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.

Whenever I am on High Street, Armadale, a must visit is Arabella Ramsay. One of the most gorgeous shops on the street, her store is a little bit whimsical and a little bit cool all at once. There are always at least three things I want to get, however generally I want to buy the whole store!

Last week I was a lucky girl and got to visit her at her beautiful terrace house and talk about what she had bought recently….

Vintage Patchwork Jacket

I just got back recently from India where I was working on my leather collection. My leather pieces are always so popular so I thought I might put together a capsule collection with leather clothing pieces. While I was there the grandmother of the owner one of the factories I work with took me shopping. I asked her to take me somewhere to find vintage pieces, so she took me to a secret back street lined with people selling antique clothes. This antique jacket/vest is quilted. I am always on the lookout for beautiful vintage pieces as I sell them at my store on High Street, Armadale.

Yves Saint Laurent, Satchel Bag

While I was away I also bought this Yves Saint Laurent satchel bag in Dubai. It is a beautiful worn leather which I love. It is such a great shape and size - not too big. There were some great sales in Dubai while I was there - this bag was half price! My cousin who was with me bought it as well in black patent.

Junya Watanabe, Comme Des Garcons MAN, Wool Hat

I bought this hat while I was in Sydney, it is a great bowler style. I don’t buy a lot of things while I am here in Melbourne, I tend to get things from my store. So while I am away I like to have a look around. It was sitting in the display cabinets in Assin and looked great. It is made in the Czech Republic.

White Vintage Top

I got this white vintage top from a friend. We swapped some pieces from each other’s wardrobes. It is from the 70s I think. It will be great in the summer with denim shorts and sandles.

Arabella Ramsay, Leather Jackets

These leather jackets just came into store and will be in my pop-up store which I will be opening in the CBD in a few weeks. I can’t decide which I like more - you can’t go wrong with a leather jacket. The black is quite classic and the brown is a little bit different. I wear them all the time. My wardrobe is slowly becoming solely made up of leather jackets and nothing else!

Balenciaga, Flat Sandles

I bought these while I was in Dubai as well, also on sale. They have awesome sales - and you don’t have to pay sales tax.  I think Nicholas Ghesquiere is a great designer.

Vintage, Indian Skirt

While I was at the antique market in India I also bought this skirt. The embroidery and mirrored detail is beautiful. I think this skirt would look great over jeans.

Haruki Murakami, Norwegian Wood  and What I talk about when I talk about running

I literally just bought these two this afternoon from Avenue Bookstore. I read Kafta on the Store while I was overseas and really enjoyed it. Haruki Murakami is a really quirky writer and writes just  how you think.  

Arabella Ramsay, Leather Brogues

These brogues are from my store. They are a men’s style. I wear these with a summer dress and sweater. I like to mix masculine and feminine looks. By wearing these brogues with a dress, it is not too girly.  

The below images are from Arabella Ramsay’s spring/spring collection May West in store now.

Arabella Ramsay, 1073 High Street, Armadale

Guess what? I have a lovely surprise. Rebecca Young, a gorgeous melbourne fashionista I have met in my travels has agreed to contribute to Melbourne Fashionista beginning with writing a review on last night’s Melbourne Spring Fashion Week Design Series Show 3. Rebecca has plenty of fashion credentials designing for her accessories label Bobby met Whitney, styling shoots and writing about, what else… fashion. As a kid she used to curate her own fashion shows for a sycophantic audience of immediate family and kindly neighbours.  As an adult nothing much has changed, she is still obsessed with all things fashion. In her words she is ‘essentially still playing in the dressing up box’. After living in London for 8 years she is going to share some of her adventures…

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.

Last week I got to talk to Sophie Tran the owner of the gorgeous on-line accessories store Coco Kitten (You should check it out guys!) . Coco Kitten has a multitude of gorgeous leather handbags, clutches and wallets (and don’t forget jewellery too) so I was quite interested to hear all about it from her.

