Rosemount Australian Fashion Week: Kirrily Johnston

Kirrily Johnston was a designer brand that seemed to be moving away from the much favoured new rave & 80's styles that were ever so present on Australian catwalks for the last few seasons.

This season, it seemed Kirrily Johnston washed off all that fluro for an almost Calvin Klein clean palette. Stark white sheets draped over grey Prada-esque thigh high socks. The palettes remained simple with whites, greys and black, which for Australian fashion is unusual, as summer is the embodiment of colour for most of the world, particularly Australians.

Neverthless, a lot of the Kirrily pieces were wearable, such as the fuschia party dress which is sure to sell well. Although the theme started off as with a wonderfully African Nomadic vibe, but then faded away into a confusing mix of disco, 80s and Miami beach life. It's as if she was trying mold a new image whilst still holding onto past expectations, that would cater for all.
Either way, the brands new image hinted at the style of Fashion Designer, Victoria Gazinskaya. The looks she wore throughout the Spring Summer 08 Fashion Shows, particularly that at the Nina Ricci Show, has an uncanny resemblance to the looks sported at the Kirrily Johnston. Gazinskaya an unpronounced muse perhaps?

Rosemount Australia Fashion Week: Zimmerman Runway

As some of you may know, Rosemount Australian Fashion Week has landed once again. As per usual nothing has really got me my heart racing. A lot of designers so far have stuck to the familiar and brought with them lashings of street style as opposed to high style.

I expected nothing more nor nothing less from the Spring/Summer 2008 Zimmerman Collection. It was all about Bikinis, bikinis bikinis. Although Zimmerman apparently make great bikinis, i think it is necessary for a designer to showcase pieces with a bit more substance in order to have the privilege of showcasing their collections on a runway.

However, Zimmerman did come up with little paisley dresses perfect for Australian summer days thus satisfying the desires of their beach bum Paris Hilton wannabes, whilst the beautifully designed wide leg pant brought a more mature city feel to the collection and in the process catering for a wider audience.

Peek-A-Boo Sleeves

With stripes being synonymous with the infamous nautical look, anchor and all, many striped tee's retired to the back of closets, as "so last season". But Fashion insiders, freshened up the look as they attended fashion shows from London to Paris and in between.

Striped long sleeve t-shirts were used as layering pieces, which were only evidential through the sleeves poking out from under short sleeved dresses, parkers and muted jackets. The look is both practical and very mod.

The World on your Shoulders

You would be hard pressed to ignore the influx of designers trying to sell the oversized shoulder through their pieces this season. Balenciaga's architectural designs of Spring 2008 with prominent sturdy shoulders, conjured up thoughts that the 80's shoulder would return in all it's padded glory.


However, this time around, it has shifted away from the shoulders of glass ceiling barrier breakers, to a new form of power in the form of beautifully constructed pieces reminiscent of sculptural work or more oriental influences such as origami art.

In theory, the look is powerful and captivating to watch, however, translating it off the runway and into reality is a harder task-just ask Jennifer Connolley who got a beating by the tabloids for choosing to wear a sculpted Balenciaga dress to a premier.

Since, it's re-emergence, the trend has been seen on seldom few, but this season's emphasis is sure to make it more approachable and perhaps mainstream.

Rachel Bilson & Christian Louboutin Ariella Studded Boots

I'm usually a big fan of Rachel Bilson's style, because of her impeccable taste and individual style, but this outfit isn't one of her most creative choices. Wayfarers? Check. Christian Louboutin's? Check. Skinny Jeans with a leather jacket? Check. Fresh Bangs? Check. Love the girl, but this outfit was just too obvious. So she get's two stars from me.
Don't get me wrong, i love the Christian Louboutin Ariella Studded boots, but every celebrity who has chosen to wear them from Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen to Beyonce and Coco Rocha have all worn them with Skinny Jeans and leather jackets.


So, when i came across this photo, of a woman attending the Fall 2008/2009 shows, wearing her CL studded boots with a lady like floral skirt, knit wear, tights and a blazer- it gave a breathe of fresh air to these some what over-exposed boots.

Fall 2008/2009: Lanvin Fashion Shows

Perfection is the only word that can define the Lanvin 2008/2009 Fashion Show. This season Alber Elbaz continued to deliver awe inspiring pieces that still remain true to timeless form.

A classic pencil skirt was tiered and ruched, whilst one-armed dresses may pose themselves as the new sleeveless. Not all was new though. Mary-Jane pumps, skinny leg pants, patent textures, fur accents and weighty statement jewelery still a season staple for the Lanvin lovers of the world.

This season, Lanvin catered for both the working girl with simple silhouettes while up keeping it's reputation for glamorous after-five dresses.

Fall 2008/2009: Balmain

As a big fan of Balmain, i was definitely anticipating the Fall 2008/2009 runway collection. Balmain designer, Christophe Decarnin had obviously worked this collection around the saying "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". As the Fall vibe of was very much the same as Spring 2008- tough, 90's rock chick with a good serving of sexy in between.

The colour palette was restricted, mainly to blacks and greys- after all, the majority of Balmain's clientele are the Parisian fashion set, who can access the brand at the exclusive Paris boutique. However, this collection updated last season's studded shoes, with Indian style fringe boots, much like the fringe Minnetonka Moccasin's that Kate Moss single handedly made a rock-chick wardrobe staple.

