Bits 'n pieces of fashion news

Shopping wish list
sQ, the anti diffusion label for the girls behind myPetsQuare, hits stores in February and I know I’m not alone with my excitement. The fashion world has been buzzing since the dramatic collection was presented last August in a haunted mansion. It presented itself as sophisticated and sensual with a colour pallet of black, navy, gray, and splashes of cherry red. The fashionable audience was spellbound by the fluid fabrics like stretch silk and washed out jersey and quirky designs. Creators Vicki Lee and Angelique May-Bennett met at a music festival and conceived the idea to launch a label while in a nightclub bathroom. sQ will be the more luxurious and high end of the two labels, and a bit more geared to a night on the town. The Winter 09 collection hits boutiques across Australia in February 2009, and I cannot wait.***


Best dressed: Balmin
You know those collections that capture the zeitgeist of a time and every piece is relevant and wearable? Christopher Decarnin’s Balmain collection gave a much-needed surge of rock ‘n roll adrenalin to Fashion Week. The show was set to vintage Madonna and was full of Michael Jackson inspired jackets, stonewashed jeans, and sequins. There were plenty of sexy options for the concert, the party, and the after-party. It’s funny how the 80s and 90s look so much better the second time around.***



Sexy export
Aussie girls have been giving the Russian girls a run for their money as they take over runways from New York to Milan. Abbey Lee Kershaw, Catherine McNeil, and Skye Stracke are young, fresh, and dominating the world. The latest homegrown beauty to be strutting down runways (51 shows to be exact, including Gucci, Balenciaga, and Dior) is 17 year-old Brisbane beauty Myf Shepherd. Between meeting Karl Lagerfeld and booking the new Miu Miu campaign alongside Katie Holmes, this young model definitely has a bright future. (Myf is with Chic).***

The best thing about Monday…
The thing I love about Cheap Monday is that is actually is cheap. In a sea of overpriced and gimmicky labels, Cheap Monday delivers idiosyncratic, well-priced jeans and basics. The Swedish label has been steadily expanding since it launched nearly a decade ago, and they have finally added swimwear to the list. This simple bandeau top with zip is definitely an object of desire, and so refreshing to get trendy togs for under $100.***

Grande Bouche's grande nap

I stole this photo from jezebel because it almost made me weep with joy! Anyway, working two jobs has put my blog to sleep a bit, but I promise things are going to change. And in the meantime, Ill post adorable baby animals and hope it suffices! x

Michelle Obama: 21st century style icon

And while we are talking about the Obamas…What did everyone think of Michelle’s choice of a Narcisco Rodriguez fiery red and black dress hot off the runway? I have to say, while it was a tad confusing and eyecatching it is so refreshing to se her taking risks. She will definitely add some much needed flavor to boring ol’ Washington, DC. My friend Emily blogged on the matter, check it out here.

I love Michelle’s way of making simple outfit concepts funky. She isn't afraid of color, and certainly isn't confined to the old pants suit or plain dress. What I've been loving is her apparent love broaches, which add flair to her great taste. Here are some highlights:
Can't wait to watch her become a style icon over the next few years. Also can't wait to watch precious Malia and Sasha grow up...

Yes we DID!

It has been forever since I blogged and so much has happened (the economy has gotten worse, I have done more shopping…I know, I know what an oxymoron), but I think it is undeniable that the biggest event since I last blogged is the election of Barack Obama as President of the United States! I was working at InStyle (another update..I freelance at InStyle now) on Nov 5th when the news broke (we are a day ahead). I had been refreshing my CNN.com screen every 3 minutes or so, watching as Obama clinched key States. Then a girl walked into the office saying, “He won!” “I know,” I said, “He got Iowa!” “No, he won!” I was ecstatic in a way I can’t explain, because it was a different type of excitement than I’ve ever had. I wasn’t even expecting to feel the way that I did. My heart was racing, and all I wanted to do was transport myself to DC or New York and go crazy with a mob of happy citizens. Instead, I drank a glass of champagne and watched a few Aussie fashionistas wipe away tears during his memorable acceptance speech. But I never really got the chance to celebrate with people who felt the same way I did….and what was that feeling? Relief. Hope. And Pride. As an American that has spent so much time feeding my passion of travel, it feels good to be overseas and to be able to feel a certain pride that for as long as I’ve been traveling I haven’t been able to feel. I’ve been in the back of taxis in Nice, France telling the driver “Je deteste Bush aussie. Oui, Clinton est tres bien.”

