Lacey, Florally, Velvetty Goodness To See In The Big Two One

As I had been mentioning the bits and pieces I had picked up for my birthday outfit (and they general stress of me being an idiot and leaving it to the last minute) a few of you asked for an outfit post. I know I rarely do these, but I'm all shy and shit - but shall try harder. Anyway though, I was fully psyched by what I ended up piecing together - had wanted some intense shit as its my 21st so why not! And am so glad I used it as an excuse to get the bodysuit that I'd been coveting forever.

Wearing: Stolen Girlfriends Club D n B Leotard, self made skirt with Karen Walker fabric, vintage velvet jacket, vintage belt, Karen Walker Jetplane pendant, Tissot watch, makeup by MAC

two one

Twenty Firsts are quite exciting things! Am counting down to mine this saturday night. Have half my outfit - a totally sick long sleeved lace bodysuit by Stolen Girlfriends Club (have been coveting it for forever, and this was the perfect reason to purchase) and am halfway through sewing a gorgeous skirt out of the floral fabric from Karen Walker's "Angels" collection I picked up in their sale. And invites have been posted - below is the front of them, am quite pleased. Excited excited excited.

Sources: Scans, Fashion Gone Rogue

Stolen Girlfriends Club Summer 09/10 "No.8 Weapons Of Mass Destruction"

I had an appointment in Ponsonby yesterday - which gave me the perfect excuse to pay a visit to my beloved Black Box. While there, Zara Mirkin was a sweetheart and showed me the Stolen Girlfriends Club lookbook for their summer collection "No.8 Weapons Of Mass Destruction" (which I have been eagerly awaiting). Its relaxed, laid back, weird but sexy. Strong feel of Americana and classic staples like tees and denim that have all been twisted.

Fave picks would have to be all the starry denim pieces - you know me, I have yet to meet a star I didn't like. I really want the paneled bike shorts (same style as my uber comfy/warm plaid pants), the slouchy denim shorts and I secretly (well maybe not so much) kindof LOVE the shirt - it's just a little bit country, and just right.

Im a fiend for sheer at the moment, so love these sheer sleeved dresses

And love even more the sheer sleeved sweat dresses. I would literally live in these - to the point of embarrassment and awkward comments from people.

Loving the two toned denim jackets, and wondering if they are unisex? I usually prefer mens jackets to womens' thanks to my somewhat irritating broad shoulders (although they do make the wearing of awesome mens tees and shirts very easy - therefore I am grateful).

Speaking of menswear, I love the classic but twisted athleticism and prep of these. Those cream jerseys would be crazy wearable on balmy summer nights (I miss so much) and in the cold we have now.

Source: Zara Mirkin from Stolen Girlfriends Club

Ps: Apparently their winter collection is going to be awesome. Am sooo psyched already.

17/06/09: Shop Shop Shop

So I FINALLY went shopping (properly) today now that I am free from uni. God it was good. Pretty much took up my whole day post-gym. And although today was freezing (something I combatted c/o my beloved Tv leopard merino leggings and my fave of mums cashmere jerseys) it was stunningly sunny and beautiful.

Black Box was perfect, but then again when is it not? I left wanting/needing new jeans. Stolen Girlfriends Club jeans are pretty much the only type that fit my body perfectly, and always have the most kick ass styles - I'm seriously craving their perfectly faded torn skinnies that are slashed all up the leg, but have a denim layer underneath (for warmth and practicality - therefore they are obviously a sensible/necessary purchase oui?). Also wanting some of the Tv jeans that are slashed all the way up.

Source: Tv 

A pit stop to Vixen in St Kev's saw my find this uber comfy clompy pair of Dr Martens mary janes - heaven for my decrepit feet. When I brought then out at home later I thought the fam would have a fit - but they actually liked. Was a tad shocked, but pleased.

