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.)

200,000 applications. One handy dandy little device to play with them on. Or two if you have an ipad. Three if you have a blackberry. Four if you have an… well, you get the idea.

The itunes apps store is filled with endless possibilities; apps to help, inspire and test even the most frugal fashionista. After hours spent ‘researching’ the best fashion apps, it’s safe to say these little programs will do all these things and more – and then when you are done playing, I’d recommend downloading a budgeting app. You’ll see why. Your daily commute on the train has never been so much fun.

ishoes
Burberry and Fendi and Blahnik, oh my! From Anne Klein to Yves Saint Laurent, ishoes has more than 50,000 pairs of everyone’s favourite accessory at your fingertips. Browse randomly or narrow it down by label and style. Pick your favourite, check out the important details and find out where those pink patent pumps can be yours. ishoes will even forward your browser to the online buying page of the retailer where available. Share the love on facebook or just favourite the style til payday.

LMFF
It might be a few months since Melbourne’s premier fashion event took place, but you can relive every minute with the LMFF official iphone app. The gallery features hundreds of shots from the runway shows while LMFF TV will let you watch behind the scenes fun from the comfort and quiet of your lounge room. Search by your favourite Aussie designer; see what the buzz about LMFF is on Twitter or keep up to date with fashion happenings on the regularly updated blog. Just 6 months til LMFF 2011 ramps up so best to keep your finger on the phone…er, pulse.

Sartorialist
Scott Schumann was the original and the best street snapper and while thousands have followed in his footsteps, the Sartorialist is still number one in my book. Full screen photos are available on this app but they do take a few moments to load. Study the detail of an embroidered coat or the authenticity of an old black and white shot up close and personal instead of hoisting your laptop to the park. Sit in the sun and pick out your own style icons. Cameras at the ready.

Net-A-Porter
Your favourite online shopping destination for all things fabulous just got a little harder to avoid. Net-A-Porter.com in your palm allows you to buy designer threads and shop new arrivals as they arrive in store. Always up to date, use Net-A-Porter.com to plan your next outfit, study styles or read the magazine, On The Go, for the latest in fashion news. Create wish lists (and share them with your boyfriend) or simply dream the day away with Chloe, Stella and co.

Tiffany and Co Ring Finder
Ever since Audrey Hepburn munched on a bagel outside Tiffany and Co New York, women the world over have coveted the precious gems inside. From classic Tiffany to Tiffany legacy and Tiffany embrace, there are 44 diamonds to drool over – no boyfriend necessary. While these babies are designed as engagement rings, who says you can’t wear it on another finger and buy it yourself? The app will even help you find your correct ring size.

Chanel
The name is enough to make you swoon – do you really need any more reasons to download this application? The Ready-to-Wear shows streamed, still shots of looks and accessories, Chanel News and a store locator. It’s a fashionista dream. The app is large and you will need to download it on a computer or wi-fi network, but worth the extra effort just to have those interlocking C’s on your screen. It’s couture technology, darling.

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

This article first appeared in Fashion Journal, Issue 96, March 2010

When Thomas Burberry submitted a design for an army officer raincoat in 1901, little did he know that 110 years later, his trench coat would have become a wardrobe staple for any self respecting fashion mister or sister. From Rick Blaine in Casablanca (1942) to Holly Golightly and her knotted belt in Breakfast at Tiffanys (1961), the humble trench coat has found its way from functionality to fashion via the magic of the movies.

The silver screen has experienced a fashion resurgence in recent years with films such as Avatar (2009) lending itself to futuristic dresses and a colour palette the people of Pandora would be proud of; Twilight (2007) giving our outfits a dark and gothic edginess and Marie Antoinette (2006) reintroducing lace, ruffles and elegance to our wardrobes. Fashion from film is not just a recent trend as these examples show but a phenomenon that has been occurring for decades. Each season, classic trends developed on film for over 100 years are given a modern interpretation and reinvented time and time again. 

