So, as it's Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Australia Eve, I thought it only fitting to post in honour of one of Australia's greatest young talents on the design scene - one who will be absent from this year's catwalk in Sydney.
Dion Lee's presence will be sorely missed, but I think it's fair to say he has definitely progressed forward into 'international phenomena' territory now, so his busy schedule (and general amazing-ness) can probably serve as a reasonable excuse. It's like an unspoken promise that each season, Dion Lee will provide the most innovative and most-talked about Australian collection...and each time, he delivers.
These photos are a sneak peek of his upcoming collection, provided by photographer Mark Vassallo exclusively for Oyster. In summary, I'm getting vibes for a sports-luxe meets scuba-chic collection, with a few fabric-twists and turns. I'm predicting a palette of punchy neons and bold hues, new-age knots, and sensual mesh set to contemporary feminine silhouettes - all garnished with a touch of that structural magic Lee always serves up for a very satisfying visual feast.
In other words, if someone were to remake The Little Mermaid this year, I presume that some of the pieces from Dion Lee's upcoming collection would make the perfect wardrobe for the 21st century update of underwater heiress, Ariel. And while I've got your attention, Disney, this newer film adaptation should also allow Ariel to keep her awesome mermaid tail instead of giving it up for human feet.
About his decision to withdraw from the MBFWA lineup, Dion Lee says, "I have presented solo shows at Australian Fashion Week for the past three years and each of these have been of great benefit to my business in terms of building its profile on a local and international level. I hope to return to the Australian show schedule in the near future.”
Designer Josh Goot seconded Lee's move, by also withdrawing from MBFWA. This only means that the two will go above and beyond our expectations - as always.
Nike continues to break new ground with their latest campaign for the Nike event, She Runs the Night. It is an event that aims to motivate, encourage and empower women to provide them with a safe opportunity to run at night, with other women. As one of the most recognised and successful brands in the world, the brand has a lot of power when it comes to choosing celebrities, or 'heroes', to endorse their products. In the past, they've selected athletes such as Michael Jordan, Maria Sharapova and Tiger Woods to promote the brand.
This power of choice is the exact reason I find their latest execution so particularly interesting - the faces of the campaign are none other than Australian fashion blogger extraordinaires, Nicole of Gary Pepper Vintage, Margaret of Shine by Three, and Sara of Harper and Harley. Photos for the campaign were captured by the famous lens of fellow blogger Zanita.
This move to position fashion blog writers as ambassadors for the Nike brand indicates that the campaign is not necessarily targeting die-hard athletes; instead, it is harnessing fashion faces to motivate young Australian women, who might need a little push, to get out the door and running again by making it look trendy and cool. The campaign launched with this video of a woman going for a run at night:
This ad, which starts off feeling a little bit like a Placebo film clip (darkly alluring), ends making the runner feel empowered, as she 'defies the late-ticking clock, and the limits' and says that 'the more of us that run, the brighter we can burn'. Just watching it makes me want to put on my Nike's, go for a jog and feel the crisp evening breeze, the freedom of having the pavement to yourself, and the liberation of being able to run at night, in a tribe, without hesitation or fear.
I am really drawn to this idea for the following reasons: firstly, I am a member of the target audience. I am a young female, who is quite busy, enjoys doing many different things, and despite aspiring to keep an active and healthy lifestyle, I sometimes just feel that I don't have the time or money - or that at the end of the day, I'd rather save money on gym membership fees in order to afford a new dress or accessory when I want them. But when I have tried to motivate myself to go for a run or do exercise, I hesitate and end up not going because I don't feel safe running at night - and more often than not, that's where my spare time falls.
Secondly, I respect and admire the work these bloggers do, and I feel that I can identify with them as a relatively normal girl, who is interested in fashion and self expression, works hard, but at the end of the day, might not have a lot of spare time or motivation to work out.
Thirdly, I think that advertisers using bloggers to endorse their brands is one of the smartest moves they could make at the moment (as long as it's appropriate for the brand, of course). These girls are opinion leaders and trendsetters - if they say Michael Kors watches, Alexander Wang handbags and Isabel Marant wedge sneakers are cool, this instantly makes the products extremely desirable to all of their followers (and they have thousands of them!). I question whether I would have decided Michael Kors was the ultimate brand of watch to own, and saved up to purchase, if I wasn't a follower of these women. And now I might question whether I would go for a run, at night, without my Nike gear on...
She Runs the Night is built on a great insight - that young women often feel they can't go for a run at night, even in their own neighbourhood. If they do, they feel vulnerable and that they may be close to danger. I know that in the past, if I've gone for a run at night, I've tried to make it a quick jog, or make sure I go along busy roads, so I don't find myself in a scary situation. Another element to this insight is that women feel safer in numbers - even just passing another female on the footpath instantly makes you feel more confident, almost as if you're part of a small community, and that you're not alone.