Sophie took some time out from her hectic day to share some behind the scenes info on Coco Kitten, her love for accesories and juggling her business and family.

Tell me a bit about yourself - what led you to open Coco Kitten?

I come from a marketing background working full-time as a Brand Manager for a services marketing company (see  right a picture of Sophie wearing her Fleur wood maxi and vintage earrings from her site) . Whilst working full-time as a Brand Manager, I embarked on what began as a passion and hobby which developed into a small successful online business.

The main driver of starting Coco Kitten was out of frustration when I noticed such an increase of horrible mass produced products flooding in from Asia with little attention to quality which I really hate. Not only was I finding it difficult to actually decide on buying something the price was quite expensive for what it was.

It has always been my dream to be a business owner and I thought what better way to fulfill that dream by doing something that I’m great at and particularly love and enjoy - SHOP. I commonly joke to my partner that this business is perfect for me as I’m very good at ‘buying things’

The aim of Coco Kitten is to bring beautiful high quality designs to women at an reasonable price, hand picking gorgeous items and putting them in the one place to especially help time poor corporate women and mothers who don’t always have time to shop.  I want people who visit the store to think ‘that’s exactly what I was looking for’!

What is your philosophy behind Coco Kitten?

Everything that I stock in store has to embody the Coco Kitten brand, which symbolizes simplicity, confidence, class and effortless style. I like people to get their moneys worth so I like to choose things that can be worn with anything and for many years to come!

I decide on what to stock by going back to classic designs that are timeless which is usually versatile and can be incorporated into any wardrobe, which makes the buying decision easy and simple. I like to incorporate basic classics with items from the latest trends. I also have a group of girlfriends who are shopaholics, so I get ideas and inspiration from them as well as Melbournians around me who are some of the trendiest people in the world. When thinking about my whole store concept, I wanted it to have a classy sophisticated feel that gives women a simple stress free shopping experience.

Tell me about your personal style?

My personal style is the ‘less is more’ philosophy. I like things to be balanced and not too over the top, I love simple clean lines, beautiful detailing and high quality fabrics. I usually wear simple designs and accessorise with pieces that stand out or make a statement. One of my favourite items is my much-loved round turquoise drop earrings (see above right) that always adds a little something to my all black outfits. I love Australian designers, Willow, Sass & Bide, Camilla & Marc, Nicola Fenetti, White Suede, Kirrily Johnston, Morrisey, Wayne Cooper, Alex Perry just to name a few.

How do you juggle having a baby and your own business?

Experienced mothers always say to new mothers as a word of advice ’sleep when he does’ in my case I work when he is sleeping. I have been fortunate that my son is a very good sleeper. Loving what I do also plays is a major part in being able to juggle everything, when you are passionate about what you do it never feels like work.  I think that is a luxury and blessing in itself.

5. What is your favourite item in store at the moment? why?

My favourite item in store right now is the Sam handbag (see left), it reminds me of the 1920’s fashion era which I love. This bag would have belonged to a sophisticated high-powered journalist.

6. What is your top tip for accessories this summer?

Hems above the knee, bracelets and big cuffs are a must and the strappy sandals are back.

www.cocokitten.com.au

The Carrie leather bag Melbourne Fashionista’s personal favourite I like to think I am a little bit like her - but doesn’t everyone!

Walking into Kathryn Baulch’s (House of Baulch) workroom made me clap my hands with glee (which I quite literally did). Her workroom is a beautiful light filled room with original floorboards and shelves with design books and magazines. Numerous little drawers filled with chains, clasps, beads and trimmings in a multitude of colours, textures and shapes reminded me of a grown up version of the local lolly store. On the opposite wall, her current range and past ranges are displayed pinned to large boards and sitting enticingly underneath are her amazing bags. I did not know where to look first. Behind her computer sits a wall filled with colourful tears and samples.

