Fashion news

Don't you just love Melissa shoes? The way they that they smell like lollies and make grown women feel okay, even proud, about revisiting jelly shoes? And don't you just love Vivienne Westwood? How without her any of today's notions of "rock chic" wouldn't exist and how she at age 67 she still rocks bright orange hair and - despite the fact her son started Agent Provocateur - insists on going knicker-less at most events (even when she was made a Dame by Prince Charles, saucy!)? Well now you can enjoy both! Together! Yes, renowned for their joint collaborations with international designers and artists, Melissa have teamed up with Dame Westwood for their latest range. The Vivienne Westwood Anglomania + melissa collection includes both a rubberised version of Westwood's iconic Mary-Jane and a Westwoodised version of Melissa's iconic Ultragirl flats. Both styles come in a range of primary colours and both are sure to become cult collectors items so Australian fans should set their sights on FAT who are recieving the range early and will be the first to stock the Anglomania + Melissa shoes in June.

How adorable is this dress? Bloody adorable I would say - It's like a blown-up doll's outfit or something Miss Zooey Deschanel would wear. The dress is called the Kafka and is one of many new pieces from 'Hum Drum Hey Day'; the new collection from Wellington based label, Papercup. Created by artist Ginny McMullen, Papercup is the house label of her quirky little store Swonderful and under the name she creates all sorts of good things like clothing, jewellery, stationary, toys and more. As well as the dress (which also comes in a butter-coloured seersucker) the range includes sheer, bib-front blouses; chambray skating skirts and a range of hand-printed tees - many of which can now be purchased online. Not hum-drum at all!

Like most girls, I have the tendency to slip into my boyfriend's t-shirts, wrap myself up in his scarves and snuggle into his jumpers on cold, rainy days. The comfort factor is very attractive. And while the thought of my boyfriend making a conscious decision to borrow my cardigans and leggings would surprise me, it appears the young men of Melbourne are doing just that!

Retailers report that boys buying women's jeans, t-shirts and knitwear have the high street in an inventory spin. With its origins in the androgynous nature of the music scene, the trend of skinny jeans worn low, slim fit tees and long line cardigans are making the man. For fashion, this has meant a rise in the launch of unisex collections amongst up-and-coming labels such as Chronicles of Never,  Cheap Monday, and TV.

For us girls, it means purchasing those new trainers as we race to the racks.

Have you heard of the Dover Street Market? For the unfamiliar, I'm referring to the multi-level conceptualized store in London by Rei Kawakubo of Japanese fashion brand Comme des Garçons. To coincide with London Fashion Week '08 CDG launched a selection of 'playful' limited addition accessories that promise not to burn a hole in the pocket! Not a Londoner you say. Do not despair, take a virtual walk through the DSM e-shop and pick yourself up something special. Check it out.

Leave a note on the fridge for your boyfriend/Dad/Brother etc; Sydney’s slickest oufitters, Incu, are this week opening a new store dedicated solely to the boys. Situated directly across from Incu’s flagship store in the Galleries Victoria, the new post has been fitted out by Interior architect Kalvin (who also created the interior for the strand Cornershop) and features a window display from artist and jewellery maker, Elke Kramer. Oh, it will also stock some very sexy menswear from labels such as Band of Outsiders, Ksubi, Vanishing Elephant, Freidrich Gray, Marc by Marc Jacobs and Fillipa K.

SO it seems that people power and popular opinion does count for something.
The controversy over the 14-year-old model export for Rosemount Australian Fashion Week has forced the organisers to bow down and enforce a ban on all models under the age of 16.
A statement from the organisers revealed they had revised their industry policy "in light of industry and community concern regarding the acceptable age for models".
"Effective immediately, both male and female models participating in Rosemount Australian Fashion Week will need to be at least 16 years of age and must be represented by a model agency," the statement said.

Once again the issue of how young is too young when it comes to modeling has raised its controversial head.A furor has ignited among the Australian fashion set over plans that a 14-year-old Polish model, Monica Jagaciak, also known as Jak, is to be featured on the runways of the Rosemount Australian Fashion Week. Vogue Australia editor, Kirstie Clements had the child model lined up for a cover of the glossy mag, but upon discovering her age refused on the grounds that a minimum age of 16 be enforced for models starring in the event. "We found out on Wednesday about Jak's age and told Simon Lock there was no way Vogue could be involved in promoting her. "When I discovered this week that she was 14 I was like 'ah, no way'. "I have children who are 13 and 14 and I'm still tucking them into bed in their jim-jams. "I just think there should be a standardised rule that specifies models should be at least 16 to participate in RAFW." Gold Coast schoolgirl Maddison Gabriel found herself at the centre of a similar storm in September last year when the then 12-year-old became the 'Face' of Gold Coast Fashion Week, but within 24 hours her dream of becoming a supermodel was being scrutinised by everyone from modelling agencies and fashion industry elite to the country's political leaders. So why such age rage now, after all, other Gold Coast and Tweed success stories such as Kristy Hinze, Samantha Harris, Tallulah Morton and Catherine McNeil all began at age 13 or 14. Despite the controversy, Rosemount Australian Fashion Week boss Simon Lock has defended their move to bring her to Australia. "Jak will be chaperoned by an agent from her mother agency (Gaga in Poland) and she is coming with the full approval of her parents, who are very switched on and extremely supportive," said Mr Lock. "I have a 14-year-old daughter myself, so I'm well aware of the situation. We want to see these models grow and develop through this opportunity at RAFW, not be exploited.

"Hopefully, she will have a great experience and one day, when she's a world famous model, she'll think of us."