A white shirt is among the most iconic style moments of film that has experienced many seasons worth of designer fodder since its fifteen minutes of fame. Who can forget (or stop themselves from acting it out) the scene from Risky Business (1983) with Tom Cruise in a white shirt, socks and a bit of Old Time Rock and Roll? Uma Thurman’s white shirt in Pulp Fiction (1994) shaped a series of key looks featuring tailored androgynous dressing, originally stemming from Diane Keaton’s Annie Hall (1977) where she famously wore masculine shirts, ties and vests. Molly Ringwald also channelled this look with a more feminine edge in Pretty in Pink (1986). Even the simple white tee shirt was etched in fashion history after a buff Marlon Brando wore one with jeans and a leather jacket in The Wild One (1953) and James Dean soon after in Rebel Without a Cause (1955). Danny Zuko broke hearts in Grease (1978) (and while we are on the subject of Grease, leather look leggings anyone?) and just 6 years later Some Kind of Wonderful (1986) saw the look go to the girls with the style paving the way for rock chic and punk over the coming decades. 

Every girl has one (or several) in her closest – it is the first date dress, the meet the parents dress, the job interview dress – the Little Black Dress (LBD). Chanel started the trend in the 1920s but fashion icon Audrey Hepburn wore it best in the early ‘60s, donning a Givenchy sheath in Breakfast at Tiffanys and accessorizing perfectly with a string of pearls and a tiara – exactly the chic statement Chanel had envisioned. While the tiara might not have stood the test of time, the LBD is now a staple in seasonal designer collections and was most recently notable on the fashionable ladies of Sex and the City in their first film. While the LDB is the height of sophistication, there are many other dresses with that star element worn on the big screen that have come to influence our fashion choices today. Marilyn Munro will forever be immortalized by her halter neck white dress worn while standing scandalously over a subway vent in The Seven Year Itch (1955), Keira Knightly’s minimalist 1930s emerald green silk dress in Atonement (1997) was voted best costume of all time and Vivien Leigh’s Scarlett O’Hara in Gone with the Wind (1939) will not only be remembered for her ability to manipulate but also her spectacularly embellished gowns. The colours, styles and features of these frocks have all made appearances in modern wardrobes and continue to influence our style of dress.

There are so many fashionable film moments to feature that this piece could go on about that Dr. No (1962) bikini, 80s dancewear from Fame (1980) and thigh high boots in Pretty Woman (1990) – every film has something to add to the fashion history vault. While I’d personally love to see the return of delicate gloves, knee high socks and the bow tie, the coming A/W 2010 trends focus on a futuristic look, possibly a nod towards Back to the Future (1985) which was actually set in 2015 – perhaps a sign of things to come?  

Image One: Double Breasted Cotton Trench Coat $1,395.00 at Burberry
Image Two: D&G Long sleeve shirt $185.00 by D&G at YOOX
Image Three: Halston Heritage One Shoulder Dress with Sequin Epaulet $495.00 by Halston at shopbop.com

I’m barely two days into my personal version of Dry July and I could be ready to give up. My July started being sent out with a staff collection to purchase a gift for a colleague we were farewelling. I headed to Melbourne’s GPO (which was closed til 10am) and then to David Jones (also closed til 9.30am) and finally ended up at Myer (OPEN!). The Chanel perfume the leaving staffer had requested was way outside our budget but I sprayed and took samples and chatted with the salesgirl anyway.

Burberry Ruched crepe-jersey dress

 $495.00 by Burberry at Net-A-Porter

~ A dress I dream of while waiting out the shopping embargo ~

I headed upstairs to handbags but found nothing that worked for my sense of style – or that I thought would work for her. A quick retreat led me back through Melbourne’s GPO (still closed) and over to David Jones. Beautiful red signs everywhere called to me – 10, 20 30 per cent off, SALE SALE SALE. Head down, I made a beeline for handbags and accessories, landing at Mimco. I eyed off everything. I wanted to try it all. But I didn’t.

Instead I selected a Mimco wallet and made my way out of the store, cursing my innate ability to choose such a bad time to quit shopping cold turkey.

36 hours later and I am still thinking about the rack of rings and scarves marked down to $5, but I will prevail. I will not let down my guard. I won’t go to stores unaccompanied again and I certainly won’t say yes next time someone leaves and a gift needs to be bought. 2 days down. 29 to go.

