Phillips is a Chapel Street institution (www.phillipsclothing.com.au) stocking Phillips, Sam and Lou and other amazing designers. Ten years ago, a year after launching their label, sisters Sam and Lou Phillips opened their store on Chapel street, Prahran. At the time the more fashioniable end of Chapel Street was between Commercial and Toorak Road. Sitting opposite Greville Street between Commercial and High Street the position was considered the ‘wrong end’ of Chapel Street. Now the sisters are seen as ahead of their time with many subsequent boutiques and cafes opening.

Melbourne Fashionista spoke to Lou Phillips, co-designer and co-boutique owner of Phillips about what she bought recently both at the store and around Melbourne and which were her favourites.

Sam and Lou jerry block dress $240
Sam and I created this label in 2007. We found there was no beautiful directional knitwear available in Melbourne. The line is fashionable but also good quality we use luxurious Italian yarns.

French Vogue $14.20
The shop is filled at the moment with my sister’s and my old vogues. There are piles everywhere and people keep coming in asking to buy them! I love italian and french vogue.

Nicola Finetti natasha heels  $455
These are fantastic and so comfortable which is surprising because they are nice and high.

Edenborough Evans silver cocktail ring $220
This label is a young melbourne girl, she has done a range inspired by her time in Italy. This ring is shaped like a waxed seal with the initials of E E embossed on it. Historically it was often a signet ring that was used to seal the wax on contracts. We have quite a few of her pieces on our counter at the moment.

Aje sequinned singlet $295
Aje’s combination of rock chic and feminine silhouette makes it appeal to a wide range of fashion conscious customers. I love that the label has a bit of an edge, so depending on how you wear it - for example with torn black skinny jeans and Doc Martens (hipster rock diva) or heels and black pants (chic young mum) it is extremely wearable and fashionable.

Phillips, 246 Chapel Street, Prahran, Victoria, Australia 3181 +61 9533 8338

A couple of days ago I received a question:

I am having trouble finding something to wear to a afternoon/evening wedding. Is there anything for curvy girls out there?

Weddings are such tricky things - so many rules and behaviorial etiquette - no white or cream, no black (unless after dark), nothing too revealing  - otherwise you will be known as Simone the Slapper Cousin who, can you believe wore that dress? -  the list just goes on and on. Google has 1.7 Million pages dedicated to ‘Wedding Attire Etiquette’  - I tuned out after reading the first page. Throw in a bit of boob no wonder sartorial selection for a wedding is so complex.

For a curvy girl, finding something with straps so that you can wear a bra helps considerably. If you want to remain entirely appropriate (boring!) nothing too low cut. Something close to body and not too voluminous will highlight your curves - try lighter fabrics which don’t add bulk. Choose a dress which is empire line (comes in under the bust) or waisted which will give you an hourglass shape. For a bit of fashion and fun I often strut off to Alannah Hill whose brand of girly chic is always proper, gorgeous and entirely wedding appropriate, also she has a multitude of beaded cardigans for the chilly evening. A cardigan is a wedding’s answer to the holy grail - for the ceremony wear it to cover your arms (weddings.about.com dictates that at religous ceremonies arms must be covered) and later at night when the DJ gets happening fling it off! A pair of high heels elongates the body making you taller and leaner, and as the fashion is mega high heels at the moment these Stella Sandles from Midas are perfect, being straped around the ankle these will keep your feet supported throughout the night.

I for one believe however just have fun and wear something you feel comfortable in. Afterall the bride gets to go home with all the presents, if she isn’t happy enough with that - did anyone say bridezella???

Email questions to info@melbournefashionista.com.au I will try my very best to answer them if I can.

Jane, 28, Manager

I am working at Gorman today. I am wearing Gorman field pants, a Gorman mika skivvy, and b store shoes. I shop mostly at Gorman and also Alphaville.

Quynh, 29, Doctor

I like shopping anywhere and everywhere, at the moment I like shopping on Gertrude Street. Today I am wearing a NOM*d dress and belt. My bag is from Botkier. My ring is made and designed by a friend of mine who is a jeweller in Thailand. I have the day off today so I am going out to lunch with a friend and then we were planning to go to the Museum, but the weather is so nice it seems a shame to waste it so we will probably do something else!

Gabrielle, 18, Student

I am wearing a dress from Bridge Road and a leather jacket from Dotti. My shoes are from a store in Queensland - sorry I can’t remember the name of it! My bangles are from all over the place including Sportsgirl and overseas. My bag is from a shop on Bridge Road. I like shopping on Bridge Road, Chapel Street and Brunswick Street.

Thred Den has had a total store refit! So after the relaunch last weekend I dropped by so see its new look and I was suitably impressed (www.threadden.com) .  Hidden away from the main street (you enter via Webbs lane) Thread Den is a sanctuary where vintage lovers and craft enthusiasts can spend many happy hours indulging their passions. As I walk up the stairs I feel like I am entering another era as I hear the quiet hum of sewing machines.

