A few days ago I was lucky enough to speak to Dhini Pararajasingham, an amazingly talented and unique Melbourne designer of the label Dhini. Since being hailed by New York’s Surface magazine as one of the world’s five most promising designers Dhini’s name has been on the up and up. Stocked at some of Melbourne’s eminent and most discerning boutiques, Dhini’s covertable pieces are like wearable works of art. Known for her beautiful complex tailoring and seaming with a particular attention to fit and silhouette, when I dropped into her leafy studio she was tirelessly perfecting patterns with her team.

Melbourne Fashionista spoke to Dhini, about some of her favourite things.

Philippe Audibert, Ring

I have two pieces of jewellery that I am constantly wearing at the moment. One of them is this cocktail ring from Philippe Audibert a French designer. I bought it from Christine, a Flinders Lane boutique in the City. Her store is like a big aladdin’s cave with amazing things, and she stocks some of my designs too!

Body Shop, Lavender Body Lotion

I can’t live without this body lotion. I use it every morning when I get up. I often work 14-15 hour days and find the scent relaxing and comforting. I have super dry skin and this Body Shop product is very rich and moisturising. I searched everywhere to find a product which had a really unchemical natural scent.

Dhini, Drum Major’s Jacket

This jacket is from my Spring/Summer 09/10 collection and is inspired by an original american 70s high school marching band jacket. It is similar in some aspects to the original, however I have incorporated some of my signature elements which include complex tailoring. There are numerous pannelling details in the jacket and a double layer in the front. This is a signature characteristic of DHINI items - the placement of layer upon layer making a garment rich, complex and intricate. I sourced the braiding from a high end Japanese trim company called Mokuba. The brass buttons are from France and are replicas of an original millitary button.

Valentim Quaresma, Chain Necklace

This is the other piece of jewellery I can’t seem to take off at the moment. Valentim Quaresma is one of my favourite designers, I love his jewellery. He is a Portuguese designer and I bought this necklace from Bue on High Street in Armadale. I love what he does with found objects.

Kara Turner for Dhini, Tassle Shako

I collaborated with Kara Turner for the first time to make this hat. She is an emerging Melbourne milliner and a recent graduate from RMIT. I met her through an intern. The brief I gave her was to use the same braiding and military buttons as the marching jacket, as well as incorporate my signature double elements. Hence, the double brim on the hat.

Dhini, Asymmetric Jeans

Another signature of my work is deconstruction and reconstruction of classic pieces. These jeans epitomise this concept. I take a classic item, like a pair of jeans, evaluate and examine it and then reinterpreting it. By tilting the centrefront on an angle completely changes the appearance of the garment making it original and special. 

Dhini, Old Gold Silk/Tencel blend Jersey French Horn ‘T’

This top is also from my Spring/Summer 09/10 collection which I just showed at Rosemount Australian Fashion Week. It also comes in black, admiral and silver. It has the same millitary button on the back which ties in well with the rest of my collection. I like the stitching around the bust and jersey draping detail.

Images above are from Dhini’s lookbook, ‘New World Order’  her Spring/Summer 09/10 collection and in stores September. For stockists see www.dhinicouture.com . Her current range is in store now and also available online at closet princess.

It seems wonderfully indulgent when during all the talk of doom and gloom and the GFC (whenever someone says GFC I have to mentally process the information and explain to myself they must mean ‘global financial crisis’ - somehow this acronym just does not come naturally to me), Scanlan and Theodore have extended their Chapel Street shop front to encompass two stores.

As it just opened on Saturday, I had to pop in.

Luxurious, spacious and indulgent, the store is designed by Meacham Nockles McQualter who also did their beautiful High Street Armadale store. The aesthetic is the same, airy, light and luxurious but laid-back, perfect for the Australian customer. I love the camel leather lounging sofas and huge changing area - perfect for spending an afternoon playing with beautiful clothes and accessories.

However when I say, and accessories, I suppose I really should give them the credit they require and not just some little add on to a sentence.  The new store now has an accessories wall with exquisite one off handbags from Jamin Peuch and Givenchy and amazing necklaces from Ligia Dias and Florian just to name a few. Little glass cabinets scattered throughout the shop display other jewels like ancient recently discovered artifacts. As statement jewellery is the hot tip for the season I feel like I really must indulge.

Scanlan and Theodore, 566 Chapel street, South Yarra, Victoria, Australia, 3141,  61 3 9824 1800

Ah sigh, to be a beautiful illustrator!  It has always been a secret dream of mine that I have an undiscovered talent as an illustrator. I would work all day in a beautiful leafy studio in the garden sketching and drinking cups of tea from an old vintage china set, plus the added bonus of always winning family Pictionary games. Unfortunately this dream is unlikely to be fulfilled and is about as attainable for me as looking like Miranda Kerr.  

