The Oscars 2012

Bridemaids star, Maya Rudolph was styled by Rachel Zoe's ex-assistant, Brad Goreski at this year's Oscars... and she looked picture perfect! I usually feel that she doesn't wear clothes that flatter her and make her a little matronly. But she really hit it out of the ball park this time in a gorgeous eggplant coloured gown by Australia's own, Johanna Johnson!

It's always so amazing to see Australian designers represented on international red carpets... But the Oscars are on another level, I'm sure the team at Johanna Johnson are thrilled!

Love the beading! So feminine and chic!

David Jones AW 12 Launch

As some of you may already know, last night David Jones held their annual AW launch at the newly refurbished 7th Floor at their Elizabeth Street Store in Sydney.

David Jones also opted to let their customers into the exclusive event by streaming it live online.

I've already sung my praises for this year's AW 12 collections from Aussie designers, so now you all get to see them live and moving! (generally photos don't do garments any justice)

Check out the above video of all the highlights from the launch, featuring; Collette Dinnigan, Alex Perry, Dion Lee, Zimmermann and Lover. 

Spotted...

Australia's own supermodel, Miranda Kerr was out and about at David Jones in Sydney promoting her skincare line, KORA on Valentine's Day.

Mrs Orlando Bloom looked absolutely radiant in a Willow blouse and skirt.

This look is darling! It has the right amount of sophistication and fun... And just check out her killer stems!

Designer Spotlight: Natasha Gan

I have always been a huge fan of Natasha Gan, she makes some of the most beautiful clothing and uses the most amazing fabrics. I recently asked her a couple of questions regarding her AW12 collection and asked the Natasha Gan team to choose their favourite pieces from the collection... How amazing are the orange pants and cream dress - LOVE!

Be sure to check out their website, www.natashagan.com.au 

Spotted...

Australia's very own Victoria's Secret Angel, Miranda Kerr was spotted leaving the Sydney Opera House last week in a printed Josh Goot shift dress.

How does she always manage to look so gorgeous? It's not fair!

AW'12 Review

I can't believe I am saying this, but I am SO excited for winter... namely because the AW'12 collections are so major!

I am so in love with the fact that this year's collections are such a departure from the usual AW collections... this year wearing colours and florals are embraced and even encouraged for the chillier seasons. Obviously black, charcoal and navy are still staples in one's winter wardrobe, however they no longer seem to be necessities with mustard, pink, bold floral prints, red and even white being prominently featured in most collections.

One element I noticed that was missing was fur. Fur is literally no where to be seen. Mind you I find fur totally timeless, so the fact that it doesn't really appear in any collections definitely won't deter me from wearing my faux-fur vest. My instincts lead me to believe that fur and boho pieces have been exchanged for structured and tailored cuts this year... Which I am inspired by because the tailored cuts are generally juxtaposed with fun prints, florals, soft pastels or a bright colour that ultimately create really beautiful pieces that are super feminine, chic and simple yet hugely effective.

So because I am so excited I am going to show you my fave picks from some of my favourite designers.

:) Enjoy! x

P.S. to check out entire collections follow the links provided.

Coats

 

Zimmermann

I kind of obsessed with coats this season, just because they make such an impact and this season come in some of the most amazing cuts and colours.

A great coat can really transform your outfit... So don't be afraid to go with a bold colour, it can brighten up a neutral outfit, or can be used for colour-blocking, which continues to be a popular trend this season. Also don't be afraid to try different textures, mixing textures is one of the easiest way to create a really interesting look from basic pieces.

Check out my coat picks!

Dresses

 Lucette

Dresses have to be the easiest item of clothing to wear... You pretty much just throw it on and you are guaranteed to look fab (if you choose the right dress!)

This season dresses seem to be taking a very structured form. Bold colours and clean lines are evident in most collections with the classic swing dress and LBD's making a few appearances too.

You can't really go wrong in a leather or jersey dress this winter... But be sure to play with textures, whether it be pleating, draping or simply wearing two contrasting fabrics together. (as seen in the Lucette dress below)

Shorts and Skirts

Shakuhachi

I literally live in shorts... I adore them! I find them a more feminine version of pants and an edgier alternative for a skirt. However, I do love a good skirt... So luckily for me there is a great range of skirts and shorts on offer this AW!

My general rule of thumb regarding skirts and shorts is; find a good print or texture and pair it with a simple tee, blouse or sweater. And on really cold days both shorts and skirts look fab with a pair of opaque tights.