Kathryn herself is an inspiration, when she came running to the door to greet me she was like a burst of colour. Her dress was covered with splashes of colour and her sparkly green leggings perfectly matching her glittery 80s eyeshadow. When I spoke to her about her Loreal Fashion Festival Parade (earlier this year) she came running out with some of her couture pieces, putting them on and modelling each piece, some around the waist and putting headpieces on her head. If I didn’t feel so bad about bothering her during a busy week I might have stayed there the whole afternoon playing with all her amazing jewellery and handbags.

Kathryn is creative director and designer of House of Baulch a Melbourne based jewellery, bags and accessories label.  House of Baulch was launched in 2007 and has been highly coveted since. Prior to this Kathryn, (who is trained in fine art) spendt 5 years as the jewellery designer for Mimco nurturing its jewellery to become the signature part of the brand it is today.

I spoke to her earlier this week about what her favourite things were at the moment…

House of Baulch , Couture Headpiece, Price on application

This headpiece is from the parade I had in March at the Loral Melbourne Fashion Festival. The parade was quite theatrical and a mixture of my more wearable items and also some couture pieces. I made the couture pieces specifically for the show and it gave me an opportunity to really extend myself without the usual commercial constaints. This couture headpiece sits on the head and also attaches to the ears. Quite a few of my couture pieces from the show have been used for various things, for example Boy Plus Girl a Melbourne electro pop duo have used the pieces in their new film clip.

Patrick Nagel Book, foreword by Elena G Millie

Patrick Nagel is a graphic artist from the eighties. He did the cover work for Duran Duran’s album Rio which I grew up with in the eighties. I found it really difficult to find a book on him and have been looking for ages. I finally found this book on ebay from America. I am really into eighties art and airbrushing art.

Eighties Sunglasses

I bought these ages ago from an op shop. They are genuine original eighties. The lenses are not the best quality but I love the shape of the glasses. I think I have around 40 pairs of sunglasses. As soon as I saw them I knew I liked them but they weren’t quite ‘ready’ yet. I recently pulled them out and suddenly they were perfect.

House of Baulch, Crystal Studded Orb, $300

This handbag is from my current collection in stores. The collection is called Scheherezade after the heroine of the mythical tale of One Thousand and One Nights. It is a blend of Art Deco refinement and Middle Eastern opulence. I get inspired by lots of things like, film, TV, music and pop culture.

House of Baulch, Orac Gold Backpack, $499

This gold backpack is from my summer collection out in September. The collection is called Servalan and is inspired by an science fiction show my mum used to watch in the early eighties on ABC called Blake’s 7. The show was pre- Dr Who. Servalan was an evil leader/queen who was the supreme commander of the Terran Federation. She had some fantastic outfits. I remember parts of the show - sometimes images and ideas just come back to you. This bag is a bit like a space ship.

House of Baulch, Neopolitan bangle, $129

This bangle is also from my summer collection out in September. The collection is a real tribute to ‘cyber eighties’ and retro cyber glamour. Real icy pastels were big in the eighties.  Everyone has been going insane about this bangle. It is made from Lucite plastic, an old style plastic.

House of Baulch, Neopolitan Pendant Necklace, $169

This is also part of the Servalan collection. The chain for this necklace is painted icy pink. I assemble most of pieces myself. For some pieces I design the specs and then get them made. But generally I am really hands on with my design. I really enjoy creating something new, a technological innovation. The best way to achieve this is by physically working with the materials. I get real satisfaction from creating something myself. My pieces are generally quite bold and I like exploring the idea of machine and  hard edged items. My mum is an art teacher so I was always quite indulged creatively when I was growing up. I have always had a fascination with art. My dad was a photographer and great with carpentry and his hands so I guess I get that from him.

