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Fashion, What I Wore

What I Wore: Michael Lo Sordo 10th Anniversary Show

17th May, 2023

An evening celebration of Michael Lo Sordo’s 10th anniversary called for a party ready look, and I couldn’t think of anything better than a slinky cocktail dress by the man of the hour himself. This canary yellow dress is a signature style of Lo Sordo’s (a navy iteration was worn by Ana de Armas in the most recent James Bond movie) and no wonder — it’s elegantly simple but so impactful at the same time. I’m also a fan of any dress with a statement back and this particular style features a stunning crystal strap, adding a little sparkle to this look.

After dark accessories are often all about dialling up the glamour. I knew sparkling accoutrements were a must, and I was lucky enough to be collaborate with jewellery brand Hardy Brothers on this particular look. I didn’t want to overpower the dress so I opted for accessories with an understated profile, but with plenty of shine including a beyond gorgeous tennis necklace and drop earrings. Adding a evening pouch by Jimmy Choo and a Giuseppe Zanotti shoes with a crystal heel complemented the dress, helping to anchor the more flowy silhouette of the dress.

Credits: Dress, (similar here), Michael Lo Sordo; Heels (similar here), Giuseppe Zanotti; Bag (similar here), Jimmy Choo; Jewellery, Hardy Brothers

Photography: Ashleigh Larden

 

 

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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

 

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What I Wore: Kentucky Derby

12th May, 2023

Experimenting with patterns, profiles and hues is one of the things I love best about racewear. Attending any race day is of course underpinned by looking polished at all times, but there’s also plenty of opportunity to explore the dress code in myriad ways. For another incredible day at the Kentucky Derby, I wanted to go all out and embrace all things colour. The Kentucky Derby is all about embracing colourful attire so as soon as I saw this mosaic-like dress by Rebecca Vallance I knew it would be perfect for the occasion. The striking kaleidoscope effect makes a statement but I love the softness it evokes with the puffed sleeves and the knotted bodice. Also, the maxi style feels very contemporary, tapping into the current trend towards longer hemlines.

The jewel tones in the dress inspired the accessories I wore, starting with the orange Nerida Winter straw hat. What sets the Kentucky Derby apart from other sporting events in the US is that attendees are required to wear hats or fascinators, and ever since the 1960s, it’s been all about embracing extravagant designs when it comes to headwear. The bold, oversized brim coupled with the vibrant hue and veil definitely nailed the brief. I loved that it embraced the vibrancy of the dress, and added a playful hit of colour to the outfit while honouring the race day dress code. Additionally, I wanted to highlight the emerald tones in the dress so this acrylic clutch by Katherine Land was a great fit. With its marbled effect and curved lines, it was the ideal finishing touch to this ensemble.

Credits: Dress, Rebecca Vallance; Heels, Jimmy Choo; Hat, Nerida Winter; Bag, Katherine Land

This post was produced in collaboration with the Kentucky Derby

 

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Fashion

What I Wore: Kentucky Oaks

12th May, 2023

As one of the most iconic racing events in the world, I was so excited to be at Churchill Downs as a guest of the Kentucky Derby. I was thrilled to be attending Kentucky Oaks and also judging the Longines Fashion Contest. Kentucky Oaks was founded in 1875 and is the premier racing event for fillies in the US and takes place the day before the Kentucky Derby every year. Being able to attend such a historical event was such a fun experience, particularly as I was invited to judge the best looks of the day. Everyone really put forward their sartorial best with such a great array of outfits and headwear. I was also happy to see a few Aussie brands like Zimmermann and Aje amongst the sea of well-dressed ladies.

The dress code entailed incorporating pink into your outfit in an effort to drive awareness to the fight against breast cancer and ovarian cancer. I wanted to honour this while also embracing an Australian designer so I immediately gravitated towards this midi dress by Rachel Gilbert as the ideal option. It’s a quintessentially classic look and it also features a touch of pink in the floral motif. The beaded floral detail not only adds a feminine touch to the dress, it adds a beautiful flourish of colour which allows the crispness of the white to really pop.

Being on the petite side, I’m all for a pair of sky high heels so this pair by stylist Lana Wilkinson was a no-brainer. I liked the fact it continued the white colour palette, while the slimline profile and tie-up straps made for an elegant pairing with the dress. I considered a few different options in terms of the bag I was going to carry, but I eventually settled on the Jimmy Choo Micro Cloud clutch which features a delicate, oversized bow which I thought added a playful touch to this outfit. Headwear is of course a must for any racing event, and this fuchsia pillbox hat added a fun pop of colour while also honouring the dress code. Sometimes a little simplicity and elegance (and a touch of pink!) is all you really need for an outfit to make an impact.

