The Design Files Daily

Fashion

Monday, May 14, 2012

New Guest Blog – Fashion Week Favourites with Kate Gaskin!

This week fashion editor and stylist Kate Gaskin joins us for a round-up from Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week!

Kate Gaskin is a fashion stylist and PROPER fashion editor at The Age Melbourne Magazine, so it’s pretty freaking amazing that we have her joining us on the Guest Blog all this week!  I know, awesome, right!?

Like all the best fashionistas, Kate attended Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Sydney just over a week ago, and she has rounded up her highlights from the week especially for us!  We’ll see new season picks from all Kate’s favourite local labels, including Romance was Born, Ellery, Zimmerman and Alice McCall, a smattering of street style snaps, PLUS on Friday Kate will pass on her top 5 fashion trend predictions, as spied on the catwalks!

Aside from knowing Australian fashion like the back of her hand, Ms Gaskin is also one of those effortlessly gorgeous gals who seems to have the whole casual-chic look totally sorted – I mean just check out her sweet behind the scenes pic below! :)  I am seriously hoping some of this glowing stylishness miraculously rubs off on me this week… STAY tuned on that.

Do pop by the Guest Blog each day this week for a hefty dose of eyecandy and fashiony goodness!  It’s all prints, peplums and parties!  I, for one, will be taking notes.

Kate Gaskin (right) and pal Geraldine have a well earned rest between shows at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week!
Posted by Lucy at 5:57 am
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Thursday, April 05, 2012

Kids Fashion Finds

Great fashion finds for girls – 1) Heavenly dress from Munster Kids, 2) Tassle Beanie from Country Road Kids, 3) Basik Leggings from Munster Kids, 3) Mixup Dress from Munster Kids, 5) Leggings from P.A.M X ESP no. 1, 6) Marabou Neckace from BIG by Fiona Scanlan, 7) Baggu Hot Pink backpack from Vincent2, 8) Heart Hands Crew Sweatshirt from Minti.

For someone without children I must say this week I am turning into some kind of unsuspecting expert on all things little. I have been doing lots of research and have uncovered SO MUCH CUTENESS… it’s enough to make even the most hardened career girl seriously consider procreation. ;)

One thing I have learnt is that there is no shortage of excellent kids clothing on the market. If I read one more press release saying ‘we couldn’t find anything cute for our kids to wear so we made our own label’ I may scream. There is SO MUCH awesome stuff for kids to wear.  I think we can safely say there is no longer a gap in the market, people.

We all know Europeans do a particularly great job of dressing their children.   There is no end to the gorgeous French and Italian kids clothing labels – so beautiful and so so pricey. It is little harder to uncover local labels producing awesome kidswear, but I have discovered some gems!

Some of the best Australian kids labels I have found are listed below… and their beautiful things are pictured here – girls up top, boys below. I am SERIOUSLY coveting one or two of these in grown-up sizes…! (That Munster Kids ‘Heavenly’ dress – HELLO! Amazing).

Munster Kids

Munster Kids was created by Sydney-siders Rich and Samantha Brown in 2005 – they now export to 12 countries across the world.  The label takes inspiration from the urban legend ‘Mikey Munster’ – the sharp toothed trouble maker that resides in every kid!   Having 3 boys of their own, Rich and Samantha are very familiar with this ‘Mikey’ character, and their boys provide constant inspiration for the line. In 2009 the range expanded with the launch of ‘Missie Munster’. (Stockists listed here)

Minti

Minti is such a spunky range for girls, boys and babies, you MUST look at their Autumn/Winter campaign lookbook for far more cuteness than I could possibly include in these layouts!   Originally from NZ, but now based in Melbourne, the range is inspired by the simple ethos ‘would we wear that if we were small?’. YES. Yes we would. (Online stockists listed here)

P.A.M x ESP no. 1

Cult Melbourne design team Perks & Mini need no introduction really… best known for their clothes for grown-ups, they also make a smaller range for little ones. They’ve just released a brand new kidswear range in collaboration with super cool US kids label ESP No. 1 … with it’s caveman-inspired campaign, it is wacky and brilliant in a ‘I’m not quite sure about this but I think I like it’ sort of way. (Stockists listed here)

Big by Fiona Scanlan

For a more pretty, less punky look for girls, it’s Big by Fiona Scanlan.   You might recall we interviewed Fiona back here – such beautiful things, excellent fashion-forward colours and prints… Fiona always has her finger on the pulse! (Store locations here)

Country Road Kids

You REALLY cannot go past Country Road for the cutest kids wear, usually super reasonably priced… Like so much of this stuff it really does leave you wishing for everything in adult sizes.

