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.***