As one who is always working of late (you guys know how manic I am!), I was thrilled to find the time to pop into the Fashion Torque 2012 launch this week.

Melbourne fashion royalty Philip Boon and Jenny Bannister started Fashion Torque in 2010 as a way to connect the fashion community and bring every element of the industry together in a common forum where bloggers could mingle with stylists and insiders could share their retail secrets with up and comers.

The monthly forum and live chat show in Prahran drew a huge following and celebrated it’s first birthday in 2011. Now, in 2012, Philip and Jenny are making some changes in an effort to bring Fashion Torque to even more people.

The day, the time, the place – everything is new and exciting! And I for one am thrilled about the changes – it will mean I might actually make it to a few more sessions this year!

Philip and Jenny unveil their 2012 poster shot at the Fashion Torque Media Launch.
Image thanks to Take 2 Markets

Kicking off on Wednesday February 29, Fashion Torque will now take place on the last Wednesday of the month, commencing at 7pm (rather than the earlier time of 6.30). This change gives more students and those with day jobs the chance to make it to the sessions and allows for greater audience participation.

The next, and perhaps most major change, is the location. Globe Cafe in Prahran has been good to us, but the Hasti Bala Bar at The Carlton on Bourke Street is a spot too good to pass up. Not officially opening til February 25, The Hasti Bala Bar is a vision of purple velour and pink, blue and purple wallpaper in an electric leopard print – the large elephant on the wall and greenery that surrounds the bar make it the most perfect fusion of fashion and fun.

The elephant in the room – Fashion Torque’s new home at the Hasti Bala Bar

Acqua Panna – fashion water – will be an official supporter of Fashion Torque in 2012 together with Hannah and her team at The Carlton.

Each month, Fashion Torque will bring us four guests (up from two last year) and under five subtopics – FT recommends; Debates; Fans; Films; and Community – covering internships, past fashion stars, digital fashion, the vintage boom and so, so much more.

Fashion friend James Banham at the launch with me. Image thanks to Take 2 Markets.

‘Predictions for 2012 in the Australian Fashion Industry‘ will be the first topic of the year, featuring Fashion Torque favourites Sarah Gale, Jc Lloyd-Southwell d’Anvers, Anthony Capon and Sarah Willcocks – with a special appearance from Dean Drieberg.

Can’t wait to kick off Fashion Torque 2012 with the gang and the new venue – see you on the 29th!

A funny thing happens after several nights in a row on the town. Your ability to fall asleep at a normal hour creeps towards the wee hours and try as you might, nights become your awake time while mornings are a time to dread.

Tonight will be the fourth night in a row I have stayed up past midnight, however tonight is the first one I am doing without the support of sparkly drinks. If this is what the lead up to Christmas is like, I’m going to need to stock up on supplies.

Arts Centre, Melbourne, from the Melbourne Town Hall. Pic on Instagram by me

This blog post covers a few events and by the time I finished writing it, the text was rather long, so in order to shorten it (and add more pics), I have split it into three (just like Back to the Future and Lord of the Rings) and you will be able to follow the story Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Enjoy!

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The fun and games kicked off on Wednesday night (after a little long weekend getaway with Miss J to get sufficient R & R for the silly season) at Fashion Torque’s first birthday party, an exclusive invitation only soiree at the Melbourne Town Hall.

Philip and Jenny get the party started

Philip Boon and Jenny Bannisters’ live chat show is still just a baby but has come in leaps and bounds since kicking off twelve months ago. With a dresscode of ‘colourful cocktail’, Melbourne fashionistas shed their black cloaks (well, for the most part) and shone in pinks, purples, orange and blues.

Melbourne Spring Fashion Week producer Dean Drieberg performed a stunning rendition of Madonna’s Vogue (complete with custom rap lyrics) and was definitely a highlight of the evening.

Dean belts out Vogue…

Phillip and Jenny took us on a trip down memory lane with panellists from the year, talking fashion journalism, androgyny and the online juggernaut, among others, and we laughed and nodded in agreement remembering the shows from throughout the year.

There was of course champagne and canapés and plenty of happy snaps taken on the night and after the formalities were done, we headed on to The Carlton to continue the celebrations.

Rina (Take 2 Markets), me, Cecylia and Sally (Styled by Sally) rock colour

Congratulations to Phillip and Jenny for twelve wonderful months – may you continue on to bigger and better things in 2012!

Pop by tomorrow to hear about the Social Diary Christmas Party and more!

Thanks to Kellie Dene for images

Style Note: My outfit – skirt by Syndicate, top from Vinnies op shop, bag from eBay and necklace by Pigeonhole

Just two short weeks ago, there was a new and exciting development in the fashion industry. Melbourne stylist Philip Boon, together with Melbourne fashion designer Jenny Bannister, launched Fashion Torque, an informal live chat show centring on the fashion industry and the issues that affect it.

Bringing together industry experts, designers, online professionals, students and those with an interest in the industry, Philip and Jenny lead a discussion on the hot topics of the day. Held at Globe Café on Chapel Street Prahran – a precinct very close to Jenny’s heart – we have so far covered the Australian manufacturing industry and how online is benefitting (or otherwise) the fashion industry.

