Browsing Tag

aafw

Fashion, What I Wore

What I Wore: Australian Fashion Week 2023 Day 3

18th May, 2023

As a longtime fan of Bec & Bridge, I always look forward to their show every year. It’s bad for my bank balance though as I inevitably want virtually everything that I see come down the runway! This year’s show, much like previous years didn’t disappoint. Of course, wearing Bec & Bridge was a must so I opted for something that had a slightly more masculine vibe than the previous days’ looks. Given the trend towards suiting, I couldn’t go past this grey suit. The pants are actually designed to sit a little lower on the waist which takes some getting used to again given most pants I wear sit slightly higher these days! But I love that a simple change in the rise of a pant can give a look a more contemporary feel. The matching blazer is a little more oversized and has a boxy fit which feels very on trend right now (very Hailey Bieber) and takes this look into more of a fashion direction, as opposed to the slightly more fitted look of a corporate suit. What I loved most about this look is the unexpected pairing of a suit with a backless bodysuit. I loved the contrast between traditional tailoring and something super modern and sexy. I found it gave this look great balance, while also making a statement.

I wanted to add some glam touches to my ensemble, and Jimmy Choo certainly delivered in that department. I opted for a crystal embellished bag which gave the look some glitz and sparkle (a great contrast to the more traditional look of a suit). And a pair of sky high stilettos helped elongate my frame and avoided the baggy silhouette of the pants from becoming overwhelming.

Credits: Jacket, pants and bodysuit, Bec & Bridge; Heels and bag, Jimmy Choo

Photography: Ashleigh Larden

 

Shop the post

Fashion, What I Wore

What I Wore: Australian Fashion Week 2023 Day 1

15th May, 2023

It’s the first day of Fashion Week today so I wanted to make a splash with my outfit choice and go for something bold. It’s of course the perfect time to embrace the numerous talented Australian designers out there, and today was all about this Alemais dress for me. I throughly loved the way this dress had a fluidity to it that gave it some beautiful movement. While the stunning brocade fabric added some drama and elegance. And let’s not forget about the bell sleeves! Such gorgeous draping really added some theatre to the way this dress moved, while the contrasting yellow fringing added a gorgeous finishing flourish.

So, how to accessorise a dress that’s already quite dramatic and theatrical? I wanted a shoe with an interesting silhouette and these Fendi shoes have been a longtime fave of mine. I love the wedge style ‘F’ heel and the metallic straps. I opted for a classic mini Jackie bag from Gucci to pair with this dress as it’s diminutive size and simple monogram print would complement rather than compete with the dress. Lastly, Fashion Week isn’t possible without a great pair of sunnies on hand at all times, and this caramel Bec & Bridge pair from their collaboration with Pared really fit the brief.

Credits: Dress, Alemais; Heels, Fendi; Bag, Gucci; Sunglasses, Bec & Bridge x Pared

Photography: Ashleigh Larden

 

Shop the post

Fashion

The trends I loved at Fashion Week

26th May, 2022

I often like to play favourites when it comes to Fashion Week. I always have a mental list of looks I loved to trends I’m planning to embrace. Given the focus of Australian Fashion Week is resortwear, there’s always plenty of summery looks to fall in love with. This year was no exception. I saw so many fresh, modern, fun trends to get behind when the warm weather kicks in. If you’re a fan of prints, colour and flirty silhouettes then you’re definitely going to be happy with what’s to come. Check out a few of the standout Australian Fashion Week trends that caught my eye.

Suiting

Suiting has firmly planted itself as a trend for the upcoming season. If you’re not really a suit person, I definitely think the current crop, with ultra flattering silhouettes and fun prints will change you’re mind. It’s a great way to do a polished look with a healthy injection of fun.

Bold colours

You can expect colour to be dialled up plenty come spring/summer. From sunshine yellow to forest green and vibrant pinks, it’s all about turning up the saturation.

Print on print

I saw plenty of gorgeous prints throughout Fashion Week, and loved the print on print trend. It’s definitely a statement making look and one way to refresh an outfit by working two prints together.

Cut outs

I have always been a fan of cut outs so was happy to see that they’re still a firm fixture with many designers’ collections. A cut out is one way to add an injection of sexiness to a look, while being an interesting design feature and breaking up a block silhouette.

Shift dresses

I have quite the soft spot for shift dresses so was pleased to see them come down the runway a number of times. It’s such a simple, classic silhouette but I love the fresh spin they were given be featuring everything from embellishments to bold colours.