For Kelly Smith and Kelly Thompson this dream is a reality - well the beautiful illustrator part anyway. Both are fashion illustrators and use similar materials however with distinct and unique styles. Together they are exhibiting their work at the Per Square Metre gallery in Collingwood, in the aptly titled ‘A Tale of Two Kellys’ - a play on the combination of their similar subject matter, fashion, and names, Kelly.

Kelly Thompson is a New Zealand fashion photographer and illlustrator. You can see her work in the current Mimco print campaign and her work appears regularly in Karen, Yen and Pulp. Her work is quite edgy including sensual languid females with pouting lips.

Kelly Smith’s work on the other hand is soft and delicate. Her subjects are often models with perfectly sculptured cheekbones such as Erin Wassen, Jourdan Dunn and Carmen Kass, or a model sporting Balmain S/S 09. Using an accent of colour, sequins, ribbon or glitter aspects of the garment spring out from the page. Kelly Smith has illustrated for Vogue Australia, Shop Til you Drop and a recent magnificent collaboration for Cream.

The show runs for until 31 May 2008 at Per Square Metre Gallery in Collingwood.

Per Square Metre, 191-193 Johnston Street, Collingwood,Victoria, Australia +613 9417 7991

I returned to my old haunt today - Melbourne Uni. Things haven’t changed all the much - everyone was looking pretty casual. But amidst some of the tracksuit pants (boys mostly) I found some well dressed ladies.

Jessie, 22, Student 

My skirt is from American Apparel, my top is from an op shop and my cardigan is from the Australian wool factory. My boots are from Lisa Ho and my bag is by Mulberry.

 Grace, 18, Student

My jacket is by Hurley from General Pants, my tights are from TSL, I think, and I can’t remember where my t-shirt is from. My shoes are from France and my beanie is from the chemist.

Phuong,18, Student

I am wearing my old jeans from Jay Jays and a jacket belonging to my sister. I made my t-shirt myself. My shoes are Keds and my head scarf belongs to my mum. My beads are from Diva, I bought them years ago.

Nikola, 20, Student

My shoes and bag are from Wittner. My jacket is a hand me down and my dress is from Revival.

Yesterday I attended an afternoon tea with Nadia Pearse, the designer from Made in Donald. Kindly hosted by Blondes to Brunettes a hair salon on Prahran (who incidentally is a popular twitterer too,  four7nineonHigh), the day was an exciting day for clients of the salon involving pampering sessions and free hair cuts. From 4pm the stylists let their hair down after a busy day to join Nadia, sponsors and fashion types for organic wine and yummy canapes. Kristina Kukolja lead a question and answer session with Nadia, who spoke about her commitment to sustainable fashion and the problems with disposable fashion.

Nadia, 24, Designer

I am wearing one of my designs from my label Made in Donald. Not only is the label manufactured in the small country Victorian town, Donald, but also I was born in Donald - hence the name. My shoes are from Wittner and my bag is vintage. My jewellery is mostly vintage as well.

My label was recently shown at Loreal Melbourne Fashion Festival, in the Independent Runway show and it was a great success. At the moment Made is Donald is mainly made to measure but next season we will also be stocked in stores - for people who can’t wait for their own custom made piece. The philsophy behind the label is to make beautiful items using special fabrics. The pieces don’t just last one season but can be worn for years. By custom making pieces customers can have a garment exactly how they want it, for example to their required colour and fit. This makes the garment even more special. Fashion has become so disposable which is not sustainable.

Jacqui (right), 21, Shoe designer

I am wearing a dress from Reiss from overseas and a jacket from Forever New. I am wearing a pair of shoes from my label, Monette. They are called vivan. My shoes are being shown tonight with Nadia’s garments. We are stocked in a number of shops, including Design a Space and Apex both on Chapel street.

Anneliese, 24, Fashion Designer

I am wearing a dress from Sportsgirl. My bag is from a label called lollipop in Paris. I design for Marianna Hardick.

Valerie, 20 something, Freelance Writer

I am a freelance writer. I write regularly for on-line publications about beauty. I also have a beauty blog called ponikuta. My dress and top are from Witchery. My shoes are from Midas and my bag is from Louis Vuitton. My belt is from a little shop in the city.

Blondes to Brunettes, 479 High St, Prahran, 613 9521 1637

Remember the time when the residential milk bar around the corner was a treasure trove of exciting treats? Think mini sherbet straws 2 for 5 cents, wizz fizz and willy wonka nerds. Sedonia in Seddon is exactly the same - but for grown ups. I got a hot tip from Rachel, a local from the area, about this Seddon delight. I wish I had a local store with beautiful treats like this.

First opened nine months ago, Sedonia sits tucked away from the main street with an outlook of beautiful terrace houses. Stocked with women and children’s clothing, jewellery, accessories, homewares, toys and stationary, it is not surprising that owners Nicola and Inge have a background in fine arts. Their excellent eye is apparent in every item in the store, from the painted ceramic Australian scenes by designer Jo Luping to jewellery pieces by Pseudo Republik ,every item is a piece of art with an exquisite aesthetic. ‘The store’s concept is based around beautifully designed items and craft’ Nicole told me, ‘plus Inge and I love to shop’ she added.

