VAMFF Highlights

VAMFF 2015 Model Castings by Sebastian Petrovski

Still mega inspired by the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Australia designers, I thought I would continue this theme in another post, but this time for the VAMFF, or otherwise known as the Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival. The festival was held this year between 14-22 of March and featured some of Australia's most loved fashion designers, including Romance Was Born, Josh Goot and C/MEO COLLECTIVE (formerly Cameo the Label), to name but a few.

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C A M E O

Fleetwood

Cameo—housed under the Australian Fashion Labels group—has well and truly become an icon in Australia's fashion industry and has quickly gained traction globally. With this debut collection, titled Fleetwood, Cameo has evolved to become C/MEO COLLECTIVE—a new direction for the label focused on self-expression. As soon as I saw this coat on the VAMFF runway, I knew I needed it in my winter wardrobe. I purchased it in the tan/camel colour as it is super versatile and I just love anything camel-coloured in winter. However, this sky-blue colour is still amazing and paired with the silky camel skirt and blouse makes a perfect coupling. The coat is structured so well that it almost resembles a work of architecture—as soon as I put it on, I never want to take it off! It featured a fitted upper half, while the main body of the coat is more boxy and the lapel is really oversized. Plus, there's pockets, which is the key necessity in purchasing a coat!

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K E E P S A K E

Awaken

Keepsake is another label that is housed under the Australian Fashion Labels collective. Their April collection Awaken features florals, polka-dots and plenty of innovative, cutting-edge silhouettes that the label are well-known for. This crop top was one piece I was immediately drawn to, due to the amazing embellishments. So modern and chic, this piece works well teamed with the white culottes (which has been another big player in the fashion stakes for a while now) for a statement outfit on a night out.

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S H O N A J O Y

Winter '15

This matching set from Shona Joy immediately makes me think of the colder months. The salt and pepper weave of the fabric makes me feel warmth just looking at it. The jumper features the ever-trending turtleneck, which is one of my favourite cuts for this season as it keeps your neck warm without needing to add another extra layer of a scarf! The skirt is a pencil skirt, with a leather look belt panel at the waist and a slit, to keep things interesting (and allow leg movement!).

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J O S H G O O T

AW15

Josh Goot is another label that has been making the rounds, always featuring interesting prints. This ensemble is no exception. At first glimpse, I think of a office-appropriate outfit, but addition of the floral crop top suggests otherwise. It adds interest and breaks up an otherwise standard, simple outfit.

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A L E X P E R R Y

Barcelone

The colour pink and lace are among my favourite things, so naturally I am drawn to this amazing dress by Alex Perry. The dress is a midi length, with a very 90s square neckline. It is a simple, classy and classic silhouette and would be amazing for a garden wedding or any other daytime outdoors event.

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W H I T E S U E D E

Liquid Matter

More structured coats—yes please! I love this outfit so much—the floral dress pairs so well with the cream coat.

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I hope you enjoyed reading and viewing this post illustrating the work of some more great Australian fashion designers.

Until next time! x

My MBFWA Highlights

image sourced from http://www.angeliafashion.com/

I would have loved to be at the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Australia this year (although to be honest, to be there experiencing it every year would be the ideal)! Despite not attending, I wanted to write about some of my personal highlights from this year's Sydney shows. Sorry this is quite a late post as the MBFWA has come and gone for a few weeks now, but better late then never I suppose!

For those who don't know, the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Australia (or MBFWA for short) is a celebration of fashion and culture. Sydney becomes the nation's style attraction for Australia's most innovative fashion designers, red carpet celebrities and retailers. It is Australia's premier fashion and lifestyle event and showcases the contemporary Spring/Summer collections of Australia's leading designer brands. (blurb taken from the official website)

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A L I C E M C C A L L

One Track Love

The Alice McCall show was an array of colour—think statement patterns, detailed lace and embroidery and modern takes on classic cuts. The art designed for the runway was created by installation artist Damion Downey, creating a field of interesting hill-like shapes that form “a sculptural garden where Alice’s creations can dance freely.” My favourite outfit from the show is this fun playsuit, with orange floral embroidery and billowy sleeves. I can imagine this being worn to a pool party, sipping pina coladas and dancing the hula!