On the historical night Miriam and I were sending emails (Blackberry to iPhone, me at my desk in Sydney, her at a bar in Williamsburg) and one email from Miriam comes to mind. I had written something like “Yeah!!! He got Pennsylvania,” and Miriam wrote “Anna we might be saved, our country is saved.” It was so dramatic, and also so amusing because Miriam and I spend so much time talking about bangs, boys, and dream jobs…that to be sharing that kind of raw excitement over something so important was wonderful. Okok we aren’t that shallow, I just painted a bad picture!

Below are excerpts from some emails from friends that I received during the few days following Election Day.


EMILY in DC:
I got home from school (after having been to only one class because the Chinatown bus driver on the way home from Philly got pulled over for speeding and then state trooper discovered that he was not licensed to drive a bus - honestly no one on the bus batted an eyelash bc par for the Chinatown bus course at this point, but we did get into DC 2 hours late) and did some HW and Gchatting, was very pumped (thanks to Margot) that I had made the trek to Philly to vote. Eventually Mike got home with Pinkyring and FIVE GUYS (second night in a row - America! Fuck yeah!!!) and we turned on NBC and ate. Saw some funnies in the Times Square coverage - including this hilarious man who Andrew took a picture of and I am attaching to this e-mail.

Eventually tall Ari came over and Obama began to win state after state. I was multitasking a little bit - looking at duvet covers online in our bedroom, because we need a new one - when around 10:00 a heard some serious football shouts from the other room. I ran in and saw the teeny-tiny graphic at the bottom of the screen and was initially confused - why wasn't it bigger? But the boys kept shouting and everyone on TV looked really excited so I realized that despite TV's mishandling of this moment, it was true - Obama won the fucking presidential motherfucking election. Then the text messages started rolling in (one from Miriam thanking me for voting in PA - <3 you boo), the most hilarious one being from Pinkyring's friend Boson: "guys this is a historic moment." Funny bc true!!!

Then the news started showing footage of DC - specifically the corner of 14th and U, where at least 20 people were standing on top of a bus stop shelter, dancing and the streets were packed with frenzied revelers. We heard rumors of a drum circle and traffic being backed up for blocks, so we decided to head down after Obama gave his speech. After watching John McCain be obligatory nice guy and seeing a little tear glistening in Sarah Palin's eye, Obama finally came on around midnight and I almost lost my shit. I know this is like, DUH, but goddamnit that man has a way with words! I was also freaking out at the Michelle/Sasha/Malia clothing ensemble (her dress was Narciso Rodriguez!!!), but you guys can read Listopad for my thoughts on that bc I posted about them on Wednesday.

Finally at 1 AM we headed out the door. Every step of our walk - through Mount Pleasant, Adams Morgan, and down U Street - was marked by people losing their shit. The sound of people honking their horns did not stop for the entire walk. The entire walk!!! It's a good 35 minutes from my house down to that corner. People would jump out in front of cars - and the cars would honk, not because they were pissed at antics but because they were happy too! Complete strangers would high-five you as you walked by, or they would just whoop and scream "WE DID IT!!" and you would whoop back. (Actually Andrew did most of the whooping.) As we stopped to talk to a friend we ran into, a woman pranced by (literally pranced) yelling, "MY UTERUS IS MY OWN!!!"

When we got the corner of 14th and U it was insane. It was like twelve Adams Morgans on a Saturday night, only people were drunk on JOY and not alcohol. The entire intersection was filled with people yelling, dancing, carrying signs, hugging - and there were indeed the sounds of drums coming from somewhere. And the bus stop shelter roof was still a dance floor. Guys, we are talking that one scene at the beginning of Matrix 2 or 3 when everyone is doing like tribal dancing underground. It was beautiful. Our friend Aaron appeared out of the crowd and ran towards us whooping as if we were his long-lost parents. Then we walked down U Street towards Bohemian Caverns where our friend was DJing and as we passed Dukem, which is a (delicious!) Ethiopian restaurant, we encountered a huge dance party. On the sidewalk. As we stood outside Bohemian caverns, we watched a legitimate parade walk by - all people yelling and carrying signs, of course. I heard later that they marched all the way to the White House. Traffic was at a complete and total standstill - buses, taxis, no one was moving - but NO ONE cared. Cops were everywhere, but they looked on with pleasure and joy as people congregated and went crazy.

I still haven't told you guys the story of how we heard my upstairs neighbor drunkenly yelling at his TV (it's actually really sad - he's a terrible alcoholic and Mike saw him coming into our building the next morning, drunk off his ass at 10 AM) during Obama's speech, but I'll save that for later because I have to go. Remember how I said this was going to be fast? LOL.