A quick FYI, I am literally drooling like a puppy for the Shakuhachi look above!

Tops

Manning Cartell

 

Basic tops that fit properly and look amazing are really hard to come by... and ironically enough are probably the most essential part of any wardrobe (next to jeans). 

This season sees basic cuts like tees and blouses transformed into somewhat of a masterpiece by using gorgeous fabrics and combining them with varied and contrasting cuts... Recontrusting the humble t-shirt into a statement piece, which is obvious in the above look by Manning Cartell, or below where an ordinary white button-up blouse has been made over into a provocative key-hole tuxedo shirt by Tim O'Connor.

Pants

 

Camilla & Marc

 

I'll be the first to admit I haven't been much of a pants girl in the past... But that all changed two years ago when I bought a pair of Lucette leather pants, and then I bought my first pair of jeans in 8 years, last year in NY. Since then I have bought another pair of  blue jeans, 2 pairs of black jeans and a pair of khaki jeans... so I think it's fair to say pants and I have a buddying romance happening.

It is still a shock to the system when I walk into a store and lust over a pair of pants... But seriously the styles are endless these days! Long gone are the days were pants were considered to be either jeans or suit pants... Now pants are available in a huge array of prints, colours, cuts and lengths that they suit almost every occasion, from grabbing a coffee with some girlfriends to even the red carpet!  

I am a huge fan of the pants this season, whether they're coloured, printed, jeans or basic black, they all work amazingly with the tops on offer and a good skinny pant looks absolutely killer with a long coat (or cape!) PLUS most pants are great transeasonal pieces, unless they're wool, they can be literally worn all year round.

Hailey Clauson in Vogue

How stunning does Hailey Clauson look in this pin-up style shoot for Vogue Australia?!

The shoot features Clauson in a Wheels and Dollybaby dress, a Dion Lee sweater and Camilla and Marc pants.

 

On a side note... I was sad to see that cover-girl, Karlie Kloss wasn't pictured in anything by an Aussie designer :(

The AACTA's 2012

I live for the major fashion moments when Aussie stars wear Aussie designers... Because they always end up looking amazing and I really feel that who better to rep Australian talent than Australians themselves?

Anyway... Last night at the AACTA's was one of those major moments. Miranda Kerr, Megan Gale, Samantha Harris and Rachael Taylor all worked the red carpet in Aussie icons; Collette Dinnigan, Alex Perry and Dion Lee. 


My god did they all kill it!! I literally couldn't fault any of them, they were all simply breathtaking! The only small qualm I have is that they all (with the exception of Miranda) wore black! Although it doesn't feel like it, it's summer!! I would have died to see some colour on these beauties.... Maybe next time?!

FYI my best dressed of the night goes to Rachael Taylor, that Dion Lee gown is modern, sexy and chic, and her body looks ridiculous in it!

Megan Gale in Alex Perry

Miranda Kerr in Collette Dinnigan

Rachael Taylor in Dion Lee

Samantha Harris in Alex Perry

SAG Awards 2012

Over the weekend the Screen Actors Guild Awards were held in LA. This award show is often thought of as the most fun and exciting, and actors often consider it the greatest honour as their fellow peers nominate and vote for the eventual winner.

At the Globes the obvious colour of the evening was blush... But at the SAGs it was all about the grey tones.

I was so excited to see that not one, but TWO ladies sashayed down the red carpet in Collette Dinnigan, one of which a nominee!

Ariel Winter, from Modern Family, was nominated for and WON Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series. She absolutely slayed it! This dress was a flawless choice... 100% age-appropriate and event-appropriate. The tea length, the combo of the lace and the beading, the hair, the make-up and the shoes... She (or her stylist) really hit the nail on the head. It's just a really beautifully playful outfit and I love that grey!

Then there was Judy Greer, who featured in the nominated film, The Descendants. I really don't know how I feel about this dress. I think I love it, but just not on her, I think it'd suit someone with a tan.... I also feel like it would be an amazing dress on someone young if it were made shorter. I just think it looks a little matronly, and the hair and make up isn't really helping. Mind you A+ for the pop of colour with the hot pink clutch... I am a huge fan of the pop of colour trend that's emerging, it adds another dimension to an outfit and generally makes them more fun. I really wish I loved this, because I am obsessed with white dresses and I love a pop of colour, but at the end of the day this just falls a little flat for me and just doesn't work :(