Last night I went to the Melbourne Spring Fashion Week Opening Party held at fortyfivedownstairs on Flinders Lane the City with my sister and camera in tow. Unfortunately I don’t think we were as glamorous as another pair of sisters…. Jessica Hart the official ambassador was there with her sister Ashley and her mum. All three of them were looking absolutely stunning.

Host of the evening was Rebecca Madden wearing a Ginger and Smart dress. She introduced Lord Mayor Robert Doyle who in turn interviewed Jess. Jess spoke about her love for shopping in Melbourne and its chic shopping laneways.

Jess had it all going on in the bling department in an Aurelio Costarella dress, huge cuff and studded bag.

However, she wasn’t the only one that was looking fab.

A MATERIALBYPRODUCT installation in the centre of the room demonstrated the close relationship between fashion and art at the event.

What an amazing start to a great week. Very exciting. How often is there a fashion week where  everyone can attend for a minimal fee and see great fashion available in store right now.  Sorry, just realised I am beginning to sound like a That’s Melbourne advertisement, I will have to stop now.

Melbourne Fashionista is always on the lookout for new ways to update a look with minimal outlay. Lately I have become quite obsessed with wrist adornment. After I saw Taylor Momson in September’s Teen Vogue my fixation with all things wrist related reached a whole other level  reaching the point where it was beginning to effect my life. Shopping expeditions and web searches began to revolve around the sole quest - wrist adornment.

I feel this name is appropriate as the namby pamby name ‘bracelet’ is just not big enough nowadays for the huge array of ‘bracelets’ available from chunky bangles, studded cuffs, leather straps and braided and beaded creations. Sure takes the humble friendship bracelet to another league huh?

photo of Taylor Momson from Teen Vogue.

How exciting! Just a reminder it is Melbourne Spring Fashion week next week. There are so many fabulous things happening from the Designer Series fashion parades, exhibitions and workshops. Plus numerous retail stores are holding events. Click on more at the end of the article to see a highlight of events.  To get the full program check out the That’s Melbourne website.

Yesterday Melbourne’s GPO Fashion at Altitude launched with a mini parade of the latest spring looks from Akira, Arthur Galan AG, Leona Edmiston, Lisa Ho and Melbourne’s GPO’s newest recruit - Manning Cartell. Part of Melbourne Spring Fashion week, the GPO will be hosting three fashion parades two of which have sold out already. So the only way to get to the remaining VIP show is to enter their online competition.

For the launch level one was transformed into retro salon inspired tea party.   The dresses were all extremely feminine and utterly desirable.

Kristina, wearing Lisa Ho (leopard print dress)

Jessica, wearing Manning Cartell (print dress)

Ruby, wearing Akira (ivory dress)

Ania, wearing Leona Edmiston (turquoise dress).

Head pieces supplied by Paris Kyne Master Milliner

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I have always been a massive fan of Ebony M. Everytime we walk pass, my boy employs a number of methods eg. Walking extremely quickly, starting a new and interesting topic of conversation (to distract me) or the more obvious, holding my hand and dragging me pass the shop. I love the huge array of French Sole ballet flats ranging from cheetah print to the more conservative quilted cream and black. A few months ago Ebony M had a full makeover, turning the store into a luxurious french boudoir with beautiful chairs and french music playing the background.

Exposed light globes hightlight the beautiful shoes on display.

What I love the most is the wall filled with Ebony M’s huge variety of French Sole ballet flats. I am always struck by a huge amount of indecision when I am at Ebony E and on occasions have left with empty hands (unbelievably) as I just cannot decide which pair to get.

Oh, there is a gorgeous chandelier too, but my photo didn’t turn out unfortunately. Oh well, I think I will just go back another day! (and get the zebra flats). I also love the books which act as little shelves for all the beautiful shoes. 

P.S. The heels are so so great too! Ebony M stocks Brazilian label’s Luiza Barcelos and Vincenza as well as other great shoe labels such as Nude, Pura Lopez and D.Co.

