Something original for the races ‘POPS UP’ at Crown

Posted on October 25, 2012 by Newschick

The Spring Racing Carnival is underway, so time for some fun and frivolity, hey? I’m sure that’s what thousands of Victorians are thinking. Although when you look at the statistics, the money generated by the fashion and tourism industries during this time is staggering – well into the millions of dollars – so in fact, it’s a very serious business.

I’m sure a lot of that money comes about from people (like me) who leave race-wear shopping till it’s almost too late, then splurge in a fit of panic-buying. Because really, getting any kind of an outfit organised for the Spring Racing Carnival is a bit of a nightmare. Life’s already a circus act of juggling ten balls while snow-boarding down a roller-coaster (can you book the dentist, pick up the dog food, phone your Dad, visit your sick friend, write a best-seller, do the accounts and bring in the washing – all in five minutes please?) so finding time for fashion is a bit an indulgence. Usually it’s a last minute affair with a combination of things from years past, spruced up with perhaps a new necklace, worn in the hope that no-one will recognise your recycling efforts.

This year I tried to be a bit more efficient and actually phoned a milliner two weeks ago (I thought well in advance) only to hear her practically snort with laughter and say I was waaaaaaaayyyyy too late. Seriously? Yep. She was all booked up and worked to the bone. I didn’t bother trying anyone else, thinking I’d get the same reply. So that little task went to the bottom of the ‘to-do’ list and I imagined at some point, I’d madly dash into David Jones or Myer and grab anything they had left off the shelf – probably the day before Derby Day.

The LK Boutique & Richard Nylon Spring Racing Emporium at Crown

Then – JOY – an easy solution arrived in my email box. Balls had been falling off my roller-coaster ride all week, so I sighed with relief. Surely THIS was the answer to my all-important hat problem? One of Australia’s most prestigious and talented milliner’s, Richard Nylon, was to exhibit and sell his designs as part of a POP-UP shop at Crown and I was invited to a preview.

(For those of you who aren’t up to speed with the concept, a POP-UP shop is a temporary store set up for a short-term purpose in the middle of a permanent shopping establishment)

Richard’s wares would be show-cased alongside the very fancy jewellery of LK Boutique – their joint project entitled, naturally, The LK Boutique & Richard Nylon Spring Racing Emporium.

The LK Boutique & Richard Nylon Spring Racing Emporium at Crown

Many a fashion expert has dubbed Richard Nylon as Australia’s best milliner so I do think the chance to wear one of his pieces to the races and actually pick one off the shelf, is a rare and wonderful opportunity. Not to mention convenient!! In fact, I think you could justify your purchase by arguing that his hats are in fact, works of art. And what price a rare work of art?

Richard Nylon and Amber Petty (trying on one of Richard’s designs)

Besides his talent, I adore Richard’s innate and original sense of personal style. He stands out in a crowd with his penchant for perky caps, colourful costumes and neck-ties. Sometimes I wonder whether he would have been more comfortable living in a by-gone era, but am glad he’s in the here-and-now so we can enjoy the benefits of his creativity.

James Kennedy of LK Boutique with Ann Peacock

James Kennedy of LK Boutique with Crown General Manager, Public relations, Ann Peacock

Hosted by Crown’s endlessly elegant Ann Peacock, several other well-known faces also came along to the launch to enjoy a glass of champagne while deciding which hats suited them best.

Kim Watkins, Ginny Gibson, Toni Skaife

Canape, jewels or fascinator?

Checking out the range, I voted the evening head-pieces (surely these ARE art… ) and lady-bug necklaces as first past the post when it comes to style. But enough from me. I’m going to let the photos of Richard’s stunning work, along with some LK jewellery, speak for themselves.

Crimson plumes by Richard Nylon

Pill-box Love hat by Richard Nylon

Blue pleats with feather fringing by Richard Nylon

Pink and white feathers by Richard Nylon

Evening headpiece by Richard Nylon

Neon magic by Richard Nylon

Diamond Butterfly by LK Boutique, $7200

Quartz and diamond Lady-Bug necklaces $3500 each

Quartz and diamond Lady-Bug necklaces by LK Boutique, $3500 each

So what did I pick? Well, choosing something so EARLY suddenly felt a bit odd… Where else would I get that adrenalin rush from putting it all together at the last minute? So I didn’t pick anything. I’m going to live dangerously and come back next week. (plus I need to colour match with outfits!!)

