Here is some free advice. Never work with children or animals. Possibly you have heard it before? It’s true, I assure you. Day 1 at Melbourne Spring Fashion Week only gave me the opportunity to work with one, but I can tell you now – listen to those who have gone before you. Children and animals are the ones to avoid.

Monday of MSFW dawned bright and beautiful, a sunny 17 degrees for the start of the annual event. I was rostered on for the Fox Fashion Show, to be held at the Forum on Flinders Street, and the volunteers rocked up at 1oam, ready for a long 12 hour shift. I was to be the Front of House Assistant and was also allocated Head Volunteer upon arrival – a role which involves signing in all the volunteers, managing breaks, issues and the like.

In the early hours of the shift, we unpacked clothes, ironed, steamed, taped shoes and attended briefing upon briefing. Safety was important, especially with this show because it was a non-standard venue (and a non-standard production truth be told!) and this was reiterated over and over.

With not a lot to do, I sent a lot of volunteers to the Town Hall to assist with preparing for the rest of the week. In all, I had 45 volunteers rostered on for the day – far too many to have backstage with a stylist, models, tech guys and other ‘assistants’. As much as it sucks to have to pack bags, everyone has their turn and I’ve been there too. Five fashion weeks later, I’m managing. You do your time and don’t complain. Persistence pays and you shouldn’t expect to be dressing Hamish and Andy your first time at the festival.

As the day wore on, the excitement built. Fox FM talent started to arrive, the models did a rehearsal and we were told about the ticketing and VIPs. VIPs had booths, all other attendees (all competition winners) had standing room only.

Doors opened at 7pm and by 7.30, the Forum was buzzing with 600 excited people, curious to see what the evening would bring. A fashion show with a difference – three fashion segments dotted between Matt and Jo presenting, Songs by Vanessa Amorosi and Stan Walker, the ‘Model Citizens’ and Hamish and Andy pulling a few pranks.

Obviously the important part of the night is the clothes – affordable and wearable items from MNG, French Connection, Cue, Ben Sherman, Aldo Shoes, Flamingo Sands, SeaFolly and more. Sectioned into ‘resortwear’, ‘evening and date looks’ and ‘racewear, the clothes were styled beautifully by Franco – I definitely saw some clutches and gloves I covet! – not to mention a few frocks; Cue has always been one of my favourites.

The ‘Model Citizens’ involved five listeners chosen by other listeners representing five categories – hottest accountant, hottest nanna, hottest Collingwood supporter, hottest redhead and hottest uniform. Each wore their regular clothes and were then dressed in new season garb, much to the delight of the crowd. Who doesn’t like seeing a bodybuilding nanna in her swimsuit?

Nothing drew a bigger response from the crowd though than a rather buff male model in his smalls, a man so ripped you would be afraid to go in the water for fear of getting caught. Also featuring in the dancing segments, Mr Fabulous and his two female counterparts  were very talented and their segment was entertaining and appealing to look at!

And then, the animals. Jo Stanley walked several times, each stroll of the runway having her accompanied by a dog – getting larger and larger over the course of the evening. The afternoon saw several professional dog handlers backstage which in the mix of models and mayhem didn’t seem unusual. Of course come showtime, the preened pooches were not so keen to have their moment in the spotlight and Jo ended up carrying the first three and giving up on the fourth. The audience oohed and ahhed, which I admit is probably the point, but I think I would rather have a few more minutes of Hamish and Andy on stage!!

When our shift finished at 10pm, twelve hours after we arrived in the sunshine, I headed out into the cold and in my haste to get home, ended up on the wrong tram at the Domain Interchange. A slightly longer walk home, a cup of tea and a pile of emails and it was time for bed. Day One was over and I was exhausted!

Images thanks to Fox. For more images, and footage, visit Fox!

Image One: The backstage area at the Forum
Image Two: Models walk the finale
Image Three: The male models!!
Image Four: Jo Stanley with the largest dog

Melbourne Spring Fashion Week kicked off on Friday night with a spectacular opening party and there is just one more sleep until the official program of events begins.

