Melbourne Spring Fashion Week 2013

Started today! Well technically yesterday, but all the same it's pretty exciting as I love Spring and always love Fashion Week. Being a 'a celebration of all that is unique about fashion and culture in the city' it makes me proud to be a Melbournian. Having being running for 19 years now, MSFW provides a valuable platform for local designers, brands and retailers to showcase their work and new season stock. 

To get tickets to any of the events on during the week click HERE, and more importantly to figure out what you want to see exactly and what's on, head to the Program page HERE . With local designers featured in more than 70% of the collections, the MSFW: Designer runways celebrate Melbourne's status as an iconic fashion city. Also supported by Kevin Murphy and Mecca Cosmetica, two highly recognisable Australian brands. It's definitely worth heading down if you are in Melbourne! Not only this, but there are opportunities to see up-and-coming and emerging fashion designers who always cease to amazing me with their incredible designs and creativity! I go each year, however I am unfortunately heading away for the whole of September- so will miss out this year! 

Both my sisters 'Alice McCall' and 'Life with Bird,'will be showing their latest collections in the 'Designer runway Two' on Wednesday 4th September at 6:30pm and a second showing at 8:30pm. Click HERE to find out more info and to purchase tickets to the show!

Below are some photos from the launch and previous years from photographers Pinirou, Lucas Dawson and Sam D'Agostino just to get you in the mood! They make me want to go to a show and get amongst it! Enjoy xx

HAZEL accessories.

A good friend from work Rebecca Young, who's incredibly talented, has been working on her amazing accessories line 'HAZEL' for some time now and it is gradually growing and going from strength to strength. I first saw her collection of handbags some time ago while working at HUSK, as we stocked her collection. Her beautiful leather handbags are so original and gorgeous it's hard to pick a favourite! Not only that, but they are practical and very wearable, making them a great investment. Her new collection will be available soon and up on her website so definitely stay tuned!! Here is some info below from her site so you get to know a little about the brand;

"Discover HAZEL, a new bohemian chic range of elegant accessories. All hand crafted, our brand is EXOTIC, ORIGINAL and EARTHY.

HAZEL is a business project initiated by designer Rebecca Young.  This first collection was inspired by an amazing adventure to North Africa, where a spark ignited the passion to design such beautiful pieces. These pieces, handcrafted in Morocco exhibit a commitment to keep bringing traditional materials and age-old artisanship to the new world.  Working with indigenous art cultures, our aim is to continually evolve and develop accessories using the methods of vegetable tanning and hand woven fabrics, which we believe makes them as eco-friendly as possible.  

We are proud and excited to show and share everything HAZEL has to offer.

HAZEL Accessories Pty Ltd is a Melbourne, Australian based label."

View Bec's amazing collections HERE. Inspiration and scrapbook HERE. Stockist info HERE. Orrrr probably just head to the website and take a look!! Click HERE and have a look for yourself :)

Here are some of the beautiful photos from one of Bec's past collections.. Can't wait to see the next designs!! xx

FAIRLEY. PART 1.