As an added bonus for customers, LK Boutique is offering a 30% discount on selected items, such as the Diamond Butterfly necklace to the right which is usually $9000. The POP-UP store, LK Boutique & Richard Nylon Spring Racing Emporium, will be open until Stakes Day. Happy shopping!

A la Mode at Bahamonde

Posted on September 20, 2012 by Newschick

By now, you might be familiar with my lovely friend Rochelle, who has kindly modelled for the Fashion section of this Blog on several occasions. But I have to confess, while she looks the part, Rochelle isn’t actually a model. She’s a highly regarded television production whiz who is currently in-between jobs. Knowing she’s likely to start another one soon, I thought I should grab her while I could when I was heading down to Elwood today to check out Bahamonde. Set in the heart of funky Ormond Road, Bahamonde stands out from the rest with a more upmarket selection of smaller Australian designers, as well as a few fab imports.

Bahamonde in Ormond Road, Elwood

Owner Kelly Savage used to work in the boutique before taking over from the previous occupants about ten months ago. Since then, she’s introduced a few new labels to the store, including one from Copenhagen called Rabens Saloner – plus a greater range of footwear. She says she likes to choose stock that she would wear herself. As well, she takes in to account the fact that a lot of mothers shop with their daughters, so she showcases labels that appeal to both age groups.

Maya McQueen Watermelon loafers $169

I was quite drawn to these soft suede orange loafers. (Although Kelly described them as ‘watermelon’…) It’s quite tricky to find comfortable shoes to wear with jeans and I’m just NOT a ‘ballet flats’ kinda gal. Sadly, she didn’t have my size, but they are getting more in. (from Brazil)

Viktoria and Woods Hawke Patch Crew top $209

Rochelle (like myself) is a huge ‘rose gold’ fan, so putting on this top by the talented Viktoira and Woods was a dead cert to put a smile on her face.

Indigo dress $179 and Lilya Mariana wedges $249

The sun wasn’t shining, but the pink and orange floral pattern of this Indigo dress is bound to make you feel like Spring is actually here… the perfect number for lunches, a romantic picnic or a country race meeting. The tan wedges are also a versatile option, sitting well with just about any outfit.

'Violet and I' Downtown lover dress $369

Rabens Saloner lilac dress $270

This lilac dress just about jumped off the racks when I walked into the shop. It’s one of the imports from Copenhagen that Kelly was telling me about. I can just picture Princess Mary in this, can’t you? It’s a beautiful flowy number that almost harks back to yesteryear but with a modern twist – a romantic maxi dress that can be dressed up or down, depending on the occasion.

Alexia Wood three-panel dress $89 with Jam Squared Style sandals $175

For a more casual look, I chose this three-panel colour tunic dress from Alexia Wood. It’s a relatively new Australian label that’s well-priced. Plus the sandals – another attractive flat option – were, by fluke, a perfect match!

Viktoria and Woods August keyhole shirt $277 with Red singlet Milk at Thistle $139

Last but not least, another piece from the Viktoria and Woods collection – a striking silk shirt – light as a feather and a gorgeous fuschia colour to make your skin glow. Kelly said Bahamonde used to showcase mostly dresses but now incorporates a greater range of separates.

When our work was done, Rochy and I popped across the road to Zartowa for a much needed coffee. Gotta pay these models somehow…

Bahamonde is located at 119 Ormond Road, Elwood.

Ph: (03) 9531 2936

Manning Cartell steals the limelight with new store at Chaddy

Posted on September 11, 2012 by Newschick

Chadstone must be Melbourne’s most popular high-end shopping centre. I don’t have the statistics to prove it – only the personal experience of facing car-parks full to overflowing every time I venture there, plus queues snaking out of Prada and Chanel every time I walk past. It beats city shopping because at least those crowded car-parks are FREE and during Melbourne’s long, cold winter, it’s much more cosy shopping indoors. And yes, the range of stores, catering to all wallets – from rob-a-Swiss-bank-to-buy-anything to shoe-string budgets – is vast and varied.

New store on the block

But if your budget doesn’t stretch to European haute couture (and mine certainly doesn’t) then Chaddy also stocks a great selection of local designers, with stock carrying far more reasonable price-tags. One of my favourite Aussie labels comes from three Sydney-based sisters who started up Manning Cartell. Over the years, their stock has mostly been sold through independent boutiques, but gradually, with growing success, they’re opening their own stores. I always loved buying their stock (sorry, loved even more Channel TEN buying it!) as a newsreader, because their jackets were so consistently well-cut and stylish. And it was tricky finding chic jackets that fit the ‘newsreader mode’ without being ‘mother-of-the-bride’…

Manning Cartell

So I was thrilled to find they’ve only JUST (two weeks ago) opened a new store at Chadstone. My girlfriend Rochelle and I were shopping there on Saturday which meant I happened to have a willing model on hand, (after a little arm-twisting) to showcase some of their best stock. And oh boy, do they have some good stuff!

