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

Post secret is an art project that started in Washington DC and has expanded worldwide the man behind the project Frank Warren receives thousands of secrets every week and these secrets are not merely arriving on paper anymore they are arriving on items as exotic as artificial bananas. These secrets are a form of liberation for each anonymous person and for each person who encounters them on the website every week.

The project illuminates the inner lives of people, some are funny, some are sexual, some are devastating and some are hopeful but each is an expression of a hidden desire, habit or thought that makes the individual who shares it quintessentially them. But what makes this project so amazing is that the secrets are universal they are things we are all afraid to say or can relate to in some way, they are thoughts we never even knew we ourselves had, written and expressed on paper. They highlight a social landscape of devastation, discrimination, bad behaviour, hidden dreams and doubts that is often ignored and forgotten about. Each postcard and secret is a gift from an individual reaching out and expressing and isn’t that what art is all about? It’s worth a look.

You never know what you might found about yourself through another.

It’s almost summer and summer means swimwear. This year there are some beautiful designs emerging including Azzolini who’s avant-garde designs once again create the perfect summer silhouette through the graphics, cut and shape. Designer Michael Azzolini has maintained his quintessential Australian beach culture aesthetic that is recognised all over the world in combination with unique and elegant cuts that look like they are straight off the beaches of the Cote D’Azure. But the standout this summer is Australian newcomer The Seventh Wonderland. The Spring Summer 08 09 line was inspired by a diamond shaped art-deco pendant that designer Bonnie Coumbe and partner, Carlos Aviles, found in a Parisian Flea Market. The entire line has a refreshing energy, with each design maintaining that art-deco European feel combined with ninety seventies glamour. The designs reinterpret etched architectural and antique patterns into slick gloss whilst maintaining the texture and depth of the pattern. The colours and cut ooze elegance and the fabric selection and construction are luxury in its every essence with hand created prints and trims adorning the high quality Italian fabrics. The Seventh Wonderland does what fashion should it evokes and transports, it evokes the spirit of hot summer days spent lying on the beach and transports us to a beach of luxury where ice cream vans and summer crowds are replaced with cocktail bars and peaceful sunsets spent dancing by the water.

                 

Pete Versus Toby is an Australian street wear label whose designs speak for themselves they are identifiable not by branding but through their unique stylised prints and powerful statements.

The t-shrits feature such characteristic proclamations as COOL KIDS SAY YES and ATHEISTS4HEAVEN. The aesthetic prints range from friend’s of the designer’s artwork to famous art pieces such as the last supper.

The label launches to the world from the ex Byron boys and proud designers apartment in Bondi and all t-shirts are hand printed in Australia. The designs are vibrant and distinctive and have diversified from cotton jersey t-shirts to silk singlets, leather and denim jackets and bags.

The designs embrace a broad subject matter in both bold and subtle prints, luxurious and simple fabrics and undefined cuts that appeal to the masses by highlighting and humouring the individual.

Pete Versus Toby like the designers has grown and is currently stocked in 19 stores Australia wide, though it has not forgotten its humble origins and can be still found at the Bondi Markets as can the boys behind it Antoine Ryan and Marco Zirov. Check out their myspace http://myspace.com/peteversustoby for details on stockists and designs. These truly are great-shirts.

                      

The Edge of Love is the latest art house drama definitely worth seeing, the film which boasts Kiera Knightly and Sienna Miller as its leading ladies follows the complicated love story surrounding the two ladies and British war-time poet Dylan Thomas. The film blew me away not only because of the incredibly artistic cinematography but also because of the fabulous costuming by April Ferry. The two style icons off screen shine on screen, teaming gum boots and knee high socks with oversized knits and floral teahouse dresses. Kiera Knightly follows on from Atonement with some gorgeous gowns as well. The film has already inspired new looks on the streets of London and fashion chain Oasis has even designed an entire Edge of Love collection. So start raiding your grandma’s closet for big stylish knits and tea dresses! The film shines not only in costume though, it’s characters and the tangled web between them is disturbingly beautiful in all its complexity. Go see this flick if not for the costumes then definitely for the layers of emotion and drama that outline these unique characters and their relationships. The Edge of Love inspires and transports just the way fashion and film should.

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.