Ebony M, 2/238 Toorak Road, South Yarra, Victoria 3141, +613 9826 5773

On the weekend I went to the Alice Euphemia sale, which was kind of like going to an extremely glamourous person’s (perhaps a edgy magazine editor’s) garage sale. There was Commes Des Garcons, Easton Pearson, Tina Kalivas and much much more. A group of Alice friends got together to sell vintage and new clothing and footwear at fantastic prices. It was quite quite crazy in the tiny room so I had to take a regular breather outside. I caught a few extremely fashionable melbourne types during my breaks.

Katren, 19, Fine Arts Student

I am wearing All Saints boots I bought in London. My shorts from are Sass and Bide and my top is Zambesi. One of my necklaces I bought at the Camberwell Market the other I got as a present from a friend (see below).

Lauren, 25, Journalist

My pants are State of Georgia, my top is a Cotton On top I cut and my bag is Marc Jacobs. My runners are from K-mart and my turban is from Fat. My necklaces are from all over the place, for example my beads are from Africa and my chain is from a garage sale.

Brendan, 19, Animator

I am wearing a Margiela jacket, my jeans are Levis and my boots are vintage. 

Allison, 22, Student

I am wearing a Agent ninety-nine dress, a Preen scarf I bought from ebay and a Comme Des Garcons for H & M jacket.  My top is a vintage Escada top which I found for $5 at the Camberwell Market. My shoes are from London.

Louisa, 35, Photographer

I take photos for Footprintz. I am wearing a handmade skirt originally from India. My top is from Metallicus. My duffle coat is from Harem in Fitzroy and my boots from overeseas, in LA.

Jemma, 31, Chef

My dress is by Sunnygirl, my boots are from the here, the Camberwell market and my scarf is from overseas, Indonesia.

Kate, 23, Student

I am wearing a jacket from Retrostar. My skirt I got in Byron Bay, my hat is from the here actually (the Camberwell market) andmy bag is from Army Disposals.

I met Priyanka a little while ago when I was out and about in Melbourne. I was extremely impressed by her personal style - she was wearing a pair of the coolest pants I have ever seen which she had bought from an Arabian market overseas. So it was no surprise when I discovered that she worked as a Product Coordinator at Spencer & Rutherford.

She was very kind and spoke to me about working with accessories and about her experience at Spencer & Rutherford.

You have a girl’s dream job, working and playing with accessories. Tell me about what lead you to work at Spencer & Rutherford?

Having completed a degree in fashion and textiles in India, I worked in Dubai at British Home Stores, a high street chain store (think Marks and Spencer) in retail merchandising and buying. But my interests were really in design and patternmaking, so when an opportunity came up to move to Australia, I did. In 2002, I commenced at RMIT studying Product Development and Merchandising. After I completed my diploma,  I  studied Fashion Design and Production also at RMIT. The fashion industry in Australia tends to value work experience more than qualifications, whereas, comparatively, in India, they value education. So I thought it was important to cement my education as well as gather some good work experience.  It was difficult finding a job, being from overseas and not a permanent resident. Options were limited and it was twice as tough. However I was very lucky and found my current job at Spencer and Rutherford.

Where do you get your inspiration?

I get my inspiration from the internet. I also keep abreast of the latest fashion trends by reading current lifestyle and trend magazines as well as looking at fashion blogs.  I love fashion blogs as they are about real people and not one head to toe look. Normal people mix labels and looks creating their own individual style.

Some of my favourite sites are the Sartorialist ( www.thesartorialist.blogspot.com), Chictopia (www.chictopia.com) and Dripbook (www.dripbook.com). I like looking at Dripbook as it has the work of emerging artists.

See above a photo of the Spencer & Rutherford team at their 10th anniversary celebration this year

How many people are in the team at Spencer & Rutherford? How does the range get put together?

Spencer & Rutherford is a medium sized family owned business. The team consists of sixteen of us and it is really comfortable work environment. I love my job and have gained a lot of  experience regarding accessories and leather. Accessories is such a big industry and so important for a person’s look. You can really make a statement with your accessories.