I like the fact they do suits with skirts OR shorts, so you can dress this look up or down – for work or play. Their fabrics are divine – suits in textured metallic weaves or soft-spun gold thread, with light-as-a-feather silk tops to float underneath. It’s the contrasts between tailored, sharply structured pieces (suit jackets, leather singlets) with floaty, ethereal elements that gives the label its unique edge.

Little Mermaid gold jacket $549; shorts $299 with Lemon Sugar and Mango top $349

Wicker Man jacket $649, skirt $399 with Sportsman on stilts black leather singlet $399

Sailors Valentine dress $599 and Sugar and Mango top $349 with Ebony Mask Shorts $449

Manning Cartell also showcase a range of accessories, such as metallic belts in pewter, rose gold or gun metal for $299 each that would update any outfit. Another coveted piece was the most beautiful structured lace skirt I’ve spied this season and is SOOOO on my birthday wish-list. Not to mention a classic sequinned tunic that has a funky 60s feel and would be a great trans-seasonal after-five number.

Metalllic belts $299

Intertwined Black Lace Skirt $499

Jewel box tunic, pewter, $699

But my favourite on the day would have to be this sexy peach dress which gets away with having almost ‘too-much-in-your-face-cleavage’ because of the fabric being demure lace…

Seashell Lace Dress, peach; $599

If I had the figure for it, I’d grab it, but given the post-giving-up-smoking additional kilos aren’t budging, I’ll have to leave that one for Rochelle who looks amazing in this. In fact, with the right hat, I think it would be perfect for Oaks Day, don’t you?

How to get the Hamptons ‘look’ at Harris Scarfe

Posted on August 30, 2012 by Newschick

Ooh la la – The Hamptons – sounds awfully posh, doesn’t it?

Can’t you just see yourself swanning about in those expensive designer clothes, while you holiday in your third-generation mansion at the Hamptons and try to decide what champagne to serve at your next sophisticated soiree?

It was easy to pretend I was at the Hamptons yesterday. The sun shining on white sands, the clear blue sea, and look – in the distance, some cool young jet-setters hanging by the water – a sophisticated bar decked out in spring colours close by…. yep, it was all there.

Who are all these cool dudes?

But on closer inspection, I saw the cool young jet-setters were actually standing on boxes. Ah, that’s right, models! I was attending the Harris Scarfe spring/summer fashion and homewares launch at the chic Sandbar by the bay in Middle Park.

Models show-casing the spring/summer fashion range for Harris Scarfe

It was a fabulous lunch, attended by a colourful collection of Melbourne identities, including actors Melissa Bergland and Michala Banas, Zoe Badwi, Ann Peacock, Heath Meldrum with wife Brodie Harper, Nick Bracks, Tania Buckley and Amber Petty. Former Miss Universe Australia Jesinta Campbell even dropped in from Sydney to join in the fun.

The SandBar looked stunning – decked out in gelati-coloured lanterns and of course, Harris Scarfe’s new homewares collection – fresh vibrant colours giving us a taste of spring. The lunch was very Hamptons – French champagne and jugs of Pimms cocktails, while gourmet fish and chips, elegantly wrapped in a Harris Scarfe brochure, added a casual, beachy touch.

The Sandbar – Middle Park

It’s the first public event since Harris Scarfe (now 160 years old) was sold in July by Momentum Corporate to Pepkor, a South African company who also owns Best & Less.

Marketing Manager Chris Kontos said Pepkor are committed to moving the brand forward. He describes the store as having something for everyone. ‘We’re every person’s retailer,’ he said ‘ We sell goods at both the high end of the market, plus great stock at low prices.’

Their new spring/summer range is certainly a testament to their word. It includes all the bright neon and gelati colours seen in just about every fashion store right now, mirrors trends and boasts very competitive prices.

Harris Scarfe fashion

I don’t know who’s getting it right at Harris Scarfe, but they’re bucking the downward retail trend. Last year they tallied up revenue of $325 million and are expected to open new stores next year.

