Browsing Tag

bottega veneta

Fashion, What I Wore

What I Wore: Caliente

28th December, 2021

You know you’re doing good things as a brand when certain silhouettes and details suddenly become synonymous with your label. If their fervent fan following is anything to go by, Aje is doing very good things. I have worn my fair share of Aje looks and each piece is one that often illicits a “What are you wearing?” response. And no wonder when they produce dresses like this. This dress is called the Caliente (Spanish for hot) and it’s such a signature style for Aje, with the cut out detail and the metal ring at the waist. It’s a really flattering style, and incorporates a number of my favourite design elements including the midi hemline and the tiered skirt along with the peek-a-boo back detail. It’s perfect for summer, and can easily be dressed up with heels or can be taken down a more casual route with a pair of beautiful flats. I also like the russet brown colour, which is a slightly more unexpected hue for summer, but nonetheless works perfectly for a balmy, sunny day.

I opted to take this more into party territory so I opted for heels on this occasion. These black Bottega heels have been such a great investment as there’s not a week that goes by that I don’t wear them. I think that’s the thing when it comes to investment pieces, if you choose versatile designs, you can wear them non-stop ensuring you get great cost per wear.

I’ll be bookmarking this look for future events, and I think that’s the key with a great dress— you can see yourself wearing it again and again.

Credits: Dress, Aje; Heels, Bottega Veneta

Photography: Ashleigh Larden

Fashion, Lifestyle

What’s on my Christmas wish list

22nd December, 2021

It’s only a few days to Christmas so I thought I’d share what’s on my wish list this year. Whenever I compile this list I always factor in the gaps in my wardrobe, plus the statement pieces that will lift existing pieces in my closet. There are also things which I think are just fun and would make a great addition to my wardrobe or home. It was a hard list to compile simply because I’ve seen so many beautiful things throughout the year (it’s definitely an occupational hazard!) but I’ve narrowed it down to the pieces that would definitely put a smile on my face on Christmas morning. Here’s what I’m wishing for (hint, hint Luke!)…

Agua Bendia Kayra Arabella Shirt

I spend a lot of time at the beach or by the pool over the summer so I’m always on the hunt for a great cover up. This shirt is the perfect piece to throw on over my swimmers, and I love the kimono style sleeves and the tropical print and colour clash. It’s also something that could be worn straight from the beach to lunch, making it the ideal piece to throw in my beach bag for a long day by the water.

Bottega Veneta Cassette Chain Embellished Bag

I have loved the revamp Bottega Veneta has undergone over the last few years, but with creative director Daniel Lee’s departure, it will be interesting to see which direction the brand heads. In the meantime I have been crushing on this signature style from Lee’s tenure. The puffy Cassette bag gets a grown up touch with the addition of a chain strap and the result is a modern piece that’s also a little fun.

Bottega Veneta Gold-Plated Hoop Earrings

I’m all about gold earrings and I love the chain style of this particular pair from Bottega Veneta. It’s a statement piece which can easily dress up many a look, but it’s not overly fussy that it still maintains its versatility.

Chanel White and Black Sandals

I’ve loved this shoe for so long and I am really loving the monochrome colour palette of this pair, plus the brush stroke style. It adds an artistic touch to a utilitarian shoe, and I love the vibe it strikes. When it comes to shoes, I’m all about comfort and this style certainly ticks that box. It’s also the kind of sandal that can be paired with multiple looks so it’s great for cost per wear.

Chanel Tweed and Lambskin Slingback

This particular style is a signature silhouette of Chanel’s and I love how classic and polished it looks. It’s a great comfy heel to add to my collection as I could see it working back with multiple looks. The tweed is also very much synonymous with the brand and I love the subtle pastel hues woven throughout. All in all, it’s a standout shoe and I’d be beyond excited to find them under the tree on Christmas morning.

Veranda x Elizabeth Lake Trellis Placemat and Dinner Napkin

Creating a great tablescape is always one of my favourite things to do when I have people over, and this set would definitely make a table. The whimsical style featuring the trellis design and embroidered flowers are perfect for a spring/summer soiree. It would definitely be the basis for an inviting setting.

Fashion, What I Wore

What I Wore: 2021 Golden Slipper

1st November, 2021

Spring racing is very much in full swing and I couldn’t help but want to embrace a look that was inspired by the season. For 7 Racing hosting duties at the Golden Slipper, it was all about beautiful, vibrant pastel hues. I couldn’t go past this Oscar de la Renta one-shoulder dress, with its ethereal draping and shades of pink and orange. It was feminine and also had a fun energy to it which made it the perfect look for being trackside.