Peach Porcelain Flamingo

This is one half of a pair of porcelain flamingo birds I found at a garage sale in Footscray. They were sitting in the corner and it was like a beacon of light was illuminating them for me! They formed the inspiration for the Paradise Miami collection, House of Baulch’s first season. I think it demonstrates the eighties/twenties dichotomy. I loves both these two eras and design wise there is a strong link between the two. Also there is something a bit cheesy about the piece which I really like. I have a big love for anything kitsch, I am a bit of a crazy collector. I love markets and op shopping, for example the Camberwell Market. Whenever I am out I am always looking for things at new and different op shops. I guess when you are a collector you never turn off and are always on the look out for something different. But sometimes these things also find you.

Shots above are from House of Baulch’s next season, Servalan out in stores September check House of Baulch’s website for stockists details. Clockwise from top left, Mixed chain necklace $169, Glamour tote $179, Diamond pendant $169, Cable chain neck $129, Rondelle Chocker $129, Diagonal bag $199.

Hi everyone! I have a Friday treat - not that we really need one, it is Friday afterall.

Digging for Apples is a Sydney Road institution which stocks Women’s and Men’s Clothing. There are lots of loyal Melbourne fans, I know I have spoken to quite a few of them, so I was quite interested to find out all about the store and the secret behind the name. This week Tarsh Hodges, owner  Digging for Apples talked to me about Melbourne, Fashion and Digging for Apples of course…

photo of Digging for Apple’s drawers.

I’m originally from New Zealand. When I came to Melbourne I was offered a great career opportunity in office management with a great salary, but I decided to follow my passion and work for a friend at her shop in Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, selling on the floor and also assisting designing. Working behind the scenes in a retail space made me realise that was exactly what I wanted to do with my life. I love the combination of interacting with customers and also having an input into something creative. I have found that being driven by passion rather than money has been so much more rewarding.

When I was pregnant I put together a business plan for Digging for Apples. I don’t think my husband really believed I would go through with it! It was over 50 pages with ideas for the store such as the direction, contacts and potential spaces. The concept was loosely based around the story of Alice in Wonderland, and the idea that every girl loves a fantasy. In one of the Alice in Wonderland movies, the rabbit says to the gardener ‘Where are you?’, ‘out the front, digging for apples’ was the reply.  As soon as I heard it I knew it was perfect. It is a weird and slightly warped phrase. I like that it is not for everyone and people don’t quite ‘get’ it - I think it makes it intriguing. My friend who lives in the UK, Paul, who designs bars and interior spaces, designed the store with us. We did it over the phone and on webcam. As he and his wife are me and my husband’s best friends they totally understood where I was coming from.

I wanted the store to come in at a certain level. Then from that level we can only get better. I thought there was a gap in the market for really good customer service in Melbourne. We are really passionate about the clothing and want people to be really happy and want to come back - and tell all their friends too.

There have been tears of frustration and tears of joy but I know I have made the right decision.I love that my daughter will see that I have created something unique that I love, and that you don’t always have to do what you are expected to do. I have an environment where I can express my ideas.  The store is designed around the idea of Alice in the Wonderland when she falls down the rabbit hole. The wallpaper has vines and branches and animals like a rabbit hole, and there are drawers in various stages of opening giving you a spinning effect. The store was originally quite pink and girly, but we sell guys clothes as well now, so I have removed some of the more pink concepts!

I originally worked six days a week in the store. But now I have dropped back to three days, as I am pregnant. I spend at least two more days researching new labels, looking at new designers, reading articles and researching what is happening overseas and the direction I want the store to be going in. Ultimately I would like to travel overseas as well and find edgy, cool items that no one else stocks in Melbourne as well as Australian designers.

I don’t like to be follower with fashion, I like to have my own personal style. I don’t get the concept of wearing something just because a celebrity is wearing it at the moment. People often try to sell me things because ’so and so’ is wearing it, but that doesn’t really interest me. I like to have fun with my clothing and I always like a bit of the circus element. I love KMRii a Japanese label which we stock.  They have beautiful quality oversized handbags and studding leather belts. In terms of clothing I love Karen Walker’s Sherling Waistcoat (see right) which we have in store at the moment.

