Perth says come hither

Apart from the very adequate reason that one of my dearest friends is in Perth, I have found an equally lovely reason to visit the furthest Western city of Australia- Pigeonhole.

I picked up Marie Claire's 15th birthday issue whilst in Australia last week, and have only just gotten around to reading the behemoth 426 pages (let's assume a few bonus' are heading their ways to the MC advertising execs).

Here I was alerted to Pigenhole, through the article 50 Best Boutiques. As mentioned, the store (or stores, to be precise) is located in Perth though one can browse their wares online- yes, they have gone digital. Brands include Secret Squirrel Clothing, Limedrop, Colab and more more more.

Stocking clothes, homewares, stationary, jewellery and even toys, this store seems like a labour of someones intense need to be surrounded by everything they love- and to capitalise on this. When you know you have taste, you may as well provide to the masses. I hear Perth needs more of the same to suckle the hungry inhabitants; for a city that produces such beauty (Gemma Ward, Nicole Trufino), perhaps Pigenhole can lead the way.

Top to bottom: Shafto Lane store; London Court store

The online shop is not the best display of their wares, though the experience is not hampered by this. The website is powered through Wordpress, and has a blog attached.

I'm coveting these pants, left. Not too expensive, though I think to carry these off you have to offer height minus weight to the equation.

Left: Minimarket pants ($165), Pigeonhole loop necklace ($65), Leather brogues ($185), Soto Smith Aztec tee ($75), Pigeonhole bag ($200).

Check website for the locations of their four stores, including the most recent arrival of all things vintage, bless.

Sheer delight

Intrigued by sheerness.

As the season tries to make it into Summertime, I'm sticking with the femininity of the cooler days, allowing me to show a touch of skin...


From left-right (click image to enlarge):

byCORPUS Gingham Check Sheer Blouse
£58
Available from Urban Outfitters online

Stella McCartney ruffled sheer blouse
£645
Available from Net-a-Porter

Surface To Air Jukebox Sheer Blouse
£148
Available from Urban Outfitters online

A London weekend

A weekend of London.

Pedalling along the London streets, Islington was my destination. I wanted to replicate the perfect weekend I had about a month ago when I had picked up my beautiful blue 1940s skirt. Sadly, the stall was not up in Camden Passage, though the experience did provide me with plenty of opportunities to try out my new Canon EOS 550D. I love love love it.

Today I went to Present in Shoreditch. I wasn't particularly interested in the clothes they had on offer, for they were against my gender. Nay, I wanted to try the coffee that was to be made and served to me by the 2009 World Barista Champion, Gwilym Davies.

Davies is based out of men's clothing store, Present. Using Square Mile beans and a very beautiful machine, my flat white came out perfectly sized to make it a lovely combination of strength and creaminess.

I do recommend.

From there, my companion and I meandered down Shoreditch High St, only to merge right towards Mile End Rd.

My research had led me to a new vintage store in town, well new to my ears anyway. The East End Thrift Store is situated down a shifty laneway, off Mile End Rd. Hemmed in by warehouses that look like they are no longer in use, the store is packed full of vintage, divided somewhat down the middle by ladies and mens clothing.

I was attracted to this store, primarily because I had read promises of many items costing no more than £10. Incredible. London is the home of the overpriced second-hand dress, so this was something to see.

Sadly, the atmosphere in the store lacked the potential exitement that would lead you into that perfect vintage find. It didn't feel shabby chic, it just felt shabby. The concrete floor, dressing rooms that were covered by scrap material (and only three-quarters at that), the two art students who ran the store, though couldn't really care less, all contributed to a disappointing experience. The clothes would have saved the day, had they been something to coo about. Sadly, there was a reason why they started at £10. They simply were not at the quality Londoner's expect.

Of course, the store is a fair size so I would recommend a gaze as everyone has subjective vintage expectations. I wanted to find uniqueness; instead I found clothes that had either been manipulated to suit the look of the present day, or were so unappealing, the fabrics and styles look like they should be retired, not re-used.

Present
140 Shoreditch High Street
London E1 6JE

East End Thrift Store
Watermans Building, Unit 1A Assembly Passage,
London, E1 4UT

Modcloth

Fancy flexing your credit card on some vintage slash vintage reproduction homewares and fashion? Oui oui?

Go to modcloth.

Vintage! Vintage!

I can't say I stick to a particular style when I dress, more I am a slave to my emotion that day, choosing to grab whatever clones my mood.