With such a bold colour palette to work with I didn’t want to shy away with my choice of accessories and wanted to go equally as striking. The brief was well and truly met with these Bottega Veneta mesh heels. They’re a playful pink and feature a sprinkling of sparkles which definitely ticked the statement box. Plus, how great would they be for a festive occasion? In terms of bag choice, I definitely wanted to embrace pink again so this shoulder bag by Bulgari was the perfect piece to accompany me. As always headwear is a must so I went with this gold hair accessory by Ford Millinery. I loved the fact that it was sleek and and simple and just the right piece to add a bold touch to my ensemble.

Credits: Dress, Oscar de la Renta; Shoes, Bottega Veneta; Bag, Bulgari, Headpiece, Ford Millinery

Photography: Ashleigh Larden

Fashion, Shop

What I Wore: Golden Girl

24th September, 2021

There’s something about starting to farewell winter woolies that has me gravitating towards bold, bright hues. It was a glorious day so what better reason to wear this sunshine yellow ensemble by the brand Sea. It’s a such a joyful colour and I can’t wait to wear it throughout the coming months.

I particularly love this top for its interesting silhouette and finishes—the voluminous sleeves, the button cuffs and the statement shoulders are quite bold but with out being over the top (and you definitely want to strike the right balance when you’re working with an acid yellow hue!) It’s also the kind of blouse I could pair with other more subdued items in my wardrobe, and utilise it as the focal point of my look. The coordinating shorts are also a lot of fun with its paper bag waist and button tabs. I could also easily see them working with a crisp white tee or ribbed singlet once the weather gets warmer and it’s well and truly shorts weather.

Working with bold hues, I always like to keep the rest of my look pared back so I went for black sunglasses to finish off this ensemble. These Bottega Veneta sunglasses are an exaggerated cat eye shape that add a funky touch to the rest of my outfit and work so well against a vibrant yellow. If there’s more outfits like this on the horizon, I truly can’t wait to welcome more balmy, sunny days.

Credits: Top and shorts, Sea; Sunglasses, Bottega Veneta

Fashion, What I Wore

What I Wore: Hello, Sunshine!

14th September, 2021

Morning coffees are sacred for me—I can’t start the day without one and now that we’re starting to get warmer days I’ve really been enjoying basking in the sun while I have my daily dose of caffeine. And seeing as I’m in ultimate comfort mode I’ve found the ultimate loungewear set to do it in. This set by Vince is just the kind of stylish yet comfy outfit option that’s made for relaxing in the sunshine. I love the ribbed texture and the crew neck, both features that take this knit top into classic go-to in my book. Of course I couldn’t resist the matching pants! If there’s one thing synonymous with #lockdownstyle it’s a matching loungewear set. The cream hue is fresh and perfect for spring, and I can’t rate it highly enough in terms of how comfortable it is. But it’s also something that I could wear out and about quite easily, making it really versatile.

I love starting a new season with a pair of sunnies and couldn’t resist these frames by Bottega Veneta. The exaggerated cat eye is such a fun way to make a statement, but simultaneously, black frames are so easy to pair with everything making it the perfect style chameleon. I’ll definitely be wearing these sunglasses to death over the coming months—the style is just the perfect piece to inject a little fun and energy into my spring wardrobe.

Credits: Top and pants, Vince; Sunglasses (now sold out but similar style here), Bottega Veneta

This post was produced in collaboration with Shopbop

Fashion, What I Wore

What I Wore: Down To Earth

10th August, 2021

Earthy tones, think beige, caramel, terracotta, chocolate and the like are one of the major trends this season. The great thing about them is that they can colour block beautifully, making for a polished and striking combination. It’s one of the reasons I went for the hues in this outfit. These beige high waisted wide leg pants from Victoria Victoria Beckham have been such a sleek and sophisticated addition to my wardrobe. The pintuck that runs along the full length of the pants has an elongating effect and adds an interesting point of difference. Contrasted with the caramel coloured sweater by Vince it’s a modern and sophisticated pairing. Whenever I’m shopping for knits the one thing that is guaranteed to win me over are the finishing touches, such as the button detail on the sleeve of this jumper. It’s a small detail, however it’s something that elevates this jumper to a piece with extra depth.

Accessorising this outfit, I didn’t want to stray too far from the colour palette I was working with and start introducing too many bold colours. So, I went for a mini Gucci bag which features a few earthy tones to tie back to my ensemble. When it came to choosing the right shoe, I knew I needed something that offered a little contrast and my black Bottega Veneta heels were just the right silhouette and hue. Topping off this outfit, a little fun was in order so these Karen Walker frames with their angular and fashion forward feel was just the thing to tie it all together.

