run for the hills

Ellery RAFW

Awwwwww!!! I’ve spent a ridiculous amount of time away from this blog and feel the need to apologize for my outrageous neglect! Endeavouring to reconcile, I’m beginning to post a Rosemount Fashion week montage and what I can only describe as a feast for the eyes… Ellery – RAFW, Sharp shoulders, short skirts, and foil pants… Eat your heart out.

Luella London Fashion Week... arrrrrgggggghhhhhhh!!!!!!

I’m absolutely screaming with delight, because I’ve FINALLY sorted out the glitches with my typepad account (by glitches, I mean maxed out credit card!!). Re-financing couldn’t have come at a better time, because I’ve managed to scrape in a few posts from London Fashion Week.

 

I’ve fallen over myself looking at the new Luella Spring/Summer 09 collection. It’s like getting lost in your grandma’s wardrobe, with a hint of a spring garden wedding ..… only better!

 

 

Tie Dye

It’s the whole wandering-nomad-hippie aspect that always attracts me to tie dye. And although I’ve seen drips of hand-dying through winter 08, many Australian designers have recognised the trend and embraced it for Summer 08/09. 

‘This is Genevieve’ designer Genevieve Er has perfectly mixed purple dip-dyed skirts, and orange and navy tie dyed shifts into her third collection, ‘She dreams in Fables’. Slightly reminiscing about the Wizard of Oz right now…

 

Edwardian Summer...

Typepad posting options have recently changed, and ‘run for the hills’ has been doing crazy unexplainable things! Apologies for the font changes, and irregular sizing of photos (I actually liked working in html!!!) I do realise this is completely boring, but I needed to vent my frustration.

 

Welllllllll, I’ve re-looked at Shakuhachi this week, and have a few pics from the new lookbook (Where the Wild Roses Grow) that I thought I’d share… I think the range is easier to view this way (as opposed to the runway shots). And without any styling, you can see each individual garment, and decide for yourself on how to piece it all together!

 

I’m in love with the Edwardian theme, in particular the collared dresses and lace panelling! Also the digital rose print is super cute, especially broken up into the 50’s style tennis dress (which is available in a few different colours – probably one of my fave pieces, and I previously posted the coral pink version in my fashion week rants).

 

However, what I’m generally excited about is the button-up frill blouse that can be doubled as a waistcoat (and same goes for the dress version too!). I think the stripes work for summer, and are easy to style with the pastel florals and basic shapes I keep seeing.

 

I know I bang on about Shakuhachi ALL the time, but I have a few more posts on the way… I simply cannot ignore the knitted story in the collection! But it is the weekend, so this is to be continued…

 

Happy Weekend x

Shakuhachi Woven Gladiator Sandals...

Everyone loves a fab gladiator sandal! And what’s not to love about these Shakuhachi flats from the new range, ‘Where the Wild Roses Grow’. I didn’t mention these in my previous Shakuhachi post (from fashion week) because the show was just too jam-packed I simply didn’t notice them! But here they are for you to gawp at, and in amazing colours too!! Patent grey, crème, black (matte and patent), and tan leather.

Oh! There is also a heel version… Same colour palette… 

I’d say these will have the same success as the gladiator sandal from last season (Summer 07/08), so readers who shop with me and don’t want to miss out, make sure you email…. The flats retail at $308, $385 for the heels: Delivery August/September.

Rosemount Australian Fashion Week: Lonely Hearts NZ

Oh how much I love lace at the moment! Fashion week had me longing for lace leggings (of the beige variety – seen at Shakuhachi)… And don’t forget the Shakuhachi lace bodysuits and collared dresses! However, one label that has inspired my mad-lace wearing is Lonely Hearts (formerly Lonely Hearts Club from NZ). The lace seen in their summer collection was enough to make me feel a little light headed with wanting!

Purple lace shift dress is on the fave list… along with the cream lace bike pants, and cream lace babydoll dress. (I’m thinking Madonna in ‘Desperately Seeking Susan’ – the inspiration for Lonely Hearts’ previous range…) Also loving the ripped leather vest – styled with beige lace dress, bike pants and pull-up opaques. I must admit that of late, I’ve been addicted to styling my black winter dresses with thigh-high stockings and suspenders (this look must be accompanied with the right outfit though – no one wants to look like a raunchy stripper).

But the range isn’t all leather and lace, there are also cotton basics, purple silks, Winona Rider tee dresses, and steel chains to accompany it.

Another lust-worthy item from the Lonely Hearts ‘Add It Up’ collection is the cut-out purple tee dress (also available in black). I’m so obsessed with this easy throw-on for summer that I just couldn’t resist posting it today – even though I’m talking lace lace lace…

I’m sure I’ll come across more lace, and more pics from Lonely Hearts though that I can share with you in the imminent future.

