Super Cool. and Digging for Gold.

Check it out, all you super cool men out there and cutting edge females. I am totally digging Frances Rose Is…’s Digging for Gold collection. Think hipster ties, super cool cravats and western-style-with-an-edge tie pins. Just launched the label has only just made it into a couple of stores in old Melbourne (so your best bet is to contact them directly at this early stage), but I am sure we are likely to see much more of Frances Rose Is… Oh and by the way - you should definitely visit their website, the campaign seems to be channelling Brandon Flowers, The Killers and their Sam’s Town album….need I say more…. hot.

This very first collection by designer Amy Gopperth is inspired by the television series Deadwood, and is the Old West meets the Dandy in a modern world, with unique neckpieces and tie-pins which are hand crafted using one off, high quality fabrics and precious metals.

Amy’s has an extensive background in Visual Communication Design (Illustration) and Fine Art (Jewellery and Metals) so with many years of study, work and travelling behind her, she decided to settle down and plan her label. A year in the making the pieces are exquisitely made

I say contact Frances Rose Is… now and get a one of kind extremely special piece for yourself or a man friend. You/He will look hot…

Pieces retail from $55 to $350.

Frances Rose Is… contact@frances-rose-is.com +61404 296 253

Sorry Melbourne girls this little gem I found in Fremantle, Perth while I was there recently. Hidden at the back of the New Edition book shop is the Fremantle brach of Fi and Co a delightful store filled with vintage treasures and new special pieces.

I was immediatelly attracted to the book store which is in a beautiful old building, formerly the Fremantle bank branch. I also admit the gorgeous white fitted bodice dress also caught my eye.

Amongst the deco style book store, Fi and Co sits enticingly at the back of the store and if you venture further within into the bowels of former bank vaults you can find further treasures.

Fiona, ‘Fi’ the owner has found the perfect delicate balance between new finds from both overseas and locally and colourful vintage pieces. There are two jewellery cabinets filled with beautiful pieces - I got a gorgeous vintage style Peter Lang necklace! Appropriately the fashion and shoes books from New Edition sit together with Fi and Co’s gorgeous dresses (see below).

Likewise littered throughout the store some of Fi and Co dresses sit with the books.

I might go back to Fremantle just for another shop. Bring on the cheap airfares!

Fi and Co, 82 High Street, Fremantle  (At the back vaults of New Edition Bookshop)

I was in sunny Perth a week or so ago and it was 38 degrees….it was a bit of a shock to my melbourne system to be honest. Gasp! Horror! The light…the sun….OMG are those my legs? I took a few photos of some gorgeous Perthies with whom I glowed pearly white in comparison.

As promised I said I would share some of the beautifully dressed individuals at Chitra’s Spring Soiree! Thanks to all the lovely people below who posed for a photo.

Anna (left)

I am wearing a dress and cardigan from Clara Fox, she has a great store on St Georges Road.

Cat (right)

I am wearing a Venus Vixen skirt and my top was a gift from Chitra. My feather headpiece is by Sydney milliner, you can buy and order her stuff from Chitra’s store.

Sharlene

I am wearing a vest from Topshop. My top is Willow and my pants are Chitra’s pants!

Jacinta

I am helping Chitra today. I am wearing a fairy costume which I made myself.

Cimone

Most of my stuff is from the op shop. My hat is from this little french store in South Melbourne, near the markets. My shoes are from Kinki Gerlinki.

Oh I am I got a snap of the  Joelle Moran Trio looking particularly dapper.

Gabrielle (left)

I am wearing a dress from the states, you can buy their stuff on line at www.pinupgirlclothing.com.

Catrina

I am wearing a Stop staring dress and a pair of Scanlan and Theodore shoes.

Once upon a time in a small Thailand town there lived a little girl who loved pretty things. She dreamt of vintage brocade, extravagance and colour and contrast. So when she moved to Australia she opened a little shop on Victoria Street. One day she grew too big for her little store and had to move to Sydney road where she still lives today. The little girl was Chitra, Chitra of Chitra’s Closet!

Yesterday Chitra Manga staged another one of her fabulous fairytale shows complete with a dreamy Jazz band the Jolene Moran Trio, a wonderland theme, extravagant fashion show with choereographed models and a Michael Bubble singing, cha cha dancing  fairy godmother host. ‘I just wanted something spring related and wonderful, a Chitra in Wonderland and for all my customers to by happy and enjoy themselves’. Chitra told me.

Demonstrative of her increasing popularity Chitra has plans for a another store to a open in January at 159 Elgin Street Carlton.

Models paraded the checker board runway in a garden enclosure with teacups resting on the side. The frocks, skirts and tailored pants were feminine (ofcouse!) with bows, rufffles and beautiful fabrics - something Chitra is famous for. With Elaine Forwarder millinery and accessories all available at Chitra’s Sydney Road store the beautiful clothes on display were as delectable as the tiny pink cupcakes available for Chitra’s attendees.

Above Marika, Pitra (Chitra’s fairy godmother) and Chitra.

We even got to see the fairy godmother get some ‘fairy godmother action’ on the catwalk with a gentleman.  So while this concludes the fairytale, I promise I will post some photos of the beautiful attendees all decked out in their spring finery tommorrow!

