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

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. 

 

FAIRLEY. PART 2

So below I am sharing the breakdown of each 'story' in the collection, that Susannah was kind enough to send to me. I'm sure you will fall in love with it all just as much as I have. Can't wait to order some pieces ASAP! :) xx ISADORA: "the gift of Isis"

The vibrant colours and gypsy charm of the Marrakech night market inspires the Isadora collection, named after Isis, the goddess of magic  and life, who remains a famous image of female empowerment and  femininity. These solid sterling silver and 18k gold plate rings, cuffs and earrings have been hand pierced and filled with rich coloured resin,  designed in geometric patterns to resemble Moroccan mosaic work.

ALEXA: "defender of mankind"

The Alexa collection is strongly influenced by the ancient Greco-Roman era and mythological objects of war, worn to defend mankind. The gold and silver leaf motif cuff is inspired by the leaves of the olive tree; an ancient emblem of the city of Athens. The gold and silver swirl motif cuff, a Minoan symbol synonymous with the Labyrinth in Greek Mythology, can be worn both on the wrist and upper arm. The Alexa cuff design is a modern version of ancient Greco-Roman filigree. The sandblast finish on the Alexa rings gives them a lush creamy texture and a distinctive look synonamous with Greco-Roman jewellery. Each piece is made from solid sterling silver and 18k gold plate.

AURELIA: "the golden one"

Aurelia, the golden one, is a collection of individually hammered sterling silver and sterling silver 18k gold plated bangles, cuffs, earrings and rings. Each piece is hand-hammered, creating a unique pattern and texture, reminiscent of a distinct Middle-Eastern aesthetic. This ancient form of artisan craftsmanship is at the heart of this collection.

SAMARA: "soft precious light"

Originating from the same gemstone family, sapphires and rubies are two highly prized gems that emanate soft precious light. Fairley's Samara collection draws influence from its love of these beautiful stones. Fairley has combined handpicked Indian faceted rubies and sapphires with solid sterling silver and 18k matte gold plate to create rings, bracelets and necklaces. Each piece has been handcrafted to give it a Middle-Eastern aesthetic. This collection in particular shows Fairley's desire to create contemporary designs using ancient artisan techniques.

SERAPHINA: "the fiery one"

Much like the precious gemstones that travelled along the Silk Road from Persia, the Indus Valley and the Far East, Fairley travelled throughout India and Turkey in search of fiery, vibrant gemstones that would perfectly fit the Seraphina collection of rings and earrings. Inspired by Jaipur's colourful bazaars and spice markets, Fairley carefully hand selected green amethyst, Brazilan amethyst, kyanite, smoky quartz and citrine for this collection and combined these stunning gemstones with solid sterling silver and 18k gold plate to create a rich two-tone effect.