"Jewellery is not something to wear just because it matches a outfit, but because it has a narrative.. a story that can spark a conversation," (Susannah Fairley).
It is this very quote above that speaks so truly of Susannahs collection and label 'Fairley'. We met up last week to catch up on some long lost years, and to find out more about what each other had been up too. I have to say, the whole time we were pretty much talking about her jewellery and designs, because I am in love! They are truly beautiful, wearable and timeless. Having launched in 2013, she has come a tremendously long way and I am super impressed! 
I begged her to send me more information so I could share with you guys as not only are her pieces beautiful, but it is always so interesting to find out more about designers, where they get there inspiration and how they start out in this very competitive industry. So here is what I found out.
Aussie born, Susannah Fairley has always loved accessories and jewellery. Collecting bits and bobs from the age of sixteen, she would then design and create jewellery that she would sell to local boutiques and markets. After gaining greater knowledge from a business marketing degree, Fairley became an accessories buyer for a major Australian chain for six seasons, which finally lead to her launching her own label. She has said that 'style is always fashion,' and focuses on the fact that her collections are not trend driven, but classic pieces that tell a storey and are therefore timeless.
The debut collection draws on influences from Fairley's extensive world travels, taking inspiration from Morocco, the Marrakech night markets, Delhi, Jerusalem, India and the list goes on. 
She is extremely passionate about quality and details, hand-picking each gemstone for its individual beauty from places such as Turkey, Brazil and India. Particular pieces such as the Aurelia bangles, earrings and rings are individually hand-hammered to give the pieces authentic Middle-eastern aesthetic, while the Alexa rings have a matte brushed metal finish to give a lush, creamy texture. 
Each unique piece in the Fairley collection tells a story and is a direct reflection of the designers vivacious personality, timeless design sense, ability to reinterpret classics and love of history, beauty and exotic locales. Below are some Campaign shots from her debut collection.
If you could like to contact Susannah, her email is as follows susannah@lovefairley.com
Also, to see more, head to her website HERE

Mossman has gone on SALE!!!

So It's been a couple of months since I last posted my Mossman outfit and I have another look to show you lovelies. Their collection is so wearable and fun, if you haven't already been into one of their stores (click HERE to find your nearest store), or gone online HERE I highly recommend checking them out, ASAP!! You will also be pleased to know they have gone on sale so everything is from 10-70% off!!! So many great bargains to be bought :) In the piccies below I am wearing one of my fave pieces by them, 'The comeback skirt' in green which was originally $89.95 and is now only $50!!! Find it here! Then I also have on the 'Shine bright like a Diamond' top in silver, which was originally $149.95 and is now only $50!!! Sooo good… You can find it here! These pieces are great as I really think they can be worn year round- Skirt with tights, Jumper with Jacket- so many combo's!! Anyway, also wearing the amazing Tom Binns glow in the dark earrings which are from HUSK and then my winter ankle boots from Windsor Smith which you can't really see, but they are super comfy and a definite staple in my wardrobe. They are the 'Parklife' style and you can find them here. Shot by the amazing Liz from Street Smith :) find her site HERE xxx

LIFEwithBIRD Warehouse SALE!!!

Well it's that time of year again... SALE TIME!! Gotta love a good bargain. Each time my sister Bird (of LIFEwithBIRD- did I need to write that or was that just silly cause it's obvious!?) has a warehouse sale, I always put my hand up to work for that little bit of extra cash. Yet every time I work, I walk away with no cash in my wallet- just a hell of a lot of amazing bargains I end up buying instead! It's always the same, every time. There's a few of us that have all worked together over the last few sales and they always hear me say 'This time I'm not buying anything!' But I just can't help it.. When your surrounded by beautiful clothing for a really cheap price- it's just to hard to say no! So I have already worked a couple of days and made no money, I've just added to my wardrobe. Sorry mum. She is always telling me to stop spending all my money and start saving. Anyway if you are in Melbourne I highly recommend popping your head in to the sale as you are bound to find something! All details are below- maybe I'll see you there as I still have a couple more shifts- and I'm still planning on taking home a little bit of money- wish me luck, cause I definitely need it!! 

The 'Click for Info' on the image takes you HERE. There is up to 90% off which is just amazing and the stock is Past season, samples, shoes and accessories. You still have 6 days to make it down there so don't stress if you haven't made it yet as there is plenty of great pieces to get snapped up!!! The opening hours are as follows for the next 6 days;

Mon 13th-Thurs 16th 10-6pm
Fri 17th 10-8pm
Sat 18th 10-6pm
Sun 19th 11-5pm
Mon 20th 9-12pm 

And just incase you are wondering Cash and Card are accepted! Don't miss out :) xxx

