TRIED & TRUE

Wearing: D-ID jeans / Sportsgirl top / Zara shoes / Coach bag

Denim and white is a tried and true formula that (we are told) will never go out of style. The kind of effortless 'model off-duty' vibe that we can hope to emulate though in my opinion can easily toe the fine line between minimalist street-chic and well, boring. 

For the longest time I had developed an aversion towards jeans. It had seemed impossible to find ones that 1) fit right, 2) look good and 3) let you move around the way you actually want to move around. My comfortable solution to that was leggings and tights - until one fine day I realised that I did actually want to wear fancier pants of the real kind and fell in love with pants in various prints and colourways. The more ridiculous the print, the better. Blue, black or white jeans were still a foreign concept at the time.

But that was nearly 2 years ago now and like everything else, things change, or evolve gradually. I now find a few good pairs of 'basic' jeans in my everyday wardrobe and this pair of D-ID denim skinnies does well with the little ankle zip and knee detail. And they're soft and smooth and feel so good on. I add pops of my favourite colour to play with and hope that the result ticks all the right boxes on street-chic x

Photos by Thomas Lo

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#OWNIT

#OWNIT.

Confidence, summed up in one nifty hashtag.

Over the past week I have met and come to learn more about three creative individuals, each enthusiastic and passionate about their work, each with a vision - be it to provide the ultimate new & cool casual dining experience, to create images that gives justice to the saying 'a picture speaks a thousand words', or to explore the endless possibilities of interactive design in within our modern landscape. What inspires me and motivates me most is their curiosity and initiative to create something new, something different. 

I have also come to the realisation that despite being in a relative progressive cultural environment such as Melbourne where artistic collaborations abound and one-off cultural events are a seemingly weekly occurrence, that there are always two sides to a story. Two sides to every brilliantly conceived and executed idea. And really, you cannot afford to try to please everyone involved. 

In a similar fashion (pun clearly intended), not everyone is going to agree with exaggerated pointy-toed patents (my dear sister said they looked like chilli), transparent clutches, houndstooth prints, or  ridiculously round and reflective sunnies that came only with half a frame.

But they worked well for me so, backed up by Boohoo's latest campaign, I say, #OWNIT. 

Wearing: Boohoo Dress, Shakuhachi sunnies, Her Fashion Box clutch, Zara shoes

Photography by Thomas Lo

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LOVE FROM NYC

Keepsake dress, Asos sweater, Tony Bianco boots

I apologise for my silence. 2013 has been a big year that has come and gone more quickly than I could've ever imagined. I had the privilege of heading up to Sydney for MBFWA, meeting countless young designers and creatives along the way, and working with some of my most loved labels around Australia. I (unfortunately) also owe the inconsistency of this blog to ANON. - a musical venture that both myself and my dedicated photographer co-founded and where we take on very different roles as pianist and violinist, with big dreams of involving young designers, artists and other creatives within our performance projects. 

Almost 3 weeks ago now I hopped on a plane the day after our last performance for the longest plane ride of my life. 30-odd hours later and we were in sub-zero temperatures of the most exciting place on earth, New York City. It was unreal seeing some of the biggest landmarks that you've only ever seen in movies. It was a place so culturally diverse and historically vibrant. It was also there that I realised there was a different between 'snowing' and 'freezing rain'. 

But more on that later. We visited the Guggenheim Museum on the weekend NYC had a freak bout of warmer weather. And I needed a day off from being bundled within layers of Uniqlo Heat Techs and 60% Wool Coats. So out came the one and only dress I brought along with me on this trip. Also, turtlenecks. The next big thing in Winter dressing.

Happy New Year everyone! 

Photography by Thomas Lo

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TWO WAYS

Natasha Gan dress, Witchery suede wedges / Asos bodycon midi dress, Karen Millen jacket, Zara heels

I love both bumblebee-inspired outfits above because each piece is so simple, yet with a characteristic twist. With peplums in my opinion now being so commonplace and nearly overdone, it was a refreshing change in this sunshine yellow Nat Gan dress to see the peplum pleated and puffed. And to such beautiful effect that anything more than simple black suede wedges would have been deemed unnecessary. 

I have also discovered that midis that keep you cocooned through till your knees are surprisingly comforting. Also that the jacket-around-your-waist look 10-year-old me used to sport is back. Except this time with a little more effortless sophistication than clumsy cool. 

Or at least, we hope, anyway.

Photography by Thomas Lo

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Parrots & Prints

Natasha Gan halter top, Witchery culottes, Zara heels, Petite Grand bracelet

It's not everyday you find yourself dressed in an exuberant parrot print. An absolute statement piece and in all honesty not the easiest to work with in the mix and match pile. Details that got me were the gathered neckline, low back and the little sash that gives it all shape just the way you want it. Stayed away from over the top floral print clashing to avoid looking like a walking ad for the wildlife park and instead played it simple with slouchy black culottes - which apparently are the next big thing. Not that you have to follow trends or anything. 

And if you're a sucker for fine, fine jewellery (high-five!), Petite Grand will leave you lost for words.

Photography by Thomas Lo

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BLOOM

Jolie & Deen dress and rings, Zara heels

It just felt slightly wrong sharing Spring floral dresses on this space when all of last week mercury levels in Melbourne plummeted and we found ourselves staring at the gloomy skies and fighting the continuously intermittent rain. I retreated to my brunch-loving ways. Also found some comfort and inspiration in Jolie & Deen's new collection.

In under 24 hours I shall be exam-free and racing to the newly-opened, much hyped about Messina on Smith St. No longer shall I have to make the trip to Sydney for the best gelato experience(s) ever. White chocolate and parmesean. Coconut Pandan. You guys get me. Insert cheesy grin as above. 

Photography by Thomas Lo

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FIRST DATE

Keepsake First Date Bodice via The Fashion Bunker, Zara shorts, Asos heels, Jolie & Deen necklace 

I write this between indulgent spoonfuls of caramel honey macadamia ice cream and glances of The Great Gatsby (finally reviving my study of the American Dream in Year 12 English, just a few months behind all the hype). A slightly indecent hour, but a little self-indulgent 'me' time goes a long way, especially during the exam period, right?

Keepsake has done this bustier justice in more ways than one, in a design that is more understated elegance than uncomfortably attention-seeking. The origami-like peplum and cinched waist is about one of the better things you could do for your shape, and in pastel tones of sky blue and coral it could well be a nifty choice in your date night wardrobe. Taking the origami folds a step further, these Zara shorts/skorts step in to make dressy-casual just that bit more visually intriguing. 

Photography by Thomas Lo

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WISH

Wish dress, Steve Madden heels, Petite Grand necklace

Lock away your LBDs. Black doesn't even make sense in summer. 

How about a little pink dress? (Or as the colour nazis put it, fuschia). I chose this as part of Wish's Style Challenge and really it couldn't have come at a better time - sunshine and hitting the mid-20s today!

Complete with the tiniest bird cut out pendant I've come across - more tantalisingly delicate jewellery where that came from. 

Currently drooling over everything on The Whole Pantry App. So much inspiration. 

Photography by Thomas Lo

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