Woolly Wang

Alexander Wang’s inspiring RTW Spring 2010 collection, shown in New York on September 12th, saw him again collaborate with Australia’s Woolmark brand. This is the second time Wang has partnered with Australian Wool Innovation the first being on his Fall 2009 collection.

Of the latest collaboration Wang says “it’s been an exciting opportunity to experiment with new technologies and to continue to use Australian Merino wool, an innovative fibre,” and noted “Especially for a season you wouldn’t expect wool to be a major part of.”

AWI CEO Brenda McGahan says of the partnership “His [Wang’s] innovative use of Australian Merino wool for the 2010 spring collection is helping put a fresh spin on the world’s best natural fibre. In his hands, wool – typically regarded as a fall/winter staple – is proving how truly versatile a fibre it is, for spring and year round apparel.”

Wang’s collection which started with khaki vests, jackets, skirts and pants, moved to sporty track style tops, pants and dresses, then to more traditional knits and finished with lush bodysuiting and sheer tops, skirts and dresses is a diverse and innovative collection.

‘This season’s collaboration with AWI and the Woolmark perfectly aligned with the direction we wanted to take the collection,’ said Wang.

Collaborations such as these are set to change the attitude that wool is only wearable in autumn winter. With new technologies in wool innovation we can expect to see wool featuring in spring summer collections to come.

Images: Style.com

Orange Aura

I was recently told my aura is orange. Apparently an orange aura means I’m positive and seductive which is certainly the opposite of how I have been feeling lately. This got me thinking, am I making the most of this orange aura or is it going to waste and about to slip from my orange fingers (a result of a bad fake tan job and unfortunately not part of the aura thing). How do I make this aura work for me?

Its quite handy having an orange aura in the lead up to summer. It would be a shame to have to waste an orange aura during winter - it does look great with a tan! Orange is one of those colours people tend to shy away from. It looms large and bright and tends to remind us of hare krishnas and women from the Gold Coast with leather skin and for whom “coral”, that colour between orange and pink, is a favourite. Eck! The thing is that orange is for want of a better description “hot” and very wearable, I’m serious! It has a luxurious quality, just think Hermes, and can be mixed with many colours. I have the most gorgeous See by Chloe print dress that mixes orange with yellow, grey and black – the dress would be nothing without the orange. The Australian label Ginger and Smart did a great orange leather mini that just goes and goes and goes, and you really can’t go this summer without an orange leather bangle by House of Harlow or CC Syke and if you’re lucky in ceramic by Hermes.

I’m not sure whether you can obtain an orange aura by wearing orange but I reckon its worth a try. There is nothing like a little orange to help exude confidence, portray positivity and appear seductive even if you’re not feeling it – fake it all the way!

Hermes ceramic bangle

Diane von Furstenberg Spring 2010 Ready-to-Wear

Orange on the streets - If my orange aura were an outfit this is what it would be!

House of Harlow - orange leather Aztec bangle

Diane von Furstenberg Spring 2010 Ready-to-Wear

Images: iofferstores.com, jak and jil, http://www.bunnyhug.co.uk/, style.com

Lady Wacko

Forgive me for thinking that Lady Gaga could be Wacko Jacko's love child... I seriously can't be the first person to have thought this surely! At first I liked the singer's avant garde style and thought she could be the new Roisin Murphy (love that woman) but in recent months I find myself thinking the old adage "less is more" should be part of Lady Gaga's morning mantra. It just seems the girl gets crazier and crazier and I grow bored with every new pap shot. I know the opposite should be true but its like what they say about loose women, give a man too much and he soon loses interest. Well I have seen enough and I've lost interest! Yawn!

Images: http://gofugyourself.celebuzz.com/

Listen to this...

As a lover of the outrageous and the wacky the bunny ears thing that is happening at the moment appeals to me. Having said that I will not be donning the ears anytime soon. So what is the go with this? Has anyone asked the man we have to thank for reviving what was safely reserved for playboy bunnies and bumper stickers - Mr Marc Jacobs? It all started anew with the Louis Vuitton's Fall 09 campaign in which Madonna appeared wearing what looked like giant bunny ears and was taken further when Marc Jacobs sent models down the runway in ear shaped bow headpieces.

So intrigued was I for the designer's inspiration that I did a little digging (googling!) and the truth is much less interesting than the pudding. As reported on FabSugar Marc was inspired by a colleague fiddling with cloth and another colleague wearing cloth wrapped around her head - what a let down. He did say "I like the kind of Playboy, French coquette aspect to it." Yeah well I guess others do to...

Images: stockholmstreetstyle, http://www.adrants.com/, http://www.eonline.com/, forums.denden.co.uk

Face paint

Make-up like fashion is an act of self expression. It changes with our moods, our clothing and our interests. Some would go as far as to call it art, as our friends at MAC Cosmetics certainly do. MAC is one of those brands that truly markets make-up as an art form and their latest collection is an extension of this. MAC recently collaborated with 3 artists to interpret Fall '09 in 3 make-up collections. One of the collaborators is Richard Phillips, a photo realist painter based on New York. Phillips' interpretation is described by MAC as "racy", "hyper glam" and a "modern take on vintage magazines" and is obviously reminiscent of Phillips' 50s 60s magazine pictorial style images.

In addition to Richard Phillips MAC also collaborated with illustrator Maira Kalman and photographer Marilyn Minter. You can check out the collections and purchase the products online at http://www.maccosmetics.com.au/

Richard Phillips for MAC

Richard Phillips limited edition "In the Gallery" palette

Richard Phillips "Nuclear" 1996-1997

Richard Phillips limited edition "Photo Realism" palette

Lipstick part of the Richard Phillips collection for MAC

Richard Phillips album cover for band Dirty Vegas

Powder blush part of the Richard Phillips collection for MAC

Images: MAC, www.yesstudio.co.uk, www.artnet.com

Lovely legs

I can see it now - lovely legs all across Australia will be getting around in these floral shiny leggings by Karla Spetic and Romance Was Born. They look great teamed with a silk, rayon or cotton tank or tee in peach, cream, white or marle... Start those lunges and squats now as these babies will be in store any minute.

Karla Spetic floral leggins SS09/10


Romance Was Born floral Nana leggings SS09/10

Images: Harpers Bazaar

High waists and low cuts

Designers must have been channelling the 1940s when designing their spring summer 09/10 swimwear collections, either that or Bridget Jones! One of the standout swimwear trends this coming spring/summer is high waisted bikini's and low cut cut bottoms. This trend tends to remind me of the briefs girls wore over their undies at school when playing sport. I had many pairs of the nasty nylon briefs designed to protect my modesty by hiding my floral and cartooned knickers. Luckily the designs seen in the SS09/10 shows came in much prettier colours and prints although I am not sure they do anymore for our figures than the old sports briefs.

Karla Spetic is the ring leader of this trend. Her SS09/10 collection featured heavily high waisted big bottomed swimwear. Her designs were by far the prettiest and came in lovely pastel shades and prints that will definitely lure many a girl to follow this trend against their better judgement. Sara Phillps and Illionaire were also champions but chose darker more flattering (if that is possible) shades.

Please don't get me wrong on this one. I love the idea of this trend and fell in love with Karla's designs but I can just see this one playing out badly. Girls beware!

Karla Spectic SS09/10

1940s swimwear

Sara Phillips bikini SS09/10

Bikini beauty 1945

Illionaire SS 09/10

Doris Day the 1940s bikini pin up

Images: Vogue.com.au, http://www.glamoursplash.com/2009/01/swimwear-through-ages-1940s.html