Kim (Creative Director of Spencer & Rutherford) is a great mentor. We put the colours for the season together and then go and chose fabrics from suppliers. Fabric our main focus at Spencer & Rutherford. A lot of our inspiration comes from the fabric itself. I am a flamboyant person and I love colour in preference to plain black or beige.

Following our fabric choices we work together with some of our favourite basic shapes and also design new shapes for the next season.

We work with Italian leathers and beautiful fabrics from all over the globe. We have dabbled with french laces, swarovski crystals, embossing and hand embroidery.

I travel with Kim to China where we visit local markets, Trade Fairs and meet new suppliers. We also go there to see our manufacturers and oversee production.

Whose style do you admire?

Anyone can be my inspiration, I like Audrey Hepburn for her classic style,  Lady Gaga for her eccentricity and Lady Diana for her simplicity and her own personal style. Generally I have my own style though, I like to create my own individual look. However I do adore anything by Romance was Born. I like Zac Posen too.

Which is your favourite piece in the Spencer & Rutherford Spring/Summer Into the Wilderness range and why?

I love the Sara for its beautiful shape and good handles (see above) - I think it really attracts the eye. I like the Tinkerbell in green because of the swarovski crystals and also because it is so versatile (see image 2 of the Into the Wilderness shots below) . It can be a day wallet  and a great night clutch. I love the Marie bag (see right) because of the fabric and also because it is nice and big. I use it as a work and gym bag.

Do you have a Melbourne fashion secret you are willing to reveal?

I really like MYL off Bourke Street Mall, they have great stuff. I also love Shag as they always have interesting things, and Romance was Born ofcourse.

Images below are from Spencer & Rutherford’s Into the Wilderness campaign which has just come into store.

What an amazing response! I feel so sad that I can’t give a ticket to everyone who entered (I am so sorry!). Melbourne Fashionista has been doing too much shopping lately to shout tickets to all of you who entered. All I can say is you can rest assured that due to the immense popularity of the draw strict adherance was taken to ensure the draw was extremely fair (not that I don’t always).

The winners are Rachel M, Monica B, Meaghan S, Jen B and Elizabeth F.  Double passes are in the mail!

Kerrylee 24, Teacher

I am wearing a Jacket from Harry and Gretel a shop in Leederville, Perth. My dress is from Kookai and my hat is from Alannah Hill. My boots are from Zu and my bag was a present from a friend.

Steph, 21, Student

Almost everything I am wearing is from Sportsgirl - I work there, except my snake bracelet which is from Diva.

Myra, 16, Student

My boots are from Zomp, my top I got in Japan and my knitted dress is from a little shop here along Chapel, sorry I can’t remember the name!

Check out some shots from the Lead a Double Life campaign from Visit Victoria. You can check out the full commercial here (very beautiful!).  The television commercial kicked off a couple of days ago. Featuring Isabel Lucas, the advertisement explores the Daylesford and Macedon Ranges region with Lucas looking ethereal by day while strolling through the countryside. Makes me desperately want to go to Daylesford, with the advertisement showing the romantic landscape with an Autumnal feel.

The Double Life aspect involves Lucas reflecting on her decadent night before, with a full feast designed by chef and owner of The Lakehouse in Daylesford.  I love the scene of her scoffing berries at night with her hands and stuffing her face (might be something to do with the fact that it reminds me somewhat of yours truly’s own eating habits).

images from news.com.au

With extensive investigative work I have found out what she was wearing during the shoot, however it is not overly helpful as it is not possible to purchase either! Her white dress was made for her by stylist Jodie Fried, the evening dress was from a private vintage collector in Sydney and made to fit Isabel. Sorry to dangle beautiful dresses which cannot be purchased! All I can say is Thurley, Colette Dinnigan, Fleur Wood and Alannah Hill all have beautiful dresses with a similar feel.

1. Thurley 2. Alannah Hill 3. Collette Dinnigan 4. Fleur Wood

Incidentally Fleur Wood’s online store launched last month and if you order anything before the end of the week you can get 15% off.