And ANYTHING stocked at Kido in Sydney.

Got any other favourite local kids labels? Let me know!

Great fashion finds for boys – 1) Bread and Butter pant from Munster Kids, 2) Canary Anorak from Minti, 3) Blazers Cardigan from Munster Kids, 4) Corporal hat from Munster Kids, 5) Patch Cardigan from P.A.M X ESP no. 1, 6) T-shirt from P.A.M X ESP no. 1, 7) Cobalt daypack from Vincent2, 8) Skeletor Tee from Munster Kids.

Posted by Lucy at 6:00 am
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Tuesday, March 20, 2012

My Melbourne Wardrobe – Nicholas Jones

The very classy wardrobe of Nicholas Jones

Melbourne artist Nicholas Jones is well known for his very dapper dress sense, so he seemed the perfect choice for our token chap in this ‘My Melbourne Wardrobe’ series!

Nick is one of Melbourne’s most recognisable characters – he always looks distinctive and perfectly polished.  I’m not sure I’d even recognise him in jeans and a T-shirt.  As you can see he is particularly adept at accessorising – from his signature pointy shoes to handcrafted hats, and a beautiful silk scarf collection handed down from his mother, this look is all about the details!

Nick also loves to sport a piece with a story behind it – for this reason he favours vintage finds, as well as handcrafted accessories, often commissioned from local designers.

As I am sure you all know, Nick’s intricate book sculptures are highly collectable and have been featured on TDF many times before… I do have two of Nick’s pieces of my very own (so lucky) but I implore someone to buy that very special turquoise beauty with the circular spot cut out before I give in to temptation.  Aghh.  Must.  Resist.  (Interested parties can email him here!)

I do hope Nick forgives me for the pink spots I’ve added here.  I felt this one needed something friendly, just to balance out the vampire-esque headshot he supplied :)  Sorry Nick!

My Melbourne Wardrobe – Nicholas Jones

1. Monterrey Panama Hat - Last year I was given this hat by Michael from SMART Alec Hatters in Smith St after participating in their end of year exhibition. The non traditional colour appealed to me. White with a black band is a little too often seen.

2. Two of my cravats - Bought from vintage stores around Melbourne. I always find that a the perfect coloured cravat can launch an outfit one step beyond.  Matt Preston is my nemesis.

3. Two-tone Junya Watanabe for Comme des Garcons Shirt - Attention to detail is what sold it to me.

4. Liberty scarf - from my late mother’s wonderful collection.

5. Vintage pea green waistcoat – found by my partner Poppy at the Fitzroy Market. The brooch is a sterling silver and seed pearl star medal from the Camberwell market.

6. Harris tweed jacket – which was a present from my friend Mel, who has been working in the costume industry for many years. I wear it well.

7. Ganton striped shirt - I bought this shirt especially for a lunch at the Savage Club. I bought matching cufflinks too, but I left them on the floor and stepped on them!  This has happened too many times.

8. Knit by Balenciaga - I had eyed this jumper off in Marais for months before it went on sale…then I pounced. It is the most exquisite thing to wear. The dragon reminds me of my Welsh heritage.

9. Umbrella from Kozminsky Jewellers - A gift from Kirsten and Ben Albrecht, the most lovely and dedicated people in the industry.  I’m always sure to be given a cup of tea whenever I drop in for a visit.

10. Socks by Paul Smith – I always loved the combination of colours Sir Paul stripes together. I have a bit of a thing for socks and have quite a collection.

11. A homburg hat made by Akubra - a present from Thom Grogan of Captains of Industry Gentlemen’s outfitters. I was given some beautiful feathers by Mandy Murphy, the milliner and the rest is history!

