MOK THEOREM.

I just wanted to share my absolute favourites from the lookbook that Grace and Gloria of Mok Theorem sent through. You all know how much I love it when an Australian label starts the journey to the top, and Mok Theorem is one of those - this combined with the Mok sisters' amazing eye for texture versus colour makes for a newly groundbreaking collection (with some absolutely amazing lookbook photography, might I add!).

Personally, I find all the textural mixups in this collection amazing - I wouldn't be looking quite as serene as the model if I were wearing that leather bustiered dress (picture Margaret swirling and falling over in layers and layers of amazing chiffon), and those white twist trousers are pretty exciting :)

Check out more of the collection HERE!

Hope you're all as glad as I am that it's the weekend!

*love*

xx

Violet & I.

With this amazing collection under her belt, designer Anna Linklater is certainly forming a following with appreciation for all things "influenced by English Rose meets bustling streets and vibrance of India". I'm loving the slightly vintage vibe in all of Violet & I's pieces, especially with Anna's unexpected, but other-wordly beauty in her fabric and colour combinations and the necklines, the necklines, the necklines. I never thought I'd be so in love with a neckline - or many!

Anna is having her runway debut at Melbourne Spring Fashion Week on September 1, in the Fashion 101 event, so if you're in the area, make sure you get some tickets at Stickystickets (here) - I'd be there in a tick if it weren't for me being in Sydney :( Anna's gorgeous pieces are too much so to miss! Also, on the 7th of September, Violet & I will be kickstarting its relationship with The Butterfly Foundation with the 'Body of Art Exhibition' where the Panacheya Camisole (below) will be for sale - 20% is donated back to The Butterfly foundation to help people living with eating disorders, which I think is definitely a valuable cause.

Check out more of Anna's work HERE!

P.S. I totally just finished four exams in two days - I'm a melted mess on the floor, but I'm alive! And now two days before Chemistry, the weekend before more Chemistry, and a day before Music performance... I can see the light :)

P.P.S. Outfit post tomorrow, I promise!

*love*

xx

For Love and Lemons: Laura Hall and Gillian Mahin.

For Love and Lemons caught my eye with their latest collection of pure awesome in the form of skillfully crafted leggings, options for layering, and flowing blacks that (you all know) I love so much. The youthful sophistications in all the pieces in this collection are definitely an upside for me, as was the chance to ask designers Laura and Gillian about how the achieve this kind of eye-pop:

Hey hey, how’s it going?

Things are great! Just got back from northern California, wine tasting, long scenic drives and good friends. Can't really ask for much more!

How did you both start out with design?

Laura: I got into the fashion industry in Australia, I worked for a label and just fell in love.

Gillian: I wanted to create clothes that I couldn't find in stores, so I was always sketching up new ideas, and piecing together trims on old garments. It wasn't until I also worked in Sydney (for Bec&Bridge) that I discovered fashion was my future and ultimate passion. Laura and I combined our creative forces and made "For Love & Lemons".

What would you say is the For Love and Lemons vibe?

The vibe is casual, cool, rebellious, uninhibited, and free spirited. We want our audience to be able to relate to the lifestyle of "For Love & Lemons", that it's not just a dress or a pair of pants, but a form of expression, of individualism. Every girl that wears "For Love & Lemons" is like a Jennifer Love Hewitt moment in Can't Hardly Wait, where she steals the scene, but in a cooler, not so cheesy-hair-blowing in-the-wind type of way. The message is to stand out, be yourself, feel beautiful, and comfortable at the same time.

What kind of work goes into releasing one piece?

Gillian: Restless nights of sleep and contemplation to start. I usually think of a design in my dreams right before I go to sleep, so I have to get up and sketch it out so I won't forget in the morning. Next, we execute the idea by finding the fabrics, trims, measurements, sew up a sample(several times) until it has the perfect fit, and voila!

I’ve been loving your latest pieces – are you thinking of expanding to anything else?

Thanks! We want to concentrate now on our most craved pieces (leggings and party dresses), perfect those, and make them more amazing in each collection. You can expect to see the continue of details and trims, that's our favorite part of designing.

Where do you see yourselves in 5 years time?

Oh jeez, that's a tough question, I don't know where I see myself tonight! Ha, I think it's safe to say we will be expanding our collections to even more amazing pieces, selling over seas, and we eventually want to create accessories!