Credits: Dress, Rachel Gilbert; Hat, Nerida Winter; Shoes, Lana Wilkinson; Bag, Jimmy Choo

This post was produced in collaboration with the Kentucky Derby

 

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What I Wore: Barnstable Brown Derby Eve Gala

12th May, 2023

I always love flying the flag for Australian designers whenever I’m attending events overseas. This jewel-toned Toni Maticevski gown was perfect for attending the ultra glam event, the Barnstable Brown Derby Eve Gala. The star-studded event, with everyone from NFL star Patrick Mahomes and actor Chris Pine in attendance, had a black-tie dress code so it definitely called for a gown. Toni Maticevski is a designer I’ve worn to many an occasion and his designs never fail to hit the mark. His aesthetic is always so polished, yet his gowns always have a unique design feature or an elegant flourish that makes them stand out in all the right ways. It’s a super sleek and understated design but is elevated by the gorgeous grape hue of the dress, and the classic off the shoulder neckline. The subtle split helps finish the entire look, giving this dress a very after dark feel.

I’m a huge fan of all things sparkly for events wear! What better opportunity to wear pieces with luxe detailing. This crystal embellished clutch bag brought all the glitz and sparkle, adding some glam to this look. These shoes are also a party personified, with its glittery finish and crystal embellished straps. The pointed toe keeps it looking classic but those finishing touches give it a festive feel befitting of a gala event.

Credits: Dress, Toni Maticevski; Bag and shoes, Jimmy Choo

This post was produced in collaboration with the Kentucky Derby

 

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Fashion, What I Wore

What I Wore: Animal Instinct

9th May, 2023

I’ve often heard of animal prints being referred to as a neutral and while not a traditional neutral, I can see the logic in that. Animal prints are actually a really versatile print to work with. I’d attribute it to mostly being about the neutral tones that underpin an animal print including hues of camel, beige and black. So, while at first an animal print might be a little tricky to work with, it becomes a little less intimidating when you categorise it as being a neutral piece—consider it the same way you’d use a camel top or a beige pant. Case in point: this ocelot print dress from Witchery. I love how this dress makes a visual statement but it’s still a relatively easy piece to pair back with other items in my wardrobe. I could pop on a black blazer or a long length coat with this dress quite easily and have a considered outfit that’s perfect for work, an event, or teamed with a comfy pair of shoes, I could easily wear this while doing the school run. The turtle neck, the long sleeves and the A-line midi length style elevate this look, allowing it to be taken in myriad directions while keeping its polish throughout.

With a dress that has so much personality and flair, I needed pieces that would ground this look so I kept my accessories quite simple. Understated pieces work well to complement animal prints, so I opted for a pair of black almond toe ankle boots. The solid profile works well against the vibrant nature of the dress and is a great length to be worked back with a midi dress. The 90s style shoulder bag is definitely having a moment this season, so this black bag was just the right silhouette to pair with this look. It has a very on trend feel to it, but the chain link detail keeps it looking classic.

Credits: Dress, bag and boots, Witchery

Photography: Ashleigh Larden

This post was produced in collaboration with Witchery

 

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Fashion, What I Wore

What I Wore: Wanderluxe Mini Me Launch

2nd May, 2023

Despite being on the cusp of winter starting, Sydney has put on some truly beautiful days of late. The sunshine was in full swing at the launch of my new collaboration with Wanderluxe Sleepwear so I wanted to go for a look that was feminine with some lightness to it. This dress is a new season piece from Aussie brand Rachel Gilbert and it fit the brief perfectly. The maxi silhouette has a quiet elegance to it which was perfect being the host of the event. The floral print and the mixed colour palette of varying shades of blue gave the dress a lovely whimsical feel, but the clean lines of the collar and the billowy sleeves gave it some balance and avoided everything becoming too saccharine. I’m petite, so whenever there’s volume involved I always need an element that’s cinched in to avoid it overwhelming my frame so the matching waist tie with scallop detail was perfect.

I wanted a heel that was going to complement the dress so I knew it had to be something in white to pick up on the crispness of the dress. I decided on these Aje heels as the strappy design, not to mention the fact they were the ideal height, designated them to be the perfect shoe to finish off this look. The dress already had a lot of design touches that made it stand out, a shoe that was bold, yet not over the top was needed to avoid both elements competing against each other. Also, I love the fact I was able to support two of my fave Aussie brands, while also debuting a collection with a great Aussie small business.

