Neon Hart - Jessica Hart’s line for General Pants

New York based Melbourne model Jessica Hart has announced that she will be designing a line for retailer General Pants, Neon Hart. In stores next year, part of the proceeds will be going to Children’s Charity Destiny Rescue. By the way, check our her blog - I am currently obsessed with her style - think Alexander Wang, Balmain bags and Helmut Lang. Sigh! If only I had her wardrobe….. oh, and was a gorgeously tall, skinny and blond.

’til you drop shopping -a Melbourne History

This State Library of Victoria exhibition will run from 11 December 2009 - 31 October 2010 (and is free!) . ’til you drop shopping -a Melbourne History celebrates Melbourne’s passion for shopping. from the Paris end of Collins Street to the local corner store.  The exhibition explores Melbourne’s social history by revealing our shopping habits from early settlement to today. The exhibition celebrates how and why Melburnians love to shop and reveals the indulgent side of shopping - the exclusive stores, luxury goods and seductive advertisements that feed our addiction to pleasure and style. Items on display range from a 19th-century cash register to ephemera such as wartime ration cards and Buckley & Nunn shopping receipts. It also features many classic photographs that evoke Melbourne’s changing style over the last century. A little birdy told me that MATERIALBYPRODUCT is involved too.

Fawn Sale

Well as you all know I love a bargain (doesn’t everyone?), so I’ll be hurrying along down to Greville street after work as Melbourne label Fawn has teamed up with Runaway Lovers and Paperdaisy to bring to you a fabulous sale - starting TODAY. A little insider birdy told me items are going at red hot prices - also I got a little peek at some of the pieces that are going to be available and to quote the Black Eyed Peas ‘I gotta feeling that tonight’s gonna be a good night’. If you’re lucky enough to not be working today, I say pop on down when it opens at 11am this morning.

Thread Den - North Melbourne Market Day

Gee I am just totally full of Melbourne activities for this weekend aren’t I? Due to its overwhelming success, Thread Den are hosting their second ever North Melbourne Market Day. On this Sunday the 15th November, there will be over 60 stalls featuring vintage clothing, indie designers, handmade toys, stationery, textiles, homewares and home-baked treats, making it a great spot to pick up special Christmas gifts (for the organised among us) or something for yourself. Held undercover at the Lithuanian Club on Errol St, doors open at 10am. $2 entry.

Sunday November 15, 10am-2pm @ The Melbourne Lithuanian Club 44 Errol St, North Melbourne.

Tightology

Just launched 4 months ago, TIGHTOLOGY, a Melbourne based business creating a range of organic, Melbourne made footless tights and knee highs, is going great guns. They already have over 38 stockists (Victoria, NSW, Tasmania and QLD). Their passion about design and the environment must be resounding in the hearts of Melbournians I think.

Portmans by camilla and marc

Oohhh just a little reminder that the launch of Camilla and Marc’s capsule collection for Portmans is in store tommorrow at our friend Chaddy. In distinct Camilla and Marc fashion the range is a little bit girly, a little bit cool and all so wearable. Comprised of 8 dresses and 2 jacket styles, the styles include one shouldered frocks, feminine tulles, and tailored jackets. The limited edition collection is only available at Portmans Chadstone Melbourne, Portmans Glasshouse Sydney and Portmans Queens Plaza Brisbane.

Chintra’s Closet’s Stupendous Spring Soiree  

Just to further reinforce my sharing and caring mood this morning I had to let everyone know that Chintra’s Closet is having one of her ‘fabulouso’ fashion shows! If you want a little piece of Chintra’s romance and fantasy in your life you should get a ticket, her shows have been sell out shows in the past so get in quick.

Incu and Topshop and Topman

Oh, and if you live under a rock and haven’t already heard Topshop is coming to Incu in Sydney and not us unfortunately. It is comments galore in the blogosphere with indignation sounding in the hearts of Melbournians. I myself am not too fussed - its all online anyhoo…

topshop and topman photos from thevine.com.au

 Ooohhh sale…. and how can a girl can’t resist a good sale? Not me for sure.

Bettina Liano is having a huge warehouse clearance sale at a temporary store, 210 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, commencing this Friday 18 September 2009 for two weeks. A little birdy has also told me that the O jean range and samples will be available too!

While I like to think I am not a slave to celebrity fashion - just because Rachel Bilson is wearing blah blah blah doesn’t mean I have to buy it - I have to confess a small part of me does get quite taken in by it all. It doesn’t hurt to get some ideas, I suppose, celebrities do often have greater access and hence knowledge about what is new and cool . So I thought I would share these photos which were sent to me of Rachel Taylor spotted in Sydney a couple of days ago carrying a Rachael Ruddick Yorktown Messenger Bag in Buff Watersnake.

Rachael Ruddick is based in Sydney and together with her team create beautiful luxurious fashion accessories from Australian leathers. Check out her site - what beautiful bags, cuffs and bracelets, sigh! 

