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

Hippie hippie shake

The hippy era- a time of free love, protest and collective movements. But it was also a time when tie dye fashion reigned supreme. Loosely draped bright, psychadelic prints were the go, and comfort clothes was not a concept to be shunned at. But like trends for most eras, tie die fashions slipped into the periphery...

Until now. Yes- tie die is back. Well, at least I think it will be! According to the runways, fashion editors and my own observations, tie die is the next big trend. And it's going to go off.

(Title image- Stella McCartney dégradé skinny jean, $355, available at www.net-a-porter.com, Images 1-2: William Tempest F/W 2009, Images 3-5 Costume National Resort 2010, Images 6-7 Beradi)

Chainstores have even started to get in on the trend- as can be seen with Sportsgirl's newest collection One le Blue:

I have to admit last year I probably couldn't imagine wearing tie dye (although I do remember wearing it for a period as a kid), but now I'm warming to the trend. I think if the dying is executed well- and it doesn't look like a 8 year old kid made it- it can be a very fresh look. I think the key to wearing this trend will be to balance tie dye piece with a neutral item/s. It definately has the potential to bring a bit of vivaciousness into the fashion scene, which will be especially welcome after the dull and sombre colours we often pull out in winter.

The ordinary individual (namely, you)

You, yes I'm talking to you. You're my inspiration. The ordinary individual. I use the term ordinary rather carelessly, because god know you're more interesting then a pack of primped and proper celebrities. But you know what I mean...



Have you ever walked down the street, minding your own business, and then -bam- you see the most amazing woman just striding down the street. She has everything right: The face, hair, shoes, bag, and of course, clothes. Yet, whilst everything is so immaculate, there may be nothing particular special or notable about the individual. But she just oozes style. This gawking may be followed by some brief stalking. Or maybe that's just me....

A prime example of this is my mother, who at a flashy restaurant saw a woman wear the most amazing, assumedely expensive print shirt, only to find it a week later in an affordable chain-store (and yes, she did buy it!) Or my fabulously stylish friend who followed a girl around in the hope that her top would conveniently reveal its label.

The point is, that it's not what all about what you wear, but also how you wear it. I'm always saying to anyone who will listen, that OF COURSE celebrities look good- they have the means to. In fact, there is no excuse to. But, when you see a fellow passerby looking like $2000, you know that's style.

Yes, that little word 'style' plays part in why that girl walking down the street can pull off the 'I-just-rocked-out-of-bed-and -have-an-impossibly-bad-hangover-but-can-still-get-other-f emales-to-envy-me' look. We more often than not look to the stars for style, but, I truely do find it more exciting, and in turn inspiring to look to our fellow mere mortals for an instant (and honest) snapshot about what fashion's about. There are no flashlights, makeup artists constantly ready for a prep up, or stylists to convey a glamourised and perfected version of fashion. So be street smart and look to your neighbours!

Photos taken from The utterly divine The Sartorialist.

This girl has a different best friend

They say that "diamonds are a girl's best friend".
I contest!
If we're talking in materialistic terms, my best friend is rougher, tougher and classier than yours...
That is, if you don't share my undying infatuation with Coco Chanel's gift to (wo)man-The 2.55 Bag.
Arguably, there is no fashion item that is more synonymous with timeless glamour. It has withstood the decades to remain perpetually coveted by fashionistas the world over. Those smooth curves, shiny hardware, and lucious quliting... What I would give just to touch one. I think what makes it so remarkable is that it manages to be astoundingly beautiful, without having an air of pretention.



Wipe that drool up, stat!

(I know, I know, two Chanel related posts in a row. Fabulous.)

Chanel amore

Although I have 4 or so entries I still need to write up, I had to post these beautiful pictures of Lily Allen- as a Chanel ambassador. Lucky, lucky girl! She looks absolutely gorgeous as a modern, leather-clad Audrey Hepburn figure. She really sells it, doesn't she?

