With an invite featuring the dress code, ‘Classy Cocktail’, I was ready to frock up and flit off to Armadale for the Cecylia boutique new season runway show this past Wednesday evening. Dressed in my new bargain Kenji shoes and a colourful maxi, we entered a luxurious world full of wonderful fashion and exciting overseas finds, a makeshift runway devised of a gorgeous carpet and quaint stools lining the catwalk.

While cupcakes and macaroons adorned the counter, jewels and designer bags adorned the arms of the fashionistas out to see the new European imports. Cecylia welcomed us to her store – her dream – and thanked us for coming out but without much further ado; it was time for the fashion.

Many labels – both local and international were featured; though the Australian threads are a touch behind the European and were not featured as heavily; and accessories by Repetto (shoes), Aris Geldis Paris and Damselfy (jewellery).

Aussie labels Gail Sorronda and Karla Spetic got rave reviews from Cecylia while I loved international label alldressedup. Antonia Goy (Berlin), Felder Felder (London), MAWI (Britian), Sophia Kokosalaki (Greece) and Spijkers en Spijkers (Netherlands) were also a hit with the crowd.

While each outfit was in itself gorgeous, there were lots of separate pieces I was on, specifically a jacket (which I believe is by alldressedup). If only my budget would stretch to some of the amazing European wares though! They really are a clever and talented bunch over there.

While Cecylia’s passion for her store is clear, the people in attendance at the runway show were equally as enthusiastic for the labels and it was hard to move after the conclusion of the show. After a quick hello to stylist and Sarahs Style Emporium guest blogger Jess, we grabbed a macaroon and headed off. I like to shop without crowds!

Thanks to Jennie for images.
Image One: Cecylia welcomes us
Image Two, Three, Four: Looks from the fashion show; alldressedup jacket in Image Three

The City of Stonnington is gearing up for another fabulous Spring Fashion event featuing the fashion industry forum, a Spring Fashion Runway and the Stonnington Fashion Hall of Fame induction.

Stonnington Fashion Industry Forum
The Fashion Industry Forum, featuring a panel of experts, will discuss the state of the fashion industry from manufacturing to marketing. The business forum will provide valuable insights for retailers, business owners, fashion students and anyone with a genuine interest in how the industry works.

Fashion Industry Forum
7.00am – 8.30am
30 September 2010
Malvern Town Hall
Tickets $25, students free but registration essential

The Stonnington Spring Fashion Runway 
The Stonnington Spring Fashion Runway is a gala event showcasing emerging designers as well as the crème of fashion designers and retailers from Chapel St, High St and Toorak Rd. The gala evening also incorporates the Stonnington Fashion Hall of Fame, which celebrates the contribution made to Australia’s fashion industry by a locally based fashion designer, retailer or manufacturer.

Stonnington Spring Fashion Runway and Hall of Fame
30 September 2010
6.30pm -8.30pm
Malvern Town Hall
Tickets $35, Concession $25

Click here to book your tickets!

About Fashion Hall of Fame and past Inductees  

Iconic Australian designer Teresa Liano and Joe Sillitto were inducted into the City of Stonnington’s fabulous Fashion Hall of Fame in October 2009.

Stonnington’s position as a fashion hub is celebrated each year at the Stonnington Fashion Hall of Fame event, a celebration that honours Australia’s most recognised fashion identities. 

Past inductees into Stonnington’s Fashion Hall of Fame since its inauguration in 2001 represent a who’s who of Australian designers and fashion industry elite. In 2008 the honour went to designer Jenny Hoo and Master Milliner Paris Kyne.

Other Fashion Hall of Fame luminaries include Alannah Hill, Joe Saba, Perri Cutten, Barbara Wilson, Craig Kimberley, David Medwin, Charlie Digby, Prue Acton, Mark Burnett, John Cavill, Margaret Porritt, Peter Jago, Sally Browne, Lisa Barron, Adele Palmer, Eugene Notermans, Gary Zecevic, Glen Rollason, Jane Lamberton, Karen Merkel, Lillian Frank, Tiffany Treloar, Wendy Mead, Jenny Bannister, Naomi Milgrom and the late Rennie Ellis.

The weather forecast for the coming weekend is out, and lo and behold – after 134 days in a row of temperatures under 20 degrees – Melbourne is about to see some sunshine. It’s time to break out your ped-egg, some brightly coloured nail polish and get those tootsies ready for the warmer months.

For affordable, fun styles, Isabella’s Spring Summer collection has something for everyone. Cool, colourful and casual through to traditional black, white, bronze and silver; flats and wedges taking you from work to the beach and everything in between.  The ability to always be in style.

I am a massive fan of bright shades (always have been, ask me about the hot pink and lime green shoes I bought nearly a decade ago! Still have them!) and Isabella delivers. With unexpected detail, embroidery and embellishment, Isabella takes simple styles and makes them statement pieces.