Photos from Racheal Ruddick’s site.

Bettina Liano Spring/Summer 2009/10

Reconstruct the Power is the name of Bettina Liano’s Spring Summer collection, think glamourpuss 80s with sharp sexy lines - I think it sizzles!

Lady Petrova

After trading for the last two years as LADY, Petrova Hammond has changed her trading name to Lady Petrova , to move with the evolution of her label and Flinders Lane boutique. She has also re-launched her website at ladypetrova.com. Check it out.

Thread Den presents Killer Queen

I wrote about Thread Den a little while back here when they had their store refit (one of the most original places in town I think!). For Melbourne Spring Fashion Week they strike again with an original take on a fashion show unveiling their spring/summer collection in a theatrical performance complete with dancers, strings and opera singers. The show will take place over two evenings in September at North Melbourne’s Lithuanian Club.  The cast comprises of members of the Melbourne Ballet Company and contemporary dancers who will showcase couture and ready-to-wear pieces by emerging local designers. Futhermore at the afterparty guests can mingle with designers, rub shoulders with the cast, and browse through the vintage-inspired, locally designed pieces.

‘Killer Queen’ will be held at the Lithuanian Club at 44 Errol Street, North Melbourne on Friday and Saturday 4^th and 5^th September. Tickets are $12 plus booking fee and are available at Thread Den:  16 Errol Street, upstairs via Webb Lane, North Melbourne or by phoning (03) 9329 5305.

Eduardo Calucag

Melbourne based designer Eduardo Calucag launched his spring/summer show 09/10 at RAFW to a great response. You can check out his recently uploaded sophisticated and elegant summer collection online at his site which will be in stores early September. I am particularly fond of the strapless silver jumpsuit and pretty polka dot dress. Stockists can be found on his site.

Sienna Miller

Sienna Miller spotted on the weekend in Sydney at Bondi Icebergs in a Scanlan & Theodore jacket‏. In the words of Black Eyed Peas - ‘gotta get-get‘ . She is in town promoting her new film, G.I. Joe: The Rise of the Cobra.

The September Issue

Tickets to the Melbourne International Film Festival screening of The September Issue on 7pm, Saturday, August 1, Greater Union Theatre have sold out.  To watch the trailor click here.  Don’t stress the film will be released on 20 August 2009 in cinemas, Palace Como, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace George, Nova and Kino. A documentary which follows the most powerful woman in fashion in the lead up to the most important issue, the September issue apparently makes for compelling viewing.

p.s. I might have a little treat in the works for this one - stayed tuned.

I got sent this flyer from Alice Mccall’s office and thought I might generously share the details of the Alice Mccall sale on tommorrow and Saturday!

As a bit of an Alice Mccall fan from way back - remember her delectable debut collection with the bow belts and the following summer and the frenzy that the Love is a drug dress created? - I always love her sales, especially her samples. You never know what kind of gems you can find!

White Suede

Shopping at White Suede yesterday I saw these amazing Rings Eclectic rings. White Suede is the only stockist of these rings in Australia which have been written about in Vogue and Harper Bazaar in the UK and US. These resin based cocktail rings are $199 each and decorated with swarovski crystals.

Bonds

Ruby and her three best friends styled themselves for the latest Bonds shoot, You, Your Tee, Your Style (see below) to encourage Australians everywhere to enter pictures of themselves wearing tees with their own unique twist, for their chance to star in the new Bonds Summer outdoor ad campaign - to enter people should upload their own individual and stylised images on www.bondstees.com.au. 

Sportsgirl

Sportsgirl have launched their new website. Posed to be a one stop shop with blogs, gossip, a forum and fashion news.

Megan Park

Melbourne designer Megan Park has recently launched her home collection, Spring/ Summer 10. With her womenswear collections known for its intricate embroidery and classic styling her Spring/Summer 10 home collection, which includes wraps, throws and cushions are like luxurious works of art. Megan’s textile background is evident in each piece with hand stitching from West Bengal, Turkish inspired embroidery and Romanian thread work combined with Japanese beads. The theme is global trotting with vibrant bursts of citrine, petrol and raspberry. Megan Park is available in Victoria at Domain Living, Husk, Mac Pelican, Moss, Safari Living, Saunders and King and Three Oh Two Willows.

Arnsdorf

Jade Sarita Arnott of Melbourne label Arnsdorf has recently launched her online store with her AW09 ‘The Dawn’ collection (click here). Her recent show ‘And You Love’ at RAFW ss 09/10 has her touted by Vogue Australia as a  ’young gun’ and ‘one to watch’ and according to Loren Abood at Bloodorange (a Sydney boutique)  Arnsdorf’s jersey skirt is a wait list prediction. 

New Menswear Label

Melboure based retail chain Bardot has announced the launch of a new menswear label called James Marlon. Available in selected fashion boutiques from August, while the brand is a separate venture from the Bardot chain, Bardot’s denim and casual wear expertise will give it a good headstart.