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B E C A N D B R I D G E

The show by Bec and Bridge reminded me of a group of strong, Amazonian women. I feel like I am being transported back to a sun-drenched Morroccan landscape when I look at the pieces—I just want to be feeling the summer rays again! The playsuit above features a geometric monochrome print all over and was one of my favourites, although the entire collection is so inspiring. Designers Becky Cooper and Bridget Yorston described the collection as featuring "vibrant Moroccan carpet prints adorned sheer slips shot with threads of silver and gold...while handkerchief hems and billowing bell-sleeves embody nomadic sophistication amidst jagged cliffs and sweeping horizons." I can definitely see this vision in the clothes.

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M A T I C E V S K I

This gold number from the Maticevski. Its something I could see Barbarella wearing, or what a futuristic bride would wear on her wedding day. The overall collection was very forward-looking, with inventive cuts and luxe fabrics. The gold fabric is especially luxe, as it is actually 24 carat gold plated! But it was not just focused on futuristic, angled pieces but also gauzy, floaty fabrics adorned with florals. This isn't just another floral-driven stock-standard Spring collection, but a Spring collection with a futuristic, combining nature with the possibilities of the future.

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M A N N I N G C A R T E L L

As you all have probably established now, matching sets are—in my opinion—the bomb.com. So it should come at no surprise that this fun polka-dot outfit featured above by Manning Cartell is among my favorites in the collection. Models all sported a classically bold red lip, juxtaposing against the intensely vivid colours and striking patterns. Silhouettes included boxy cut crops, pencil skirts and tailored shorts—styles which I often find myself gravitating towards when I am browsing the racks in boutiques. The colours chosen were a jungle of neon/kelly greens, oranges, and a variety of popping blue shades. This spotty ensemble is the most fun outfit I've mentioned in this review and is something that I would love to own, to add to my ever-growing collection of matching sets!

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A J E

Vihara

Aje's show was full to the brim of soft, relaxed silhouettes that take me to visions of lazy holiday beach days. The clothes had an ethereal vibe about them, with a minimal aesthetic—neutral linens played a big role prior to the revealing of intricately beaded gowns towards the end. The colour palette consisted of mainly neutral, muted tones of pinks and light greys paired with deeper, richer colours. I particularly loved this ensemble consisting of a draped-sleeved white v-neck top and embellished a-line mini skirt. It is something I can picture myself wearing in the Spring and Summer for a garden party.

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E L L E R Y

Ellery's collection was inspired by the Austrian painter Egon Schiele, whose work is noted for its intensity, expressive line-work and sexuality. The models all wore interesting earpieces consisting of buttons, which were designed by designer Kym Ellery's mother. The pieces included in the collection are sophisticated and elegant, with signature silhouettes such as the ever omnipresent bell-sleeves and flared pants. The pieces above illustrate these characteristics, with the luxe silky black pants and the equally luxurious fabric of the tunic top.

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Once again, Australian fashion designers have established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the world of high fashion, as illustrated in this small selection. The work of designers mentioned in this post are just a small sample of the inspiring designs emerging from Australia. Hopefully I have inspired you to look at these designers and research their respective bodies of work.

Until next time! x

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I am struggling to comprehend how I haven't written on my little nook of the internet in over two months! Time has just escaped me once again as I am in the final semester of my degree and the year, so understandably this has been my top priority, unfortunately. But it wont be like this forever, promise! ∞

I'm still under pressure even though I am on my 2 week mid-semester break (break, what break?!) so this post will just consist of my Instagram updates and some inspo to carry you through the rest of the week.

1. Illustrating flower blooming stages for a project.
2. Post workout brekky consisting of yummy Greek yoghurt, muesli, fruits and nuts. The only way I can get through my workout is if I know I'm gonna be eating this afterwards!
3. Illustrating.
4. Project progress for a made-up organic dried fruit company I am currently designing packaging for as part of a uni project.
5. Some more work on my organic dried fruit company's branding.
6. Illustrating creepy weird little insects (something new for me!) and working on some handmade typography for a collaborative project.

My inspo of late has consisted of largely Spring/Summer vibes, as here in Australia we are currently in the midst of Spring and the heat is slowly coming back into the air. My mind has been all over the place as I struggle to keep a float of my projects for uni, which I think is reflected back into my bipolar, justaposed inspo of these past two months.

Until next time! x

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Ugh I know, I know - I thought I'd be back to regular weekly blogging again during this break but clearly this hasn't happened! However, this doesn't mean that I haven't been busy!

I have been working on some personal illustrations over these past two to three weeks, which I have featured below and can also be seen under my Portfolio page.

Paeonia Lagoon

Iris

Intergalactica

Instagram Updates

1. Cameo the Label lily palm print top - I am in love with this.
2. Drawing Gia Carangi, my model inspo.
3. Floral illustrations.
4. Warming myself up with homemade pumpkin soup and breakfast tea.
5. Is my floral obsession obvious?!
6. Progress of a recently completed illustration.