Paid a long overdue visit to Children Of Vision and the ever lovely James Dobson - I did the usual, stared longingly at all the stock, stroked the puffpaint splatered pieces and pesterred him about when Romance Was Born's summer collection was coming in - I want aaall of it, no joke. Except possibly not the semi-infamous Octopus Bonnet.

With some extra cash that was accumulating in my wallet I fiiinaaally paid of my ankle boots from Mi Piaci - have been searching for a staple pair like these FOREVER. Most are way to large widthwise for my scrawny feet, and not many had the inbuilt platform that I wanted - but these ticked all the boxes. And now its holidays and I am reacquainted with my social life I actually have places to wear them! Excellent.

Treated myself to some new lippy - a MAC Satin in Snob (have been needing/wanting for a while now).

Source

Superette have some awesome Lover pieces, think me and the little sis will have a bit of a try on when we pop in on saturday. And I still NEED/LOVE the Ksubi Aras. Every time I put them on it just feels like they complete me.

Tried on some of the new(ish - considering my lack of shopping lately) Toy Watches. So cute. Like plastic versions of my current and much loved Tissot (I call it my Seventies Porno Watch) and also remind me of the white Chanel watches that I've coveted forever. So obviously I loved the Plasteramic in white!

Source: Toy Watch USA

Final stop was Karen Walker, had a lovely long chat with the awesome Scarlet and spent forever looking at possible 21st birthday jewelry options - loving the owl ring (quite meaningful as my late grandmother collected owl ornaments) and the carrots (ideally in gold - more carrot appropriate colour oui?). I've wanted that blue cocktail knuckle duster forever, and have desperately wanted the cigarette butt charm for even longer. Sigh.

Source: Karen Walker

Baby's Just A Butcher

Another v delayed mag post, this time it's Oyster. As usual, the holy trinity that is Karen Inderbitzen Waller, Zara Mirkin and Zippora Seven create perfection. Cute and grungy-retro.

My Stolen Girlfriends Club pants on the right! These have been such a good buy.

Oyster #81 Realise "Baby's Just A Butcher" Zippora Seven

 by Karen Inderbitzen Waller and Zara Mirkin

Clare Tough

I was having a look at the lovely Turned Out (and distracting myself from the uni work I should have been doing) and in their interview with the crazy-inspirational Zara Mirkin (from No mag and Stolen Girlfriends Club... Enough said) she mentions Clare Tough as a fave emerging designer of hers. Know for "signature knits but also leather, woven’s and soft tailoring".

The knitwear really is lovely (and super hot). It's the perfect mix of nostalgic, old fashioned, youthful and sexy.

Source: Clare Tough

Black #10: The Boys

The menswear editorials in the latest Black magazine blew my mind. Completely and totally loved them (way more than the womens' for once). Incredibly  grungy, sexy and semi androgynous. I would so wear what they are. Stunning models - different to the usual models you see around (ripped all american beefcakes or skinny little slips of boys with better pouts than the girls).

Nineteen93

This is undoubtably one of the best eds I have seen anywhere in a long time. Everything is just insanely stunning; rich contrast of the lighting, amazing grungy clothes - paired with nailpolish. All the looks have a sexy, worn in and rumpled quality (morning after much?). And there's a shit load of my favorites like Stolen Girlfriends Club, Friedrich Gray, Ksubi and Chronicles of Never - most of it supplied by the heavenly store that is Black Box. And I love the long haired guy - I have a total soft spot for guys with long hair.

Stay Away From Being Maybe

Love the roughed up and layered white shirts here (I've got them on the brain, we are studying/designing them at uni at the mo). Super hot waistcoats, and love love a guy in a fur jacket. The v successful Levi Clarke is awesome in this. Such a different (and quite uniquely kiwi look).

23/04/09: Good As Gold

I love that Wellington store Good As Gold has an online store now. Although I'm not usually a skirt girl (as anyone who knows me can attest) I am covetting these tight little babies. The Salasai and Stolen Girlfriends Club ones both have a similiar silhouette - v sexy. And I die for that mens Claude Maus tee (am hunting EVERYWHERE for some galaxy print pieces). And does that maze necklace look like something out of The Labyrinth or what!