Prices start at just $59.95, a great entry point for such a versatile accessory. I love the Serengeti Shoe (just look at the colour!)..

You can visit www.hinako.com.au to see all the styles, and Isabella shoes can be found at leading retailers, nationally.

Image One: Serengeti Shoe

Dear Football Gods,

Please don’t let Collingwood win the Grand Final.
A LOT of people would be annoyed.

Yours truly,
Sarah

PS. Need to drown your sorrows? Celebrate a victory? Get down to Honey on Saturday and do it with the team.
PPS. Go Saints!!

For an unemployed girl, I sure got around this week. I ate my way in and around Melbourne city at some of our coolest places and I can assure you that the kilo’s lost during fashion week have been found – and then some.

I kicked things off on Tuesday at the Lindt Café on Collins Street, and then followed up at personal favourite Mamasita.

On Wednesday at Chadstone Shopping Centre, we ate at Capital Kitchen. Twice.

Come Thursday I headed to St Ali in South Melbourne, a place regaled for its coffee but more recently accepting accolades for its cooking.

Friday saw me sitting in Café Vue for a lunch box, then coffee at the Sensory lab, cocktails at the Kitten Club and dinner on Hardware Lane.

I travelled all the way to Airey’s Inlet for gourmet pizza at local hotspot Truffles on Saturday.

Then I ruined a week of decadent eating with Nando’s on Sunday. (Food fail)

My extended family are a bit – ok, a lot – foodie. My uncle is a chef and runs a café and restaurant with my aunt. My cousin is a dessert chef. My cousin-in-law is a head chef, recently nominated for young chef of the year (he is REALLY good).

I can make toasted cheese sandwiches (involving making 2 slices of toast, then putting cheese between them), microwave rice and a cup of coffee, but with such awesome restaurants around Melbourne (and such clever relo’s), why on earth would I learn more?

As you know, I’m unemployed right now, so these places don’t cost the earth but they will make you feel like you are eating with millionaires, such is the quality. Try somewhere new this week!

Image One: St Ali
Image Two: Cafe Vue

Put your hands together and welcome Jess Dempsey, author of the whatwouldkarldo blog! A big thank you goes out to Jess for her guest post about the Stylist Says Workshop, held during Melbourne Spring Fashion Week. Thanks for reporting on this event for the Style Emporium!

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In the eyes of the beautiful and talented, there is only one rule: what Philip says, goes! For many years now, celebrities, fashion editors and students have relied on Australian stylist Philip Boon to create and bring together successful, elegant and relevant looks for the red carpet through to editorial spreads.

On a wintery Melbourne day in Spring, dressed in an oh so subtle burst of pink CK statement blazer and his beaming personality, Philip Boon gave life and joy to an otherwise gloomy day hosting the Stylist Says workshop. In a room with approximately 60 fashionistas – men and women, bloggers, boutique owners and fans alike – we came to hear and absorb notes from the man himself and discover the path that lead him to his own workshop this day. The day was broken up into a workshop showcasing the main elements as a stylist with a visual parade, then a panel style Q & A with Philips friends and guests; vintage ambassador Candice DeVille, actress Daniella Farinacci and designer Jenny Bannister.

Philip Boon, a designer turned stylist, works in three main areas in the fashion industry – celebrity stylist, fashion stylist (editorial) and runway. In this intimate workshop, he broke down these three fields and presented the audience with examples of the three in a runway style performance.

The first: red carpet. The key to dressing a client for a big event is to identify the client first and talk to them. You are dressing a person; a personality; and for a dress code, so choosing the perfect dress for a red carpet means the celebrity needs to look the part with those things taken into consideration.

An Aurelio Costarella parade with two highlight pieces was a true example of what black tie red carpet attire should be. Despite his advice on never dressing a client in black (as they will have an unlikely chance of being published in print) the divine Costarella pieces were in fact, black. The main point Phillip stressed is “Black tie equals a long dress; the chance to dress up is so rare so embrace it.”

The next parade was Fashion Show looks, or putting together a designer’s collection for runway. Philip showcased examples of CK’s latest collection, showing highlight pieces. His advice for future stylists looking to land a runway job is to feature the designers key pieces and get the audience excited by the product by showing them how it should be worn.

Lastly, the editorial ‘wow’ factor came into play, with the models dressed in designs from Madame Virtue. Advice from the king himself when it comes to working on an editorial piece is to follow the brief you are given, push your boundaries and work with the designer – however you need to gain trust from them because sometimes the stylists vision cannot be seen until the photographs are in their hands. A stylist’s success is based on the relationship they have with the people they work with. Communicate, follow the brief, treat everyone with respect and be a people person.