Rosemount Australian Fashion Week: Ellery (Kym Ellery)

I’d have to say my favourite look for fashion week is the understated glamour seen at Ellery. First thing on my list-of-things-to-do tomorrow is buy a super long gold sunglass chain. Oh, and then grow my hair (so jealous of the models’ amazing tousled locks…)

And I saw them at Shakuhachi too…. Yep… poncho-style midriffs…THEM. Baggy sleeves, cropped, sheer… I’m completely obsessed. I think it’s my new ultimate styling piece for summer, chucked on over jeans, high skirts/pants and layered with dresses…

As always I love the labels that are a little on the exi side ($$$)…But who can put a price on amazing fashion!!! Only one solution: becoming a recluse the entirety of winter, eating only two-minute noodles and saving my pennies for the new season… Piece of cake.

And while I'm thinking about it, I've spotted this interview with Kym Ellery on Vogue... A little bit of insight into her inspiration for spring/summer...

Rosemount Australian Fashion Week: Flamingo Sands

As you all know, I’m in the process of buying for Summer 08/09. One thing I love about summer ordering is being able to buy hoardes of swimwear… And to date, I’d have to say my fave swimwear label is still Flamingo Sands. I know, I know… a new swimwear label pops up every summer, but I just can’t go past the trusty ol’faithful Flamingo Sands.

One thing I never thought I’d see is wintery pom poms styled with swimwear. I consider it a success.

Australian Fashion Week: Tina Kalivas, Konstantina Mittas

The Tina Kalivas Summer 08/09 collection is remarkably beautiful. With all the masculine jacketing and boyfriend-dressing going on it’s nice to see a label that’s looking incredibly ‘girly’. Amazing colour palette, and geometric detailing amidst all the beige… And I love the frilly shoulder and décolletage detailing.

And while I’m thinking of shoulder detailing…

Amazingly extravagant shoulders were seen at Konstantina Mittas. Absolutely in LOVE with the blue sateen mini dress, and the black short-sleeve version is also adorable (and perhaps more wearable for summer…)

And Whoa! Look at the bat-like pointy shoulders (I’m thinking a little gareth pugh-esque)… Great showpieces, however, not too sure of wearability, fear of poking people in the eyes and all…

Mala Brajkovic

I’ve heard a whisper that Mala Brajkovic is not carrying on with her label this season! I’m hoping it’s just one of those vicious chinese rumours (or is it whispers?), although I’m yet to see pics from SS08/09 so the rumours are looking less like heinous lies and more like cold bleak reality.

Of course I can rely on the goodies conjured up by all the other NZ labels… but hey there’s always something to complain about, and I’ve become mildly attached to that cute little Mala snake.

Kate Sylvester is... err.. Royally Screwed?

Oh the controversy! Kate Sylvester caused quite a stir last week when she showcased her new collection at RAFW using various war medals as props. Her collection was titled ‘Royally Screwed’ and was deemed ‘inappropriate, irrelevant, and distasteful’. Kate didn’t purposefully set out to offend anyone and quickly released a statement saying her show was ‘to reflect her passion and obsession with monarchy, using items such as crowns, tiaras, sashes and medals’.

It’s all a bit of hoo-haa if you ask me (sorry for the ridiculous Australian phrase…), but no-one wants to offend the ANZACS… It’s just fashion and not to be taken too seriously…

As for the range… The more I look at it, the more I like it (I’ve said that about a few labels this season…) Very fond of the black and white lace tanks, and the man-style blazer (yep, I’m still searching for a blazer – chances of finding one anytime soon are looking slim…).

Rosemount Australian Fashion Week: Ebony Eve, Zimmerman, Life With Bird

I’m beginning to think that I’ll forever be wearing black, black, and black. I know it’s winter and black is the new… umm… black, but I need some prints in my life! The shakuhachi floral print (I posted pics yesterday) has already been sent straight to my summer wish list… However, I think I also like this Life With Bird geometric print… Not too bright and in-your-face, but pastel and layerable… Yet, I’m still yearning for something else… I’m not in complete gob-smacking awe over it…

And while I’m talking prints… What has happened to Zimmerman this season? I rely on the Zimmerman girls to produce amazing prints EVERY season and all I can see is an orange retro-sunflower bikini, and a pastel floral one piece… both are cute of course, but where’s the rest? Yes, the nude see-through dresses are nice, but I was hoping for something more reminiscent of summer (I wanna lie in the sun in a fun, printed dress and sip pina coladas with umbrellas – lots of reference to booze on this blog, MUST STOP).