Maxis

Look for the maxi dress to take centre stage come spring/summer. Whether it’s a print or a bold hue, it’s definitely an easy go-to when we welcome the warm weather again.

Voluminous sleeve

There’s something about a voluminous sleeve that adds a touch of drama to any silhouette, whether it’s a dress, a top, a jacket… It instantly makes a statement and is one way to ensure that your look is anything but boring.

Mini skirts

If maxis aren’t your thing then you’ll be pleased to know that we can also expect hemlines to get shorter if Fashion Week was anything to go by. The modern mini looks fresh, and works beautifully when worn as a matching set. I’m definitely embracing this trend.

Tell me-which trends do you see yourself wearing?

Fashion, What I Wore

Australian Fashion Week 2022: Day 3

11th May, 2022

I always like showing support for designers at Fashion Week when I can by wearing something from the label. Today was the Aje show so of course, it called for a dress by the brand. And what a dress! I love that Aje have developed a signature style, because every season you can rely on them to bring back certain details or silhouettes just refreshed and reimagined. In this instance, of course I was going to opt for the Aje puff sleeve. Statement sleeves have become a huge trend, and Aje can always be relied upon to do a fab voluminous sleeve. Also, I love the asymmetric drawstring detail, which incorporates texture and also a striking design element to the dress, while the cut out is very on trend. The bayleaf green is also such a great hue, and is a colour that’s a little unexpected for autumn. With the full, cascading effect of the skirt it’s a very feminine dress, which is also oh-so flattering to wear.

I wanted a colour that would really contrast and pop against the green, so I opted for a vibrant lavender bag by Louis Vuitton. It’s such a fun colour and the chunky gold chain strap gives it a modern touch. There were a few shoe options for this particular dress, but in the end I went for a pair of nude heels by Scanlan Theodore. It’s the ideal complementary hue to allow the dress’ colour to shine, while looking elegant and classic. I don’t leave the house without sunglasses, and today’s slimline pair are by Le Specs – a great transparent frame that adds a fun touch to this ensemble.

Credits: Dress, Aje; Shoes, Scanlan Theodore; Sunglasses, Le Specs; Bag, Louis Vuitton

Photography: Ashleigh Larden

Fashion, What I Wore

Australian Fashion Week 2022: Day 1 – Evening

10th May, 2022

Multiple outfit changes aren’t so bad when you get to change into a great after dark look such as this. I am loving the fact that trousers are majorly trending. They’re comfortable, but they look oh-so chic! They are also perfect for an evening look and such a great alternative to a dress, which is often my go for evening events. I love the masculine touch juxtaposed against sky high pumps. There’s a great balance there. The textured animal print top also add a more glam element to this ensemble, but without being overwhelming. The great thing is, I could absolutely wear the trousers in the daytime and get double the use out of them. It’s all about versatility.

I adore trench coats of any kind and Camilla and Marc can always be relied upon to do a beautiful cut. This trench is perfection. The length is great, the drape relaxed but not overly so and it becomes an integral part of the look as opposed to something I’ve popped on just to keep me warm while I get from A to B. If there’s one coat that’s definitely worth investing in this winter, it’s a trench. I didn’t want to do anything overly fussy with the shoes so these black pumps were the ideal choice in footwear. They add a sexy touch and help elongate my frame, but are also understated and elegant.

Credits: Pants, David Jones; Trench, Camilla and Marc; Heels, Aquazzura

Photography: Ashleigh Larden

 

Fashion, What I Wore

Australian Fashion Week 2022: Day 2

10th May, 2022

I like to mix it up on each day of Fashion Week and given I wore a suit yesterday, I went the opposite direction today and opted for a fun, feminine look. I went for stripes on stripes with this Altuzarra ensemble. Clashing prints is always fun, but there’s always something interesting about working essentially the same pattern but with a slightly different take on it. The horizontal stripes on top work well against the busyness at the bottom, with the multicoloured stripes almost giving an illusion effect. There’s also a flirty thigh high split to balance the midi length hem. Given it was quite chilly, I needed a jacket to get me through the day and this Emporio Armani dark denim blazer was the perfect complementary piece to the rest of my outfit. It’s got a classic, polished structure but the denim gives it a fashion forward feel, plus it works great against all that colour.