Credits: Dress, Rachel Gilbert; Heels, Aje

 

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Fashion, What I Wore

What I Wore: Monochrome Moments

27th April, 2023

What I love about dressing for autumn racing is that everything feels just that little more refined. There’s an opportunity to embrace layering, luxe textures and rich wintery hues. I wore this outfit recently to attend The Championships at Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney and went all out with a monochrome colour palette. Everything about this particular outfit centred around this silk mini dress by Gucci, which featured some classic design elements perfect for a race day look. The turtleneck neckline is ideal for this time of year, it’s a very autumn/winter style and keeps the dress looking sleek and polished. I’m also a big fan of the long sleeves. It makes for a great counterpoint to the mini hemline of the dress, plus it creates an elegant silhouette.

I wanted to keep things quite monochromatic with this look so I went for black accessories to complement the dress. The mini Gucci Jackie handbag is a classic style that feels very elevated with the patent leather finish, and the chunky gold strap. I also rate the fact that it’s the ideal size for toting my essentials around without being so ridiculously small that I can’t fit anything in it! I love pairing hosiery with dresses in the cooler months and this sheer Swiss dot pair was the ideal style to add a little playfulness to this outfit. Platform heels were the obvious choice given how big a trend they are this season, plus I’ll never say no to a little extra height—it’s the ideal way to elongate my frame. Headwear is of course a non-negotiable at the races. I adore the drama of the oversized hat. It adds a bit of theatre to this look which is always a nice touch when it comes to racewear.

Credits: Dress, shoes and bag, Gucci; Stockings, Voodoo Hosiery

Photography: Ashleigh Larden

 

Fashion, What I Wore

What I Wore: Baby, it’s cold outside

20th April, 2023

Winter dressing is all about great layering—it’s the best way to stay cosy and warm, and looks ultra chic at the same time. A lot of chain stores are doing their autumn/winter drops right now and there’s definitely plenty of gems to snap up. I recently collaborated with Witchery and uncovered some great winter staples to take me through the next few months. The lynchpin of any great winter look is a gorgeous coat. This longline herringbone blazer is the ideal statement piece as it can work back with everything from jeans, to trousers and in my case a buttery soft pair of leather leggings. Also, it’s a great way to add texture to a look and give it some depth.

It’s worth investing in good basics at the start of a season and wear them non-stop. A black knit is an essential when it comes to winter layers. It’s great for popping under a jacket or coat, it can be worked back with virtually everything and can transition to spring beautifully. Also, now is the time to consider your pants situation! I’ve long sung the praises of leather leggings and it’s definitely something I can attest to wearing to death when temperatures drop. They’re a great layering piece, are unbelievably comfy and so good at keeping the chill away. I’ve worn them with heels with this particular outfit, but they’re also great with sneakers or loafers. Their versatility is one of the reasons I love them and they add a stylish touch to any ensemble.

I’ve always said that a leather bag is an essential in any wardrobe and this particular style is great. It’s roomy enough to carry all my bits and pieces for the day, and has a modern silhouette that’s very of the moment. Also, pointed slingbacks never go astray. Wear them to work or out to dinner or an event—the occasions are endless.

Credits: Blazer, sweater, pants, bag and shoes, Witchery

Photography: Ashleigh Larden

This post was produced in collaboration with Witchery

 

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What I Wore: City Limits

18th April, 2023

If I were to describe my style it would be classic and polished. I gravitate towards pieces that have an eternally stylish feel to them — whether it’s a buttery soft leather bag or a pair of elegant heels or a beautifully tailored suit, I always lean in to the classics. So when I was lucky enough to be gifted the Louis Vuitton Noe BB bag, I knew I had a keeper on my hands. This particular bag style was born in 1932, when a custom order from a champagne producer for a leather bag that could transport champagne, and was indestructible spurred the design. The bucket bag style was the result, and it has been a part of LV’s accessories line-up since. I love the fact it’s roomy enough to hold all my essentials, but has structure to it that gives it polish. Also, the fact the strap is adjustable and the bag can be worn crossbody style or as a shoulder bag is a major plus due to its versatility.

Shooting on this day, I wanted a look that complemented the classic feel of the bag and this set by Chanel fit the brief perfectly. The longline gilet is feminine, but the clean lines ensure it looks sharp. Tailored black pants are a forever staple in my wardrobe—they get so much wear. Sometimes black pants can err on the side of corporate, but these pants have a fluidity to them that gives them a modern vibe. I tend to splurge on shoes, but only on styles I know I’ll always get multiple wears out of and these Chanel pumps are always in the mix. They have a block heel so they’re comfy, and the two tone camel and black colour way which is synonymous with the brand ensures they’re a forever shoe.

Credits: Gilet, pants and shoes, Chanel; Bag, Louis Vuitton

Photography: Ashleigh Larden