Left to Right: Salasai Zipped up skirt, Stolen Girlfriends Club Black skull pendant, Claude Maus Galaxy tee, Stolen Girlfriend's Club Suspender skirt, Turn Me On Design Ringmaze pendant, Lover Lovebomb leather skirt.

Source: Good As Gold

Viva Le Males

The New Zealand Herald's Viva from yesterday (always the highlight of my midweek) was the best its been in ages! Dedicated to menswear - which I love, and wear. 

Source: I Don't Like Mondays

V interesting piece on Stolen Girlfriends Club about their super successful branding and image.

"We did everything backwards, but I think we did the right thing about growing and establishing a brand, which is really hard these days," says Moore. "People don't realise that if you don't have a brand, you don't have anything. We stumbled across ours so to speak, but we did create a little bit of a following. People wanted to know what the name meant, what was behind it, it had this whole thing of mystery and interpretation as well and everyone kind of took ownership of it." 

 Their white safety pin dress from the current collection featured on FashionToast.com, where blogger Rumi Neely declared them her "new favourite label". That's kind of a big deal when you realise that style websites and bloggers like Neely are quickly becoming just as, if not more, influential than mainstream fashion magazines.

And they have me v excited for the summer collection - two words: Robert Palmer! Robert Palmer!

we wanna do something different and surprise people'," says Moore. "The new summer collection is heaps more modern, with bolder colours and detailing, a touch more sophisticated. Think Robert Palmer videos."

They also had an article by Isaac Hinden Miller on his insanely admirable (and rewarding) efforts at Paris Mens Fashion Week. The dude seriously gets an A++ for effort and tenacity.

Fashion Toast Hearts S.G.C

Rumi wears Stolen Girlfriends Club!! Proud moment indeed to see one of my favorite New Zealand labels on one of my biggest style muses. Great overseas exposure on someone who is tres influential in the online style community. Fab.

Source: Fashion Toast

Perfect Weekend

God the weather was perfection this weekend, warm and still and tres sunny! And I had the weekend off work - so made sure I enjoyed it.

On Saturday morning I went to the Stolen Girlfriends Club sample sale that I mentioned. It was AWESOME. Picked up some things I have wanted for-ev-er. I find the trick with sales is only buy things that you wanted full price.

I got these insanely sick current season Stolen Girlfriends Club torn skinny jeans. And I mean skinny - so tight.

They fit like a dream!! Have never had jeans that actually fit everywhere - including my scrawny weak ankles and my ass (which is akin to that of a thirteen year old boy - and usually where pants are loose). I remember trying them on in Black Box a few weeks ago and loving, but not wanting to pay full price for jeans that I was scared of putting my foot through and tearing in half. So so glad I got them now though, have worn them non stop all weekend.

Got myself one of their mens tie-dye tees from their Summer 08/09 collection too. Such nice cotton, so soft. Mens tees always fit my so much better than womens. That should bother me, but it so doesn't.

Also got some hot little Ksubi cut-offs. Will def be layering these over grey wool tights as it gets chilly!

Today we went to Kraftbomb. I've been wanting to go for ages, but was always working the weekends it was on. It was fab! So inspiring, loved seeing so much amazing nouveau-craft. Such a resurgence. As the females in my fam are all a v crafty bunch we just loved it. The sis got a couple of the to-die-for cupcakes from NZ Cupcake Queen; caramel and redbull (redbull flavoured cupcakes! Omg! They were tres delish). We also got a gorgeous vanilla scented candle in a floral teacup. Too cute.

However highlight of le sunday was def me finally paying off my white lace Karen Walker top. So worth the wait. It is simply stunning.

Also tried on the grey jacket that I have been coveting since seeing it the show on friday night. Fits like a dream, perfect weight etc. Unfortunately its a bit out of my financial league, and would feel tres guilty putting it on the Birthday Wishlist. Ohwell!