I fell hard for today’s Fendi bag. The crescent shape is fun, but what I liked is the oversized Fendi embellishment underneath. It’s logomania but done in a really subtle way. I also liked the pop of pastel pink to work against the bolder hues of the skirt. I went for sky high heels with this strappy pair by Billini, which incidentally I also have in nude and really rate. It’s the perfect heel to work against so many different looks. The second busy day of Fashion Week definitely required great sunglasses and this Bottega Veneta pair with its exaggerated cat eye silhouette was the perfect final touch.

Credits: Blazer, Emporio Armani; Top and skirt, Altuzarra; Bag, Fendi; Sunglasses, Bottega Veneta

Photography: Ashleigh Larden

 

Fashion, What I Wore

Australian Fashion Week 2022: Day 1

9th May, 2022

It’s one of my fave times of year again as Australian Fashion Week is here! I always find this entire week to be a lot of fun, and so inspiring (also, good or perhaps not so good for my shopping list!) as I am able to support my fave designers but also discover up-and-comers. I always bookmark looks for events and race days at Fashion Week so it’s a good way to find out what’s going to drop in the coming months. It’s always a hectic time and I spend most of it running from show to show, but it’s also a great opportunity to catch up with colleagues and friends along the way which is always nice. Of course, outfits for every day are always high on my priority list for the week, and this year is no different.

I always like to work with stylist Jess Pecoraro (pictured below) for my Fashion Week outfits as it’s quite a busy time for me. Pulling together looks for the shows as well as the various associated events is quite the undertaking, so it’s nice to leave it in the hands of an expert. Jess knocked it out of the park with this look for day one. I adore suiting of any kind, and what better way to kick off the week than with this Gucci ensemble. The suit, shirt and shoes are all by the brand and what I love about is the beautiful lines and tailoring. The simple yet impactful details such as the visible stitching on the jacket elevate this look, and add some character. Also the greige colour is so perfect for this time of year, and when paired with the sky blue shirt it allows each colour to pop.

Of course, I have to up my accessories game when mingling with some of the most fashionable women and men in the industry. This mini Chanel bag in burgundy velvet is the perfect accoutrement to add some colour. I also like that it’s not the usual shape and colour palette for Chanel — I like unexpected details like that. I capped off this look with patent Gucci shoes with an ultra on trend chunky heel, and cat eye Poppy Lissiman sunglasses to add a playful touch.

Credits: Suit, shirt and shoes, Gucci; Bag, Chanel; Sunglasses, Poppy Lissiman

Photography: Ashleigh Larden

 

Fashion

All the trends I fell in love with at Australian Fashion Week

21st June, 2021

One of my fave looks from Rebecca Vallance

 

One of the best things about attending Fashion Week is the sneak preview at the biggest trends to come in the months ahead. I always inevitably end up with a lengthy list of styles I want to bookmark for my new season shopping, and that’s based on seeing what’s coming down the runway, but also the amazing street style that I see at every show. I always end up trying to find looks that I could potentially wear to upcoming race days, and also any big events I know are on the horizon. And then there are just the pieces I love so much that I simply have to have them! Here are some of the big trends I’m going to be all about in the not so distant future.

 

Trenches

I love a trench for its versatility and classic appeal, so I always sit up and take notice whenever I see it making an appearance during. What I learned over the week, was that trenches, from the traditional silhouette to those with a modern twist are going to be huge.

Elevated details

The one thing that really struck me as I watched show after show was the detail on all the looks. There was some seriously adorable bow detailing at the Rebecca Vallance show while some designers such as Alice McCall and Romance Was Born sent some gorgeous sequinned looks down the runway, some looks even featured it from head-to-toe. I also love the glam feather detailing I saw at the Rebecca Vallance and Alice McCall show, it was both theatrical and just so much fun.

Crop tops

If you think cropped silhouettes were going to quietly disappear then think again. They’re huge again next season. I saw some great crop tops at the Manning Cartell and Alice McCall show that demonstrated that the midriff is most definitely still a key accessory.

Cut-outs

Cut-out details aren’t new, they’ve been around for a few season, but as the Manning Cartell show proved, they’re sticking around. I love cut-outs as they can add a sexy element to a look and can add a contemporary touch to any look.

Suiting

You all know how much I love a suit, and thankfully it’s not going anywhere any time soon. Suiting was quite prominent in the Manning Cartell show, and the were done with a fresh, modern spin. I can definitely see myself adding to my suit collection over the coming months.