Many others in the twittersphere have been inspired by my quest and elected to share the Dry July journey by giving up things that are important to them. You can read about them at The Modern Womans Survival Guide and C’est La Vie.

I was very lucky on my trip to Sydney to stay with the lovely Jennie (aka Miss J), a Melbournite via way of New York. While we shared plane trips, a hotel room, meals and the ups and downs of Fashion Week, Jen took my Chanel virginity by taking me to the Chanel boutique for the very first time – I think that makes us friends for life.

Jen’s latest blog post from backstage at RAFW has well documented the ‘ups and downs’ of being a dresser at Fashion Week. While I got to be front of house watching the glamour set take their seats in the front row, Jen got to deal with models, designers, hairdressers and make up artists – a much tougher job if you ask me!

You can read Jen’s side of the story here, and have a chance at winning a RAFW prize pack.

For more of my photos, view the albums here, here and here. 

Image: The fabulous Jennie!

Miss J and I just raised a toast to new friends and fashion, a fairly good summary of our week. On our last night in Sydney, Miss J is cooking up a storm, we are drinking sparkling grape juice and I am reflecting on day 4 of Rosemount Australian Fashion Week (ironically Miss J just set off the smoke alarm, an apt summary of our day). In direct contrast to yesterday’s sleep in, today we had a 5.30am alarm to make the 7am volunteer call time. As a dresser, Miss J had to be there on the dot, while I had a little more time, starting at 8.30. I got up at 6am regardless to blog and catch up on emails, a much more productive time than 11pm.

By 8.30am when I turned up to work, Miss J was still cooling her heels by the harbour, with the other volunteers, waiting for the production managers to collect them. This has been the way of the week, extreme start and finish times for volunteers who were only required for a minimum of hours, or not at all. From over 1600 volunteers, only 300 were selected and it seems a large majority of the girls I have met are from interstate. Many volunteers have stopped turning up to shifts (apparently, we received a strongly worded email) because of the lack of coordination, although I imagine these are Sydney based vollies because I didn’t pay to come all this way and then miss out on the experience!

But back to day 4 at RAFW. The morning shift sent us back to the Cargo theatre where first on the schedule was Ae’lkemi, a Perth based label. The room had been laid out by us last night so renumbering was first up, then program and gift bag allocation. Pre-packaged gift bags were a god send for the front of house vollies who had not yet had a cup of coffee although the models who would have had a much earlier hair and make up call than us still seemed to be off in the land of nod while they learned the complicated choreography someone had dreamed up for them. A figure X style layout meant walking up and down aisles plus a circle motion when the girls met in the middle. After watching them parade and run into each other for several minutes, we did wonder if perhaps they would make it through the show without an error!

The show did go off without a hitch although the room wasn’t full and I managed a front row seat – I do wonder if having volunteers seated in the front row makes it a success? The label was eveningwear and as I overheard one punter say, it was quite ‘florida-esque’; bold prints in blues and greens, lot’s of nudes and a second part of the show in black. My awesome seat allowed for pretty good pics (as good as it gets on iphone) and for my tenth show of the week, I finally got to actually see the designer when he walked out on stage. As a sidenote, I love this about RAFW, at LMFF designers names are just brands, not people.

A room swap, new numbers, new gift bags and programs – starting to sound repetitive yet? My muscles are starting to remember the pattern and by the time I was allocated my job for Gary Bigeni – ‘paddle pop’ girl – I was starting to feel fatigue. My tiny breakfast wasn’t cutting it, it was hot and sitting in an office all day does nothing to prepare you for actual physical work. I sat on the stair for the Gary Bigeni show, pretty much over the whole experience but still alert enough to register Gary’s awesome jersey dresses, draping and pastels. The shoes the models wore were pretty awesome, nude platform wrap and strap heels with leather ties from G&L handmade. I am sure they cost a mint but I’ll be on the lookout for them when I get home.