Walking into the newly updated Thread Den is like walking onto a set of ‘I Love Lucy’, at any moment Ricky Ricardo will come in and say ‘Lucy I’m home’! The refit is styled like a 50s house with its fives rooms all decorated in vintage furniture. Thread Den is a wholly unique concept in retailing and craft. The conception of four creative melbourne fashionistas, (Melissa Kramer, Kylie Shepherd, Erica Menting and Tennille Rohde) it stocks all Australian designers and vintage fashion as well are holding regular sewing classes. In the centre room a 50s diner table houses hats, brooches and craft pieces underneath 50s light rittings. Nearby in a pale lime green 50s display cabinet sits beautiful jewellery and gorgeous crochet bags. In the second room hangs Thread Den’s steadily growing men’s range, which includes new and vintage items and Ishee suit vests - very dapper indeed. Walking pass the 50s sideboard complete with lamps is the third room, a women’s vintage clothing room.  Everything at Thread Den is so personal that you just know by looking at each piece it has been chosen with utter care and love.

The final two rooms consist of a sewing lounge and pattern room. Regular classes of varying degrees of difficult are held here.  Equipment is also available for hire and use, including Janome sewing machines, overlockers, steam irons and a Janome coverstitch Pro! Also available in the sewing room are vintage fabrics, patterns and haberdashery for purchase. I think I will be back again when I can spend many hours ….

Thread Den, Level 1, 16 Errol Street, North Melbourne, (enter via Webbs Lane)

Late last year I came across a beautiful boutique in Albert Park which had recently opened called Filly’s Stable (www.fillyandmare.com.au). The second conception by Lena and Lauren, who also own the acclaimed Filly and Mare in Middle park, Filly’s Stable stocks slightly different items than her sister store.  At Filly’s Stable the stock has an international edge (included with the many Australian pieces) and the focus is on special covetable pieces.

What I love about Filly’s Stable is its’ fittings and surroundings, which continue the stable theme with beautiful wooden tables and vintage shelves. But there is nothing barn house about the pieces themselves which are all unique, from beaded bracelets to patent heels and fine merino knits.  Melbourne Fashionista spoke to Lena and Lauren the owners of Filly’s Stable about what they have bought recently both at the store and around Melbourne and which were their favourites…. 

Lolla polooza blue leather jacket $745
Lauren: I love this jacket, it is from Lolla Palooza which is a label that captures the flavour of South America. Debbie Cohen is an Australian designer but was born in Buenos Aires. Each piece is manually hand dipped in a 20 hour process to give it that individual effect. We sell quite a few of her pieces including her bags.

Little Cupcake, Red Velvet Cupcake $3.90 
Lena: I bought a cupcake from Little Cupcakes (www.littlecupcakes.com.au) recently. It was delicious. Little Cupcakes is a really cute cupcake shop in Degraves Street in the city ( Shop 7, Degraves Street, Melbourne 3000).

Green Pony V Neck Marino Knit $109
Lauren: Green Pony is a line produced by us. It is a combination of basics, v neck, crew neck, skivvy and ballet necks and also fashion highlight pieces like a cardigan which we have at the moment. We make it locally in Melbourne using 100% fine merino wool.

The Memory Keeper’s Daughter $29.95
Lena: I am reading this book at the moment by Kim Edwards. It is a book about parellel lives and family secrets it is a very compelling book.

Fillipa K striped knit $309
Lena: I love this knit. We only have a few left and I am going buy one for myself. It is a swedish label and they make beautiful stylish things.

Paul and Joe Leather Tote $109
Lauren: This tote is so handy, because it is so big you can just throw everything in and run. I love all the different colours it comes in.

Toy Watch, Fluro $359
Lena: According to Womens Wear daily and the New York Times this is the ‘it’ watch and must have accessory. We have them on the counter in a multitude of colours.

Filly’s Stable, 130 Bridport Street, Albert Park, Victoria 3207 phone 9686 1061
Filly & Mare, 15 Armstrong St, Middle Park, Victoria 3206 phone 9686 5500

According to the City of Stonnington’s website, Greville Street is a street ‘where anything is possible’. While this sounds corny, I do admit Greville Street in Prahran has always been one of my favourite Melbourne streets. If there was a street you could get anything you ever need it would be here. A little bit quirky and always fun Greville Street has designer shops, including Nicola, Jack London and ML Denim, music stores, including Greville Records, and great Cafes and Bars. Furthermore Magnation opened at the end of last year so the street is complete! I met a few lovely girls who were happy to have a quick chat.

Sally, 18, Student

I am just going for an wander around the area today. I am wearing Bardot jeans and my Jacket is from Purr at Myer. My scarf is from General Pants and my bag is from Arthur & Aston. My bag is my baby. I bought it from a department store in Paris. In Melbourne I like to shop at Bardot and Chadstone and I like getting my basics from Cotton On.

Giana, 25, Sales Assistant and boutique owner

I am wearing a Kookai skirt, cardigan, top and scarf today. My boots are from American Eagle from the States. I am working at Kookai today and I also own a boutique in North Melbourne called Memoirs (www.memoirsfashion.blogspot.com). We sell new, recycled and vintage clothing. We work on the motto that every garment or accessory we choose is special and unique and is waiting for its Cinderella! In Melbourne I like shopping on Brunswick Street and Chapel Street and Kookai and Memoirs of course!

