Fashion news

There is something about the Olympic uniforms the Australian athletes wore in ‘92 that is timeless. Perhaps it’s the strange way it transforms every female into Colleen from Home and Away or maybe it’s the fawn socks with brown lace-ups that really put us at the fashion forefront. It’s hard to put your finger on, but still I’d rather step back to ’92 Back To The Future style than wear the newly released Olympic uniforms for Beijing 2008. Not only does it seem like they should be pointing to the nearest exits on a budget airline flight it’s just a little bit too boring. I’ll be the first to say green and gold tracksuits definitely don’t suit everyone, but you know the fashion department has gone more than a little wrong when you would prefer to wear unflattering waist high cargo shorts than the newly designed uniforms by Sportscraft.

Alexander Wang makes outfits that models wear. I don't mean on the catwalk but in those backstage/off-duty snaps of models in which they're attired in some "I just threw this together" wonder - a little bit scruffy, a little bit chic and very much effortless. That's the kind of clothing Alexander wang makes - which isn't really surprising given the California native has worked for Marc Jacobs, Derek lam and Vogue and that that his stylist and muse is model Erin Wasson; who, as anyone who saw her during last years Australian Fashion Week can attest, is stylistically as well as genetically blessed. Above is a look from Wang's current collection which i love love love - think blazers with sleeves bunched at the elbow, sloppy knits, cut-off denims and crisp, white cotton.

No one would bat an eyelid if two seven-year olds from England, Phoebe and Euan, decided that they wanted to become firefighters, astronauts or even fairies when they grow up. But this week a lot of heads were turning in Paris as Vivienne Westwood enlisted the young pair to paint bugs, plants and snakes all over her latest fashion collection.
The hand painted pieces form part of Westwood’s Autumn/Winter 2008-2009 ready-to-wear collection and were on show at Paris Fashion Week. The theme was “ecological crisis”.
With her work already showcased in an international fashion festival before she gets her pen licence, Phoebe Ackroyd has newfound aspirations after this experience. Painting dots and dashes onto dresses, jackets and a pith helmet has left the young girl wanting to “be a model”.

Despite the fact that last year’s collaboration with Stella Mc Cartney wasn’t received as well as first thought, Target are set to release another high fashion line; this time from American designer Zac Posen. A celebrity favourite and creator of my most favourite dress EVER (see left), Posen is a master of curves and angles, pleats and panelling and an overall sense of art-deco glamour. Remaining wary from the bargain bin fate of the McCartney range, Target will be doing a much shorter run of the Posen garment’s - which will range in price from around 50 clams for a belt to $300 for a replica of the much drooled-over dress recently worn by Katherine Heigl to the Emmys. Here’s a sneak peek of the Zac Posen for Target line; it’s not exactly known when it’s due in stores but I suggest you start workin’ on those sprint times –and sharpening your talons- now.

Back in 2006, young NZ designer Sherie Muys took out the coveted Deutz Fashion ambassador award (a competition for up and coming designers that’s held annually in conjunction with NZ Fashion Week) with a simple but inspired range; a collection of men’s business shirts reworked into fluid and feminine dresses. The win not only allowed Muys a study trip to London but also gave her the confidence to start her own label when she returned home. Sherieyvonne is the name of the label - which has been stocked in Australia for a couple of seasons now - and Muys has just released the look book for it’s winter 08 collections. With a deft hand for deconstruction and tailoring – and clearly an eye for menswear – Muys has created a tight little range that’s very dark and quirky; reminiscent of work from various Antwerp graduates (Anne Demuelemeester etc) as well as earlier stuff from NZ’s own masters of the unexpected, Zambesi. Zambesi’s Liz Findlay was infact one of the judges who chose Muys for the Deutz award and I can see Sherieyvonne perhaps one day becoming just as ingrained a presence on the NZ fashion landscape.

A recent trip to the City of Lights saw the discovery of a store that should replace Le Tour Eiffel on international key rings as the symbol of old Pair-reeee. Colette, a multi-level store on bustling rue St Honoré, (stylishly up the road from the Louvre) was unmissable with its snow white Fiat Cinque-cento wedding window display and downstairs water bar. A jaw dropping layer cake of Prada draped free standing mannequins, modern art displays and irresistibly kitsch objects (including my purchase of Hemingway, Kafka and Tolstoy mini editions that fit into cigarette packets - tres cool). So impressive was this store, that on ascension to the third level, my fashion designer friend appropriately gasped, "This is the chic-est shit ever". Keep a eye out for the two blue circles.

We all love LFW for the obvious, shows, contacts, couture and the like; but as any seasoned veteran jetting to Paris would tell you, its all about the parties. The highlight of which was this mid-week winner thrown by iconoclastic London based boutique Beyond The Valley and Vs who up’ed the proverbial ante once again. Their annual fashion week parties have always been a real fixture in the LFW calendar, and rightly so. Who else would have the nous to curate an event that see Lex Records’ new signings and italo-disco dons Heartbreak, fronted by the ever flamboyant Argentine Sebastian Muravchik and Ali Renault evoking the spirit of Moroder with their synth-pop voodoo, headline. Hell, they even enlisted Batty Bass bad grrrrl Hannah Holland, Durr’s The Lovely Jonjo and the Patchwork Pirates to work the decks all in a venue that’s part wine cellar, part old London avenue - complete with working streetlamps and shop entrances - and part members club. Inspired to say the least. As were the incredibly well turned out attendees; who included nearly every tastemaker, rump-shaker, music maker, model, designer and naturally, freeloader worth their salt and a sense of taste in the W1 area. I wonder what they’ll do next?