Who are your favourite style icons of the moment?

Abbey Lee Kershaw, Charlotte Kemp Muhl, Isabelle Lucas, Freja Beha, Erin Wasson, Jessica Hart, MK Olsen, Kate Moss, Alexa Chung, I know there a bunch missing on the list, but we also like to go back in time to the Brigitte Bardot and Sophia Loren days, timeless, classic, bombshells!

What do you think of the new wave of bloggers coming through?

Loves it! It's a great creative outlet for people to share their inspiration and creativity. It's perfect for us because it's an uncontrolled environment for people to express themselves, show what they like, what they are really wearing, and what trends are not happening. It's like our personal trend forecaster, we get so much inspiration from these blogs! I feel frazzled if I don't start my day off with a coffee and a couple good blog reads.

One of our previous interviewees, designer Phoenix Keating, would like to know: Who is your favourite screen goddess?

Hmmmm, I don't want to sound repetitive, but Marilyn Monroe, she is the ultimate, she started it all, she will never go out of style.

And last of all, what’s a random question would you guys like to ask the next interviewee?

What blogs are you following now?

Thanks girls!

You can check out more of their work HERE.

P.S. Thank you all for the sweet emails and comments on yesterday's post!

P.P.S. Shout out to my Music 2 class, the redhead and my stressbuddy Ricola :) who sat through a bit of flustered exam this afternoon. Get excited for English and economics tomorrow, people.

*love*

xx

barre||noire.

I've been in touch with Timm from barre||noire - an amazing label based in Berlin, that just had its first runway show during Berlin Fashion Week (just saying that makes me excited for them - big years ahead, Timm!) - and last week, he sent through these incredible shots barre||noire is all about clean, sharp and precise cuts juxtaposed with an unpredictable element, whether it be the femininity in a giant bow, brights or pastels, and most of all, may-I-say-groundbreaking textures (yellow slash-pattern pants? I love you). And somehow, through all this complexity, the pieces manage to jigsaw with each other into an overall aesthetic of calm, composed sophistication, and in that respect, the beautiful lighting in these particular shots really communicate that (I dream of being able to capture this kind of light).

I've pretty much fallen for the draped jumpsuit. Your turn! Click HERE to see more of barre||noire!

Hope you've all had a great weekend so far.

P.S. LAST DAY to enter the amazing fredflare.com giveaway!! So quick quick quick CLICK. I'll be drawing the winner tomorrow :)

*love*

xx

ETSY love: FriedaSophie.

I quite recently professed a newfound love for raw crystals, unfinished stones and other things to that effect - though I haven't really had the time or patience to put that into practice (my last term of school ever is slowly eating up my life). And almost simultaneously, I jumped on the ETSY bandwagon - I haven't quite gotten around to shopping-basketing or even wish-listing anything for that matter, but I do have a much greater appreciation for all things handmade, now. Particularly having seen the handicraft of the lovely Sandra Ducheneaux (store, FriedaSophie), whose incredible encasing (I can't think of a better word) of any slice and cut you can think of has really kick-started my love of all things unrefined.

They emanate a certain regality - particularly handy in the dressing up of things too street, and the dressing down of things too ballroom.

I like that :)

Check out more of Sandy's work HERE.

P.S. and don't forget to enter the giveaway - I mean, who doesn't want $100 to spend at Fredflare.com!

*love*

xx

Brian Reyes.

Brian Reyes' ability to construct an incredibly structured piece from a series of twists really does get me thinking about the industry and what needs to set you apart from the grain. I came across Brian's work when I saw the incredible corset gown in red, which I vowed to wear to my graduation formal - though somehow that's looking a little doubtful at the moment! His latest Resort 2011 collection really captures the vibe we associate with different elements of times of year when the mercury is high and zinc does not leave noses alone, but the best part is that there actually is something there for everybody. The collection covers such a wide sweep of genres, age groups, you name it, that has not been approached in such a way before. But the creative process is there in mixing and matching to make it so.

Thanks so much to Michael McLaughlin for sending these through! Given my current love for scoop necklines and sweetheart necklines (wow - not very discrete on my part), Brian's work has really clicked conceptually for me too :)

Check out more pieces HERE.