Maybe it’s because of the Marketing Manager Chris Kontos. The man seems to have taken Melbourne by storm in recent months – his charm and looks making him a welcome addition on the guest-list of any function of note. Maybe his panache and winning ways have rubbed off on the budget brand, making it appeal to a broader market? Is that why Harris Scarfe now seems kinda cool?

Michaela Bana and Harris Scarfe Marketing Manager, Chris Kontos

Michala Banas and Harris Scarfe Marketing Manager, Chris Kontos

Zoe Badwi, Heath Meldrum, Brodie Harper

Jesinta Campbell

Prue Webb, Judy Romano, Kate McGrath

Simone Campbell, Ann Peacock,Steve Carey

And to top off a brilliant lunch, we were given a fabulous ‘Goodie Bag, full of homewares samples.

Harris Scarfe Goodie Bag

I loved the taste of summer with a lime-green handle ice-cream scoop, a Sheridan hand-towel (proof Harris Scarfe does sell ‘quality’ brands) a lime-patterned oven-mitt (yay – I needed one of those!) and even a heat-controlled hairbrush. BUT best of all…..

…wait for it….

…we were given….

YES! STEAK KNIVES !!!!!!!!!!!!!

STEAK KNIVES!

What’s RED HOT at Scanlan & Theodore?

Posted on August 23, 2012 by Newschick

Well-positioned on Melbourne’s most famous fashion strip – Chapel Street – Scanlan & Theodore has long been winning accolades in the style-stakes, always managing to keep one polished stiletto ahead of their competitors.

Scanlon & Theodore, South Yarra

According to all reports, retail is doing it tough right now – but judging by the number of customers brushing shoulders in the store yesterday, Scanlan & Theodore isn’t feeling the pain. That’s probably because there aren’t many Australian designers who can match them for quality and unique styling.

I was also impressed by the number of sales staff in store yesterday, making sure no customer was left unattended. Now that’s rare. And while they’re all blessed with model-perfect looks and legs that go forever – which is a tad intimidating – they’re all very friendly and helpful – another big tick.

But pricing? Wow. I guess that’s why some people call fashion at this level ‘art’ as opposed to the mass-produced, high-turnover, land-fill fashion from the global franchises.

And there are definitely some pieces worthy of that title. Such as this amazing red lace dress, which hugs the silhouette like a classic Valentino. Pure art.

Exquisite detail

Long red lace Guipiri dress – $2000

But before you get too excited, only two were made and even though they carry a price-tag of $2000, both have been snapped up.

Baby jersey long dress $700 with Textured leather sleeveless jacket $650

Keeping with the red theme, I was also impressed with the long red jersey dress, layered with a sleeveless red leather jacket. Not something that would suit anyone bigger than a size eight, and I’m not sure exactly where I’d wear it – but I still fancied it anyway. I reckon Cate Blanchett could carry it off.

Textured red leather sleeveless jacket $650

For race-goers wanting to lock in their Spring Carnival wardrobes early, I found two dresses that might appeal. The first, being more structured, would work well for Derby Day, while the floaty mix of aqua, pink and purple would be perfect for Oaks.

Duchess floral dress $750

Aqua spinner print dress $550

Personally, I really wanted to take home the black leather peplum top, which turns a prim trend funky. The urban weave bomber jacket could also have found a home in my wardrobe – hypothetically.

Black leather peplum top $550, Black pencil skirt $350

Urban weave bomber jacket $800

And in case your eye was drawn to the necklace decorating the peplum top, take a closer look. Indeed, a lovely pendant on a metal rope – yours for just $600…

Silver metal Collet marble necklace $600

Scanlan & Theodore also showcase a fab range of shoes and handbags. I’m very partial to rose gold right now so loved the black bag, which looks far more attractive than the photo gives it credit. And the camel Alaia studded wedge would be perfect with just about anything – if only they could off take a zero…

Black chain clutch with rose gold $400

Alaia studded wedge $1400 and Mini square bag with yellow $450

Okay, I should stop going on about the price-tags. I’m probably just bitter and twisted that I’m still paying off a big holiday and can’t afford them. But if you can, get on in there and happy shopping.

Scanlan & Theodore is located at 566 Chapel Street, South Yarra.

Ph: (03) 9824 1800

They also have stores at 1061 High Street, Armadale and in Little Collins Street in Melbourne.

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Category Archives: Fashion Update

Something original for the races ‘POPS UP’ at Crown

A la Mode at Bahamonde

Manning Cartell steals the limelight with new store at Chaddy

How to get the Hamptons ‘look’ at Harris Scarfe

What’s RED HOT at Scanlan & Theodore?