Your tickets should be booked, restaurants and after parties mapped out, outfits hanging at the ready and cupboards stocked with fashion week essentials – berocca, panadol, party feet and snack size sultanas.

Get your beauty sleep tonight fashionistas, let the fabulousness begin!!

Ever since I ‘developed’ at such a late age – I was thrilled with my flat chest at 16 that meant I was going to be able to wear whatever I wanted, always – I have struggled with strapless bras fitting correctly, being comfortable and not having them look like they could be used to haul coal in the middle ages.

Going braless is pointless, it attracts far too much attention, not to mention poses a danger to myself and the seams of my clothing, so the alternative is to find something that I had begun to believe didn’t exist. It’s like the scene in Practical Magic when Sandra Bullock wishes for a man with mismatched eyes because she believes the perfect man doesn’t exist – this is how I feel about strapless bras.

After you pass a C cup, heading to Target or Big W for your lingere is no longer an option. Myer is occasionally ok, but mostly Bras N Things and specialty outlets are your friend. Your wallet is not – that extra fabric doesn’t come cheap.

The first Intimo party I attended was a revelation. I was fitted properly – a long time coming – and was presented with bras that were actually wearable for someone in her 20s, as opposed to the lovely Grandma-esque ones most stores shove at you.

I waited nearly six months on the list to get the contour strapless bra, and after a few wears, the verdict is in. It’s a pretty good bra, as far as strapless bras go. I don’t think it’s a miracle per se, but not a bad effort. The fit is great and I was comfortable for about six hours before the movement of the day started to shift the bra and the underwire settled on my ribs.

I do need to point out, I have unusually ‘sticky-out’ ribs. I’ll never have a model-esque flat stomach. When people ask what plastic surgery I’d have first, I’d remove my bottom ribs. I hate them. And now apparently they hinder the wearing of strapless bras.

So, at the end of the day I’ll be wearing the strapless on occassion, maybe to dinner or a special event, but I can’t see me wearing it all day at work again. And especially not with a high waisted skirt as I did yesterday. I have new found appreciation for women in corsets. Ouch!!

Fathers Day might be right around the corner (Sunday 5 September!), but I always find it doesn’t matter who I am shopping for, I always manage to find something for me. Jackies Trade Secrets is back this SUNDAY ONLY for a few pre Fathers Day specials, so head on down to any of these warehouses to grab a bargain for Dad – and maybe something for you too!

Blue and green should never be seen. Don’t wear white after Labour Day. Socks and Sandals? …

In the scheme of things, I haven’t been involved in the fashion industry all that long. My single year of writing, two years of volunteering and three years of study don’t qualify me as an expert on anything, even if I do think I know everything (I am sure this is leftover from a sign on my parents’ fridge that said teenagers who knew everything should move out and get a job).

But someone who can claim that he knows the industry inside out, upside down and backwards – especially if it was meant to be worn that way – is Stylist Philip Boon.

Philip has spent almost two decades working as a stylist, designer, and as a creative director with countless independent designers. Philip’s work as a stylist has taken him around the world and he has had the pleasure of working with Sam Sparro, Sneaky Sound System, Magda Szubanski and Marion Jones, among others.

You might think that in order to access someone of this calibre, you would need to pay a significant amount of money, win a competition or make a death row request but for one day only, this Melbourne Spring Fashion Week, Philip is hosting a workshop to show you his secrets and tricks of the trade.

If you attend the workshop on September 4 – for the bargain price of $55 – you can expect an informative, up-to-the-minute look at modern dressing and styling in 2010 and beyond.

You will also be treated to some of this season’s best designs when Philip assembles outfits by the likes of Aurelio Costarella, CK Calvin Klein and Madam Virtue & Co. A host of special guests from the industry will also share the stage to make for an informative, interactive and entertaining workshop.

Tickets for “The Stylist Says” are available now and can be purchased online at
www.thestylistsaysworkshop.blogspot.com and as an added bonus, if you buy a ticket before Sunday you can win an AurelioCostarella jacket worth $1400!

