I may have mentioned Asos before as one of my favourite things from the land of tea and crumpets but it now gets even better! With the strength of our little Aussie dollar against the pound, it now makes for some serious shopping.
Not only do they have a constant clearance section that with our opposing seasons is always on trend for us. They have just introduced an express option for the ladies of the land down under that promises delivery within 5 days!
When I arrived at the Caulfield Cup on Saturday I had imagined ladies and gentleman in their finery. All 'Yes sir Mr Higgins" and "Jolly good show" but this illusion was quickly shattered before we even got out of the car.
My girlfriend and I arrived at the track right on high noon and we noticed it wasn't just the noon that was high. Hemlines had shot up to a visible butt crease level in fabrics that were soft and floaty. Meaning that with the slightest hint of a breeze these girls vajayjay's were footlose and fancy free.
The fascinators were not exactly fascinating and shoes were of course impractical and coupled with cans of Jim Beam (sipped through a straw of course. Classy) created a walk I can only describe as a loping like knock kneed camels kind of action.
But my main concern was the fact that 80% of women looked like freshly painted Oompa-Loompas that had been caught in the rain. They had also neglected to rub their Le Tan in Le Can right up onto their butt cheeks so when their dresses went AWOL their 'bronzed' tan became even less conspicuous.
Now I'm not hating on fake and bakers as I am one myself and every fair skinned lass has had her fair share of tanning disasters but ladies this was ridiculous.
Some things I've Learned:
1. Wear Gloves!
2. Use a tanner that goes on brown so you can see straight away if you've missed a spot
3. Rub the schiz in! EVERYWHERE!
4. Tan two days before your event, that way it will fade to leave a SUBTLE tan
There were two types of males; the shiny suited, greasy haired, bling earred fellas and the shirt with a skew-if tie and oakley sunglasses on head boys.
After being in General Admin for half an hour shamelessly gawking at the circus around us, our members passes finally turned up. As soon as we swiped our way in the crowd transformed. Boys turned into men and ladettes turned to ladies. Still not on the scale I had expected to find at the races but saturday was definitely an eye opening example of the juxtaposition between the classes.
There's something going on around here.... Fashion and the 'finer' sex have finally pushed the ancient art form of ink into the mainstream. Fashion has it's very own circle of life and many trends are started by our inner rebel without a cause. We take something that is taboo and spread it through the masses like religion on crack.
Tans were once considered a sign of a commoner. Someone who toiled in the fields whilst rich fair maidens perched under umbrellas (Most likely held by one of those tanned folk). I would like to think this concept was crushed by the dissolution of the classes but unfortunately it seems the rich fair maidens had just decided to rebel. The cause for trading the umbrella for a banana lounge occurred in 1923 when Miss Coco Chanel was spotted leaving a nobleman's yacht with a deep suntan. She had spent her summer cruising to Cannes and really who didn't want to look like they had spent the summer cruising the Côte d'Azur. Coco later claimed to have stayed out in the sun too long but it was too late. A trend was born and black became the new black.
Cultures across the ages have embraced tattoos using them as a form of marking milestones and body decoration and yet western society again thought it a practice for the exotic and the commoner. The stigma only began to dissolve when again the fashion pack started jumping on the needle in the noughties. Victoria Beckham's Hebrew script "I am my beloved and my beloved is mine" that she shares with her hubby Goldenballs is even considered chic.
They have now become a fashion accessory, a statement, an extension of who we are. Trend's in tattooing are even as fluid as fashion in the high street. With the most recent trend for sleeves in the style of presenter Ruby Rose or my favourite beehived mess Amy Winehouse or smaller symbols and script à la Erin Wasson and Rihanna scattered across the body. From wrists to ribs anyone who is anyone is getting inked titt for tatt.
Make you wanna splash the sea and damn the consequences of a wet crotch all afternoon. This beautiful Melbourne day has inspired a quick change of track of the week to a more crusing down the coast in my purple chevy impala kind of song... Hope you enjoy!