With amazing guest stars including Anthony Capon, fashion designer; Sarah Gale, Project Runway and Daniel Dykes, Fashionising.com – and an international appearance by Yvan Rodic of Facehunter.com fame – it is clear Philip and Jenny have the pulling power and industry contacts to bring in the big guns.

Held every Thursday from 6.30pm (don’t make plans for afterwards though – conversation gets going and before you know it, it’s after 9pm!), this week’s topic is The New Glamour and will feature guest panellist Lee Tulloch, former editor of Harper’s Bazaar and author of Fabulous Nobodies.

If all this sounds too good to be true, I have to tell you it is just as amazing as it sounds. It’s free, you get to drink wine and spend hours discussing the virtues, or otherwise, of the ins and outs of the fashion industry. Fabulous people are on hand to chat and Jenny Bannister will happily tell stories about days gone by for hours if you are prepared to listen. It’s well worth it.

So if you thought all this was just about the pinnacle of fashion industry excitement at this point in time – it gets better. Philip and Jenny are looking for an intern to manage Social Media, send emails and be on hand to assist on Thursday nights. You will get to liaise with panellists, be in constant contact with Jenny and Philip, as well as hopefully being onboard down the track with some super plans the team have in mind! Sound like you? Come along this Thursday night and apply in person!

Images Thanks to Fashion Torque. Visit the Facebook page for more information!

Always one to support a good cause, Prahran Mission is now even closer to my heart because I work just around the corner and visit once a week.

Plus, fashion favourite (and someone I am thrilled to call a friend) Philip Boon, is involved, along with students from the Whitehouse Institute of Design, so you know it will be a quality event for a cause.

Purchase tickets by May 26 and go in the running to win a double pass to see The Temper Trap.

The National Gallery of Victoria is one of my most favourite Melbourne places. From the fountains outside where people throw coins, to the wall of water and atrium space as you walk in – and thats before you even get to the exhibits!

In addition to the wonders at the National Gallery on St Kilda Road, the Ian Potter Centre at Federation Square is equally a treat – especially when coupled with ACMI and the fabulous films they show.

Some of Linda Jackson’s work on display at the National Gallery of Victoria

Both the National Gallery and Ian Potter centre regularly show fashion collections and the wonders of fabric and textiles, as does ACMI.

The current collection, housed at the Ian Potter centre at Federation Square, honors Linda Jackson, whom I had the pleasure of meeting at the last Fashion Torque. Linda hails from the same fashion years at the top as the fabulous Jenny Bannister, both of whom are massive advocates for the Australian Fashion Industry.

Bush Couture, Sydney (fashion house) 1982-94
by Linda Jackson
Maasai Africa (1982-88) (cotton, lycra, plastic, metal, glass)

Linda has worked in the Australia Fashion Industry for over 40 years and is also a practicing artist. Her influences draw from Africa, Asia and India and she has spent large amounts of time travelling. Linda Jackson – Bush Couture, is on show at the Ian Potter Centre until September of this year, and Linda is also the subject of many floor talks for the duration of the exhibit.

Linda Jackson and Jenny Bannister, image thanks to Fashion Torque

So should you find a few hours spare on a Sunday afternoon, there is really nothing better than educating yourself on the history of Australian Fashion and the stalwarts who made our industry what it is today. With the passing of Sheila Scotter this week, also an Fashion icon, we are the ones who must remember these amazing fashionistas who paved the way for the rest of us.

National Gallery of Victoria, Linda Jackson: Bush Couture, is open until September, 2012.
Entry is free.

It’s been a while.  Since I blogged about fashion. Or food. Or 2011. Or even 2010.

Never fear though. I’m back. Maybe not with a vengeance, but I’m here and hoping that I will have a little more time to dedicate to my toddler (Style Emporium is nearly two!) from now on.

So, what’s happening in the world of food and fashion in Melbourne? Things are pretty quiet – it is January after all – but there are a few bits to share for the upcoming month. Here we go February!

First up, tomorrow is numero uno for our newest drive time team on the radio, Fifi and Jules. Taking over from Hamish and Andy four days a week and live out of Melbourne, Onya Aid DJ Byron Cooke will be spinning the tunes and no one wears leopard print like Fifi Box. She is also fabulously funny while Jules isn’t bad to look at – or hear – either. Catch them on Fox FM from 4pm Monday to Thursday.

The QV Summer Series kicks off this Friday February 4, with song, sun and sumptuous drinks to enhance your Friday nights and weekends for the rest of the season. This week it’s The Versus, with future performances by The Blackeyed Susans, Bobby Flynn and Red ink.

While the tennis is drawing to a close, the fashion events are just getting going! The L’Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival will launch on February 9 (happy birthday to me!) so make sure you get your tickets fast as they will sell out.

Fashion Torque continues to stir up the Fashion talk on Thursday nights at Globe Café in Prahran, from 6.30pm. Hosted by stylist to the stars Philip Boon and headlined by Jenny Bannister, the live talk show tackles the topics that get fashionista tights in a twist. Stay tuned for exciting news in the next few weeks and keep February 17 free. You have been warned.

Finally, February is the most fabulous month simply because it’s the month of my birth. I like to celebrate my birth month, rather than just one day (usually spent at work!) and it’s starting next Sunday Feb 6 at Honey Bar from 3pm. Yes, the live music was put on just for me. Catch you then!