The campaign is being executed in Sydney, with regular training sessions for groups starting at the same point (usually at Nike stores) and running together in a group around different areas of Sydney. These training sessions are leading up to the main race, which will be held on May 3rd at Centennial Park. For just under $100, Sydney women could register to receive a training pack of Nike merchandise to help them train, and have access to a fitness program, provided by the Nike personal trainers.
I hope that, should the campaign be a success (I suspect that it probably is, considering I know about it and I don't even live in Sydney) then hopefully they will bring the event to other capital cities in Australia. I would love to participate in this, so fingers crossed they bring it to Brisbane!
Nicole, Margaret and Sara have all recently been given the opportunity to transfer their blogs to the new Australian platform, Fellt, in a move that will provide their blogs with ultimate exposure, brand integrity, and provide the girls with some outstanding opportunities, such as this one. I've also been enjoying the photos released for the Miss Shop / Pedestrian TV bloggers project, and I look forward to seeing more opportunities to recognise these girls as the leaders that they are.
Gorman Moving Mountains Jeans & Deadly Ponies Mr Chain Mail Bag
I'm currently coveting all of these beautiful things...should anyone feel the urge to donate their credit card (or a large sum of cash) to the cause of filling my wardrobe with wonderful prettiness, please let me know!
This Lonely Hearts Leeloo dress successfully strings together some romantic trends circulating at the moment, combining a sheer silk bodice with cap sleeves, pointed peter pan collar and a polka-dot pleated skirt. Yes, all in one amazing dress! It is such a delight, and I'm not sure I will be able to keep my collar-crazed self away from it...
I'm also experiencing some serious lust over Gorman's AW12 collection - they have a strong reputation for beautiful knits and graphic prints, but this season's offering really nails it for me! A pair of Zomp boots would both toughen up my look, and help me to achieve a feeling of being some kind of Winter warrior as I effortlessly pound pavement through the cold winds. I am very lucky to have a Zomp voucher to spend, so this is one dream that may become reality! The Koxco boots are particularly divine - check out the rubber sole and suede detailing!
In addition to these, I've been eyeing off some luxe silk pants, skirts and other pretty pieces from a local label called Soot. The designs are quite feminine, and refreshingly different to the occasionally repetitive styles available in Brisbane's fashion palette.
Time to save my pennies in preparation for a cool change!
PS. If any of you are hanging around at home on a Saturday night like my very cool self, then definitely give this tune a spin - Flume - Sleepless Ft. Anthony for Cleopatra. My excuse for being a homebody tonight is my tiredness, due to witnessing Flume do his thing at Oh Hello last night - it was so good! I'd never ventured to Oh Hello before, but it was definitely worth it to see this guy in action! Prepare to sway yourself into a state of chilled bliss.
The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing but burn, burn, burn, like fabulous yellow Roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the blue centerlight pop and everybody goes "Awww!"
- Jack Kerouac, On The Road
This post is inspired by the following:
1. The rain outside indicates that Summer is officially over 2. An Italian man at a bakery said 'grazie' to me the other day, bringing back a flood of sun-drenched memories of Italy and the Amalfi Coast 3. The Amalfi Coast scented candle that I was given for my birthday 3. Envying the Coachella action on the other side of the globe 4. My burning desire to see Jack Kerouac's novel On The Road come to life on film!
Images: My own digital and disposable photos, and others from gypsymess.tumblr, typewrittenword.tumblr, knightcat, enhanceu, diazlabel.tumblr.com
These stunning pieces from Milanese label, MSGM have left me a little speechless. The designs showcase a dizzying mix of bold colours, floral and geometric prints, and contemporary feminine silhouettes. The collection's aesthetic strikes a similar chord to this season's work by Camilla and Marc, Mary Katrantzou and Zimmermann, but on a whole new level (#chictothenextlev).
Their blouses and skirts are particularly amazing - they look almost more delicious than the Red Tulip Easter bunny chocolate I'm currently munching on...and that is saying something. Mmmm.
A rising star and a true beauty - the 'other' Olsen sister has already started to shake up the world's expectations.
Reasons to love Elizabeth Olsen: Her style is distinctly different to that of her twin sisters. The twins have a penchant for the avant-garde, cult trends and edgy pieces. Elizabeth opts for more classic, eclectic and whimsical styles. As a result, instead of fading into the fash-pack in the sea of latest runway looks, she lets the focus fall on her classic beauty, sophisticated, slightly artsy taste, and of course, the simple fact that she is not one of the Olsen twins - she is her own person. (And a stunning person at that!)
Secondly, just look at her hair! Elizabeth appears to have either pioneered (or at least completely nailed) the trend of the perfectly tonged and loosened curl with shoulder-length hair. It's stunning! These beautifully sun-kissed, shiny locks in combination with a slightly healthier figure make her appear more womanly than her twin sisters. She radiates an overall healthy glow that is lost on some young celebrities who find themselves in the spotlight.
Thirdly, I hear she is incredibly talented. I'm yet to witness her acting skills, but I've heard only great things. I'll be watching this rising star with bated breath and a close eye!