For summer, my top tip is a soft frock. I am not generally one for a soft frock. But for summer there are some stunning dresses coming. By putting a girly dress with chunky jewellery or for example a Sass and Bide vest you can give the dress an edge and toughen it up a bit.

Sparta Place is a hidden treasure in Melbourne, and I am not just saying that because Digging for Apples is on the corner. I love the great coffee and unique boutique stores and it has a real piazza feel about it. I also like This Law, on Victoria Street in Brunswick for unique vintage clothing. They have fantastic service and are really fun in there. Melbourne has so many fabulous cafes and restaurants I go somewhere new all the time. As a pregnant woman I eat anywhere at the moment! But I do like Yellow Bird on Chapel Street, Windsor.

photo above of Yellow Bird on Chapel street, Windsor

Digging for Apples, 18/459 Sydney Rd, Brunswick VIC 3056, 613 9939-0573

I first heard about Monette when I was listening in on a conversation at a fashion event. I overheard a fashion insider commenting on Monette’s amazing shoes. ‘I seem to be hearing about Monette everywhere at the moment’ was the comment. She was not kidding, from Marie Claire, Shop til you Drop and The Age, everyone has been talking about Monette’s fabulous shoes.

Melbourne Fashionista spoke to Jacqui, designer for Monette about what she bought recently…

Vintage Shoes, Book by Caroline Cox

My Mum bought me this book as a present. She came across it at Borders. It is a beautiful book with lovely images and goes through 100 years of shoe history.

Chelsea Flower, Beaded Silk Tie Dye Vest

I don’t get much of an opportunity to shop here in Melbourne because I am always so busy. But earlier in the year I went to New York for a holiday/work trip for two weeks. I went with my girlfriends and did all the touristy things like going to the Rockefeller Centre and the Brooklyn Bridge - it was freezing! I really enjoyed shopping in the lower eastside around Soho and Nolita. There are lots of independent shops and boutiques around there and less department stores. I also used the time in New York to research for Monette. I get inspired by people on the street and their personal style. I also get ideas from music. For example music can make me think about an environment and what people would be wearing in it.

While was there I saw this vest in a shop called To the Max (I think). I didn’t buy it at the time because it was quite expensive, but I kept thinking about it. So I ended up having to go back to get it! It is so soft and so pretty. I wear it mostly with jeans but sometimes over dresses as well.

Reese, White Felt Riding Hat

This is a great bad hair day hat. I bought it when I was in Hong Kong at the end of last year. I was there for work for two weeks, mostly checking production and ensuring the shipment was all perfect. Between the three of us who own the business, My Mum (Liliana) and Annette (a family friend)  we take turns to go to Hong Kong twice a year to do quality assurance on our production.

Vintage Necklace from New York  

I found this in a vintage shop on my New York trip as well. I like how it has an aztec feel about it and is quite a statement piece. My trip was pretty tiring, the place we were staying at was on top of a club so I didn’t get must sleep. At the airport I was so tired I lost my gloves - I think I just got up and they must have fell onto the floor from my lap and I didn’t even notice.

Monette, Carrie Patent Shoe

This shoe is my own personal favourite from our current winter range. It goes with everything and I love the bow. Our current winter collection is quite chic with clean lines and little bit edgy. I wear these with tights as I have white legs at the moment.

Lusso de Bello, Purple Leather Bag

I got this bag in New York as well. I love the bright purple colour. I love how it seems to match everything I have, or perhaps I just make it because I want to use it all the time! I bought it from a boutique near where we were staying. It is a great size and has a bit of boho feel about it.

Monette, McKenzie Ankle Boot

This boot is also from our current winter range as well. We have had so many calls about it and people are still calling. My girlfriends all love the boot too. I wear them all the time with tights and a dress, and sometimes with shorts and tights. As I am not very tall I don’t wear them with pants much - for shorter people I think ankle boots look better with a skirt or a dress. In terms of summer footwear - my tips are cut out, chunky heels and bright colours.

