Model Watch - Sarah Vosper

Fresh faces are forever the focus in fashion, and here is an Australian model to watch.

I could easily write pages on pages about her beauty, but its not only her looks that make her shine but her personality.

While calling Australia home Sarah is continuously on trips to Europe for work while also studying fashion at university in Sydney. Gracing magazines like Vogue and Marie Claire, she goes from strength to strength, with the support of model agency Priscilla's.

Shine Sarah Shine.

Seasons by Donna Hay

An eyebrow may be raised when you see that the new addition to my 'Books to Love' list is Donna Hay's Seasons. As much as it is a cookbook, it is every part a book about style as just as much as it is a book about delicious seasonal food.

From the photographic aspects like lighting, composition, saturation, to the print aspects of matte finish, layout and fonts, everything has been done in the relaxed, contemporary style that emulates the brand of Donna Hay. 

This wonderful cookbook is also a representation of the relaxed lifestyle of Australia that many of us endeavour replicate. It is a beacon of style and as trend forecasters say, style is created from all areas of life and food culture is very much key component. 

Li Edelkoort - more & more

After having the divine lady of insight,trend forecaster, Li Edelkoort grace us with her presence this year are you still searching for more? Well heads up she has been featured in Sydney Morning Herald -Good Weekend June 19 and this months Australia Vogue Living. Her insightful wisdom is truly addictive.

Model Watch - Stephanie Seymour

Talking old school, talking classic, talking about a perfect example of an empowered women, talking Stephanie Seymour. With age and supermodel status comes experience the embodies the strong spirited prowess that I am currently focusing on for my design work. It is the strength of individualism I search for in all my muses.

These sensuous black and white picture truly embrace style.

David Downton

One of my personal favourite illustrators is the amazing David Downton. Born in Kent, England in 1959 and choosing to complete a BA hons. in illustration and graphics, it was only after the Financial Times in 1996 commissioned him to draw the couture shows of that year, that he became known as a fashion illustrator.

Above - Twiggy ; Below - Erin O'Connor

Since then he has drawn some of the world's most influential fashion icons such as Twiggy, Erin O'Connor, Linda Evangelista and Catherine Deneuvre and has been employed by commercial clients like Paloma Picasso, Tiffany & Co, Dior, Chanel, Vogue, Harper's Bazaar and the V&A Museum.

Personally one of the most favourite attributes to his technique is his play on positive and negative spaces.

Stroke of amazing style............

Gaultier does lace

Jean Paul Gaultier has an amazing ability to work with lace in such a way that each time it appears in his collections it has a strong fresh twist to it. During my research for my own personal design work I came across again Gaultier's Couture 2009 collection. It has such clean crisp symmetrical lines with a spanish influence and an amazing acknowledgement to what would classically perceived as millinery techniques.

The other element that makes this collection cohesive is his use of tones of colour and also classic contrast colours, and also the variation on the thickness of line work within the designs.

Jean Paul Gaultier you have an amazing gift.

images from www.style.com

ZZegna - Summer 2010 - Concept

Zzegna Zen - reflection

Looking back at the blog posted earlier last month, this is behind the scenes of a Zegna menswear collection. The cognitive aspects to the process of preparing a show is so important. The crucial aspects of refining a vision.

Backstage - Ermenegildo Zegna Autumn Winter 2010 fashion Show

Model Watch - Raquel Zimmerman

Such elegance and poise that gracefully transforms into striking sexy. Raquel Zimmerman is a Brazilian beauty, born in 1983 whose career began to take to new heights after featuring in Vogue Italia', photographed by the famed Steven Meisel.


Zimmerman has featured in an endless array of campaigns for the worlds most renowned fashion labels, like Giorgio Armani, Hermes, Fendi, Versace, Louis Vuitton, Hugo Boss, Christian Dior.... the list goes on.....

What is one most amazing characteristics about the divine Zimmerman is she is a chameleon, who manages transform an image to another level. A perfect example of this was in the 'September Issue', when working with Grace Coddington.... she knows how to maneuver...one - two - a twist into the light and snap.... the memorable image is there.

I don't believe that being a successful model is easy. There is a definable difference between a model that can transform an image to embody the essence of true amazing style, and a model the just places herself within the context of beauty.

Sex and the City 2 - the movie

Wow - where do I start.

We all know that Sex and the City has always been about great fashion and the new movie is no exception. Colour, print, mood, volume, accessories...... all play part to what Patricia Field does so well, creating characters through costume.

Carrie has evolved to a more mature sexy but there is still that surprise addition to her look which raises an eyebrow, whether it be four leaf clover necklace or tassles on the nipple area of a layered vest. But there is the question.... where is the Carrie necklace? Maybe the answer was part of the storyline..... her feeling lost and asking herself where has the true Carrie has gone?

One accessory returning to the scene that will definately playing a strong part to women's wardrobes this summer is the turban..... if not a more tame version of summer hats..... All the girls managed to work it well in the movie, but I have to say Samantha's Cleopatra headpiece wasn't so glamourous.

Walking out of the movie the buzz of energy from all viewers was such a high.... we were all so happy to receive our SATC serve.

Lace doesn't mean 'Dainty'

Having been researching lace over the past several months, it is encouraging to see that within today's fabrics and trimmings, lace does not only mean floral motifs. Lace has played an integral role within fashion over the centuries as it was an expression of economy, an indicator of industrialisation, a textile that had connection to both genders, and a representation of culture.

Through my recent hunt I have come across some rally strong designs that while still having some relationship to the characteristics if old lace, still manage to move away from the more feminine tones.

Naum Gabo - Serene Sculpture

Exploring space and mass Gabo creates sculptures that have a tranquil serene element to them. The modern interpretation of construction using elements like perspex and fishing line show such consideration for all aspects of design process. It is the deconstructing of the design process and reflecting on the importance that ever aspect plays into creating a fully resolved design that is also the essence of embodying brilliant style.

Colouring Moods

Is colour dyeing fun? The mess, the smells, the toxic chemicals when not using natural dyes, the unsure factor of not always knowing how accurately the colour will come out? All this verse the delightful various shades one can create when fabric dances around the pot of boiling water....... The vote is out... but here is some of the colours that have been conjured up as I set my style for my winter collection.

Style with Stripes

Nautical or Parisian, stripes have always been recognised as classic chic. Designers like Gaultier are known for utilising stripes as part of there design aesthetic, but the most interesting aspect to stripes is when it comes to clever craftsmanship of cut and application. The illusion that stripes can create can be very powerful in engineering great design and separating it from good design.

Givenchy

Michael Kors

Giorgio Armani

Photographs from www.style.com

Zzegna Zen

I have always been an avid admirer of the Zegna Group, both the womenswear and mens wear. Such elegance and sophistication that revolves around great design, where there is strong consideration for textiles and textile development, as well as producing quality long lasting garments.

It is also easy to appreciate Zegna's willingness to connect with there consumer and share information about there process and up and coming collection. The great concept video on the summer collection it provides a refreshing insight.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFsIw7tdSR8

http://www.zzegna.com/

Inside Homes - Sydney Fashionista

Always loving to explore peoples homes, I ventured into the living space of one of Sydney's social, fashionistas, who works in a creative capacity for one of Australia's leading fashion labels. Keen to remain anonymous all I can say is this carefree, stylish individual has a truly eclectic aesthetic. Black and white are so chic......

Photographed by Kat