And thanks to my little bestie Sara (above) for splashing it up when we were in Barcelona!
Twitter informed me yesterday of the passing of Mr Patrick Swayze and it was then that I realised the impact that one man can have on your life. Born in the 80s my childhood crush was the Dirty Dancing, "No body puts baby in a corner" Johnny Castle and a somewhat tragic phase of wanting everyone to call me Baby. Then came the early 90s and my crush had evolved from a 50s bad boy in a bikerjacket to a blonde bearded surf gromit named Bodhi. Point Break was one of those films that even later as obsessed adolescents we would rent and watch over and over, quoting lines; "What am I going to do? Paddle to New Zealand?"."It's the place where you lose yourself and you find yourself. You don't know it yet but you've got it, it's right there" and the quote that has been ingrained into my psyche and vernacular "ROCK-N-ROLL".
Bodhi and Johnny Utah prompted a life long yearning to surf that I am still yet to fulfill. Mainly because of a gnawing fear of being eaten by sharks, (haha gnawing) but maybe just maybe Mr Swayze has given me another gift. The realisation that life is too short and the inspiration to make my next trip a surfing safari.
Peace be with you Mr Johnny-Castle-Bodhisattva. xoxo
This super stylin sistah is someone I admire. Well actually it's an admiration that probably regularly crosses the line into unabated jealously. The reason, because she is one of the few where that je nai sais quoi is taken to a whole nother level.
Rihanna actually oozes cool, whether she is rocking the red carpet (like pic no.2 at the Fashion's Night Out Event) or crossing a New York street the girl looks fly.
It's that effortless rocknrolla cool that gets me. She makes me wanna cut my hair again after 2 years of growing it out, she makes me wanna push my fashion limits and she makes me wanna break all the rules.
I discovered this little gem through www.stylehunter.com and had to share it with you. Although mostly aspirational fashion on my current budget, my wish list is already overflowing with rupert sanderson peep toe booties (above) , a Luella petrol clutch and erickson beamon bangle. (also pictured above)
Hmmmmmm well it was the first cover I noticed when I was strutting past my beloved corner newsstand to the sounds of this mornings soundtrack (longest road - morgan page deadmau5 mix) but on closer inspection I am a little bit head cocked slightly to the left, squinty eyes and quizzical brow.
You see I like the cover I do. It's simple and stylish but kind of reminds me of the newspaper lift out Wish and maybe they are going for a more newsy type of aesthetic it would explain the blink and you'll miss it headers in grey, yes grey and yet they are then using a watercolour and tie-dyed text palette for it's headlines.
It may be my mood but the articles seem to lack that certain something that makes me want to read more, after a column or two I'm impatiently flicking along for something else only to find more of the same same. Pieces on rock royalty, inside blah blah's closet (see I can't even remember who's closet it was) and yet another Aniston interview.
Then finally I reach an article with a bit of promise 'Gucci director, Frida Gianni tells Bazaar why music makes her clothing collections sing' however as I turn the page I am again disappointed because instead of an article exploring the inspiration that music can bring to a creative medium like design, it is a simple question an answer about Frida's record collection. Asking the hard hitting question's like 'Do you throw many parties and DJ at home?' or 'How many record's do you have?'. Violently flicking the page I get to Boy oh Boy or Boy oh BORING the most uninspiring fashion spread I have ever seen.
My mood is slightly lifted by the piece on Stella McCartney but all in all as I put down October's 'new look' issue next to last months Sienna cover, I feel like a woman who has just seen her recent holiday snaps and with utter disappointment realised, shit I've packed on the pounds.
Since today is the day that we thank our fathers, I thought I'd share with you my inherited perception of cool shaped by what my dad likes to call 'The School of Dave'.
My older sister and I were enrolled from birth however we were not the only students with cousins and childhood friends also on the roll. In fact 'The School of Dave' is renowned for its tutorials on music, film and storytelling. So much so it is now spoken of as if a legend "AH Grasshopper you too have been taught in the ways of Dave".