The sun filled shop, has mostly Australian designed and locally made stock. The women’s clothing includes Spencer Lacy, Gorman, beautiful basics from Skin and Threads, Indigo and Gloweave’s vintage range. I fell in love with the little wooden cabinets filled with jewellery from Gretchen House, Victoria Mason and Elk Accessories to name a few.

The store also stocks Nicola and Inge’s own range, Friday. They named their range, Friday, after the day of the week when they would originally make their own resin jewellery.

If only every local corner store was like Sedonia.

Sedonia, 441, Gamon street, Seddon +613 9689 9368

In the words of Veruca Salt in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory ‘I want the world, I want the whole world, I want to lock it all up in my pocket, It’s my bar of chocolate, Give it to me now‘ - and when I say ‘it’, i mean a nice warm winter beret.

It must be the cold weather as I am channelling Veruca Salt at the moment and not in the best mood - it is not pretty. It is so cold and I need something snugly and warm to keep my ears toasty. Even my mouse hand is feeling the cold. Luckily I was somewhat mollified today as I found a huge variety of berets out there in Melbourne.

A great accessory, berets are cheap, stylish and easy to wear.  Even better you don’t need to do your hair. My favourite is the slouchy french connection, confection. Now all I need is something for my cold poor mouse hand. My man sent me this link today mouse hand warmer (I really must have been channelling Veruca this morning….)

Last week I visited the South Melbourne Night Market, Style After Dark (style after dark (part 1)),  a market held on Thursday nights in May. While I was there I also took some snaps of some crafty Melbourne types.

Charlotte, 29, Artist

I am wearing a skirt, scarf and jacket which I made myself. My shoes and are from England. My brooch is by Alfalfa Bunch from Made It. I am here today selling some of my art which includes brooches and cards with my illustrations on them see CserpentArt. 

Kate, 29, designer

My skirt is from a vintage store on Johnston Street which just closed down. My jacket is from Lush. My shoes are from Imagination, they have two shops in the city. I design and make toys and craft bettyandhamish.

(Actually one of Kate’s toys was featured in The Age’s M Mag last Sunday - ed).

Danielle (Left), 33, Designer

I am here tonight with my friend sellling our garments before I go overseas. My sweater dress is from overseas, my shoes are Camper (they were very popular and I think they sold out pretty quickly) and my bag is Mogil.

Does it say something about my reading material when the first thing that comes to my mind when I hear the word Danish is Princess Mary, Prince Frederik, possible marital problems and difficult mother in laws? Which in turn springs to mind a heated debate with my mother about whether Mary followed Frederik to Denmark subsequent to their meeting in Sydney (on second thoughts I think my mum might know more about Mary and Frederik’s courtship than my own….)

Luckily the only thing Princess Mary and Chapel Street boutique, Dansk (which means Danish), have in common are their origins. Opened just over month ago by Jannick Zester, Dansk is a nod to Jannick’s Scandinavian roots. In the fashion industry for almost ten years Jannick imported Danish label Minimum for three years to Australia. As a consequence he knows the Melbourne fashion consumer. Stocked with fashioniable, beautiful and quality Scandinavian clothing and accessories including D.Co Copenhagen boots, Dansk is certain to be popular amongst the Melbourne set.

A lot of love and care has been taken with the store, having a Nordic, highlands and eco friendly influence.  Recycled wooden crates act as store fixtures as well as the boots which include recycled rubber soles. Covering the walls are Scandanivian cities and towns such as Eland, Stockholm and Malmo, including Janick’s small home town, Blovstrod and the beautiful Danish sales assistant’s home town as well, Alborg. The fair isle knits, characteristic of the region and riding boots look like they belong, in the wooden panelling,  painted green trees and retro style chairs.

For men there are wonderfully funky skinny ties, duffle coats and vests. For women cuddly knits, including wool blend sweater dresses and beautifully cut winter jackets. Simple lines, classic design, and beautiful quality for a reasonable price.

I am taking my man here this weekend - his look definitely needs a good clean up you read it here first.

I might get a sweater dress too while I am at it.

Dansk, 113 Chapel Street, Windsor +613 9533 9134

Everyone was looking quite suity today on Little Collins Street - not that there is anything wrong with that - I used to wear one every day. I do think though the colder weather definetly brings out Melbourne fashion strengths, with plenty of scarves, layering and jackets.

Sophy, 46, Sales Assistant

I am wearing all Scanlan and Theodore. My boots are by Georgina Goodman and my jewellery is by R jewellery (Laurent Rivaud is the designer who also designs for Vivienne Westwood) and Costume National.

Sarah, 27, Personal Assistant

My skirt is from Review. My headband is from Diva, my bag is Aldo and my watch is Guess. I am not sure where my cardigan and top are from.  

Christina, 48, Investment Consultant

I am wearing a George Gross skirt, I am  not sure where my jacket is from. My shoes are from Nine West and my bag is by a New Zealand designer.