Images below from Monette’s Spring/Summer 09/10 range in stores soon for summer.

A couple of days ago I stopped by and had a lovely chat with a most fabulous Melbourne Fashionista, Emina Dzananovic, designer and owner of Melbourne label  OK OK . Her flagship store is situated in the heritage listed Hardwick building on Sparta Place, off Sydney Road, Brunswick. I must confess I had not been to Sparta Place before (I know - shock! horror! how blasphemous! don’t worry - I have already tut-tutted myself ). I don’t know what took me so long. I instantly fell in love with the quaint little place which houses some of Melbourne’s most chic little shops such as Digging for Apples, Cinderella Bella, Arbor, Melody Nelson and Ruby Patootie. Furthermore, apparently a well renowned graphic designer will be moving in upstairs as well!

In 1988, Talbot Street, Brunswick was pedestrianised and renamed Sparta Place in recognition of the link between Sparta and Brunswick. Following this, in 2005 Sparta Place was significantly remodelled and has not looked back since - giving itself the self-proclaimed title as the ‘heart and soul of new Brunswick’. OK OK is designed and made in Brunswick so it was a match made in heaven that OK OK found its home here in Sparta Place.

I dropped in rudely unannounced, but Emina was the most welcoming and lovely host. While I was there I could hear footsteps upstairs from what appeared to be in the roof (my man’s devotion to all things ghostly - think YouTube clips on unexplained sightings, the Omen series and most recently The Orphanage, a terrifying Spanish thriller which features a small child wearing what looked like a hessian sack has infiltrated my life and made me particularly susceptible to irrational imaginings). Luckily before I could further indulge my inner crazy, Emina explained that OK OK is situated beneath the inner workings of Marianna Harwick. Directly under Marianna Hardwick staff’s tea room in fact! I love it  - just so Melbourne - Brunswick, Marianna Hardwick and OK OK’s unisex distinctly Melbourne style.

Emina has a background in Fine Arts and following that 10 years of heavy duty retail experience as a Manager and Buyer. As a consequence no detail is forgotten with a visual feast of upturned buckets and hanging pom poms, which act like floating snowballs. ‘I made hundreds of poms poms for our shoot so I didn’t want to waste them’ was Emina’s explanation. The store really is an extension of all things OK OK, making it a full encompassing experience. OK OK’s aesthetic, clean and geometric is evident in the walls hangings and its logo and follows through to its clean and urban clothing.

‘I wanted to bring something that I love into the world’ Emina told me. Her inspiration originated from her inability to find good quality basics such as a grey marle t-shirt. After a couple of years she has finely tuned her quality to ensure each piece can be worn for many years and is made to her exacting standards. ‘My production is just around the corner, so I keep a constant eye on things to ensure quality is perfect’. The theme is good quality basics and highlight fashion pieces with an emphasis on androgynous wear. Men and Women’s pants, basics, and hoodies sit along side each other harmoniously projecting Melbourne cool practicality at its best. Emina, who also wears a bit of vintage, says  ’I really wanted to ensure that my garments were wearable, unbranded and practical and can be paired back easily with each other and also my vintage pieces’.

OK OK is really vertical retailing at its best with Emina able to display OK OK as an entire concept. She also does a lot of her work here, from patternmaking, to busting out her sewing machine in the store. I often can’t get over the devotion and passion small fashion business owners have here in Melbourne. But ultimately to be a success, designers and retailers must live and breath their work I suppose! Her recent showings in Sydney were a huge success with Emina even having to knock back larger offers, waiting until next season to ensure that her production is consistent and up to her standards.

Upstairs from the shop floor is a small exhibition space which is currently hosting ’Direct to Public’ an extension of  Elizabeth Carry Smith’s An Imaginary Alphabets Project. Using a series of signages and type, industry and commerce in Brunswick is visualised and Elizabeth aims to ‘illustrate the landscape of Brunswick and show its temporality’. Think old Brunswick, Franco Cozzo and Bar Tavern. ’We plan to have a different exhibition every month’ Emina explains. Another reason to drop into OK OK I say.

