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.

Muse: Jimi Hendrix

I love love love Jimi Hendrix - music, style, mystique, magnetism and tragic early demise. I'm not sure if I should be concerned that a lot of my key style idols are drug addicted rock stars from the sixties and seventies - but I have always been drawn to that whole world; the clothes, music, stories, danger etc. Hendrix's sartorial aesthetic was exotic, psychedelic, earthy, wild and primal - operative words also ideal to describe his life and music.

Twenty Seven Names' awesome summer collection "Jimi James And The Blue Flames" was inspired by Hendrix - I've wanted the whole collection the instant I first saw it at Showroom 22's Media Open Day. 

Also, Balmain's Spring 08 collection totally captures Jimi and the era perfectly (I still want everything.. Sigh) as does the already iconic frogged military jackets from Spring 09.

I always have quite a few of his songs on high rotate on my pod:

- Electric Ladyland

- Fire

- All Along The Watchtower

- Castles Made Of Sand

- Hey Joe

- Wind Cries Mary

Featuring: Balmain, Lover, Sass & Bide, 3.1 Philip Lim, Kova & T

Featuring: Matina Amanita, Bally, Miu Miu, Alexander McQueen

Sources: Scans, Style.com, Net-a-porter, Matina Amanita, Showroom 22,

Showroom 22's Media Open day for Summer 09/10: Volume Two

Wish I could have posted this in the morning today, but sadly uni/gym/work combo got in the way. Heres the d-low from the rest of our amazing afternoon at Showroom 22's Media Open Day;

The suits and shirts from Working Style were heavenly. I am a total sucker for menswear - and only buy mens shirts, women's generally just do not fit me properly (cursed with broad shoulders. But I like mens shirts better anyway, so its a perk). Gorgeous fine corduroy jackets - so elegant. Eddie and Tim were super nice as well - and put up with me saying the jackets were cute - sorry guys, not an ideal operative word for menswear. My bad.

Sherieyvonne

Source: Sherieyvonne

Amazing details from this collection; inserts, multiple collars and reversible pieces. And I loved the cut out shoulder details. 

TwentySevenNames

The collection from TwentySevenNames is to die for - we were so excited we were practically hyperventilating. It was an amazing sartorial lovechild of Jimi Hendrix and the nineties. Insanely cool.

Loved the peach and white denim pieces - such a fresh take on ubiquitous pieces like the vest, jacket and cutoffs. Such perfect summer hues too.

Left to Right: Peaches short shorts, Peaches denim jacket & Sleeveless cut off denim vest

I am seriously coveting the tee on the left. The image doesn't do it justice - its the palest neutral pink, like dirty ballerina tights - in the BEST possible way, I am pretty much obsessed with that colour right now. Its delicately sheer and I would definitely thrash this.

Left to Right: Basic scoop neck tee, Jimi-James tshirt dress, Crush with eyeliner skirt

The cropped tops were all heavenly - the zip lace would be great even for winter. And the stripe is cute, nautical and I love the slightly long crop length. Would most probably buy it a size or two too big I think.

Left to Right: Little kicks lace cardi, Monterey pop crop top, Lace cardi and Lace tights

So much angelically sexy white lace. Brigette and I both NEED that bodysuit. Much to her disapproval however I really loved those little briefs. Wearable? Surely... Somehow..

Left to Right: Little wing bodysuit, Art star check dress, Slip-knot lace dress, Lace knickers

Love the jeans and leggings that featured knee patches! I made a beeline for these when I saw the cute little suede patch peeking out of the rail.

Left to Right: Oxford knit zip jeans, Oxford patched tights

Standouts investment pieces were definitely these two stunning jackets. The frogging on the left is all hand done (and amazing). The suede fringe jacket is actually quite slick - has amazing panels on the arms and elbow.

Left to Right: Jimi Jacket, Joplin Jacket

Source: Showroom 22

Showroom 22's Media Open day for Summer 09/10

I was super lucky to get to go to Showroom 22's Media Open Day yesterday - all their designers were showing their summer 09/10 collections. All the ranges were amazing - was so so exhausted from talking to the designers for 3 hours straight but was on such a high afterwards! Best arvo I have had for a long long time.

Juliette Hogan

I actually can't get the skirt on the left out of my head. The instant I saw it on the Juliette Hogan rail I fell in love. It's simply heavenly; knife pleated, semi-sheer, fluid, femine and crazy-elegant. I would live in this year round - tights for winter, or boy leg briefs for summer. So hot with a soft loose tank. I just don't know which colour I like best? There was the ballerina pink (as shown), a cream or a black. Maybe I need two?

Bettina Liano

The night before, I had coincidently just watched a sneak peek clip of Bettina Liano's new campaign video on Patty Huntingtons Frockwriter blog - if you havn't seen it, do. Jessica Hart is stunning. We loved their sexy denim - especially the distressed, faded, superhot O Leg Shredded (they feature in the clip). The leggings with studs across the rear would also be an amazing wardrobe stable if I can get my hands on them. The loose silky shorts would be pretty much lived in all summer long (and then in winter with wooly tights and boots). And love the shredded black tee - they also do a tank version.

Alexandra Owen

Alexendra Owen's collection took our breath away - the origami-like folding and draping was so beautiful. The range had the most modern, soft tailoring that I think I've ever seen in the flesh. Stand outs were definitely the white top on the left (it comes in black, but I prefer it in white as I like the paper-like effect it created) and the stunning blue silk pieces (the exact colour of a perfect blue sky). The girls representing Owen were super sweet too, answering all our rambling questions and putting up with our repeated exclamations of "Wow.. But how is that done? How does that work? Wow!".

Kathryn Wilson

Wilson is pretty much every kiwi girl's favorite shoe designer - and she just gets better and better every season. I think Brigette and I spent about 40 whole minutes standing in front of her display shelf? God knows what Wilson thought! It was all just so so beautiful. We both are INSANELY coveting Bragwanath heel (pictured) but are torn between all the beautiful colourways. After about half an hour I decided I HAVE to have the nude/black pair. So stunning.

Ps: I'll be posting about the AMAZING TwentySevenNames collection when I get home from work tonight - I am pretty sure Brigette and actually died a bit in side from love. It is insanely awesome. I actually want it all. x

Sources: Showroom 22

Macaroni Penguin

The brand new pop up store Macaroni Penguin opened yesterday!Such a great concept, Ive been really interested in the success pop up stores have been having overseas in the likes of New York and London. Such a great way to combat the recession; win win for all parties creating it, and loved by the consumer as the short time period they are open means they stores are hot property the whole time.

Brigette and I went along to the opening last night. Were really impressed! Great stock (both current and previous seasons) from Karen Walker Eyewear, Kathryn Wilson, Sera Lily, Alexandra Owen, Twenty Seven Names and more. The masterminds behind it are Anna Fitzpatrick of Front Row Diary (and the late, great The Seen) Angela Crane (Pull Your Socks Up). 

I came home with a super comfy and great galaxy print tee dress from Twenty Seven Names (have been coveting galaxy prints for what feels like FOREVER). Brigette nearly died when she saw what is pretty much the last pair of Kathryn Wilsons' Toya boot in the country.. Unfortunately she left it too late and when she went back today they had gone.. Tres tragic, poor girl. Lots of the amazing Kathryn Wilson shoes were super discounted - am v tempted to go back and get myself a pair of the Tanesya flat chocolate lace ups.

Left to Right: Toya & Tanesya

I highly recommend getting yourself there asap. 9 Teed St in Newmarket.

Sources: Macaroni Penguin of Facebook, Kathryn Wilson,