebel vibe.

Left to Right: Marc Jacobs, Lover, Marc Jacobs. Hats from Google Images

Sources: Style.com, Google Images, Lover

Selby: Book Lust

I wish me bookshelves were as beautiful as this.. Probably helps that the books are all French though. Maybe I should reread my French Vogues and then move up to books..

Source: The Selby

Bookworm: Sasha and Prada AND Karl

Exciting news on the art and book front...

... Sasha Pivovarova is already collaborating on a book for Prada - and now is doing one with Karl Lagerfeld too!

"Karl asked me to collaborate on a book based on Russian fairy tales!  I finally picked The Snow Maiden or Snegurochka.  It's a story of a gorgeous snow princess and her adventures towards a satisying, romantic, climax.  Karl didn't give a deadline, but I planned to do 12 illustrations and I've already done five!" 

Books Im Wanting

Dear Diary by Lesley Arfin

Rolling Stones Fans by Joseph Szabo

Front Row: Anna Wintour: The Cool Life and Hot Times of Vogue's Editor in Chief by Jerry Oppenheimer

Girls Like Us: Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Carly Simon--and the Journey of a Generation by Sheila Weller 

The One Hundred: A Guide to the Pieces Every Stylish Woman Must Own by Nina Garcia

All You Need to Be Impossibly French: A Witty Investigation into the Lives, Lusts and Little Secrets of French Women by Helena Frith-Powell