Fashion news

The stats are in and going by the pie graph I have deftly whipped up it would appear that the fashion world is preparing for a revenge of the nerds over the next few seasons. Look to any international party-pic site, fashion show (Luella and Karen Walker are good examples) or even the Best' n Fresh page of this month's YEN and you'll see everyone is channelling Thora Birch in Ghostworld or author Leslie Arfin; think sloppy cardigans, preppy knee socks and, of course, a good thick-framed, clear-lensed pair of specs. This month, Sportsgirl is bringing the geek chic to Australia with a range of smarty-pants inspired eyewear. Modelled on the frame styles made popular (or not!) by intellectuals of days gone by, the glasses come in three styles; The Rocket Scientist, The Brain Surgeon and, my personal fave, The Professor. The range will be available at Sportsgirl stores from mid-June and at $29.95 each are much cheaper than a degree!

It's a sad day for the fashion world today with the announcement that the iconic Yves Saint Laurent has died. If I had the money I would literally drape myself head-to-toe in YSL; from a pair of classic "Le Cigarette" pants to the Muse bag at the crook of my elbow. Laurent  was lauded as the fashion master of the late twentieth century and his longtime business partner, Pierre Berge, stated that "Coco Chanel gave women freedom. Yves Saint Laurent gave them power". The reclusive designer broke taboos and was a revolutionary who believed in serving both the bodies and attitudes of all women; hence becoming one of the first designers to democritise fashion through ready-to-wear collections and accessories. The legendary Yves Saint LaurentR.I.P was 71 years old.

SEVENTEEN-year-old Tweed model Samantha Harris recently stepped off the runway to make her debut in the music industry featuring in the latest video for young Aussie rock sensation, Gyroscope, titled Australia.
With her signature plump pout, slender legs and enviable skin tone the catwalk sensation was the ideal candidate for the role in personifying the single's national theme.
Speaking from a rare visit to her Gold Coast home, the model told The Gold Coast Bulletin of how she shot the clip in Sydney during her stint at Australian Fashion Week last month.
While the lens is certainly no stranger to Samantha, she said there is definitely a difference between photography and video.
“The camera is a lot bigger and they need more equipment to actually make the video,'' she said. It was pretty easy, wasn't too hard I just had to look at the camera, but it was different to modelling. They didn't want the model walk, they wanted me to be casual so it was a bit hard... it took me a while to get it.''

Mecca Cosmetica is well known as a go-to for original, outside-the-box scents and with the arrival of Etat Libre D'Orange the store has travelled so far out of the box that the box is just as little speck on a far distant horizon. Translating to "Free State of Orange", Etat Libre D'Orange was founded by perfumer Etienne De Swardt; a man committed to taking fragrance back to it's raw, subversive and sexually-charged roots. With name's like "Putain Des Palaces" (Hotel Slut) and "Delicious Closet Queen" the fragrances definitely evoke curiosity - if not slight apprehension. Having given most of the range a smell I can report that scents like "Jasmin Et Cigarette", "Rossi De Palma" and "Vierges at Toreros" are perfect for those of us Francophiles/ Jane Birkin obsessives with their oh-so-parisian boudoir evokotations of leather & vanilla, tobacco & tuberose etc. Conversely though; with notes of adrenaline, blood, milk and.... ahhh...semen, "Sécrétions Magnifiques" is a bit harder to get your nose around!!

If you live in Melbourne and feel that there is that little something missing from your life - be it a dress you can wear twenty different ways or an avocado green owl- then be sure to have a forage round at wonderful new Fitzroy store, I Like You. Opened last month by the same folks behind Curious Eidolon ( a Fitzroy neighbor stocking locally made cult-toys, art and gifts), I Like You is a fashion concept store that aims to "find a quick solution to all your fashion dilemmas". With a focus on versatile and often iron-free garments and a propensity to offer it's customers a hot cuppa, I Like You has unsurprisingly already proved a hit in the cool-kid inclined suburb. And now there's even more reason to like I Like You back, as a range of jewellery, homewares and accessories have just landed in store - each one coming under the category of handmade, locally produced and/or eco-friendly. I Like You can be found at 80 Johnston St, Fitzroy.

What's the latest fashion trend you ask? It's green! But before you trip it to town to secure a new collection of cardigans in every shade of grass imaginable, you should read on. For the fashion pack, going green is about adopting energy efficient practices industry-wide. Today's young designers are utilizing organic fabrics and natural dyes, encouraging sustainability, re-invigorating recycling and investing in green power production. Leading the eco-friendly way is Australian designer Lisa Gorman and this year we see the label's launch of the Gorman Ship Shop. In partnership with the Melbourne architects at NEST; an industrial shipping container, constructed entirely from recycled materials has been transformed into a portable Gorman store (change-room included!). There are no carry bags or cash register but consumers are able to touch, try and then buy the green goodies online at their own convenience. So if you happen to catch a glimpse of the Gorman ship shop make sure you stop!

Some girls have an obsession with shoes and some girls indulge in a fetish for bags. I am from both schools of thought, and the need for a high maintenance girl to combine these loves is tempting. Being high maintenance involves hording tonnes of items for those 'just in case moments'. This involves food, bottles of water, note pads, pens and sometimes a spare pair of shoes. Those innovate kids at Chip Chop have designed the tote of my dreams - a bag big enough to carry an infant. If their denim Love tote isn't the most lovely and versatile thing around, then I don't know what is. Check out the rest of their superbly simple wares.