You can catch Emina at the Melbourne Design Market this Sunday 14 June 2009,  which is opened from 10.00am - 5.00pm in Federation Square Car Park.

OK OK, Shop 16, Hardwick Building, Sparta Place,  459 Sydney Road, www.ok-ok.com.au +61 3 9387 9840

A couple of days ago I met up with Yeojin Bae in her beautiful Prahran showroom. ‘Like a private apartment’ the room is spacious and indulgent, with a nod to clean modernity however still retaining its original grandeur. Filled with personal touches including antique furniture and a magnificent Korean black and pearl blanket box which was given to Yeojin by her parents, the showroom embodies the very essence her label, sophisticated and feminine. With her beautiful pieces hanging from antique racks it definitely got my shopping taste buds salivating.

The showroom houses her entire collection, including one off experimental pieces by Yeojin. Overlooking a shady central courtyard, Yeojin conducts her meetings here, but also opens it to the public from Thursday until Saturday. I am definetly coming back again to bag my very own special Yeojin piece.

Melbourne Fashionista spoke to Yeojin about what she bought recently…

Fauchon, Chocolate Truffles

I just came back from Paris a week ago and I bought these Fauchon chocolate truffles there. My husband is French and we attended my parents in law’s 50th wedding anniversary. I loved the food and more importantly the pastries there. I had an amazing twelve course meal while I was there. In terms of these Fauchon chocolates - while I love chocolate anyway, what really sold me was the hot pink box!

Kiehl’s, Ultimate Strength and Salve

I am a big Kiehl’s fan. I lived in New York in the early 90s and I loved Kiehl’s. Luckily we have a store here in Melbourne now. They have the best hand cream ever. I also have the lip balm but it is basically empty so I couldn’t give it to you to photograph.

Margiela, Second Hand Men’s Jacket

I am so excited by this find. I found it while I was in Paris from a vintage shop in the Marais district. It is oversized, but it is also quite narrow in the hips which is great as I can wear it over dresses and skirts.

Yeojin Bae, Sequin Mini Skirt

I can’t seem to take off this skirt at the moment. It is from my pre summer collection and out at the end of July. The collection is called Jet Set, and is inspired by 70s glamour, Hollywood starlets and the Concorde set. The highlight colours are very Palm Springs with pacific blues and blushes (see below shots from Yeojin’s collection) . The collection originated when I started pleating charmeuse silk and then hand draping bodices into column dresses. It includes cocktail dresses, long gowns, and tailored pieces paired back with sequined and heavily embroidered pieces. I sourced the fabric for this skirt from India, and it features hand cross-stitched embroidery and is layered with sequins. It is high waisted and I wear it with simple casual pieces such as a grey or black top, and a jacket. My collection is always quite contained, so when I design, I design for myself and try to make beautiful pieces which people can keep in their wardrobe and love for years.

Yeojin Bae, Asymmetrical Ella Knit Dress

This dress is made from Merino wool and from my current winter collection - Hitchcock Blonde. As you can tell from my collections I am a bit of a fan of the one shouldered dress! I like to layer it with different pieces.

Karl Lagerfield, Vintage Belt

I love this Karl belt. I got it from a vintage store in the lower east side of New York. I like the alternating gold and silver detailing. I travel to New York quite frequently and show my collection to Barneys. It has been selling really well there which is great for us.

Balenciaga, Strappy Heels

I love these strappy suede and leather Balenciaga heels. I bought these in New York when I was last there too.

Yeojin Bae Showroom,  Studio 4, Level 1, 249 Chapel Street, Prahran, Victoria. 613 9521 3099 

The above images are from Yeojin Bae’s ss0910 collection Jet Set and in store end July from selected boutiques, Myer and the Yeojin Bae studio in Prahran.