The highlights to me were the glitter detailed blazer (picture 2), the clash of leopard and zebra print and the re-occuring lightening motif. But my favourite would have to be the casual fitting, indian style leather jodhpurs (2nd row, 3rd pic)...cool or what?

Milan Fashion Week: Fendi

Fall 2008 Ready to Wear

What a fantastic collection from Fendi! The cocoon shapes are wonderful and those coats...fantastic!

Milan Fashion Week: Emilio Pucci

Fall 2008 Ready to Wear

I looove the shoes <3

Milan Fashion Week: Gianfranco Ferr�

Fall 2008 Ready to Wear

Wonderful craftmanship, the draping, the shapes and the fabrics...love it all!

Milan Fashion Week: Prada, Etro

Fall 2008 Ready to Wear

I love all the lace used in this collection and the transparent pieces. An outstanding collection in my opinion.

Fun, fresh and very wearable!

Widden those Legs

Last season, wide Leg and flare style trousers were re-surfacing, on runways such as Balmain and on drain-pipe tired celebrities such as Rachel Bilson. However the Fall 2008 fashion shows, let our thighs know, loud and clear, that they would be free from any unwanted restrain.

The mass exposure of the wide leg on the catwalk, is not to say that skinny and slim fit trousers are about to gather at the back of your closet. Designers from Benjamin Cho to J.Mendel kept the sleekness of the slim fit in their collections.

Nevertheless, the Fashion Set have already, tried-tested-and-endorsed the wider look. So whether it's the 70's flare or the man-style tailoring of the wide leg that you prefer, our high street stores will be stacked to the back racks in this new season style.
(Source)

Sky High Versus Heel-less Shoes?

If your complaining about wearing your sky-high heels out again, spare a thought for fashion insider Louis, who chose to wear HEEL-LESS shoes during a hectic day at Milan Fashion Week.

Not only do you have to suffer the same pain as a sky high heel would impede, but you have to imagine you've got a heel in order to stop you from tipping over big time!

Here's what the Sartorialist had to say "Louise chose those shoes because she is writing an article about wearing "crazy" shoes during the hectic Milan fashion week. For the record she admitted that it took full concentration to keep from tipping over as she went carefully went in and out of the shows."

If i'm not mistaken, this is the same Louis that wore a dress made out of Garbage bags to a fashion show??? Louis is also rocking the star trend of Spring 2008...The girl's definetely dedicated...

What does Orange & Grey make?

When Fall fashions come our way, year after year, it is no suprise to see sober, dark or dulled out colour pallettes rapidly filling up clothing racks of our favourite boutiques. Black, brown and off-whites were still in around, however grey takes the cake when it comes to designer's fall colour of choice. With grey being a big hit last Fall, nearly every designer from Brian Reyes to Christopher Kane included grey peices in their collections.

Whilst muted colours did prevail on the catwalk, it was a refreshing change to see various shades of orange being splashed randomly into collections. The thought of wearing such bright colours during winter, may give migranes to some, but pairing them with black stocking or having the colour peep out from under the arms of your coat in the form of gloves, makes the colour all the more wearable.

From pumpkin coloured A-Line mini skirts, to structured double breasted coats in Tangerine hues, it seems our designers all had a similar vision, transferred telepathically from our most elite to the rawest designers.

Pencil It In!!

Pencil skirts are an all time favourite for many celebrities because of their simple yet chic body hugging effect. Angelina Jolie is a massive fan of pencil skirts, wearing them anywhere and everywhere, and showing us the true art of dressing down a pencil skirt.

Whilst Hayden Panettiere, Hilary Duff, Fergie and Victoria Beckham cinched in their bodies with these slim line skirts, the catwalks of New York Fashion Week saw pencil skirt-clad models strutting down the runway in abundance, from well known names such as Michael Kors to younger labels such Staerk and Jenni Kayne.


I'm a pencil skirt lover, so this is a look i'll definetely continue wearing :)

men's fall 2008 highlights

A lifetime investment- Leather Coats

Leather seems to be a best friend to many when the weather gets colder and colder. I'm sure everyone has one leather jacket or coat that has been sitting at the back of their wardrobe unworn for several years.

Now it's time to bring it out again with Beyonce and Angelina Jolie working the classic black leather coat into their winter wardrobes. Whilst many runways such as Chanel Cruise, Burberry Prorsum and Yves Saint Laurent undated the classic black coat with studs, stars, patent and quilting details.

I should invest in one soon because a leather coat is probably one of the most versatile things to invest in, as it pops up on many Fall runways every year, goes with everything, never goes out of fashion, and leather looks better as it gets older.

Missioni Pre-Fall 08

Source: Style.com

Wonderful pre-fall collection...clean-cut silhouettes and very cool, laid-back looking. I love the mix-matching of the colors which gives it all an artistic feel. I really like it all, and the elbow-length multi-colored gloves are awesome!

Chanel Pre-Fall 08

I didn't like the last few Chanel collections much but this is really nice, not cheap-looking like some of the previous collections.
The Amy Winehouse inspired hair and make-up amuses me and it doesn't even look bad on the models.

Oscar De La Renta Pre-Fall 2008

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I love the shapes, especially the full skirts.

My favorite from the collection:

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