This month I have been drawing my inspiration from musical sources, such as FKA Twigs and Lana Del Rey. Style-wise, I have been interested in the juxtaposition of bright metallic and nude, blush and muted grey shades. I'm wishing the warm weather would return soon so I can enjoy sleeping by the pool and basking in the summer sunshine. I need more Vit. D!

Until next time! x

Absence

OMG.
HEY.
HI.
BONJOUR.
SALUT.

Yes. I have finally decided to start writing again on my little ol' blog. So I suppose an update is in order. I've just finished the semester, although I still have to finish my thesis, which is due in two weeks eep! I have written everything, now I am just going through the editing process. I've completed my studio work and it has been a crazy ride with lots of ups an downs (emotionally and physically) but I feel it's all been rewarding in the end.

Also, Lana Del Rey released Ultraviolence, which I have listened to non stop from the day it came out!

At the end of May, I wrote another collab post for Kanon's blog here! I've discussed Sailor Moon and why she was my childhood feminist icon.

I've also been creating some personal illustration work too, as featured below.

Flume aka Harley Streten - what a BABE!

A rather attractive male model - I like boys with flowers a little haha

"Argos" (Hera, Queen of the Goddesses)

Here's a few snapshots of my past two months

1. shorts by DINI Clothing - visit her website here, the clothes are amazing and so unique!
2. Sunglasses from Quay and lipstick from Dragonberry - my game is on point.
3. Illustrating ft. a beautiful collar gemstone necklace by From St. Xavier.
4. Cameo Topiary tee - I love this print!
5. Wearing Lia and Co. choker and a Keepsake the Label floral maxi dress - love!
6. So after over a year of wanting these shoes, I've finally managed to snag myself two pairs in both black and white on sale! Just my lucky stars - they are the ever-popular Windsor Smith Chunks of course.

My recent inspirations have emerged from nature, the 90s and plenty of wintry black and white pieces. I love flowers of all colours and find them so amazing, as you can all probably tell by now! I've also been loving hand written typography with simple phrases and words.

So that's basically all I have to catch up on! Until next time! x

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Not been feeling inspired, so I've just got a small instagram-based update to post. It has been a hectic week and I've had a lot of work to do in a short space of time, so I haven't really had much time to just stop and smell the roses, just lull about and not think about uni work 24/7. I have become a collaborator of Kanon's blog which you can check out here - I've written an article about Frida Kahlo and her connection to flowers as my first contribution here!

My week in pictures

1. Leather and faux fur = a good combination.
2. Some flower illustrations for a collaborative project I was working on during the week.
3. "I was sad, but then I bought something online. I feel better now." - This statement sums me up in a nutshell.
4. Lovely leaves at the Botanic Gardens last weekend.
5. The rose garden is so wonderful at this time of year - the smell from all the blooming flowers creates this amazing perfume, plus some of the roses are as big as my head and I feel a bit like Alice in Wonderland for a while.

Until next time! x

The Sweet Life

I've been super busy this week and honestly can't believe it is Saturday again. Anyway, this has been the first week of the supposed "break" but it hasn't been a break at all for me - I've been working on uni work all week! At least I am being kept busy, but that's really the only positive thing I can say about being overloaded with things to do! I haven't been much inspired to blog this week, so I'm just going to keep this update short 'n sweet.

I've completed a new illustration this week, the mini GIF version is down below and you can find the static image/s in my portfolio page. I watched a documentary about Helen of Troy earlier in the week by Bettany Hughes, who I think is brilliant because she presents with so much passion and enthusiasm about the subject. I have always been fascinated by intriguing women in history and Helen of Troy is one such enigmatic figure, so I decided to commemorate this illustration to her legend, drawing inspiration from antiquity and nature. Plus, it features leaves! I love leaves, much like David Attenborough (please refer to related GIF).

My week in pictures

1. Finished illustration - a good way to procrastinate!
2. Early progress shot of the illustration in the works.
3. Illustration for a Medieval themed poster design I had been working on diligently throughout the week.
4. Starting to read The Man Repeller book by Leandra Medine, who is pretty much one of my top style icons.

This week's inspiration mood board has consisted of the following - I'm still really inspired by Dolce and Gabbana's Fall/Winter 2014 Byzantine Collection, especially after watching lots of history documentaries focusing on the Byzantine Empire.

Until next time! x