Always one to tread the vintage clothing waters though, I do love a classic cut, a tailored jacket/dress/pant et al, and the way certain clothes envelope my body.

As I grow in age (and retain my modesty), I find dressing to my shape is imperative when I purchase anything. I can't stand people who go outside only to have the world subjected to their gut hanging over their bottom wares. Ill-fitting clothes, or just ill-fitting taste? And leggings! Oh my, why must these be around? They do not suit most people on the best of days, let alone when you're wearing them as pants (bottoms). There should be no public camel toes, something should cover your ass, and perhaps you should throw on a pair of shoes and stop pretending Uggs are for outdoor use. They're not, they're expensive slippers. For indoors only.

Having a relatively small waist, I seek out skirts, tailored trousers and dresses; vintage makes my heart sing, and over the years i've practically recorded an album. I've been so lucky to be able to find some beautiful clothes, some of which include, a gorgeous 1940s blue above-the-knee skirt, with pleated detail front and back, for £10; a collection of summer dresses with button details to the waist, then a broad flowing skirt to twirl in (ranging from £10-45); a lovely brown leather day purse, with short double straps for £15; and many, many more.

Vintage shopping has become part of my travelling repertoire, I do thorough research before I go anywhere, to try and get the best I can get. London has definately spoilt me, though I find it is so expensive here, so don't come expecting a bargain, especially where tourists lurk (like Portobello Rd).

Here are some of my favourite vintage spots in London. They're not a secret, so enjoy.

- Vintage Market
F Block T2 | 85 Brick Lane, London
Every Friday, Saturday 11am – 6pm and Sunday 10am – 5pm

Coinciding with the Up Markets, grab some lovely thai duck rolls, and head up the stairs to the top floor. Here you'll find the professional stall holders, amongst the grots and gits of East London, selling anything from the 20s, right through to late 90s. A treasure trove of one-off things that change from week to week.

- Beyond Retro
110-112 Cheshire Street, London E2 6EJ
Monday - Wednesday 10am - 7pm; Thursday 10am - 8pm; Friday & Saturday 10am - 7pm; Sunday 10am - 6pm

This is the site of the original store, now pratically a chain after its expansion to central London, Brighton and even abroad to Sweden! Situated off Brick Lane, come here for cool clothes, colour coded on the racks and sorted down the line for men and women. I picked up an awesome silk scarve from the 70s, with the entire Waltzing Matilda poem penned on it (plus illustrations). Perhaps come here first, and then head to the many thrifts along Brick Lane.

- Absolute Vintage
15 Hanbury St, London E1 6QR
Monday - Saturday 11am - 7pm; Sunday 11am - 7pm

Frequented by stylists and those who want to pay a little more for their vintage, this medium-sized shop filled to the rafters with cloth, is definately one to poke your head in. Even just to scope the amount of second-hand shoes for sale. I have an elephant foot, though one can always look...

There are so many more thoroughout London, though I suspect these should be stumbled upon by yourself. That way, you can say 'I went to London, and discovered the most amazing little shop...'

Hint: Brick Lane, Portobello Rd (under the freeway overpass, ONLY), Camden Passage parallel to Upper St, and Shoreditch will all provide you with suitable starting points.

Still looking for inspirations, click here for a reliable guide.

Chanel AW

If you've been reading this blog, or indeed if you know the inner-workings of what I covet, you will know that my ears prick up with any news relating to the French house of Chanel.

Creative Director Karl Lagerfield, has positioned the brand into the 21st Century, retaining Coco's original ideas of modesty, grace, sensuality and above all, tailoring. It does pain me to see fake chain bags hawking past from yet another unnamed high street retailer; I know trends are ripped off all the time, but this is like copying the most gorious of handbag hardware, one that has roots and class and all the goodness a ladies bag requires.

Though enough of my ranting on Chanel copies, this post is about some delightful news indeed!

The lovely Australian model Abby Lee Kershaw (below), has recently been announced to front Chanel's AW 10/11 campaign- a considerate feat for a 22 yr old Australian. Apparently, Lagerfield sees Kershaw as a 'modern beauty', and although I definately agree, I somehow did not consider her to be a Chanel lady. How I shall be proven wrong.

The campaign stars Freja Beha Erichsen and Brad Kroenig (excellent choices), and apparently features a considerate amount of fur (perhaps not such an excellent choice).