MIRIAM in Brooklyn:
anyway, my obama story is pretty lowkey; ben and i went on a mighty trek to the bar next to our house, which had put up a big screen and posted signs everywhere boasting an "election party all night long." his friend andrew came to meet us, and audrey came, and yonkers and mari briefly after awhile ben and andrew got sick of trying to see past hipster poofy hair and went back to our apartment on the other side of the wall. i stayed at the bar with just yonks as everyone else had left. it was crazy how sudden it was though, we we were waiting after penn and ohio were announced and i glanced at the screen and it had the 'elected president obama' graphic and i quietly said to yonkers "obama elected!" no one in the room would believe it until yonkers started hollering and then the whole place was up in arms for a good 10 minutes. no speaking, just yelling. then the bar just started handing out bottles of champagne. it was greatttttt. after i just wen tback home to listen to his speech but there were cars a-honking and people screaming in the streets all night.

MARGOT in Italy:
I discovered that I have a working TV in my bedroom, that receives only a few channels (one of which is, blessedly, MTVItalia) and one of them was doing all-night, live election coverage. I curled up in bed and watched until PA and OH both went to Obama. I passed out and woke up around 5am to shouts and banners on the TV of "HA VINTO OBAMA!!!!!" and it felt like a million Christmases rolled into one. I watched his speech, which had an angry Italian lady shouting the translation over him. That was unfortunate. But I tuned my ears and isolated the English and proceeded to well up and have chills. Walking around Florence the next day I had my head held high and still feel SO PROUD to be American. An entirely new feeling! Everyone in Europe is celebrating and ecstatic, the only exception being my anal beads roommate who is still sulking around because she wanted McCain because she is blond and heartless.

MARY in Chicago:
YOU GUYS! i was THERE. I had vip tickets to the rally. It was UNBELEIVABLE! I cannot even describe or explain. He is so amazing. People were cheering and screaming in the streets for hours. I didnt get home till 2:30 am. I am so lucky to have been there for that. He looked so amazing, michelle is GORGE and everyone was crying and laughing. When it was announced we all started chanting "YES WE DID! YES WE DID!" instead of "yes we can." Sooo many goosebumps!

CHRIS DEUTSCH in DC:
Last night when they announced it people were running and yelling in the streets. Our whole apt complex came out on their balcony's and were cheering and high fiving. It was really inbelievable. Billy and I set the speakers out and played Same Cooke's 'Change is Gonna Come' and people were dancing and having a good time.

A few thousand people gathered on U street into early in the morning. All peaceful and upbeat. I've never seen anything like it. You couldnt help but feel very hopeful for our future despite the tough road ahead.

MY MOM:
I’ll tell you one thing – I think the new first lady is going to be fun to watch in term so fashion. She seems to love clothes and to wear them well. Also – interesting – she NEVER wears suits! The stodgy uniform of the working woman – she just doesn’t wear them. She usually wears dresses – something I really don’t have. Of course, I’m not first lady so I may not need them…

Did I tell you that I started my speech in Florida by mentioning your excitement about the election and post script re Julius Rosenwald enjoying this? I then mentioned how John McCain had mentioned Booker in his concession speech and said I did think the Julius-Booker partnership was one of the steps that got us to today’s hopeful moment. After my speech, in the question period, an elderly man said he had been working hard for the McCain campaign but that my talk had really helped him understand the importance of this moment in terms of racial progress. I really felt good about that. I am going to try to get some more speaking gigs cause I really like it and think I do it pretty well.


I love these intimate images of the Obamas..
Nap now while you can, Mr Prez! You've got a lot of work ahead of you...

In case you were curious..

I got my absentee ballot today! Quite exciting. I thought I had screwed up my registration, so I was very pleased to receive it in the mail. The registration asked for my "last residence in the US" so I put New York. But they actually meant the last place I was registered to vote, which was Boston. Well, at least that is what I thought when I checked to see if I was my registration had gone through and I found that I hadn't. So, I reregistered using my Boston address, mailed in my form. And then two days later I got my New York County of King's (Brooklyn) ballot...so I guess I am all sorted. Anyway, I was always curious about mysterious absintee ballots, so if you are too then check it out. And no, it didn't come with an "I Voted" sticker. Im missing out! But Im still ahead of the game, Ill fill in the bubbles and send it in tomorrow.

Im listening to...

Loving the Pilooski remix of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons's 1967 song Beggin'- video here

Also download: Shove It (ft Spank Rock) by SANTOGOLD. I was already into Santogold, but then I heard this song on Gossip Girl (should I be embarassed?) (Ok, since you asked- when Serena is being a biatch to Dan in the school yard from two weeks ago).
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Enjoy.