Mr Karl Lagerfeld (bless him!) personally hired her for the job, and photographed the shoot himself. The shoot is for a new line of uppity sportswear collection of nylon bags which will retail from $1800. I have to say, not a big fan at all of the bags. I would much prefer a 2.55 bag. Well, it is my dream bag!

Girl of my dreams

Wait... there's more. A couple of weeks ago I had a girly day shopping with my bestie, Anne. We waltzed through the beautiful Strand Arcade, which is definately one of my favourite shopping spots in Sydney. At least window shopping.

But this time I did actually make purchases within the holy stained-glass windowed building! I picked up a copy of the magazine Lula: Girl of My Dreams, Issue 8 with the gorgeous Chanel Iman on the cover, from the Fleur Wood store. I had wanted to grab myself a copy as I kept reading again and again on fashion blogs about how divine the editorial shoots were in the British magazine. No truer words have been spoken. But I'll let the images speak for themselves...








It's a bi-annual magazine which has become a mag cult staple among the fashion flock. "Created for people of the world who love fashion, music, art, & make believe. Lula is gentle, whimsical and ethereal in tone, mixing high fashion to fall in love with and interviews that feel like late night chats with people you wish you knew. Editor: Leith Clark" Its more like a fashion book as its really quite thick. Although it was quite $$ at $25, the quality and beauty of the photo shoots, and the inspiration the pages evoke more than justifies its price. I picked up Issue 8, with the gorgeous Chanel Iman on the cover. The magazine is so beautifully and thoughtfully composed, with each page a mesmarising representation of fantasy and fashion.

A lot of the stores had sales on, but we all know that 40% off $1000 dresses isn't as exciting as you'd hope. Fortunately, Hussy had an awesome sale on. Well, more accurately, an awesome $10 sale bin. Yes, the clothes were literally in a bin. I always feel a teeny bit silly trawling desperately through the sale bin, trying to find a super bargain. But, what the hell!

Anne and I both hit the sale bin jackpot. She picked up a long and pretty orange scarf, which I will have to get a piccy of! I picked up a pair of sandals, exactly in my size! Ok, ok, my shoe collection is pretty massive... but $10 shoes from Hussy? No questions should be asked. They tie up around the ankle, so are a nice divergence from the gladiator sandle, which I think has had more than its day now. Also, they're comfortable as well- but I (and every girl) always say that about a pair of shoes until we spend a day (or hour) in them!

Wearing:

Dress: Blue Merino Wool Dress: Hello There! By Karen Walker

(Bought in Myer on sale from $140 to $60)

Necklace: Silver ball drop necklace: The Accessories Company

(Bought in Myer on sale from $12 to $6)

Leggings: Black glossy leggings

(700Y/$7 from Tokyo)

Shoes: by Hussy ($10!)

Sticks and stones may break my bones, so I prefer rocks.

So I have been going on a bit of a crazy buying frenzy. I think its just the excitement of the holidays, and the fact that I had been working a fair bit and haven't had the chance to actually enjoy what I have earnt.

Only three days after my trip to Paddington, I bought something else- a chunky metal-plated necklace (on sale for $40, from $50), which I absolutely adore. It's from Sydney designer Trina Hoy's label Enth and is part of her 2009 "Rock Opera" collection- "The Rock Opera collection combines metal-plated geometric glass shapes with tumbling textures of chain, playing with light and form to create depth within an entirely metallic palette"

I was talking to the owner of the boutique where I bought the necklace from, and she told me its Hoy's personal favourite piece from the collection and she wears it herself everyday! Personally, I love how the necklace balances the edginess of the jagged cuts of the rocks with simple chain interlockings. I was really drawn to the unique design of layered chains and the reflective look of the silver steel-coloured coating. I think it is quite a versatile piece, as it can be worn in the daytime with a simple LBD, or at night time for glamorous rock look.

Can't wait to wear it!