Music and film classes had one main principle 'to know where you're going, you got to know where you've been'. It's important to know 'the classics'.
Top 20 'Classic' Songs from 'The School of Dave'
Hotel California - The Eagles (live Hell Freeze's over version = Awesomeness)
Hit the Road Jack - Ray Charles
Let's Stay Together - Al Green
You Can't Always Get What You Want - Rolling Stones
Respect - Aretha Franklin
Stand By Me - Ben E King
Eagle Rock - Daddy Cool
April Sun in Cuba - Dragon
With a Little Help From my Friends - Joe Cocker
Moondance - Van Morrison
Roxanne - The Police
My Girl - Otis Redding
Here Comes the Sun - The Beatles
Diamonds & Pearls - Prince (also my first ever cd along with MJs Thriller)
All Along the Watchtower - Jimi Hendrix
Get Rhythm - Johnny Cash
Rapture - Blondie
People Are Strange - The Doors
California Dreamin - The Mamas and the Papas
Anything Goes - Frank Sinatra
Not to mention the Rat Pack, the entire Beatles catalogue and songs from 1950s musicals.
For films it was a heartbreaking task to narrow down and that is why this list only goes til about the 1980s and has been bumped up to a TOP dadadada 33. Very random number I know but it's a fitting number in my family as it was my Grandfather's guernsey number at Fitzroy and I'm guessing it may have been Butch who actually inspired 'The School of Dave'.
Top 33 'Classic' Films from 'The School of Dave'
Dr. No
Cool Hand Luke
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
The Sting
True Grit
The Outlaw Josey Wales
Dirty Harry
Easy Rider
The Godfather
Goodfellas
The Untouchables
The Great Escape
The Elephant Man
To Kill a Mockingbird
It's a Wonderful Life
Harvey
The Black
Singing in the Rain
West Side Story
Sunset Boulevard
The Great Race
Some Like it Hot
Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis films (my childhood was filled with these on a sunday afternoon)
Breakfast at Tiffany's
To Sir With Love
Lost Boys
Parenthood
Three Amigos
Jaws
Star Wars
Indiana Jones
Back to the Future
Field of Dreams
And perhaps the most integral part of the course was the unit on storytelling. This was not limtited to bedtimes and even extended to car trips you see 'you are never lost when you're on an adventure'. The best way to describe my childhood would be to show you
Hey what can I say it was never boring and it was 'The School of Dave' that taught me the No.1 Golden Rule for storytellers:
Out at Sentido Funf last night for my bestie's bday I happened to notice well actually I was slapped in the face with the fact that within a 2 metres of my black & backless dress there were count them 5 YES 5 other black & backless dresses swanning around.
Some had ruffles, some were grazing on booty cracks and all were mini. Here we were the first weekend in spring and yet we all looked like we were at a high fashion wake and in some way we were because as I looked around I began to mourn the loss of my black & backless. It was no longer special, no longer different and definitely over cooked. The realisation hurt almost as much as pulling off my stickie boobs...
But I thought for those of us living under rocks, I'd introduce you to RUMI the blogger behind FASHIONTOAST. Rumi hits up her site with pictures of herself toasting her favourite fashion pieces AND a quick scroll shows the girl certainly has that je nai sais quoi!
My anticipation levels before seeing The September Issue were at an all time high. I had read about the film way back when and was left shattered after being put on hold for 20 minutes during the Melbourne International Film Festival, only to be told 'ah like that just sold out'. I then had to wait an excruciating two weeks for the national release and after what felt like a lifetime a girlfriend and I finally penciled it in at the Nova last Monday Night.
After being disappointed the day before when I went to see Inglorious Basterds, I was trying to keep a cap on my excitement. We got there and the line was massive and as we crept our way to the front of the queue I thought 'Here we go, it'll be sold out'.