Suiting at Manning Cartell

Ultra Minis

There were some fun micro mini hemlines to come down the Anna Quan and Rebecca Vallance runway.  I know it can be a tricky one to pull off, but when paired with the right pieces and accoutrements, it’s really quite the statement-making look.

80/90s Vibe

Fashion is cyclical and the 80s/90s aesthetic is definitely back. If you remembered wearing it the first time, you’ll be glad to know that your fave trends from back in the day including chunky boots and punk-inspired pieces are making a comeback.

Linen

Would it be Australian Fashion Week without some truly beautiful linen? Given the week is all about resortwear, there were definitely some luxe linen looks to love from Bondi Born, Bassike and Anna Quan that just scream summer. I’m counting down the days till we welcome the warm weather again.

Sunshine yellow at Bondi Born

Shirt Dresses

Anna Quan sent some great shirt dresses down the runway and it’s cemented my love for them as a truly versatile style staple. Keep an eye out for the shirt dress, it’s definitely going to be one to watch, and one to welcome into your wardrobe, stat.

Luxe Leather

Bassike is know for its relaxed leisurewear, but what I fell in love with then I saw their show were their leather looks. There were some amazing relaxed leather pants that beautifully meld comfort and style, and I can see them being quite the ‘it’ item.

Monochrome

As always white and black are a winning combination and it’s one I saw a lot coming down the runway throughout the week. The best bit about a monochrome trend is that it’s just so easy to do.

Fashion, What I Wore

Afterpay Australian Fashion Week Day 5

4th June, 2021

What a week! It was the last day of Fashion Week today and I decided to go for something a little more relaxed for today’s look. And what better option than embracing denim all the way. These jeans by Isabel Marant are such a great fit, and they’re just the right crop (important when you’re petite). Also whenever I wear anything high waisted it’s important that it’s just the ideal level of firmness around the waist and hips for the most flattering fit, and these jeans ticked both those boxes. To tie into the light blue wash of the jeans, I went for a paisley sky blue top, also by Isabel Marant. I wanted a streamlined silhouette so I decided to opt for a waist belt to cinch in the top, making for a more flattering fit.

My outfit embraced a slightly softer colour palette so I wanted accessories in more understated hues. I decided on a structured fawn Tory Burch bag to add a ladylike touch this look. While my white Bottega slingbacks made for the ideal accompaniment to the slightly more casual nature of denim, giving it just the right hint of dressiness to achieve balance. For the finale of one of my fave events of the year, this combination was just the right ensemble to see out the week.

Credits: Top, pants and belt, Isabel Marant (via David Jones); Bag, Tory. Burch; Heels, Bottega Veneta

Photography: Ashleigh Larden

Fashion, What I Wore

Afterpay Australian Fashion Week Day 4

3rd June, 2021

I’ve always been a fan of classic tailoring. It forms the backbone of a lot of my outfits, and while classic is great, I do like pieces that have a bit of a twist. An unexpected point of difference that takes a tailored piece into a different direction. And it’s one of the reasons why I was so excited to be wearing this look today. Each piece in this outfit is a classic silhouette but with a modern touch. The classic white shirt I was wearing today  had these amazing finishes such as the metal trim at the neck and the oversized cuffs. I found it took a forever staple like a button down white shirt and gave it a slightly more fashion forward feel. While tailored black pants are always a failsafe option, what I loved about this Camilla and Marc design is the contrasting stitching, which gave it a little extra lift, a little extra personality. And what’s better than a trench to tie a whole look together? This Esse trench is the epitome of sleek, sophisticated outerwear, and when thrown over a shirt and pant pairing, it instantly just makes this look feel extra considered, and so polished.

I’ve been having fun with accessorising this week, but I’ve also discovered just how good my go-to pieces really are. These white Bottega Veneta slingbacks for example have been a welcome addition to my closet for a few seasons and they’ve had quite a few outings this week simply because they’re so versatile. Also I love that it takes a classic slingback silhouette, and makes it more modern with the sturdier heel and strap. I couldn’t pass up this buttery leather Fendi bag, which is just the perfect relaxed shape to provide a counterpoint to the more refined nature of the rest of my outfit. And with a few late nights this week sunglasses were a must! These crisp white Pared sunglasses are a little mod, and proof that even the smallest of accessories can make a big difference.

Credits: Trench coat (via David Jones), Esse; Shirt and pants (via David Jones), Camilla and Marc; Heels, Bottega Veneta; Sunglasses, Emma Mulholland for Pared; Bag, Fendi

Photography: Ashleigh Larden