Further room changing took place before our second last shift was over and we escaped to Bondi Junction for the afternoon for a spot of shopping. Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Bally; Jimmy Choo, Coach and Target(?!) – we ventured to them all. Miss J picked up a few bits and bobs, I tried on lot’s but couldn’t find anything to take my fancy. A final stop at Guess revealed an in-store event was taking place as part of a demin collaboration with Cleo magazine. We picked up an elderflower mocktail and tried on shoes, enjoying the atmosphere for a while before being told that the purchase Miss J had made at quarter to 6 wasn’t eligible for the gift bag – we hot footed it out of there and back to casa de fashion to rest up for day 5.

I have enjoyed hearing all the Sydney people complain about the cold today – 20 degrees in Melbourne is practically balmy but the Sydney folk were breaking out the scarves and gloves. Its disappointing we haven’t been able to break out anything remotely fashionable this week, besides wearing our high heels around our apartment, so I am looking forward to returning home where shoes reign supreme and I don’t have to wear the same thing for five days in a row (don’t worry, I washed it in between!)

Happy travels and sweet dreams fashionistas! Catch you at the airport tomorrow!

Image One: Blogging, Sparkling and Pad Thai at Casa de fashion
Image Two: Ae’lkemi
Image Three: Ae’lkemi
Image Four: Models prepping for Gary Bigeni
Image Five : Me at Bondi Junction station

Visit Ae’lkemi and Gary Bigeni to see the SS10 collections

“Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.”

Coco Chanel

One of my favourite quotes is dress for the job you want, not the job you have. It’s no secret I want to work in the fashion industry and the daily compliments I receive in my job that is quite far removed from the fashion industry is a testament to this quote. Sky high heels (my favourite question is ‘how do you walk in those?!’ The answer? Putting one foot in front of the other!) and outrageous colour combinations. Patterned tights and dazzling accessories. Formal dresses mixed with corporate staples. Every day when I walk down the stairs (ok, sometimes I take the lift – stairs and heels are not the most practical combination) I feel confident in my outfit and the fact that one day I might be able to walk into an office filled with others in a similar unique getup. 
 
When I had my first ever interview for a fashion related job a number of years ago, I wore my favourite pinstripe suit, heels and a crisp white shirt. The interview was for a junior marketing assistant at Guess – I was thrilled to even be offered an interview and as with any opportunity like this that presents itself – I was nervous beyond words. Choosing my outfit that day was a lesson in itself. University classes had prepared me for corporate marketing jobs – not fashion ones – and I went with what I thought would be most impressive. At the time I didn’t realise that possibly the most impressive thing I could have done was wear something that would make me stand out and show the company my personal style.

Obviously I didn’t get this role; my lack of retail experience being the main reason; but I can’t help but wonder if the way I dressed in the interview was a little to blame. Roles I have interviewed for since this job included marketing at Kmart and my current job – both pure corporate roles where a suit and a well pressed shirt could always go the distance. I do recall my second, or perhaps third, interview for my current role where the interviewer complimented my shoes. I knew I was in.

Late last year I interviewed for a week long internship at an accessories label, a role where I thought I would have the opportunity to show some of my fashion savvy and where my daily fashion parading would be appreciated. Trying to find the balance between what is corporate and what is fashion is a fine line and I walked it – magenta shirt; full, high waisted skirt and fabulous heels – an interview where my skills and passion for all things fashion landed me the job.

This being my first actual role in a fashion environment opened my eyes to a lot of things. While I was working with fashion savvy people and agonised daily over my outfit, my wardrobe still consisted of a lot of corporate wear and I had to mix and match pieces to make it work. As much as I thought I was expressing my personal style through what I had to work with, the people I was working with didn’t seem to agree, acknowledging that my dress sense was perhaps ‘too corporate’ for them.

I learnt a lot about work environments and dress from this experience and this further fuelled my desire to create stunning looks and wear them to my corporate job. Perhaps the reason they work so well here is because they are so far removed from standard issue corporate wear. But what I think is corporate and what you think is corporate could be worlds apart. At the end of the day, personal style is what YOU think it is, no one else. When it all comes down to it, attending a job interview still has some basic rules whether you are applying to be a CEO or a check out chick.