Ebony Eve however has come up with some floral prints for my pina colada drinking days. The only catch is that it’s so hard for me to decide what floral I love the most... I do understand if floral isn’t your thing, it’s definitely a love/hate thing. But I can just imagine riding around on my bicycle wearing a paisley maxi dress and some white lace gloves (some might say ‘Sunday church’, but I love the idea…)

And the remainder of the summer 08/09 range (the non-floral part) is also pretty darn cute...

Rosemount Australian Fashion Week: Shakuhachi, Romance Was Born, Marnie Skillings, Camilla and Marc, and Kirrily Johnston... whoa

Ok, so I’ve been away FOREVER and a day… However, I’m back in the swing of things (by swing I mean work) but still revelling in the marvellousness that was Australian fashion week (RAFW).

Since my previous posts have been short and sharp (with loads of pretty pics) I will stick to the norm and provide you with little snippits of inside goss and photos from the week (and you can muse over the showcasing labels at your own leisure…)

First and foremost, I’d like to apologise for my lack of catwalk photos… Due to my hectic buying schedule I unfortunately missed a few runway shows (such as Camilla and Marc) Utterly devastated and I insist on blaming Sydney taxi’s!

However the week was MORE than amazing, and after sitting square-eyed in front of the computer and dissecting a trillion photos on my camera (and the pics released on the net) I have overcome my initial ‘i-look-terrible-in-beige’ reaction and settled into what will hopefully be a neutral, more sustainable summer (once you sort through all the photos you will have an idea of what I’m talking about… it’s beige all round…)

Kirrily Johnston

Starting off the week was Kirrily Johnston and her ‘modern nomad’ collection. It’s all a little ‘wayward-desert-wanderer’ for me however I do admire the basic colour palette… umm, well it’s mostly grey (with splashes of hot pink)… However, the more I look at the range, the more I love the simple elegance of the designs...

The sash-style heels are fresh (yep I picked up this lingo while mingling with the fashionable people of Sydney), along with the basic structured maxi (more of a casual take on a floor-length dress, definite fave!).

Oh, and jodhpur-style pants need to be in my wardrobe right now (forget waiting six months, they’d be great for winter).

Camilla and Marc

Camilla and Marc was off-site again this year, and yep… I missed the show (shush, let’s not mention it again…) However, instead of wallowing in self-pity, I’ve been gawking at the photos from the parade and picking out what I desire from the upcoming season. Tick off the bold-shouldered pin-stripe jacket, and anything frilly with lace…

The range was inspired by the transformation of Sandy (a.k.a Olivia Newton John in Grease) from good-girl to bad ‘black-shiny-catsuit-wearing-minx’. The collection was quite feminine, such as the lace dress with frou frou style skirt (inevitably one of my favourite pieces for the week). And my love for casual floor length dresses continues, with the floaty, black ¾ sleeve maxi dress.

Marnie Skillings

Marnie Skillings really took the bohemian theme to extreme, even to the extent of donning her models with grown-out-regrowth style hair (I’m not complaining right now either)… I actually love the idea! I’ve always wanted to look like a wandering hippie with overgrown two-tone hair, a floor length floral skirt, white singlet and long shouldered bag…

Romance Was Born

This was by far the most creatively themed runway show of the week. Aztec teepee’s (no idea how to spell teepee) and Navaho-style headpieces were styled with the collection. And the hair was slightly reminiscent of Japanese label: Mercibeaucoup, and the fairy-floss style wigs from last season… I loved those!

Overall the off-site show was extremely theatrical, and the range itself (minus the zoo-loo adornments) is quite wearable.

I think I’ll add the tribal yardage print leggings and dress to my summer wish-list.

The Pom Pom shoes are great, and worthy of a mention… (Apologies for the lack of analogy, but it’s getting late, so GREAT is all I can muster at the moment).

**NOTE** The title of this section is the link to the website...

Shakuhachi

Wow. Shakuhachi is probably one of my fave collections thus far (lucky last label to rave on about today)… Loads of nude/beige/skin colour (I know… hard to wear, but undeniably glamorous nonetheless)…

The range has a revamped Edwardian thing going on, with detailed collars, lace, and ruffles… Absolutely love the two-tone pink and black dress, the shirt-style lace bodysuit (layered with a stripe cropped tank), and the stretchy lace leggings in black, white, and nude… I want them all!!)

And the more I look at the frill collar detailing, and the triangular cut-out waist detailing the more I like it.

Oh and the floral print… Super cute, and one of the few prints to grace the catwalk last week (making it all the more desirable…)

There was also a teeny tiny bit of tie-to-die for (pardon the pun)...

Only one let down: Waiting impatiently for stock to hit the stores in August/September… (why do we have to wait so long…?)

Australian Fashion Week is soooooo soon...

Lucky little me received some invites for RAFW (yep… I’m talking Rosemount Australian Fashion Week) coming up in a few weeks.