12. Two tone brown leather and suede boots by Jon Fluevog – These boots are the most comfortable boots I own and they go with almost anything.

13. Black and white correspondent shoes by Rocco of Malvern – It is a rite of passage, buying a pair of shoes from Rocco’s. These ones are so wrong, and yet so right!

14. A selection of my carved book works – All made in the Nicholas Building, where I have my studio. Viewing by appointment. See my website for contact details!

- Nicholas

Thanks again to Jardan for loaning us their sweet stools and side tables for this series – pictured above, the small Flynn side table in white.

Posted by Lucy at 6:00 am
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Thursday, March 15, 2012

My Melbourne Wardrobe – Beci Orpin

Beci’s Orpin‘s wardrobe!  Photo – Justine Ellis, Styling – Lucy Feagins.
OMG check out Beci Orpin‘s wardrobe!  Hypercolour!

Actually, I was surprised to see in her captions below, that Beci would have us believe she’s just another monochrome-loving Melbournian!  Hmmm.  I am skeptical.  I see no evidence of this.  When we unpacked all Beci’s fave items and edited the perfect collection for this shot, we saw a few key themes :

One - Yellow, in every hue, from acidy chartreuse to mustard and saffron tones.  So cheerful!  Love it.
Two – Polka dots!  No explanation necessary.
Three - CUTENESS.  Is that a theme?  I stand by it.

Anyway we are a bit thrilled with how this one turned out – as with Kirra’s wardrobe you can certainly see a little of Beci’s work creeping through in her personal belongings!  Alongside the obligatory vintage goodness, local labels are well represented – Gorman (of course), who Beci has collaborated with in the past, and PAM – Beci’s favourite label, run by her close pals Misha and Shauna Hollenbach.  (As if you didn’t know, PAM is basically cult status, if you want those new season leggings go and get them RIGHT NOW from Monkhouse or Someday – they will not last, people!).

I LOVE Beci’s captions below… it is so worth reading through each one for a little giggle.  My fave bit is where she describes her cute shoes as ‘a bit lady and a bit mental’.  The perfect combo!

My Melbourne Wardrobe – Beci Orpin

1. Pompom beanie from PAM- last winter I was obsessing over beanies with big pompoms. Wasn’t sure if I could rock it, but this year I’m committed! …and PAM has (once again) delivered the perfect item in my current favourite shade of saffron yellow.

2. Muji blue polka dot top – my secret weapon in finding nice things to wear is my sister (Emily) who lives in Seoul, South Korea.  Lucky for me she dosen’t mind being sent on the odd shopping mission.  Even when my descriptions are vague (“something not too fitted in polka dots”) she always comes up trumps.  This is a fresh arrival and it’s already copped quite a few wears…. I think it’s going to be a new fave.

3. polka dot scarf - how much do I love a polka dot?  Possibly too much? I bought this from Sorrento opp-shop last summer.  I’m prone to wearing it in a bow on my head when I feel like taking it back to my 80′s youth style.

4. Gorman yellow polka dot tee –  I bought this in summer. The colour was a shock to my mostly dark Melbourne style wardrobe, but it quickly became one of my weekly staples. Plus it has made me branch out to even more colour – lilac!  Pale pink!  Bright blue!  Even I can’t believe it. Oh Gorman, where would I be without you?

5. Blue dot stickers and paper cut pie chart - just to continue my love of polka dots!  I got these stickers in Seoul (my stationary mecca!).  The pie chart is something I made when I was doing my residency at Harvest.

6. Bear mobile – available at my online shop!

7. Emily Green necklace – I bought this one off Emily herself while I was at my Harvest residency last year.  Her colour combo’s are so good, and it pretty much adds an extra layer of awesome to anything you put it with.

8.  PAM scarf - more PAM – yes it’s my favourite label, and I am also lucky enough to be old friends with them too.  This scarf embodies what I love about Shauna and Misha’s work – only they can embroider a drunk panda and some alien heads on a dip dye scarf, add a pom-pom trim and make it look completely beautiful. Pure genius.