I think I almost held my breath as we asked for our tickets and thank god the reply was, 'Paying together?' and even better, '$8.00 each thanks'. Yep by sheer luck, Monday nights at the Nova are actually tight arse Monday! Not really the same ring to it as tight arse Tuesday but who needs a catchy name when you're only paying $8.
The cinema was packed and packed I might add with the best dressed cinema goers I have ever seen. Heels and high buns were de rigueur. My girlfriend actually turned to me and whispered, 'God I was going to wear my trackies!'
With all this build up I was getting ancy and then Anna's face filled the screen and I was hooked, transported to my very own Oz.
R J Cutler's film chronicles the nine month preparation that goes into making the fashion bible that is Vogue's September Issue. It gives unprecedented access into the upper echelons of the Conde Nast publication, namely the all powerful Oz herself Anna Wintour.
Like Oz, Wintour's reputation precedes her and with the curtains stripped back you do see a certain vulnerability in the 'ice queen'. She is unquestionably one of the most influential names in fashion and yet looks hurt when she explains her family probably feel her career is 'amusing'. Watching Wintour you can see why her persona is what it is however I did start to wonder if Anna were a man would she still be seen as a villain or an exceptionally savvy business man?
One of the most interesting relationships Cutler showcases is the 20 year to-and-fro between editor-in-chief Wintour and creative director / fashion genius Grace Coddington. They are the yin and yang in a process that needs both the direction of Wintour and the heart of Coddington. At times you can almost smell the blood, sweat and tears. You begin to wonder why the relationship hasn't ended up like Lennon and McCartney's.
Breaking the tension is the endearing Andre Leon Talley and the presence of up and coming designer Thakoon who adds light to the film and displays the power of some well placed words of Wintour's.
Unlike Dorothy I wasn't ready to go home when the lights came up in the cinema, so much so my girlfriend and I are returning to Oz next Monday night. This time however I might have to add some killer ruby slippers to my ensemble.
Every August Bank Holiday weekend the largest festival in Europe takes place over 2 days (this year August 30 & 31) with more than 1 million revellers packing the streets of West London's Notting Hill. The event is definitely Caribbean in flavour with floats and food celebrating the culture of carnival and in particular Trinidad.
Steel bands, reggae and the smell of spices fill the air. You can't help but be swept along with the sea of the dancing crowd, singing TRIN I DAD-TRIN I DAD. My bestie and I had an amazing time at carnival and I would mark it is one of our most memorable adventures in London.
We were warned by local Londoners about our safety at the event as the amount of crime during the street festival has been well, controversial. The year of our attendance two men were actually shot, although we were completely oblivious and didn't find out until we read the papers the next day.
We didn't see any violence whatsoever just a whole lotta people gettin down and when I say gettin down I mean GETTIN DOWN. One minute your dancing and the next
Miss Wasson is one cool chick and THANK GOD to finally find someone with some style to rock the name Erin (other than me of course lol). I had searched long and hard for someone to look up to in the name game but every other Erin I knew of was well a little bit soft. All bunnies, brown skirts and library cards. I can unequivocally say the wait was worth it. This model, stylist and designer is elegant with an edge and I lOve lOve lOve her.
I picked up RUSSH today and had to share this editorial. It makes me ache for summer sun, balmy nights and bronzed skin. I know I'm getting impatient I know but perhaps a perfect pink pout can tide me over. The only speed bump the above is a custom blend for RUSSH using M.A.C Magenta Madness and White Lipmix. I better get blending.
I may have mentioned earlier the Sienna saturation that has hit our paper stands, the fashion 'it girl' does seem to be getting around (no pun intended, well maybe a little one). When I spotted her fourth September cover on British GQ I thought geez that's a bit much but funny thing I picked it up and flipped straight to her article. Why? Because she's cool.
Perhaps because of the recent media backlash, (all that business with Getty, really who cares) Miller has decided to turn it up a notch on the style stakes, making some bold choices for her GI Joe press run and looking fresh at the premiere of Vogue's The September Issue.