– Make sure what you are wearing fits properly. Not too big, not too small, but just right. Don’t flash too much leg or too much cleavage. If you can’t fit your own clothing, what else can’t you do?
– Heels should be of a medium height that fit well; too high and you risk tripping over (it happens to EVERYONE and you have no idea what the flooring in the interview location will be like) while too low says ‘schoolgirl’.
– Popular opinion says women should wear a skirt to a job interview – I beg to differ. As long as you are presented well, it shouldn’t matter if you are wearing a skirt or pants.
– Iron whatever you choose to wear. Creases = career fail.
– Hair should be off the face and make up clean and minimal. Less is more. Avoid distracting hair accessories; these will divert the interviewers’ attention.
– Similarly, jewellery is a grey area. You don’t want anything flashy or noisy but you want to show that you can accessorise well. Take your cue from Chanel and remove something before you leave the house. A watch is always a good idea.
– Handbags should be practical. Clutch purses are best kept for evening, oversized beach bag totes belong at the beach.
– Nail polish is a personal choice but it’s best to go with something you think fits the brand you are being interviewed for. Natural or neutral colours are best if you are unsure and then amp it up for a second interview if you think it’s appropriate.
– Always arrive 5 to 10 minutes early. While sitting in the waiting area, don’t fidget. It’s okay to be nervous – the interviewer knows this and will usually take it into account – take a deep breath and answer questions confidently and without babbling.

Remember, your CV got you this far and now you have the chance to impress with your brilliant personality and stunning outfit. Smile, and shine!

Cartoons thanks to www.CartoonStock.com

28 days of February

Good things come in small packages.
February is one of them.

February is my birthday month and I just love my birthday. It’s kind of disappointing it’s always so hot and unnecessarily close to Christmas, but it’s still my month and I love it. I like to spread my birthday out over the whole 28 (or sometimes 29) days with dinners, lunches, catch ups and drinks – any excuse to throw in ‘oh, it’s my birthday’ and I’ll be there. Another great thing about February is that you can take the whole 28 days and not be greedy, when months with 31 days are just plain self-indulgent.

In honour of my 28 day long birthday, here are 14 things on my wish list this year, one fopr every second day (cause I’m not greedy. Much.)

The Riley Doc Bag in Black from Mimco $379
http://www.mimco.com.au/Product/Bags_15/Leather_21/RILEY-DOC-BAG_3143/index.aspx

Scrumptious Productions black rose earrings $20
http://dorothyandevelyn.com/index.php?cPath=135_544_597

Leona Edmiston Olivia maxi dress POA
http://www.leonaedmiston.com/

IKEA Kilan Bedspread in Orange $99
http://www.ikea.com/au/en/catalog/categories/departments/Textiles/

The September Issue DVD $34.95
http://www.ezydvd.com.au/item.zml/810051

Kikki K Life Through A Lens Camera Kit $39.95
http://www.kikki-k.com/shop/product/camera-kit-love-mail/

Venus purple chair from Chair Imports POA
http://www.chairimports.com.au/Chairs-European_Beech.aspx

Chanel: Collections and Creations $40
http://www.amazon.com/Chanel-Collections-Creations-Daniele-Bott/dp/0500513600/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1265002517&sr=8-13

Geneva shoes by Tony Bianco $159.95
http://www.tonybianco.com.au/product.asp?page=7&categoryID=37&productID=988

Maticevski beaded tulle strapless dress at Myer Designer Pop Up $549
http://gifts.myer.com.au/Collection.aspx?CollectionID=49

Manning Cartell ‘Ratler’ Jacket at Myer Designer Pop Up $479
http://gifts.myer.com.au/au_manning-cartell-ratler-jacket_d_3231.aspx

Prada sunglasses $252.50
http://www.visiondirect.com.au/designer-sunglasses/Prada/Prada-PR01HS-1AB1A1-2118.html

Tiffany & Co Somerset silver bangle $580
http://au.tiffany.com/Shopping/Item.aspx?fromGrid=1&sku=22763024&mcat=148204&cid=287458&search_params=s+5-p+2-c+287458-r+601323338-x+-n+6-ri+-ni+0-t+

‘Fashion can be bought, style one must possess’ Bangle by Jessica Kangan Cushman $179
http://www.mico-mico.com/Fashion_can_be_bought_Style_one_must_possess_Br_p/jkc0012.htm

“A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous. “

Coco Chanel