I command thee to shop

Yes, there may actually be some considerable weight to our endless cries that shopping can save the world. Our yearnings to buy non-essesntial items may just help us scrape out of the GFC. Who would have thought that shopaholics would be the modern-day superheroes?

Crowds lining up to shop

The boys from Proenza Schouler

One essential element of reviving the world's economy is to restore consumer confidence. The very foundations of the retail world have been shaken by the increasingly discerning behaviours of consumers. People are questioning what and why they are buying. DEAR GOD! CONSUMERS ARE INCREASINGLY THINKING! Nothing could be more disastrous for the retail world: Cue Karl Lagerfeld wiping tears off with his leather-gloved hands.

The lovely Diane Von Furstenberg at her store in NY

As a result, the retail world is working to draw people back in with huge sales and promotions. Needless to say I am taking full advantage of this -of course- for the benefit of the whole world. I was always the altruistic one...

The eternally chic Charlize Theron

One such initiative which was globally staged was Fashion's Night Out which was staged across the world's fashion capitals to "promote retail, restore consumer confidence, and celebrate fashion". Basically shoppers were invited to shop late into the night, as festivities, celebrities, designers and models came together to promote the retail cause. It was all about putting the "fun" back into fashion.

Miss Wintour. In a T-shirt. Revolutionary.

Alexander Wang and girl posse

Given that consumer behaviour is dependent on their values, I guess events like this can help to start to shape the consumer dynamic for the better. Personally, I find it quite confronting to have consumerism and materialism be so overtly promoted as our white flag out of this situation. To be explictlly told to shop, is a far stray from advertisements which aim to subconsciously drive our shopping habits. I find it all quite odd! What do you guys think?

The who's who

Hypothetical purchases...

Let me pose a hypothetical: Say you just bought two skirts- would it be wrong to buy another two? But change the you to I. Given this is all hypothetical- it is truly amazing that I managed to capture these purchases in photographic form.

Skirt: Uniqlo ($20)

Singlet Top: Uniqlo ($10)

Necklace: UTECH Time Team ($3.50)

The skirts are from my Mum and my favourite Japanese brand Uniqlo. It's like a Japanese Topshop/H&M. But cheaper, more innovative, unique and ah, Japanese. They were $20 each. I can definately utilise these skirts as the weather gets warmer, and they are oh so sweet I think! (n.b. utilise is a very handy verb for justifying shopping).

I also got two lace singlet tops in a beautiful bright fuchia and electric purple. They were only $10 each. They look great tucked into skirts.

Belted with: Romance Was Born Scarf

(ah, um. $80. Ok, I realise that it cost more than the total amount of these clothes. But it is a work of art - literally- using the print of Australian Artist Del Kathryn Barton)

My mum bought them online- and had them shipped over. We're crazy like that. They were bought 2 or so months ago. So it's not really like I just bought 4 skirts in a row. There was a break people!

But we really should remember this is all hypothetical...

Not quite diamonds...

Alright, so I went on a mini jewellery buying spree. Those that know me, are well aware of the rather excessive amount of jewellery I own. I don't know how I can make it more simple- I am just obsessed! I love that an outfit can take a completely different character depending on the type of ring/necklace/bracelet/bangle/earrings you wear.

Brown tube skirt ($6.25) and Evil Eye necklace ($5.00)

My shopping is completely justified on account that it was such a bargain. Well, at least that's my take on it. All the jewellery I bought was around 75% off. Aha. Luckily for me, the store UTECH in the Galleries of Victoria was closing down, and everything was already discounted, with an additional discount of 50%. Although, it was a pretty cool store- not that I ever shopped there- but it had some funky things. but it I was on my lunch break, and was running around the store like a headless chicken trying on as many things as I could in my measly 20 minute break.

I managed to score their signature tube one-size-fits-all skirts, in brown and charcoal- for $6.25 each (two for $12.50)!!! (Originally: $36.95). I don't know how I lived life without them. They are so, so comfortable and easy to wear.

An Evil Eye Necklace: $5 (Originally $29)



Time Team necklace (in blue pictured... and also black) for $3.50 each (Originally $12.90 each)



A Star Necklace for only $1.50 (Originally $16.90). (So kitch- but fun!)



Stud bracelet $2.50 (Originally $12.90) (Oh so rockstar ha!) Worn with Shu Uemura purple sparkly nailpolish (Part of my Bday gift from my lovely mum)



Enchanted Wood Necklace $3.50 (Originally 19.90). Excuse the face- I was so smart as to take off my makeup before doing this all.


The damage:

5x necklaces + 1x braclet + 2x skirts= $42