And just because I think he's a gas, here are some quotes from Karl Lagerfield. Mad-hatter that he is.

'What I hate most in life are people who are not really the peach of the day but who want to be young and sexy. You can fool nobody. There is a moment when you have to accept that somebody else is younger and fresher and hotter. Life is not a beauty contest.'

'There is a sort of melancholia which I find quite elegant after the 'bimbo years'.'
  
'Yes, some people say to me you're too skinny, but never a skinny person says that to me, only people who could lose a few pounds say that.'

Etsy Vintage

I did a post not so long ago about my favourite ebay vintage stores.

As it becomes more popular, I thought i'd replicate that post, but with Etsy instead. Similarly to Ebay, you can get lost in time and space in Etsy though the below is by no means comprehensive. It's merely a beginning as clicking into Etsy is almost like a Choose Your Own Adventure novel- take one path and bam, there's another opportunity. Take another, then another, and boom, a different shop catches your eye. You'll get to know your own bam's and boom's.

So here are a few that I enjoy.

The Pigeon Chest

Does she take her vintage seriously? Of course she does! The deer's head in the background is testament to that.

Retro Threadz

Wide variety of true vintage and stocks a lot of shoes. Can be very hit and miss.

Thrush

I've posted about this gorgeous shop before, though they do remain one to peruse. The name still leaves a lot to be desired though.

Noble Town Vintage

Cute pieces here and there. Pretty affordable for most currencies.

Graybird Vintage

'Functional' vintage, and more of it.

Yohan Kim

Spending a cold, wet Sunday at Brick Lane's Up Market not too long ago, saw me stumble across a veritable bargain. I didn't expect it, though a 13 quid tee was too much to pass by.

Made in Korea, Yohan Kim's tee's are soft cotton, comparable to Sass and Bide (the early years), though without the price tag. I've worn mine every chance I can get because not only do they go with everything, they are also cut perfectly (not sqaure and are long- 'yay' says the tall girls).

If you're not in London, visit Yohan Kim's online shop here.

Glee-ful for Emma

For those of you who have caught wind of Glee, you perhaps would have noticed the stylings of Miss Emma Pillsbury, the school guidance councillor. She's a little sweet, a little crazy, and is all over prim- I adore her wears.

Teaming colour matches and blocks, I doubt anyone could just wear what she does. Her coral ensemble may make someone other than Emma look like a giant salmon fillet, though combined with her pale skin and beautiful soft red hair, she matches perfectly.

Emma's accessories are quite experimental compared with her twee look book. Her necklaces often finish her outfits, and by all accounts such as various blogs who document her outfits, they aren't too expensive.

So enjoy Glee, and the extra character that is Emma's clothes. It's sort of exciting seeing what she's going to pull out of the bag every episode.

London love

Living in a foreign country is pretty awesome, though around Christmas time I do miss home, my family and my soon to be doggy mama, Scarlett.

To offset this, I've made a list of all the rad things that I love about London, and the UK.

- Broadway Markets
I think I've blogged about this before though seriously, if you are coming to London, head here for an authentic market experience. It's set along a little street in London Fields, giving it a charming village feel. Some of my favourite things are the yummy Climpson and Sons coffee (with the Aussie's behind the counter, which beckons the question, where do I know the Climpson chick from?! She's worked in Surry Hills before, though it's really bothering me), the Vege stall with their 'Heavenly Halloumi' burgers which are ta-sty, and the scattered couple of vintagey stalls that are a bit of a bargain. Smaller, less crowds, yummy food and cool Londoner's- do it.

- Hyde Park
I love this park, for all of its glory. It's huge, picturesque, doggy friendly, and full of seasonal goodness. In Autumn, leaves coat the greenery; in Winter, frost covers the ground; Summer brings the picnicer's, and Spring brings the bulbs and colour. I love to walk through Hyde Park, though I do avoid the Serpentine- the geese are scary!


- The Gastro Pubs
The UK is known for its pubs, and there is reason why. They're warm, intimate, serve lovely seasonal food and, you can take your puppies into them! My local is as good as any restaurant, making it an easy choice on a night out. And the thing is, all are welcome unlike many at home where you stick to certain places, because they're a certain way. Plus, my alcohol threshold has gone up since schooners were replaced with pints.