The discussion panel was a fun and intimate way to hear tips and tricks and included stories from the three guests about their experiences using a stylist over the years. Candice DeVille, who was suitably dressed in vintage-esque lady like attire finished off with a lovely pair of elegant gloves, expressed her concern for the women in today’s society not making an effort, rather, suiting up in track pants and hoodies and believing there is no such thing as overdressed. This self confessed vintage fashion addict (with an amazing collection of vintage pieces) would rather bring in the bins in a 50’s style nightgown than a pair of old trackies and moccos and has been quoted saying that some women today have ‘no poise, no decorum, no underwear’.

Some words to live by according to Philip Boon:

• If you are the most over dressed person at a function and someone questions it, tell them ‘I am going somewhere better afterwards’;
• Dress with style;
• Dress for who you think you are;
• Stand back, look in the mirror and see your proportions;
• Make an effort;
• Leave your Haviannas at the beach – do not ruin a cute little dress by adding a pair of thongs;
and last but not least,
• Get noticed and make a statement with what you are wearing! It could lead to a great conversation with someone and it will leave a lasting impression!

Images thanks to The Stylist Says Blog

Yesterday, I lost my Chadstone virginity. (Yes, I know its shameful I have never been before!) I spent hours at the Fashion Capital with my fabulous Onya Magazine editor (and tour guide) browsing and trying things on. It was heaven. As you all know my income stream has halted somewhat, so it truly was a day of window shopping but the experience was fun and a welcome respite from hours on the computer job hunting.

We perused the David Downton fashion illustration exhibit, the wonderful window displays making up part of a current promotion Chadstone is running and enjoyed trying on the many wares the centre has to offer – then walking away.

We dined – twice – at Capital Kitchen opposite GAP, having lunch and returning mid-afternoon for cupcakes and juice. We visited Chanel – twice – talking away advertising material I will cherish (current season poster and postcards now adorn my inspiration wall).

But my discovery of the day was the hat. The straw hat. Trilby or Fedora to be exact. Nothing spring racing or fancy, just a simple, summer hat that seems to suit my face shape, colouring and hair length.

I have always been a fan of the hat, I have just never been able to pull it off all that well. A cute felt bucket style hat I wore to work one day had co-workers calling me Inspector Gadget while a blue beret never seemed to sit right. A floppy wide brimmed beach number left a mark on my forehead and while I managed to pick up wearing an Irish cap, the guy never called so I blame the hat.

But the simple summer straw hat could be my saviour. I envisage myself in a strappy summer frock, walking down Collins Street in fabulous shoes and my casual hat, the envy of passers-by.

I am now on the lookout for the perfect one to suit me. Yesterday’s visit to Chaddy did throw out a few to try, but at $50 are perhaps slightly out of my unemployed price range. The search continues. Where have you seen awesome straw trilbies and fedoras?

Image One: David Downton Illustration, courtesy of Chadstone
Image Two: Straw Trilby by Quicksilver

2010 RetroStar Warehouse Sale

WHEN: Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th September, 2010 9.00am – 5.30pm

WHERE: NOT the Swanston St store, but at our WAREHOUSE which is located at 33-37 Stewart Street, Brunswick, Melbourne.

WHAT: A big sale with no item over $10! Pick up many treasures at the RetroStar Warehouse sale with items ranging from vintage dresses, skirts, tops, heels, coats, jackets, knitwear, t-shirts and polos to new band tees and accessories. The RetroStar sale should not be missed so come along and find yourself a bargain!

There are over a million beauty products on the market, possibly more. So how to tell the good from the bad, and the bad from the ugly? Hours could be spent trying, testing and tormenting your skin in store trying to find the best match. Or you could simply grab a bar of chocolate, pop on an episode of Gossip Girl and set up camp on the couch with your iphone. Here are my favourite beauty applications, no skin irritations or wrong colour matches, guaranteed.

OPI
From Cha-Ching Cherry to Who the Shrek are you?, OPI is the hottest brand in nail colour right now. Select your skin tone (five to choose from) and then spin the wheel of polishes! Perhaps Red Hot Ayres Rock is your colour, or maybe you are a bit more Over The Taupe? (THE sold out colour of the season, inspired by Chanel). Save your favourites, browse special collections (such as Shrek or the Designer series) and pick that perfect shade for your look. No responsibility is taken if you end up with half a dozen different bottles. These shades are too cool to stop at one.

Total Beauty
From totalbeauty.com, the team bring you the best in face, body, hair and makeup. Browse by category or brand – you’ve never seen so many products and potions in the one place. Categories drill down into fine detail, targeting problem areas, common complaints and even professional services. Choose your product and read reviews and ratings from other users, then check back regularly and easily find your most recently viewed products. Everyone knows the product review your best friend gives you is way more honest than the store – and this app is like having 100 best friends on call.