P.S. the giveaway is now closed, but not even joking: there shall be another tomorrow! I'll also be drawing the winner so keep those fingers crossed :)

Hope you've all had a great weekend!

*love*

xx

Lulu in Chains: Shadi Tambrchi.

Lulu in Chains is gaining momentum like the cutting-edge ball of sophisticated energy that it is. The hard work, precision and aesthetic balance in every one of designer Shadi Tambrchi's pieces have really set the label apart from the recent surge in new names in the Aussie (fist-pump!) fashion industry - and she's certainly picking up some well-deserved acclaim: she's just been selected as a finalist in the 2010 Chambord Shine Awards, winning the Peoples' Choice award on the night! What I personally love most about Shadi's work is that she's not scared of bringing opposites together, and I so thrilled at the chance to catch up with her about herself and Lulu in Chains:

So tell us a but about yourself and how Lulu in Chains came about.
Like alot of good things in life, Lulu in Chains was an accident. I used to design for myself and everytime I wore one of my designs out, I was approached by stores wanting to stock the style. I soon started thinking that perhaps I could start my own label and that is how the label was born. Prior to the birth of Lulu in Chains, I actually practised as a lawyer for four years.

What is Lulu in Chains’ design philosophy?
Lulu in Chains has a motto - "because life is too short to wear a dull dress". Through each Lulu in Chains dress, I aim to give the woman wearing it that "wow" factor. I refuse to allow women to look "ordinary" - yet I want women to stand out with elegance and style. Whilst a beautiful, unique dress may not change the world, it can be a very powerful thing - it can help you be noticed, it can enhance you, it can help you be remembered. Afterall, if you remember the dress, you remember the woman wearing it. I hope that through my label, I can give women a taste of the power that comes from wearing that incredible dress.

What are you working on at the moment?
A black leather dress with protruding layers upon layers of white soft tulle on one side (sounds ridiculous but will [hopefully!] be amazing).

And what are you working towards in the long run?
My desire is not to be stocked in every store in every country. In fact, I say no to stockist requests more than I say no. I want to keep Lulu in Chains somewhat “exclusive”. I don’t want women to be worried that they will see fifty other people wearing the same Lulu in Chains dress when they are out. My long term goal is for women to seek my label when they want a “wow” dress that will make them stand out but with grace and beauty. I would like Lulu in Chains to have a “quiet” following by confident, strong women who are proud of their femininity, and who want to be remembered – afterall , if you remember the dress, you remember the woman wearing it. My label is not designed for the woman who wants to be lost in the crowd or sit in the corner of the room the entire night.

What kind of works goes into designing and releasing one Lulu in Chains piece?
How much time do you have? I am obsessed in two regards – the style and the fit of the dress.
In relation to style, I always want to ensure that the dress is not ordinary or dull, however that the dress remains elegant and wearable to a range of functions. Also, my designs are usually based on a contradiction of ideas . For example, for alot of my winter styles, I have combined french lace with black leather – with the overall effect being the juxtaposition of femininity in the lace and masculinity in the leather. This implies that a women can both be confident and strong, sweet and feminine all at once.

In relation to fit, I don’t care how great a design you have – if the fit is not flattering no one will want to wear it. I spend as much time ensuring that the fit of the dress is flattering than I do on the design.

What do you think of the new wave of bloggers coming through?
I think that it is great. The more opinions and information that is out there, the better.

One of our previous interviewees, designer Marina Makaron, would like to know: Do you like wearing your own designs?
I only design clothes that I want to wear myself. In fact, this is another of my “rules of design”. If I wont wear it myself, it will not make it to the store.

And last of all, what’s a random question you would like to ask the next interviewee?
What do you think is the worst characteristic of the fashion world?

Thanks Shadi! I am so certain that there are some big years ahead!

Check out more of Lulu in Chains HERE.

*love*

xx

Staple.

Thanks to Natalie, I am now the most obsessed person with Staple that you'll be seeing for a long time. This collection has the most amazing mix of cuts and textures, with an emphasis on jersey (which I always love - comfort at the moment is key) - pockets and high-waists also tend to be a standing ovation for me :)

But at the end of the day, what I love most about these pieces are the versatile colour palette that is so easily dressed up or down, the symmetry, and the insanely on-point exploration of draping.