Chitra’s Closet, 97 Sydney Road, Brunswick, Vic +613 9387 3135

Well, if you are fishing for a gorgeous frock is can be found at Who fish. I went to their cocktail party the other night and was innundated with frocks galore, and shoes and accessories too. I took a few snaps of gorgeous attendees and staff, some wearing Rebecca Thompson (host for the night) and Zimmermann.

Who Fish, 497 Malvern Road, South Yarra VIC 3141 +613 9824 2763 and 191 Carlisle Street, Balaclava, VIC 3182 +613 9531 4299

Natalie, 23, Student

I am wearing a Lover dress, Repetto shoes, Chanel bag and a hat and belt from Savers.

Annabel, 21, Student

I am wearing an Leona Edminston dress which I cut.

Rosie, 24, Retail

I am wearing a hat which I bought in New York, my friend’s jumper and RM Williams boots.

Crystal, 19, Student

I am wearing a Natasha Gan top, Manning Cartell jacket and shorts from Lover. My bag is from Dior and my shoes are Chanel.

Fenella, 24, Retail

I am wearing a Country Road dress and a ballet top. My tights are from a shop in the city.

Zoey, 20. Student

I am wearing Moschino trench , Zara skirt and American Apparel top.

Welcome to my Friday treat (Happy Friday!). A couple of days ago I got to speak to Jolet Ucchino, the designer behind the innovative Melbourne label Jolet. Featuring beautiful tailoring with one of kind silhouettes and highly individual pieces I was intrigued to find out where these shapes came from. I wasn’t surprised to find out that Jolet has a background in graphic design with a honours degree in graphic design- that explains her finely tune eye for balance and shape.

I spoke to Jolet about her new summer range, her background and her favourite pieces….

Tell me a bit what path led you to starting your Label, Jolet ?

I started the label after completing a clothing production course at Box Hill Tafe in June of last year. Prior to that, I completed an Honours degree in Graphic Design at RMIT. I couldn’t stand the idea of working in front of a computer all day, every day, so I decided to change direction and use my design skills in fashion instead. 

JOLET the label, (pronounced ‘Yolette’) has a signature style that plays with edgy, sophisticated design, clever tailoring and quirky details. It may be my graphic design background that has instilled in me a constant pursuit for the perfect balance of originality and practicality. Garments are versatile, sculptural and comfortable with special attention to high quality fabrics. I strongly believe in supporting locally made product and the local manufacturing industry (what’s left of it) therefore all the garments are Australian made, mostly in Melbourne.

What inspired your spring/summer 2009 range ‘Ode to Innocence’ ?

Ode to Innocence pays tribute to a time when the heart was untainted and full of romantic optimism. Anything was possible. I use soft, circular shapes repeated throughout the range to reflect a shy femininity. Whist ice blue, the highlight colour of the collection, symbolises buoyancy and youthfulness.

My favourite piece would have to be the high waisted Farrah Skirt. It’s so flattering to wear and the scalloped panels make for an interesting feature. It’s a piece that’s versatile and can be worn as a casual summer skirt to the beach or a spunky skirt out at night. Another favourite of mine is the Blade dress. In particular, it’s the sculptural shoulders and hip detail that create a contrast to the soft and draping viscose body.

You pieces and ranges are so individual and a little bit quirky, tell me about where you get your ideas?

Designing is a very emotive and introspective process for me. I often design to express emotions and feelings and tend to design a range entirely on how I may see myself at the time.  Another influence is people. Random people I may come across or meet. Often people with a unique style or quirky personality will inspire me.

Tell me a bit about the Jolet girl who is she?

The Jolet girl is creative, intelligent and quietly confident. She can be flirtatious and cheeky. She’s sometimes shy, and quiet in crowds. She’s inspired by the avant-garde and appreciates subtleties in design and timelessness. She seeks to express her own sense of style with edgy sophistication.

Jolet is stocked in the following Melbourne boutiques. Eliana - Balaclava (03) 9527 6275, Lupa - Northcote (03) 9481 1614, Eliana Design - St Kilda (03) 9534 1458, Monk House Design - East Brunswick (03) 9381 1191 and Pussycat Black - Brunswick (03) 9387 2129.

Break out the bubbly!  Memoirs a gorgeous little boutique in North Melbourne is holding a fashion bonanza - their first ever fashion event! Think a fashion show, make overs (by Gorgeous Cosmetics), discounts from fashion labels, finger food, music from DJs and more…. at the Precinct. Plus you get to see Amber Renae from Project Runway who will be hosting the event.

If you haven’t already been to Memoirs, you should, it is a cozy little hidden gem of a store selling new and recycled high end fashion with special pieces from overseas and local designers. In line with their namesake at Memoirs every piece is painstakingly chosen with the intention of creating timeless ‘memoirs’. I love the girls’ devotion to their customers and finding them their special piece.  Check them out at Memoirs, 502 Victoria Street, North Melbourne, VIC 3051.

 Date: Saturday 24 October 2009
Time: 6.30 til late
At: Precinct, 525 Little Lonsdale, Melbourne.
Tickets: $ 25 Purchased either in Memoirs or e-mail: vainjanescloset@gmail.com or call 61393288131 / 0406189783

Cute photo of memoirs from their blog!