Economista

A few weeks ago I mentioned a new swimsuit label based in Sydney called Seventh Wonderland. I was passing by my favorite boutique (I’d go out of my way to pass it- Tuchuzy, AHH just googled it so I could link to the website and I am intrigued to find that they just started a fashion blog!! Check it out!). Ok moving on..so I saw the new line of Seventh Wonderland and couldn't’t help but try on a sexy, black (and purple) one piece. I knew once I slipped into it that I had to buy it. Though unconventional, I loved the look and feel of being in a one piece…kind retro, sexy. Also, the Italian fabric is incredible…so soft and apparently won’t get distressed. I, of course, purchased it immediately. I wore it to the beach on Sunday, and while my tummy didn’t get tan, I felt fabulous.

Speaking of shopping, I was naughty last week. What recession? (By the way, I have actually read the word "economista" in a few fashion mags).I like to shop in random splurges where I get 4 things in one week, but then won’t purchase again for a few weeks (ideally). Anyway, I bought a pair of shoes I have been eyeing for a few weeks. I think they speak for themselves! Wore them out on Saturday and was able to walk in them for 30 minutes without flinching. In love.

I got this dress at Tuchuzy as well (I have a problem). Ive always wanted a sparkle dress, but find sequins a bit hard to deal with. This sparkly number is great because it is shimmers with glitter, so maintenance is less difficult. Also love low scooping back lines.

Got this bracelet last week too.

I also got a pair of stonewashed cutoff shorts, and a black silk shorts onesie. Wow, now that I am typing it all out it sounds like quite a shopping spree. Can't wait for the next one...

A tale of two Saturdays

It seems the weeks are going by so quickly since I moved here. I feel like it is always the weekend, which is a very good thing. All the weekends are sort of blending together..Here are two events that stand out from the last two weeks.

Two Saturdays ago Mario took me on a fabulous lunch date to one of Sydney’s most iconic spots- Icebergs. I think lunch dates are underrated and was very impressed with his idea. Icebergs itself is impressive; it is situated on the cliffs at the Southern end of Bondi Beach with panoramic views. We spent a deliciously decadent four and a half hours- we didn’t leave the restaurant until 5:30. Upon sitting down I had a Bellini, then we split mussels in a Neapolitan sauce for a starter. For our main we had a steak-for-two with a side of whole and mashed brussel sprouts and mashed potatoes. The steak was served with chimichurri sauce, which was a bit on unexpected but took the meal to a new level. Of course we had a bottle of red wine with the steak. I was so bummed that I was too stuffed for dessert, but a coffee sufficed. Our food coma was so severe that we had to have a digestive cocktail in the beautiful bar before stumbling home.food coma....

Switching gears, last Saturday Mario and I spent the afternoon in Bondi watching some important AFL match. We returned home, and I took a hot shower. I was standing at the sink washing off my eye makeup, when I reached down for the face towel. Thank god I looked at it before putting it to my face…because this is what I found on the towel:
OMFG. The horror. I don’t think I have full fledged arachnophobia, but seeing that thing might have turned me into one. As brutal as it seems, we had to kill it. There was no way to scoot it out of the apartment, and in Australia half the spiders are poisonous. We have screens in every single window of our apartment except one in the living room, where spider man must have crawled inside. That bastard had to make his way all the way through the living room, down the hall, into the bathroom, and onto my towel! Anyway, Mario unleashed his inner rage to take on the unwelcomed insect. It took a text book, a towel, and a broom to take Spidey out. I won't go into any more detail...RIP Spiderman.
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Hope this weekend has more good meals and less oversized insects.

Bouche: not so grande

Ok, I know I have been shameful at blogging lately. But it is all going to change! I am planning a big post to summarize why I have been so busy the last few weeks. Topics to be discussed: attack of the giant spider, the five hour lunch, my incredible new shoes, my new favorite book store, and the difficulty of blogging. In the meantime, lots of kisses! Don't give up on me...Plenty of new posts coming.

Pretty lady

I don’t know whether it is the Vegemite or something in the air but there are so many gorgeous women in Australia. Australian models were all over the fashion week runways this year. By far my favorite girl is Catherine McNeil (Chic). She has green cat eyes, eccentric gap in teeth, and transitions seamlessly between bohemian and avante-guard. This genetically blessed girl is only 20 years old too!

I'm liking...