9. ‘Compendium of Me’ – my first book!  It’s published through ERM Books, you can buy it online through their site.

10. ‘Lost Girl’ and ‘Bear Folk’ journals – new stationery I have just designed.  These have just come out and are published by Gingko Press, distributed here by Books at Manic.

11. Surprise ball - Raph bought this as a surprise for me (double surprise!) from Ganim’s Store.  The colours of the crepe wrapping are so pretty that I don’t want to unwrap it! It sits on my desk so I’m sure one day I’ll give in to temptation!

12. Flats from Zomp - Zomp is my guilty pleasure. Sometimes, if I’m not having a good day and am passing through the city, I might happen to go to Zomp and buy some shoes. Usually ballet flats of some description. These ones are suede and have furry leopard print bows. They feel a bit lady and a bit mental – perfect for combo for me.

13. Paper Ball - a friend in Japan sent this to me from the MT tape exhibition.  It’s the prefect match of pattern and colour – I love it.

14. Diagonal cushion – I make these occasionally for markets out of fabric I find from opp-shops, this is a favourite and I’ve not been able to bring myself to sell it!

15. wooden mushroom - I made this for my ‘infinite shape of rainbows’ exhibition at Lamington Drive in 2010.  It’s the only one that was not for sale because It’s Ari. he lives on our bookcase now (the mushroom, not Ari).

16. ‘Salsa Verde’ tote bag – I designed this print as a tee for the Taco Truck staff to wear.  When getting it printed we decided to whack it on some totes too.  I love how it turned out – so simple but a black print on a natural canvas tote bag is one of my very favourite things. I use this all the time (goes with pretty much anything!).

17. Yellow purse – Some one once asked me if it this was APC, and it was a proud moment when I told them that actually I had bought it at a flea market for $4 a few years ago. It’s the perfect going out size and also fits my ‘strap must be able to fit across my chest’ requirements (best for bike-riding).

18.  PAM leggings – Another thing PAM do ridiculously well – leggings. These ones are from their new collection and it’s the print I’m loving. So much. I’m looking forward to layering them up this winter.

Thanks again to Jardan for loaning us their sweet stools and side tables for this series – pictured above, the small Olba side table in watermelon.

Posted by Lucy at 6:00 am
Categories - Fashion, Melbourne, My Wardrobe, Uncategorized Comments (17)
Tuesday, March 13, 2012

My Melbourne Wardrobe – Kirra Jamison

I spent about 4 weeks trying to figure out what would be a ‘Design Files’ way of doing some fashiony content during LMFF.  Nothing felt quite right.  I guess I’m just more of a design enthusiast than a fashionista.  FINALLY, after much brainstorming, a bolt of inspiration hit. We know you love to snoop, and we love sharing beautiful Australian homes with you… so why not share a little look inside a few fabulous local wardrobes!?

And so this slightly silly idea was born…. ‘My Melbourne Wardrobe‘!

For this little series, we have asked 4 stylish Melbourne creatives to show us their favourite fashion finds from their own wardrobes… (plus a few cute personal items to set the scene), and we’ll show you the results over the next couple of weeks.

There’s only one downside – you won’t be able to replicate much of what you see here…. as you might expect, it’s all vintage / bought in Japan or, even more scarce – Gorman from 3 seasons ago!  Still, we’re loving the voyeurism and we hope you do too!

Photo – Justine Ellis, Styling – Lucy Feagins

Kicking things off today is one lovely local lass well known for her fabulous way with colour - Kirra Jamison!  Kirra seems to treat her wardrobe with the same intuitive sense of composition as is evident in her stunning prints and paintings.  There’s a definite leaning towards a few favourite hues – apricot, orange, cream, olive and mint green all seem to dominate… (although I must admit Kirra did send us about 4 times what we have photographed here, which meant a fair bit of ruthless editing at our end – she has one hell of a wardrobe!).

Massive thanks to dear Kirra for sharing her picture-perfect wardrobe with us today… if you haven’t already checked it out go see her stunning screenprints currently on show in an exhibition entitled ‘Total Control’ at Craft Victoria, until March 31st.  SO beautiful.  Predictably, I want the pink one.

