Fashion news

Last season I had a rant about boys purchasing and wearing womens’ threads as a result of the skinny jeans and cardigan epidemic -even ladies’ leggings made the cut, but this season the tables have turned! It seems this summer is all about women walking ‘round in their boyfriend’s pants and I ’m not talking about a pair of your significant other’s most comfy trackies. I am talking his jeans; those slouchy, on the hips, low crotched, cuffed, distressed, dark, scruffy, sweeping the pavement slacks. With an eye on the summer season in New York and London some of our favourite fashionistas have embraced this man-style trend. Katie Holmes leads the boyfriend jean generation, slipping into a pair of Tom’s pants with gal pal Victoria Beckham, Sarah Jessica Parker and Rachel Bilson close behind. Before you cringe at the thought of going big and baggy, we all did the ‘smock’ dress and it must be said that skinny jeans have clearly over stayed their welcome. I almost cannot recall a time before skinny jeans and while I may not let them go completely (because they’re hot); it certainly wouldn’t hurt to leave a little leg to the imagination! Glam them up with stilettos or keep them casual with a pair of thongs and a tee, the choice is yours. Now, while I could pick myself up a new pair of denims from Ksubi or Sass and Bide it just wouldn’t be the same. So first things first, I will be MIA for the rest of this week, I need to find myself a boyfriend.

Chanel decided to think outside of the square for the launch of the brand's new perfume, ‘Eau première,’ staging the event at a private Parisian apartment. Chanel recruited acclaimed set, window and interior designer Jean-Marc Gady

Go on then Melbourne, give yourself a big, smug ol' pat on the back for once again having something that sydney doesn't. Earlier this month high street stalwarts Sportsgirl opened a stunning new flagship store on Melbourne's Bourke street. Working with famed architects HMKM (they've worked their magic for the likes of Christian Dior and Burberry. Flaaash man!), Sportsgirl have created an interactive retail environment that will blow away any previous notions of what a clothing store should be. No spindly clothing racks and beige walls here my friend; every section of the shop offers something exciting - from LED screens flashing cheeky musings and fashion tips, to the accessory-filled treasure chest and personalised fitting rooms. Oh, did I mention the store also has a crew of stylists to help you navigate trends? Did I forget the onsite make-up studio that'll have you looking flossy-floss in no time? Yes Melbournites, whoop it up.

Australian Street wear label Pete Versus Toby has just launched their new website. The new organic and psychedelic look epitomises the label who always like to do things differently. The website details the story of the label and the laid-back designers behind it from their starting point in 2006 until now in quirky behind the scenes photos. It is complete with an online blog so you can keep upto date with the world of Pete Versus Toby and be a part of what goes on behind the scenes that inspires their unique prints. The new site is great news for old faithfuls of the label because the online store has made all your favourites like Paris and Taperman available for purchase online as well as the new Summer 08 09 line Flying Without Wings and everything in between. Take a look. If you don’t already own one of these t-shirts you’ll want after you see them.

http://www.peteversustoby.com/index.html

Check out haul's bags, CD cases, photo albums and other goodies made from recycled materials such as number plates, billboards, and rubber truck inner tubes. Cool cool. Go to www.haul.com.au.

So, I got back to Sydney last night after a my NZFW adventures. Have to say it's a bit sad to come back to reality after such an exciting, fun and inspiring week! Never the less, things will be back to norm soon but not before I give a wee rundown on my favourite parts of New Zealand fashion week.

People tend to go on a bit about the NZ "look"; a bit of sombre, bookish cousin to Australia's frivolous young minx but I think both of these tags are due for a re-haul. The shows throughout the week were just so diverse. Nom*D, Zambesi and newcomer Jaeha showed breathtaking collections that were deeply original and wouldn't look out of place on the runways of the Carrousel du Louvre or London's Cromwell road. Juliette Hogan and Chelsea Thorpe had femininity down to a tee. Alexandra Owen's fluidity and brave use of proportion made her a new fave for me. Labels Twentysevennames, Deborah Sweeney and Stolen Girlfriends Club each hit the zeitgeist of what all the cool kids will want to be wearing and Lonely Hearts blew my mind by creating something so spectacular - and so covetable - out of the words "Bogun", "Courtney Love" and "motocross".
See, NZ ain't so same same after all!
Conversely, Australia's own Kirrilly Johnston blew the cobwebs off everyone's notion of what Oz fashion should be with clever details, Antwerp6-era sillouhettes and, gasp, covered up flesh!!
Image, Lonely Hearts courtesy of Michael Ng

This time last year the name on everyone's lips was Alex Jaeha Kim. Working under the name Jaeha, Kim showed a debut NZFW collection that saw him hailed as the most exciting thing to come out of NZ's fashion woodwork in a long time. So of course the big question this year was could he live up to such lofty front-row expectations? Oh hellllllls yes!! Capitilizing on just how much industry sway he's pulled in this short time, Alex made the bold move to show offsite this year. In a cavernous, empyrean church. First thing in the morning. It takes alot to get a (hungover) fashion editor out of bed at 8.30 in the morn but damn, they came in droves and were not dissapointed. To Quindon Tarver's spine-tingling Everybody's Free, models mazed through the pews in layers of gauzy knits; muted, whisper-thin paisley dresses; shaggy jumpers; dip-dyed tunics and awesome lavander-shaded denim. The colour palette was beautifully gothic (a personal fave of mine and something we'll evidently be seeing a lot of next winter) with a touch of acid flashback; think blackest blacks and stormy greys lifted by the afforementioned paisley as well as deep purples, washed-out blues and plenty of chunky tie-dyes (another big trend we'll be seeing). See the range, entitled Call Me Princess, My Daddy Says so, here.

Image credit Michael Ng.