MBFWA 2013: designer Alice McCall

Well, I am not being biased, but my sisters label is truly one of my favourite Australian Designers. I am so sad I couldn't make it up to Sydney to attend Fashion Week and my sisters show… I'll have to organise next year in advance as it just snuck up on me!! Anyway, Alice McCall's latest collection embodied grace and was feminine with that little bit of edge that she always manages to get just right. There was lots of oversized shapes to be seen in the collection which was inspired by 'under-the-sea,' which had a lot to do with the turquoise-blue eyelashes and hair that made the models look like they had just stepped out of the water, on to the runway I guess! Makes sense in the fashion world :) Anyway, Al used navy and white together which has been partnered together in past collections of hers and I think always looks great together, along with creams, whites and oranges which were truly beautiful. There were hints of metallics, lots of sheer fabrics and exposed midriffs, which have been a trend throughout lots of the designers collections this season. The digital prints made a come back and worked perfectly against pretty and playful designs and I think once again- my order will be HUGE!! I'm dying over the matching blazer and pants in the sixth photo down.. Simply dying, I tell you! The first outfit is cute- not me, but very cute! Then I don't know if the second one is a dress or top and skirt but the top of it and shoulders are seriously amazing! It's like a spider web that was made in the sea- well that's my thoughts on it anyway! Love the floaty look in the third pic. Easy, breezy, beautiful Alice McCall girl ;). I really want the dress in the fourth photo. So sleek and sexy. Love the print and the way it's synched in at the waist- very flattering! Then you have my fave- the matching blazer pants combo. I will own this. I just know it! The sheer maxi in the sixth photo is stunning and I love the soft material and draping peplum style to the waist. Very gorgeous. Pretty sure its a beaded playsuit after that which I think is amazing.. As I've said before- long sleeve with a lotta leg showing- always a good look! I love how it's not figure hugging and just loose and easy. I have a really strong feeling that the jumper and skirt after that will also make an appearance in this wardrobe of mine… OMG I loveeeee the skirt. So cool.. I've honestly only in the last sixth months decided I like skirts and now own a couple..Never thought I'd be a skirt kinda girl, but things change and I'm happy for it. The jumper is super cute too and that look is big at the moment! Ruby looks beautiful in the oversized vest and digital print T style dress.. Love the colour palette and the style. Then the outfit after that with the french navy pants and puffed sleeved blouse is really not my style, but in my mind- very sexy and cool on the right kind of girl. The next dress is almost a staple Alice dress- a signature look that is instantly recognisable as Alice McCall. Very cool, cute, flirty and fun. Loving the white maxi underneath with all the detailing and cut outs.. Around the waist too- very clever as it gives you that hourglass figure and elongates your legs, which most girls love!? I'm pretty sure I need to own the grey marle printed Tee dress with the orange. Love. Easy and cool. Then again- not me, but love the white and orange printed top and skirt in the look under this. The print reminds me of so many different things, but the word that comes to mind is 'Volcanic.' The silhouette of the silver grey and black top and skirt look after that is amazing. Very powerful and sexy. Something I don't think I'd ever be confident enough to wear- but if you were Christina Centenera- you'd pull it off in a second! I think the dress Julia Nobis is wearing underneath this is really cool and easy, with that amazing print! Then I am totally in love with the next dress. The style- the print- everything! Such a winner and super, dooper hot! Ruby Jean pulls off the puffed cream shoulder top and high waisted mini shorts like they were made for her- and making me want to wear them, but it just wouldn't look the same! Then I have no idea how the dress below her is holding up!?? You obviously need to have no boobs to wear this one.. Crazy- Can't wait to see it in the flesh! Then I guess to cut to the chase and wrap it up- I WANT ALL THREE LOOKS in the last 3 photos.. hint hint- Birthday coming up fam! But then again- these clothes don't hit the shop floor for a few months, so I guess we'll just have to save up instead. Obsessed with the white crop top and shorts, love the white pleated dress, then dying over the top and shorts in the last pic. Congrats Al- you never cease to amaze me and I'm so proud you are ma sis!!!! Love ya xxx (Photo's taken from Style Hunter)