*Big thanks to Jardan for loaning us their sweet stools and side tables for this series – pictured above, the small Flynn side table in white.

My Melbourne Wardrobe – Kirra Jamison

1. Hand knitted beanie / teacosy(!!) from the Country Womens Associaton of NSW, Bangalow. This place is a goldmine.

2. Obus dress bought last year three hours before I had a show open- always the way.

3. Silk scarf my step sister Sophia recently brought me back from India. Still working on this though.

4. Favourite cotton stripey tee from a thrift store in Paris.

5. Karen Walker Bunny & Flower necklace…KW is my weakness.

6. I bought this Natasha dress for an Art World magazine party in 2008 and it’s still a bit of a favourite. Such a pretty colour.

7. Stash of mt tape from a trip to Japan last year.

8. Felt hat from my favourite flea market in Paris, Les Puces de Montreuil.  It’s a bit of a trek but unbelievably worth it.

9. Limited edition giant Emilio Pucci book… very indulgent purchase but I love it.

10. German ceramic vase from Heaths Old Wares, Banglow.

11. 4th-market teapot from Tokyo.

12. Umbrella also from Tokyo.

13. Grey Melissa gumboots- essential footwear for avoiding soggy socks from dewy early morning grass while walking my dog. I love wearing these with brightly coloured woollen OK OK tights through winter.

14. Vrai Sabot Breton clogs. These are handmade in France but I bought them from haus & terrasse, Tokyo.

15. Love me two times 5, from my show at Linden last year.

16. Elizabeth Peyton postcard Dane brought me back from the Tate earlier this year, and a photo of baby me and my dad age 21!

17. Painted birdie given to me by Japanese artist Mirocomachiko.

18. Gorman skirt, fabric by Beci Orpin.

19. Paint swatches – these are never far from my side.

- Kirra x

Posted by Lucy at 6:00 am
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Monday, March 12, 2012

Lucas Grogan x Rittenhouse

Lucas Grogan X Rittenhouse – in stores now! (my wishlist pictured above… so beautiful!)

Lucas Grogan X Rittenhouse

In a cruel twist of fate, a week after indulging in the excesses of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, Melbournians then have to squeeze themselves into the latest on-trend ensemble for the annual L’Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival!  YES that’s right, whilst Melbourne Food and Wine kicks on until March 21st, LMFF ramps up simultaneously this week… offering Melbourne style-seekers a plethora of runways shows, fashion forums and cultural events.

SO whilst we don’t really cover fashion ‘properly’ around here, we figured it might be nice to jump on the bandwagon this week, shining a spotlight on just a handful of local fashion happenings that have caught our eye of late.

The most EXCITING fashion collab we’ve seen in a while is the Lucas Grogan X Rittenhouse range – finally in stores now!  As you know, we love Lucas’ work an awful lot around here, after interviewing him last year and stocking his beautiful artwork at The Design Files Open House.  This talented local lad is seriously going places… and he has a LOT on his plate at present…

You can check out the full Grogan / Rittenhouse range here and buy online. The Rittenhouse project is also celebrated in the excellent Fashion Loves Art exhibition at Sophie Gannon Gallery, running now until March 17th as part of the LMFF cultural calendar.  Much arty fashiony goodness to be seen – do check it out!

Lucas Grogan’s work at the Fashion Loves Art exhibition at Sophie Gannon Gallery, until March 17th

Lucas Grogan – ‘Time Will Tell Babe’, 2012 – at the Fashion Loves Art exhibition at Sophie Gannon Gallery, until March 17th

AND in case you aren’t Grogan’d out yet…. keep your eyes peeled for new Lucas Grogan PLATES by Douglas and Hope, PRINTS at Third Drawer Down… AND his hand-painted shop windows currently on display at Harrolds (Melbourne) and Poepke (Sydney)… SO COOL!

Mr Grogan, I think it’s time for a holiday.

Lucas Grogan painting the Poepke window in Sydney for Rittenhouse – view on Youtube here.
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Posted by Lucy at 6:00 am
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