A few weeks ago I got an oversized blazer from Cheap Monday. It looks super cute belted and open. I’ve been noticing these “Boyfriend Blazers” everywhere, and in really interesting variations. I like it because it can be grungy, sophisticated, masculine, or feminine. Here are some recent runway versions that I’m loving..
(Alexander Wang)
(Topshop)
(Erin Fetherston)
(Marc Jacobs)
(Darek Lam)
And here is my Cheap Monday blazer:
(with a belt)(without!)

The silly season has arrived!

Spring definitely hit Sydney this week. Mercury levels reached 30 degrees this weekend, and the nights are warming up too (we shed the heavy blanket last week). The city is starting to get that buzz. It starts quietly and just keeps building intensity until it is December and everyone is bursting with excitement. Then life is all about minimal clothes, maximum beach, and having a good time. I have recently been told that the summer months in Sydney are often referred to as “the silly season” – genius.

In preparation for this joyous season here are some things to think about:

Loving the idea of this crossover cozzie (cozzie=swimsuit to you Americans). In Sydney swimwear plays a huge role in mainstream fashion. It isn’t unusual to see girls shopping down Oxford Street on a hot summer day wearing shorts and a bikini top. The new Sydney based label Seventh Wonderland, founded by Carlos Aviles and Bonnie Coumbe earlier this year, consists of swimwear-meets-daywear perfect for Sydney women. “Girls today need options, so we’re designing suits that can be worn from the beach to a music festival, paired with your favorite jeans,” says Aviles. All the prints are created by hand and transferred onto Italian fabrics. The result is beautiful and very versatile.

Everyone needs a few “Little Dresses” to get through summer. There are so many amazing ones at Milk Bar in Bondi Beach (Shop 4/157 Curlewis Street via Gould St). Milk Bar carries only Australian labels, including Hussy, Bec & Bridge, and Ru Mu. All the stuff is very feminine and also good pieces for dressing up or dressing down. I just bought this adorable Bec & Bridge dress there. Of course boutiques like that are a bit pricey, but Sportsgirl, General Pants, and Supre also have tons of great dresses.

The Sydney markets are one of the best things about the warm weather, and they are the perfect place to pick up summer accessories. I went to the Bondi Markets this weekend and got a vintage YSL purse, which will go with all summer clothes. I also got the cutest linen beach dress with faux leather straps. I wanted to buy vintage sunnies, charm necklaces, and an amazing brown leather jacket (only 40 dollars!), but you cant have it all…

Choosing the right beach is also important. I love taking the ferry to Manly; it always makes me feel so laid back over there. I used to always go to Bondi cause it is so easy, but I want to branch out more this summer. I went to Tamarama over the weekend, which was lovely. A few friends had a barbi on the rocks, and it was a great way to close the day. Another good end-of-the-day activity is a sunset drink at Bondi Italian. Great people watching (I love observing Australian trendy beach styles).(Mario sipping the day away on a Sunday afternoon-Bondi Italian)

Check it out!

I've finally gotten it together and put some of the videos I've been working on recently onto You Tube. The Alex Perry one is by far the coolest to make. I got to interview him on the red carpet before his autumn/winter 2009 fashion parade. I am actually finding that I really like interviewing on camera. New career path? We'll see.... Anyway, bookmark my You Tube page because I will be updating it whenever I do a new video. Click here to check it out!

UPDATE: A longer version of the video of me interviewing Alex Perry is on the Marie Claire homepage, click the Alex Perry video on the right hand side to see!

Nobody ever fed me

Kate Moss, who rarely opens up in interviews, reveals a lot to the latest issue of Interview magazine, including that she is aware that she was too skinny in her heroin-chic hay-day. She says:
"I was never anorexic, but I remember thinking, 'I don't want to be this skinny.' When I was doing shows and flying economy, nobody ever fed me. Or I'd be staying in hotels so cheap that by the time I'd get in, there wasn't any room service...I didn't eat for a long time. You'd be on shoots with bad food or get on a plane, and the food would be so disgusting you couldn't eat it. I remember standing up in the bath one day, and there was a mirror in front of me, and I was so thin! I hated it. I never liked being that skinny."Now, everyone knows that I LOVE Kate, but how funny is it that she blames others for not feeding her! I love it. Kate is so fascinating because in one sense she is a revolutionary. She embodied so much about the 1990s and has seamlessly crossed over into this decade as the leader in what is chic and cool. But despite that fact that she is a leader today, she used to have this quality of being a malleable muse. I think it was this quality that made her such an unbelievably effective model. So did society and circumstance create Kate Moss? Or did Kate forever change society? It is those deep questions I leave you with today...!

ps- had to add this, which i just saw on style.com