Shakuhachi, Camilla and Marc, and Flamingo Sands are a few of the labels on my ‘oh-I-can’t-wait-for-fashion-week’ list.

I’ve taken a photo in my pending excitement, and am now immensely looking forward to next week!

Sara Phillips: Sydney Fashion Week

I received a fashion week teaser in the mail this morning. It’s the launch of a new Australian designer, Sara Phillips, and her SS09 collection ‘In Bloom’. I’m certainly enticed by the strong-shouldered navy zip-up dress and the white ruffle-front mini (pictured on the show invitation). If these two pieces are anything to go by, Sara Phillips might be a new Australian label to watch out for...

Mercibeaucoup, Utsugi Eri

See below: Utsugi Eri and her new Mercibeaucoup range, shown at Japanese Fashion Week in Tokyo. Loads of prints and layering, keeping in with the labels notorious quirky sense of styling… I’m talking about puffy scarves and accessories (my, my… they’re humungous).

Giant hoodies and skyscraper platforms topped off the range, being ridiculously kawaii (aw… so cute) and according to Utsugi, very genki inspired (meaning healthy, robust, vigorous, energetic, and spirited). Fave item would be the purple knit dress with cute-sie polka dots…

Rosemount Australian Fashion Week

There is probably no greater satisfaction (for someone in the fashion industry), than viewing a vast number of designer collections and runway shows during fashion week. And that time of year has come again (…in Australia) where everyone is buzzing around and getting prepared for Rosemount Australian FW in Sydney.

Luckily for me, I will be amidst the hoards of fashionable people converging at Sydney rocks, sipping on San Pellegrino, wearing stilettos the size of a small building, and feeling waaaaaay cooler than what I actually am. All sparkling mineral water and sore feet aside, I feel quite privileged to be one of the lucky ones to bask in the enjoyment and undeniable glamour that is fashion week.

And since all anonymity went out the window the minute I posted ridiculous-looking photos of myself, I thought I might as well fill you in on the mundane yet intimate details of my daily existence… I work in a boutique (which is my own), and thought as a side-project I would start writing about the one thing that I’m truly passionate about, fashion. So here I am, writing away, stalking out all the other fashion blogs (that I absolutely love - see links on left), and hoping that someone is reading and enjoying this…

So a big thanks to all who have supported (and commented) run for the hills thus far, and a little note to stay locked in, because I will be testing out my snapping skills at RAFW and reporting on all the sordid behind-the-scenes goss.

**EDIT** The dates for RAFW are 28 April – 2 May.

**PHOTO**Arabella Ramsay SS 07/08

Louis Vuitton, Paris Fashion Week

At Louis Vuitton, I didn’t quite notice the bags, I think I was too busy eyeballing the collections’ delicious hues of mint, beige, and peach. And Oh my, what lovely hats they’re wearing! The 50’s flight attendant look is modestly appealing to me, and I’m lusting after the tremendously high platform shoes.

Collette Dinnigan, Paris Fashion Week

Oh… the pressure of being the last designer to showcase at Paris Fashion week!

I’m talking about Collette Dinnigan’s new collection, and it’s… um… not what I was expecting. What happened to the floaty floor-length gowns, and pastel eye-catching colour? It’s all black and dreary, and a tad on the masculine side. When I conjure images of Collette Dinnigan, I think of amazing cocktail and party dresses, I don’t place man-style pants into the equation.

General consensus however, is that this range is ridiculously lovable... So have I gone completely mad because I’m not a fan?

I will admit that the silver sequinned one-shoulder dress is to-die-for, and definitely the stand out piece from the collection. The remaining images will be filed away for safe-keeping, and re-examined at a later date to see if I’ve changed my mind…

Milan Fashion Week, Versace & Emilio Pucci

Emilio Pucci

I think you’re either a person who wears prints or one that doesn’t. As for me, I’m the former, and often revel in new season collections that are heavily printed (floral, animal, and geometric prints are on the list of fave’s). So of course I’m a huge fan of the new Emilio Pucci fall range 08, courtesy of Matthew Williamson. A pastel palette mixed with heavy black jackets, leggings, and little snippets of fur…

Style.com commented on the array of printed dresses (a signature Pucci style) ‘looking clunky atop the model’s patent lace-up boots’. As for me, I think it works. I love the mixed genre… the feminine geometric print dresses, and the chunky tie-ups, all reminiscent of some kind of glamorous snow bunny.

Versace

I also loved Donatella’s pop-coloured oversized jacketing. Since all my posts of late have talk of fur (sheeeze… I just looked down this page and think I’m mildly obsessed), I might as well add, that I like the neutral fur jacket alongside the single-coloured dress-style coats.

Versace is usually a-whole-lotta-bling and I like the fact that this range is understatededly alluring, and not so over-the-top.