27/03/09: Outfits, Sleep & Sales

So as you probably have picked up, I am not generally a fan of taking outfit shots - I always feel like a total dick, shy, contrived etc. And always look way to serious! But I am relenting tonight as the lovely Cindy of True North Style has specifically requested a shot of what I wore to the Karen Walker show, and she is a loyal reader. 

I've already had many a ramble about being v excited about wearing my new Stolen Girlfriends Club skinnies (they are basically a pants/leggings lovechild, so comfy and warm! And the tartan panels are v flattering) and my new Karen Walker skull-rope, and inspired by Balmain, Alexander Wang and some Tank and French Vogue editorials.

Wearing: Stolen Girlfriends Club Plaid skinnies, American Apparel Sheer bodysuit, Supre Tank, Country Road Darlene T-bar wedges, Karen Walker Jewelry (skullrope and jet plane) & faithful Tissot mens watch.

Ps: Will write up about the show tomorrow morning when I am not such a zombie - have had way to many 5:30am wake ups in a row this week and minimal sleep. Sleep in tomorrow! Also tomorrow (and sunday), for anyone keen (and you should be!) there is a Stolen Girlfriends Club sample sale from 10-4 at 11 Westmoreland St West, Grey Lynn. Excite!

27/03/09: Moodboard

Going to the Karen Walker show at Stephen Marr tonight - tres excite!! And have my new Stolen Girlfriends Club skinnies and Karen Walker skull rope to wear.

Change My Spots

I am so coveting leopard print right now - its been steadily intensifying ever since Christopher Kane sent his Spring 09 collection down the runway. The latest Dsquared show has only made it worse! And better of course. As I've already mentioned, I love this editorial - especially the leopard leggings. So I'm def thinking I will have to pick up a piece, I'm leaning towards the sick leopard cardy/jacket from Stolen Girlfriends Club. And will for sure be getting styling inspiration from from the layers and layers of leopard-denim-plaid at Dsquared.

Left to Right: Dsquared, Vogue China Editorial, Christopher Kane, Stolen Girlfriends Club, Christopher Kane, Vogue China Editorial.

Le Box Noir

I made a (first) trip to Black Box in Grey Lynn yesterday and was v impressed! The new(ish) boutique is stunning - interior, vibe and stock. It is the baby of Stolen Girlfriends Club's Dan Gosling - naturally they have the largest (and best) collection of SGC I've seen. 

The labels that caught my eye were SGC, Shakuhachi, Something and Ksubi - they also stock Chronicles of Never, Friedrich Grey, Therese Rawstone and others. And apparently in the future they will have the full Ksubi Line (not just jeans, sunggies etc).. Although with the current trouble Ksubi is apparently in that will remain to be seen oui?

While I was there I tried on a few stunning things, a black chunky cable knit crop top (insane!) but Shakuhachi that actually was cute and wearable! And these SGC pieces...

The image of the dress really doesn't do it justice - its silk and the peace sign is done with delicate lace applique. It felt like wearing a really comfortable tee! Unfortunately the smallest they had was an NZ10, and while it fitted and did look ok (was meant to be baggy) it really did swamp my frame (I wear a 6 usually). Sigh.. So pretty. Oh well I suppose I have just got a similiar(ish) Karen Walker Dress.. But I heart this one too!

Anyway definitely go check Black Box out - the staff are really nice and helpful too! Not intimating or snobby like some boutiques.

Ps: Runway Reporter's Article

Congrats SGC!

Stolen Girlfriends Club have won the DHL Export Scholarship Award! They won a $10000 prize. The boys and girls behind the label are crazy talented - I lust after EVERYTHING they make, so its great too see them doing so well.

Check out Isaac Likes' post for more info

http://www.isaaclikes.com/2008/12/243-stolen-girlfriends-club-win-big-at.html