Credits: Sweater, Vince; Pants, Victoria Victoria Beckham; Bag (similar), Gucci; Shoes, Bottega Veneta; Sunglasses, Karen Walker

Photography: Ashleigh Larden

Fashion, What I Wore

What I Wore: The Aisle Edit

22nd July, 2021

Even if right now I’m largely living in loungewear due to Sydney’s lockdown, in my head, I’m already wearing this dress to a summer soiree. Crisp white dresses and balmy weather go together like Nutella and a spoon—a match made in heaven. This dress from Dissh is actually bridalwear, believe it or not! It’s from the brand’s The Aisle Edit which is a limited edition collection which features some truly stunning dresses which would be perfect for everything from an engagement party, to a bridal shower to the big day itself and even a post-wedding recovery event. The designs are all sleek and understated, but still make a statement. I love this dress for its floaty, lightweight linen and the silhouette featuring a deep V neckline and the cut-out back feature. It’s such a perfect blank canvas to work with but the style can certainly hold its own.

Accessorising a dress like this is all about keeping it clean. It achieves a really elegant feel and allows the dress to do the talking. I opted for my go-to Bottega Heels for a monochrome effect and to add a little edgy touch to the softer, ethereal vibe of the dress. A swept back hairstyle and simple drop earrings complete the look and give this ensemble an effortless feel.

Credits: Dress, Dissh (The Aisle Edit); Shoes, Bottega Veneta

Photography: Sophia Athas

This post was produced in collaboration with Dissh

Fashion, What I Wore

What I Wore: True Blue

8th June, 2021

The oh-so classic combination of a crisp white shirt and jeans is something I often turn to when it comes to my fave tried and tested looks. I’ve worn it in so many different iterations, just swapping the shirt for different styles and the jeans for alternative cuts and washes but it always works out regardless. So I decided what better way to wear this Aje shirt than with my fave Levis? This shirt has been such a welcome addition to my wardrobe. I’ve always loved the signature Aje silhouette with the puff sleeves and the statement button at the neck, but I like the fact this is a short sleeved version which makes it easy to wear throughout winter or summer. And these are the jeans the pair that I shared a few months ago that I get so many DMs about. They’re still going strong, and I’m still getting messages about them! They’re such a great fit, the perfect length and juuust the right wash. These are my second pair because I wear the other pair so much I wanted to get a back up.

When it comes to a look such as this I think accessories could be taken in so many different directions. In this instance I went for simple pieces that complement rather than stand out, as I wanted the outfit to be the focal point of this look. So, I opted for a Chanel backpack, one of my most beloved bags simply because it ticks both the form and function box, to add a hit of metallic to quite a pared back colour palette. While my white Bottega Veneta slingbacks work well to carry the hue into another element of my outfit, while still being a standout piece on its own. Plus they’re so comfy. It’s one of the reasons I wear them so often as heels that are comfortable are so hard to find. For a look that’s all about the timeless pairing of white and denim, adding a few modern accoutrements certainly gives it a more contemporary spin.

Credits: Shirt, Aje; Jeans, Levis; Bag, Chanel, Shoes, 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

 

 

 

 

Fashion

Afterpay Australian Fashion Week: Day 3

2nd June, 2021

Along with being able to check out all the amazing shows at Sydney’s Carriageworks, one of my favourite things about Fashion Week are the offsite evening events. Tonight, I’m attending dinner hosted by the designer Anna Quan showcasing her latest collection, and I couldn’t think of a better option than a LBD with a twist. A black dress is always a failsafe option of mine for any event, but what I love about this dress is the textural element. The ribbed fabrication is a modern touch, while the cut-out adds a sexy touch that’s befitting of an evening soiree. Also the twisted neckline is a design feature that adds a little extra intrigue. I’m also a fan of a midi length dress for an after dark event as it’s always guaranteed to look polished without being overdone.

Accessorising this look, I wanted to keep things quite pared back. I went for a black structured top handle bag by Fendi: simple, elegant, classic. I didn’t want the look to look too flat and felt it needed just a little bit of relief in the form of another hue, so I called upon my mesh Bottega Veneta heels. They’re a neutral so I knew they wouldn’t overwhelm the dress, but it does break up the black on black quite effectively A few understated accoutrements in the form of simple drop earrings, a timepiece and my Cartier bangle and I’m set.

Credits: Dress (available at David Jones), Anna Quan; Bag, Fendi; Shoes, Bottega Veneta

Photography: Ashleigh Larden