Fashion news

It was a highlight at the Myer Springsummer09 launch to see Josh Goot’s new designs take to the catwalk. There has been a lot of hype about the designers new line which see’s him take an exciting new direction with his designs. It was well worth the wait. The new approach to colour and print is very refreshing but the designs still maintain their signature Josh Goot look as well. He kept his shiny,light fabrics and maintained his famous ability to sculpt a woman’s figure. However, there was some exciting experimentation in cut as well with the statement sweeping maxi style dresses. The fresh approach has definitely worked for the label, Josh has succeeded in producing garments that give the wearer a strong sense of luxury with a definite summer loving feeling especially in pieces with the sky prints and a through the use of a bright pastel colour palate. Definitely a favourite for summer! Other stand outs were Camilla and Marc with leather skirts and drape singlets, always such beautiful clothing.

The closest I have come to owning a designer teddy bear is when I got a Doodle Bear for my ninth birthday. You know the ones where you were invited to “doodle on the bear over and over again” with washable markers? “Designer” as in yeah I could write swear words on it; yes, but “designer” as in high fashion couture; no. This is where the Karl Lagerfeld teddy steps in. The famous fashion designer has had German teddy bear maker Steiff create a bear that resembles himself in appearance. Complete with trademark dark suit and dark sunglasses. They will retail at US$1500 which is roughly the same amount of money you can expect to pay for a Doodle Bear at Big W.

A couple of weeks ago I dropped into a party for emergent eyeware label, Flint. Held at Crystal Bar in Martin Place, the soiree was all dim lights and high class; ties were prerequisite, razor shaves and shoe-shines were on offer, jazz was soundtrack of the evening and gentlemen bought their lipsticked ladies vodka martinis (well, got them a free one from the bar). Cozy amongst my Great-Gatsby type imaginings, I almost forgot about the sunglasses - but I did notice that they weren't too bad either. A collaboration with professional surfer Nathan Webster, Flint's summer 08/09 range is aimed at "the man who has been forgotten in these modern times of fast fashion and disco trends" - think classically cool design, fad-free colourways and quirky names like Wrong Rights Left and Half-way Handsome. For such classy numbers a pair of Flint sunnies are a steal at $149 - $189 (that's almost cheaper than a glass of your finest single malt). The new range can be found in selected stores as well as David Jones.

Meet Donna Sgro, Australia's latest up and coming designer, already recognized by the Design Institute of Australia as one to keep your eye on. Donna Sgro was launched in 2007 after she graduated from the University of Technology, Sydney, with a commendable collection of design awards. With a background in Art History and Theory, Sgro is heavily influenced by dada-ism, futurism and surrealism and her great love of popular culture. Her pieces are a quirky juxtaposition of heavily structured tailored womens wear and custom designed prints, infused with bright splashings of colour sure to liven up the chilly season.
Sophisticated with a playful twist, Sgro's newest range is Strange Games, a futuristic and sporty mix of reflective materials and flashy accessories.
Check out her website to browse her collections (I'm more partial to the Transseasonal collection) and for a list of stockists.

Not shy of dipping her toes in first (hers was the opening show at this year's Rosemount Australian Fashion Week), Melbourne designer Kirrily Johnston is about to become the first Australian designer ever to show at the internationally lauded Air New Zealand Fashion Week. With New Zealand designers such as Zambesi having a long history with Australian Fashion Week, ANZFW organiser Pieter stewart thought it was high-time they return the hospitality and earlier this year extended an invite for Australian designers to show their winter 09 collections in Auckland . For Johnston, who's thoughtful and layer-friendly style sits well with the NZ aesthetic, the opportunity simply made sense; “ANZFW is seen as the most directional and up and coming Fashion Week - we were planning a sell trip to New Zealand and then we were asked to be the first Australians to show, so it seemed a great opportunity and an honour”. Kirrily is showing on the first day of the week and Yenmag.net (who'll be blogging live throughout ANFW) will have all the pics and details from her luxurious, Africa-inspired collection. Stay tuned!

I have a funny love/hate relationship with most "style" blogs. While a lot of them are fun to look at, and some genuinely interesting, I just find something a bit narcissistic about every fashionable young thing dedicating an entire website to their various outfit changes. Also, too many of them are just fashion, you know? I mean, I realise that's why they're "fashion" blogs but to me fashion encompasses heaps more than just labels, "must haves" and PayPal accounts. Gnarlitude, however, is one style blog that I read compulsively. The project of Florida native Jen Hanley, the website goes by the tagline of "sleep deprivation and stories of my bullshit youth" and is pretty much an aggregator for everything I'm into; shit-hot heels, Rock'n'Roll, denim and leather, Alexander Wang, art and interesting people.There's something a little bit scruff (which I can wholly relate to) and hard-edged about Jen's sense of style and you gotta love a girl who peppers a fashion blog with posts about The Kills, Motorhead and RTX.