Memoirs, 502 Victoria Street, North Melbourne 3051 

Dee, 27, Sales Assistant

I am on my way to work at American Apparel. I am wearing American Apparel shorts, tights and slouchy top. My blazer is a vintage kids tuxedo I found on ebay. I like items that are different and interesting so I shop a lot on ebay, at Savers and Salvos in the suburbs. I have found that certain suburbs have better Salvos than others, some tend to be more expensive. My gloves are from Sportsgirl and my boots are also from ebay and according to the seller they are ‘dead stock’ from the 70s. Dead stock is old stock which was never worn or used and supposedly these were from a warehouse.

To quote Frank Loesser, and his well known song  - Baby, it’s cold outside! I guess I really shouldn’t complain - after all Melbourne Fashionistas all got an extra hour of shut eye this morning.  But after the weekend’s weather, I went scurrying off for reinforcements, luckily there were plenty of options. Fingerless, long, short, tough and pretty, in Melbourne it seems there is a glove to fit any hand. For a tough and biker look, think John Bender from the Breakfast Club, try these from Bettina Liano, my personal favourite. Or for girly chic try Mimco’s pale pink driving gloves (for the more traditional these also come in black). Superlong (think leg wamers but for the arms) and oh so sweet are Alannah Hill’s ‘I’m Very Popular’ pair which also have a matching scarf.

As a homage to ‘The Farmer Wants A Wife’ - even though my sister has fought with me hard not to do this - I have put together farmer chic. Farmer chic or workman grunge has already been spotted on many celebrities including Ashley Olson, Sienna Miller and Michelle Williams. However what I love the most is it is a home grown Aussie look and RM Williams would be proud.
 
While many of us refuse to admit that we watch the show the ratings do not lie - many of you, me included were hiding away on wednesday nights refusing invitations or seting our recorders to watch The Farmer Wants A Wife. The last episode was on a couple of days ago so no longer will Natalie G grace our screens discussing the loves lives of Macca, Tim and Jenny to name a few.

My favourite is this leather brief bag by Melbourne label Agenda. I found it at Fokus, a hidden gem down Centre Place, a laneway off Flinders Lane. Fokus is ‘focused’ on real Melbourne style, selling sunglasses, accessories and jewellery all of which are primarily Melbourne made. This leather bag is made from genuine cow hide, a limited edition and stocked only at Fokus (www.fokusmelbourne.com.au ).
Fokus, 18 Centre Place, Melbourne 3000

What more could a girl ask for on a 30 degree day? Today I spent the day walking along High Street, Armadale and fondling beautiful clothes at Chambermaid and Lisa Ho. With its eclectic mix of bridal shops, antique stores and designer boutiques I always wonder how High Street’s surprising assortment of shops fit together so seamlessly and perfectly - but somehow they just do. The sun was out, Phillippas was packed with goodies and I sang to myself as I caught what might be one of the last beautiful days of Melbourne sun. I think most people were in a similar mood as I managed to photograph some Melbournites casually dressed and looking lovey.

Ayako, 25, Barister
I have recently finished school so I am looking for work as a Barister. My pants, shoes and cardigan are all from Japan. My top is from England. My bag is from Forever New. I love shopping at the city and Forever New of course!

Jenni, 20
I have to run as I have to go to work, I am babysitting today. I am wearing Sass and Bide shorts, a General Pants singlet and carrying a Witchery bag.

Stephanie, 24, Sales Assistant
I am working at Durance today. We sell beautiful french things such as the Durance en Provence range which include beautiful bath and beauty products and home fragrances (www.durance.com.au) The shop is filled with lillies so it smells beautiful. I am wearing a top by Petit Bateau a french label which we sell and a skirt from the op shop. My bangles are from Sports and Toys in Balwyn which is a toy shop and my scarf is from Country Road. My shoes are actually walking shoes from Rockport. The earrings  that I have on are dragonflies and I bought them here. The tattoo behind my ear is in the shape of a kiss!

Renee, 28, Photographer
I recently shot Thurley’s Winter 09 campaign (to see her photos see http://www.thurley.com.au/index.php?id=24 ). She is an amazing Melbourne designer, I think her collection is beautiful.  However today I have the day off, so my mum and I are having coffee and then we are going antique jewellery shopping. My pants are from San Francisco, my top is a vintage top from Hobo on Glenferrie Road, and my earrings were a gift from a friend.

You can’t go wrong with black and this winter is looking particularly black friendly. Team it with zips, studding, rivets, buckles and chains it is androgynous look wth an edge. Black boots are everywhere including this gorgeous pair from Zomp (www.zomp.com.au) by Fiorentini + Baker $895. While this pair is reasonable pricey it is really an investment - as you won’t need another pair this winter! I first spotted a pair on a particuarly well dressed sales assistant at  Zomp, and another told me she had a pair on layby. This leather look skirt from Lee Jeans is also winner. Ruffles and backless dresses are still going strong and this gorgeous dress from Indigo is divine! All I can say is have you ‘got any blacker??’