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

Nespresso Challenge 'Project Upcycle.'

So many of my family and friends now have Nespresso machines, ordering the many types of coffee that are offered in the boxes filled with beautiful capsules in a variety of colours. I have to say not only does it all look great and is super easy to use, but of course coming from Melbourne and being part of the coffee culture, it also tastes AMAZING. Which is vital! Anyway moving right along, 'Project Upcylce' as you must be wondering, is a new initiative involving six environmental artists and designers, challenging them to create original artworks made completely from sustainable materials, including thousands of Nespresso coffee capsules. Chosen from around Australia, Nespresso commissioned the ambassadors to create their own upcycled artwork over a 14 day period, then donate their work to their chosen charity. I always love this sort of project as I feel everyone comes out winning and it's amazing and inspiring to see the creations people can come up with. Before the artworks are donated to their charities, exhibitions will be shown in each states Nespresso boutiques later this month. 

One of the most important messages Nespresso intends to spread, is the recycling of their coffee capsules, and I can't think of a better way then to use the recycled goods to create art! However, as we aren't all artists and don't necessarily have the time to use our old coffee capsules to make projects, we can at least take the time to recycle them. Nespresso boutiques around Australia offer recycling points, so its worth your while saving them all up and on your next trip down to a store, recycling any old capsules in return for some well-earnt points! 

For more information on the project go to www.projectupcycle.com.au or visit the Nespresso Facebook page. Also, to find recycling collection locations, contact Nespresso Club or visit HERE.

AMBASSADORS

• NSW: John Dahlsen- Environmental artist.
• VIC: Ellie Mucke- Sustainable fashion designer.
• ACT: Alice Sutton- Sustainable fashion designer.
• QLD: Holloway Eyewear- Eyewear designers.
• SA: Katrina Freene- Eco-jeweller.
• WA: Sean E Avery- Environmental Sculptor.

To have a good read over the six ambassadors click HERE.

THE FINISH ARTWORK AND DESIGNS:

I am truly blown away by what each artist produced and can't wait to go and visit the exhibition when it's in Melbourne! Make sure you keep checking back to the 'Project Upcycle' website to find out when you can go and view these amazing pieces in the flesh and also check out some behind the scenes photographs of how the six ambassadors made their works of art below. In order of photographs below, the ambassadors are;

1. Alice Sutton

2. Ellie Mucke

3. Holloway Eyewear

4. John Dahlsen

5. Katrina Freene

6. Sean E Avery. 

 

Dress up for The Great Gatsby, Village Cinema's Melbourne Thursday 30th May.

So on Thursday night I was invited down by Kerry O'brien Publicity and Twenty3 to celebrate Baz Luhrmann's long awaited film, The Great Gatsby, at the Gold Class lounge of Village cinemas in the Jam Factory. Guests were invited to dress up Gatsby style for the opening of the film, wearing glitter'n'glam and bringing the feel of visiting the movie theatre in the 20's back to life. All the cinema-goers who dressed up on the night, had the chance to win a share of $10,000 in on the spot and major prizes. Stunning model and 2011 Miss Universe Australia winner, Scherri-Lee Biggs (who is so gorgeous and lovely) joined NOVA morning show announcer Deano (Dean Thomas), at the Jam Factory evening sessions to judge the best dressed for the event. 
As you can see in the photos below, the winner was Alicia who won a special prize from Tiffanys- I mean, which girl wouldn't be happy with a beautiful blue bag!?? I'm not to sure what was inside, but I'm sure it was AMAZINGGGG…
I didn't know how many people I expected to arrive dressed up and in character of The Great Gatsby, but was pleasantly surprised with the amount of effort the girls, and even a few of the guys put in!! I really did feel transported back in time to a place of glamour and extravagance. I'm now truly excited to go and see the film and usually have quite high hopes for a Baz Luhrman film. Either way, I'm sure I'll be greatly entertained :) xx