I’m looking for a guest blogger for the event – I sold my soul to fashion and have to work a volunteer shift while the event is on. If you are attending and are interested in reporting on the event for me, please email sarahsstyleemporium@gmail.com.

Now back to me. Now back to your man. Sadly, he’s not me, but he could be….

The Old Spice commercial is now a viral success across the globe and in it’s wake come a new crop of dangerously handsome blokes in their underwear.

Australian favourite MensFit are launching their first online retail store in both Australia and the US this week, a brand with a loyal following, a high level of quality and a distinct style.  

Visit MensFit to see for yourself (and I do think you should, trust me ladies!) or just have a really good squiz at these pics.

I have worked on Collins Street for the past three years. I can still remember the first few weeks of being in the city everyday, dreaming about the ‘Paris’ end of Collins – while I worked at the west end, coined the “New York’ end by the workers jaded by their fashionable counterparts six blocks up.

These days the New York end stretches right into the Docklands and the Paris end has undergone many a facelift. Lesley Sharon Rosenthal, a documentary filmmaker and writer, has put together a feature on the history of Collins Street, ‘Boutique Magnifique: memories of fashionable Collins Street.’, and you are invited to attend the launch of the film this September.

The film is a selection of stories about the fashion history of Collins Street through the focus of its famous magnificent boutiques and elegant department stores. People are encouraged to dress in vintage style in keeping with the historical theme of the evening’s screening, so get your corsets and stays out, hike up your stockings and grab a parasol!

September 23, 7pm
Capitol Theatre
113 Swanston Street
Melbourne 3000

Tickets: $20
email: lesleyrose@dodo.com.au for bookings.
Please note: there will be no door sales.

Visit That’s Melbourne for  more information.
Thanks to That’s Melbourne for image.

It’s been awhile since I wrote a proper blog about what has been happening over here at Emporium HQ. Weekends away (three!), finishing up at my job and the myriad of events and writing, dinners and catch ups that make up my life all rolling into a giant blur that has made up the past three weeks.

And it’s not about to get any easier. Today marks the start of my last week of employment before I dive head first into Melbourne Spring Fashion Week and the fun, long hours and hard work that go with it.

Melbourne Spring Fashion Week marks my fifth foray into volunteering, and what may even be my last. It is of course my dream to work in the industry, but there is only so far a girl can get giving her time away for free so this will be something I need to assess come L’Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival in March.

But back to the festival at hand – who is excited??!! I am beyond thrilled to be attending the launch event this coming Friday night, representing Onya Magazine before going head down, bum up into the business part of the week.

I will be working on Sunday and Monday as a front of house assistant and the rest of the week front of house at the City Series Lunch Parades at City Square – a free event running Tuesday to Sunday at noon and 1pm each day. I highly recommend you come along!

At this stage I will be attending all the designer evening parades, running Tuesday to Friday and the RMIT show on Saturday evening. Finally, the GPO style sessions on Thursday will be a hit and I look forward to sharing with you all the highs and lows of my favourite time of the year!

What events are you attending? Or perhaps you are a volunteer?
I’d love to hear about how you are participating in this years festival!

New handbag love today – I have spotted several I am lusting after!

Buckle Leather Strap Satchel at TopShop
Premium leather satchel buckle strap details and cross body strap.
100% Leather. 100% Love. Approx $149 AUD

And then there is the other end of the market – sophisticated and FABULOUS!

Divine black Chloé leather tote with gold-tone hardware at Net-A-Porter

Erm, slighty more expensive. Approx $1732 AUD

Sigh. One day!! 
Buy this weeks double issue of Grazia Magazine to see many many more fabulous things.
So many pretty peices. So little funds!

You know when you go shopping for your best friends’ birthday and end up buying all the things that might be suitable for her for yourself?

It wouldn’t suit her, you think.

I’ve started shopping for my four week old niece and I want this bracelet for myself.

It probably wouldn’t suit her anyway.

Oh deer.

$29.95 at Cradle Rock