Her personal life may be picked over like roadkill but her fashion choices have always had her at the top of the game. Perhaps even to the point where she is predominantly known as a style icon rather than an actress. People at least put Interview with Steve Buscemi on your to do list. The girl's got game.
Miller also collaborates with her older sister Savannah on their label twenty8twelve named after Sienna's birthday.
Kate (even too cool for a crack conviction) Moss launches her latest Topshop collection online tomorrow and I say strike while our little Aussie dollar is hot (well it's worth about 50p) and when delivery is only about 7 quid translation around $14, all I can say is ROCKnROLL!
Some say it's vandalism but Banksy is one graffiti artist who's work can be found from the streets of London to the West Bank Barrier in Palestine and even the back alleys of Melbourne. The cult of Banksy is only fueled by the artists anonymity (he knows how to play it cool) and his distinctive stenciling techniques that express alternative political views. Some believe he gives a voice to the people who inhabit the urban landscapes he chooses to paint. But you also might say he does it for a laugh or a smile in otherwise bleak surroundings.
The above is a picture I captured on my mobile at an exhibition of Banksy's work in Kensington, London over a year ago and here's what he has been up to lately
I SPOTTED Miss Hart on the city streets of Melbourne today, quite ironic since I had just seen her via my FOXTEL IQ on MTV's 'The City'. Looking pretty much exactly the same, all blonde hair and black leather. The girl has style, one that exudes a laid back glamour with an edge that is synonymous with the Australian aesthetic.
As I watched her walk on by (coveting her black leather jacket) I remembered I had this stunner of a Vogue cover from March 2008 gathering dust in the confines of my macbook.
The cover sets Australian Vogue apart from its international sisters and epitomises Australian fashion. Fresh, simple and glamorous.
Seen here in last month's Vanity Fair is the man who is the epitome of cool actually he may be the one exception to the notion that 'coolness' is subjective. Ask any man, woman or child (Jack Sparrow is so cool he even had Keith Richards as a father) and their answer will be the same, they love him because he just is so cool...
It's that time of year again when the days are getting longer, the sun begins to outshine the rain and carrying your favourite fashion magazines may cause a hernia. Sienna is dominating the covers and the palette for summer is looking distinctively light. It's a little bit rock with a whole lot of soft rolls. Nude layers and statement shoulders, thanks to the 'lust have' Balmain (props baby props).
Camilla & Marc's Spring Summer 2009/10 collection is a perfect example of this with nearly everything on my my wish list for hot summer nights of cocktails on rooftops. Beautifully light with flecks of gold and silver whilst statement black make for depth of light and shade. Not to forget the hottest boots of the season in leopard or of course nude! because it's cool...
Like many gen y's I headed for my 'right of passage' to the mother country, London, England. She was a cruel mistress with her lousy weather and horrible food but she did make up for it with asos.com, Topshop and Miss Alexa Chung.
Chung epitomises London Street chic mixing the high street and designer in a very 'I just threw this on' too cool aesthetic. In 2009 she was awarded Best TV Presenter for both the Elle Style and Glamour Awards.
Only a whisper in our ears down under she graced nearly every cover of every magazine, newspaper and weekly in my 16 month stint in the UK. It was an Alexa overload!
Shortly after arriving home my eye began to twitch when I realised the it girl was gone with only a few scant sightings across our pages. To get my fix I now have to fork out into the double digits for a UK Grazia or Look magazine or when I'm feeling desperate I'll even take a quick hit from Google images. All I can say is; it must be that jenaisaisquoi...
Steve McQueen had it, Erin Wasson owns it and Chuck Taylors will always have it. The French have even come up with a phrase encapsulating it, that 'je nai sais quoi' or 'I do not know what' about someone or something that has an inherent sense of cool.
It is this elusive 'certain something' that is behind one of society's most enduring enigmas, 'the concept of cool'.
Always subjective, always evolving and yet ingrained in our Psyche. We may not be able to define it but we sure as hell know it when we see it.
This blog celebrates that 'je nai sais quoi' - because it's cool...
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