Beauty Tips
It’s just like the quote of the day calendar, with an educational twist. Impress your friends with these handy hints. Tip 1 Nail Care – Avoid using perfume lotions that contain alcohol if your nails are weak and brittle. You are more likely to chip of break them. Shake. Tip 2 Skin Care – Get rid of blemishes and pimples by washing your face with an oil free and fragrance free cleanser that is labelled pH balanced. Shake. Tip 3 Beauty Foods – Eat wheat germ each day to get rid of your pimples. Adding wheat germ to your cereal, yoghurt or cottage cheese can make it tastier. Shake. Repeat. Could do this all day, couldn’t you?Lancome
Flashy graphics launch this app that allows you to check out what’s new at Lancome with regular blog style updates. Their seasons might be a bit out of sync with ours but we all know the trends will hit Aussie shores eventually. The Lancome Make Up sister application is your new best friend when travelling – simulate and test out make up looks in real time, shoot them to your friends for approval and head out for a night on the town looking your best. Tips, tricks, videos and more valuable info at no extra charge.

Dermalogica
A twenty six second video welcomes you to this app and all at once you feel like you could be in the salon with a beauty professional. SpeedMapping is Dermalogica’s unique skin analysis tool, exploring your skin concerns and providing a personalised solution. Select your primary concern, break it down as to where on your face the problem occurs and view the most recommended products for you. The app can also direct you to your closest Dermalogica salon for a professional consultation, where chances are they will have samples too. Speedmap your face then speed map to your closest salon.

(All apps listed here are free and available for iphone at the apps store on itunes.)

In my efforts to try new things in the fashion industry and basically get to see how all aspects of the industry work, I was thrilled to be able to assist Stylist and jewellery designer Airdrie Makim over the weekend at a shoot for 1am Magazine.

I met with Airdrie last Wednesday, less than 24 hours after her services had been requested, to discuss the brief, the clothes (!) and the accessories we would require. Over a juice, some Melbourne Tea and an awesome salad at Tom Phat in Brunswick, Airdrie opened my eyes as to how we were going to source product and models and shoot the whole lot within 3 days, have the photos to the magazine in less than 7 and in just over two weeks, our work would be in print and online.

Over the following two days I received a few cc emails while Airdrie tracked down clothes; I like to think I helped by knowing someone who worked with one of the labels; and offered suggestions as to designers we might like to chase up for additional product. I was secretly singing that several labels I suggested were worthy of our shoot!!

On Saturday morning, the photographer, hair and makeup artist, model, Airdrie and I rocked up at 9am to a suburban house in Carlton, owned by a friend of Airdrie’s who was kind enough to let us crash her house for the day. We set up the gear on the front porch – scarily looking like a garage sale   – and started styling!

While our photographer, Laura, scouted locations in suburbia, Airdrie and I picked outfits for Sally, our model, while Erin; our hair and makeup girl; worked her magic. Just after 10am we headed off down the street to start snapping.

I had so much fun. While Laura basically sat or laid on the ground to get the right angles, Sally knew exactly what to do and it was incredible to watch an actual photo shoot take place. From my imagination to real life, everything that happened over the course of the day was exactly how I pictured it (or saw in the movies) and more.

We worked with Sally for the rest of the morning, before our second model Rebecca arrived shortly before noon. We had a tight window to shoot the girls together before Sally had to head off to work and as we dressed the girls, I wondered if perhaps Styling was something I might like to do more of.

After Sally departed and we worked with Rebecca – I might add both models were so sweet to work with and just lovely people – I was assigned front porch watch duty. Two people thought we were having a garage sale on my watch – rather scary to think that thousands of dollars worth of clothing appears to be nothing when it’s hanging on a rack on your porch!

While waiting for the team, I put together a few outfit and accessory suggestions, which were well received by Airdrie and I will be so excited to see the photos and say, I did that! We ended up finishing the shoot around 5pm – 36 GB of photos later. At 25 MB per image, that’s a few pics 1am Magazine will have to choose from.

While I am not going to tell you what the theme of the shoot was, or the labels we used just yet, you can be assured that IT IS AWESOME. All Australian brands and fabulous photos (I’ve seen them, so I know!). The online version will be released on September 20, and if you are really keen, you can order the print edition online from New Zealand for a couple of dollars (more than your standard fashion magazine).

Thanks must go out to Airdrie for letting me learn for a day and being fabulous, to Erin and Laura for being ace to work with, to Sally and Rebecca for simply being lovely (and beautiful) and Airdrie’s friends for letting us crash their pad – and of course to 1am Magazine for needing us at the last minute!

Image One: Clothes on the porch
Image Two: Sally behind the scenes
Image Three: Rebecca behind the scenes (thanks to Airdrie Makim for image)