- Quirky shops
Ok, I couldn't not mention it, although they've become less important with the popularity of online shopping. When I first got here in 2005, it was all about Topshop, the High Priestess of Oxford St. It's a one stop shop, though the crowds make it monotonous. Some alternatives to Oxford St include, Brick Lane Up Markets (Sunday), Upper St Islington (for one off boutiques and homewares) and High St Kensington (similiar to Oxford St, though far less crowds).

- Come Dine With Me
Channel 4 spoils me with this programme, based on 4 strangers hosting a dinner party for each other over the course of the week. Hit and miss food, akward conversations, drunken antics and bitchy comments make this show super watchable.

- Proximity
...to the rest of Europe, making travel easier, cheaper and more plentiful.

Flash Trash

Just look at this lady, how cute is she?!

At 18, she is the founder of UK online store Flash Trash and is on my list of ladies that are on my radar.

Amber Atherton has seemingly lived a life of a lady twice her age, having been a model and lived abroad. It seems her experience and exposure to the design industry fuelled her desire to have longevity in such a fickle world, thus she created Flash Trash.

In its own word, Flash Trash "attempt(s) to give unique jewellery designers a platform to display their creativity and sell their pieces online to savvy, fashion forward consumers." Yes, the last couple of words are really in italics.

The site comprises of lovely little pieces that span all budgets. Most designers are unknown to most of us, though this represents better value for money!

Here are some of my picks.


Dans Le Jardin Ring

Price £8.00


Tanya Davison, Black Pearl + Gold Coin necklace
Price £197.00


Alice in Wonderland Bracelet

Price £26.00

V Magazine. Summer 2009. Mario Testino

V Magazine swimwear fashion editorial, by Mario Testino.

Featuring Lara Stone, Raquel Zimmermann, Natalia Vodianova, Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss, Isabeli Fontana, Gisele Bundchen, Eva Herzigova, Erin Wasson, Claudia Schiffer, Catherine McNeil, Carolyn Murphy, Doutzen Kroes, Carmen Kass, Daria Werbowy, Anna Selezneva, and Angela Lindvall.

Amazing. Beautiful.

Who's your favourite?

It's controversial, though I think it has to be Daria.

New York Fashion Week S/S 10'

I wasn't going to comment on NY Fashion Week, instead I will concentrate on London Fashion Week (time permitting).

Ridiculous work schedule restricts me from blogging my little heart out, though I promise LFW is on my radar, as it happens around me in this great city.

Of course, I'll pop along to the London Fashion Weekend with the rest of the fashion filly plebs, and document what I can for this very blog.

If you wish to take a look at what NYFW offered, click here.

Real models take the catwalk

A stylist walking out because of a designer's decision to use a figure that resembles more than 50% of the population, rather than an idealistic, child-like female form thought up by a market run by mainly gay men.

What world are we living in?

How is a size 12-14 size model threatening, apart from force the guilty-conscious to look at what they are promoting?

Careful, the bodies will become a bigger focal point than the clothes. And yes, this is a massive PR coup, though who is actually talking about Mark Fast' frocks?

What is interesting is that the use of these models makes you place yourself in the knits that Fast has created. Instead of seeing the clothes from a aesthetic side and deconstructing them, one can image themselves at a dinner party et al, purely because three of his models have a body like yours. Perhaps that is what is threatening- no longer will clothes be elitist.

Side note: the models were hot shiz. Let's see more Joan Holloway's up on the catwalk.

London Fashion Weekend

I've just purchased my GOLD tickets to London Fashion Weekend! I'm hugely excited and anticipating goodness. The weekend shall start off with my girlfriends and I cooking paella and drinking cerveza's, followed by eastend Sunday brunch then on to a 12.30pm catwalk show.

Get your tickets here.

Secret Squirrel

Squirrels running around a central London park, stealing your sandwich.

Bad.

Secret Squirrels opening their online store filled with beautiful clothes?

Good.

Follow the link! There's a sale section as well!

Australian Fashion Week: Day Four + Five highlights

Australian Fashion Week really captured my attention this year.

I loved the mostly whimsical collections, the nudes, rose-pinks and prints that came through and the delicate femininity of the designs.

The last two days of Fashion Week featured some rad talent such as Karla Spetic, Sara Phillips and one of my favourites, Magdalena Velevska. I've posted some looks below rather than comment on them as I think they speak louder than words. Plus, I'm feeling bank-holiday lazy :)

Have a lovely long weekend!

Magdalena Velevska

Michael Lo Sordo

Juli Grbac

Karla Spetic

Sara Phillips