Hello, slouchy beige pants and printed jumpsuit. What do you say we go get coffee and then take a long stroll?

Check out more of Staple HERE.

P.S. I know I haven't done any outfit shots in days - I'm sorry, I'm sorry! Tomorrow, I promise :)

P.P.S. But on a happier note, don't forget to enter the GIVEAWAY!

*love*

xx

Irene Brandt.

It is with great pleasure that I introduce the lovely Irene Brandt - a designer whose incredibly precise and aesthetically balanced work has been hovering around my head for the past few months. Irene really is the sweetest person, and I, for one, will be compulsively checking her website for updates on her work :)

Starting Out:
I came to London for the first time when I was 13, all the way from Buenos Aires. After only five days in the city, I went home and said: ‘I am going to study fashion design and I’m going to move to London’ (you can imagine how surprised my mother was after listening to that). Well, I never changed my mind, it has always been my passion. Designing and searching for new ideas is what makes me wake up and keeps me up at night.

The Vibe:
Hmmm… it’s kind of like asking musicians what type of music they play, I guess it’s hard to define your own work. What I can tell you is that I focus on quality and try to create garments that feel contemporary but that, at also feel timeless. So that if you have an ‘Irene Brandt’, you will take the piece out of your wardrobe in ten years and you’ll love it as much as you did on the first day.

The Inspiration:
Usually, I would start thinking about an idea, a theory, a reflection on the system of fashion itself, for example. I would then search for visual expressions that represent that idea that I am trying to shape. I then fill my whole floor with images… I also work a lot on the stand, so many ideas for the collections come from experimenting with fabrics, shapes and textures.

The Future:
Who knows?! Wherever it is, it will have to be a big city.

On Bloggers:
I think they are changing the way information flows. The fact that you can be your own editor and create a journal curated only by your taste or interests... it is very inspiring for designers to look at blogs, it lets us all see things that we wouldn’t have had access to in the past.

Thanks Irene!

So much love for her amazing cutout work... I don't know how she manages it. And hold up. Freak out. SHOES.

Check out more of Irene's work HERE.

*love*

xx

Maria Francesca Pepe.

What I really love about Maria Francesca Pepe's design work is how closely adherent it is to the concept of 'statement'. Every piece is a nail-on-the-head-type blow to the eyes and the consciousness with a very concentrated vibe that Maria knows and stands by - et voilà. You have a ground-breaking collection that will definitely be a hit with anyone who loves mixing up extremes as much as I do. I had the pleasure of asking Maria a bit about how she pulls something as amazing as this together:

Starting Out:
I think being a designer is part of who I am as a person and deciding I wanted to make it my job has been quit a natural process. I actually studied Litature when I was at the College and I moved to study to the marangoni Fashion Institute after 2 years I was living in Milan and had established a good network of friends in the business. since my background was very far from the fashion world I just wanted to make sure my creative ambitions would be enough to accept that life style and commitment working in fashion requires. My first jobs as a designer have been in Womenswear and that's what I worked on during my Master at CSM. Jewellery came afterwords, when I realised how fun it is and how it can be fullfilling in terms of conceptual approach and multifunctionality.

The Vibe:
When I design i always think: 'that's cool, fun and it makes sense'

The Love per Piece:
Lots of research, sourcing materials, new techniques, managing costs, sketching weird stuff i'll never produce, editing my thoughts, looking deep in my head and being brave to show what I feel and think.

The Future:
Hosting an exhibition to celebrate 13 years of MFP! That, and a beautiful familiy surrounding me.

On Bloggers:
You are brave, hardworkers, cool and so essential to a fashion industry that really needs to move away from the obvious.

How perfect are those pieces :O These shots of her FW10/11 collection are officially listed as obsessions - must have those rings and chains and evil wolf jacket!

Check out more of her work HERE.

P.S. to announce the giveaway winners (I totally forgot yesterday)! kiakiakiakia, rachel, and Lisa Van, enjoy your Modeküngen SHOPAHOLIC shopping bags! For the rest of you lovely people, don't you worry! There'll be an awesome giveaway the minute we hit 800 blog lovers :)

P.P.S. I'm sorry my posting has been at weirdly irregular times this week! My internet is undergoing resuscitation.

*love*

xx