gold dust woman

Now, I love the music of Fleetwood Mac, deeply. But I have to admit I didn't know the intricacies of their coke-fuelled, cobweb-like incestuousness. Over the weekend, I read Storms, a book by Carol Ann Harris, who spent a good part of the bands heyday as the girlfriend and lover of Lindsay Buckingham. I devoured it in one hungover Sunday. If you love their music, or even just love rock-biographies, then I suggest you track a copy down. I have to admit, the description of the initial stages of their relationship made me cry because it was very strong, romantic and beautiful. The inside view of the terrifying nature of Stevie Nicks and the interaction between the band were fascinating, and if I had a dollar for every time I read the phrase "and then a plate with a mound of cocaine was presented and the band fell upon it..." I would be a far wealthier woman than I am now. Don't you think it's sad that our lives have become so sanitised and controlled these days? I mean, I can't imagine a band living in the way that the Stones or Fleetwood Mac lived - visits to Eric Clapton's unfurnished castle in a snowstorm, Annie Leibowitz shooting them for the cover of Rolling Stone in the tiny spare bedroom...

Ad Campaigns And Catalogues #195

Below: It's espadrilles rampage for D&G's Spring Summer 2011 Mens Footwear!

Below: The bags are not exactly appealing, sad to say...

D&G Spring Summer 2011 Mens Shoes And Bags

Espadrilles soles are invading mens footwear this Spring Summer 2011 season. From Balenciaga, Louis Vuitton to Prada and now D&G. It's espadrilles fiesta out there! Designers are going crazy with this shoe inspiration that dates back to the 14th century. Originating from the Pyrenees, these casual flats made in fabric and characterised by jute rope sole were once worn by peasants and now fashion fans all over the world.

D&G has basically taken the espadrilles and exploited them into as many incarnations as they can. With eyelets, as slip-ons, with Hawaiian fabrics, with gingham checks and denim... you name it, you have it.

It is nice to leverage on a classic design, but somehow when you overdo it without modifying too much to create a surprise, it lacked imagination. And these shoes can be from any other lower priced brands since fabric and jute rope are what they are. There can be no 'more luxurious' versions of these materials. I do love the gingham checks versions. But only if they are crafted well:-)

As for the bags, again... D&G shows they are not the best in bag design. The totes and duffels are often bland and lacked character.

I think I will stick to the espadrilles and ready to wear this time.

For more pics, go to my facebook fan page:-)

Source: D&G

underpinnings

Miss Crabb Lingerie - old fashioned and delicious. I love that cream slip, I want to wear it while I put my hair in rollers and sip something strong.

Photography : Leilani Heather
Beauty : Katherine Melody Rogers
Hair : Shonal  Healy for Stephen Marr and Kevin Murphy
Model : Jordan of 62 Models

today, this.

SAO PAULO - maria eugenia, thassia & paola, fashion week inverno 11, 01/29-30/11

The Material Boy #436

Below: Affordable but packs a huge style, these Prada Printed Nylon tote bags are a must buy for Spring Summer 2011!

Below: Light weight and durable, in colourful prints... these nylon totes also feature leather handles which adds more refinement to previous versions from Prada...

Prada Tessuto Stampato Nylon Shopping Totes

The indisputable creator of desirable nylon totes has to be Prada... The brand shot to fame when they first manufactured those 'highly copied' black nylon parachute bags that is still to this day a highly popular bag design. Fast forward to recent seasons, the nylon material has taken on even more expressive incarnations with prints and colours on Prada's nylon creations, especially the tote bags.

First came the colourful 'Bring Your Own bags' eco friendly totes, now Spring Summer 2011 sees another batch of patterned tote bags (Prada Tessuto Stampato Nylon Shopping Totes) which have me giving my thumbs up! From arabic patterns to geometric combinations, these no frills tote bags comes with leather handles this time, adding a much welcomed refinement to the design. I love the blue arabic print version! I saw a suited guy in Bangkok carrying this bag and it fits just as nicely with smart styling as does casual weekend chic. The light weight and durable material is also most ideal to take away on holidays. There is an interior zip pocket for added security and handles can be shoulder carried if you have slimmer arms (I tested it for myself at the Prada Bangkok Boutique). All in all, I just love those colours and interesting prints!

These new Prada Prada Tessuto Stampato Nylon Shopping Totes comes in an array of patterns and colours besides the blue version, so I am sure one tickle your fancy. Retailing at Euro 250, they are affordable but packs a huge style. I want one!

Source: Prada, Saks

Show Us Your Tees

Maddie Ortenblad, a fifteen year old model and student out on a shoot wearing the tee I designed for Wiloh Ecosocial Apparel

we love maximillia and maximillia loves...

Maximillia Cozijn is the director and buyer of the amazing online store, Maximillia. You know when you find something - a magazine, blog, designer, shop - that neatly matches your aesthetic? That's how I feel when I look through Maximillia's store. She chooses sweet and feminine pieces from some of the best New Zealand and Australian designers, like Karen Walker, Twenty-seven Names, Lonely Hearts, Ruby, Arnsdorf and Karla Spetic, as well as two of my favourites, T.B.A. and Sretsis. Here are her 10 favourite things right now...

1. Natalie Wood [especially in Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice]
She is just perfection - all dark doe eyes and masses of chestnut hair. Natalie and Diane Canon's outfits in Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice epitomise the style of the late 60s (my favourite period in fashion!)

2. Valentino
The master has been succeeded by an amazing design team. I'm enamoured with each collection of beautiful, feminine dresses. Fall 2010 was a favourite collection of mine.

3. Jim Morrison and The Doors
My fiance and I share a love of The Doors and dream of living in Venice Beach back in their heyday. Jim was a true poet gone too soon.

4. Margaritas
Woody Creek Tavern, Hunter S. Thompson's old hangout in Aspen makes the best (from freshly squeezed lime juice!) Dangerous...

5. California
Born and raised on the West coast of Australia, California feels like my second home. I know it's strange but I get goosebumps when I see the Spanish style architecture and palm trees of Beverly Hills. The light is just beautiful there.

 

5. Ali MacGraw
After stumbling on it in a second hand bookshop I've read her autobiography Moving Pictures over and over. Ali's wardrobe in Love Story is timeless.

6. My boutique
Maximillia is my namesake and my passion. I run the store myself with help from my wonderful (and fashionable!) mother, Christina so everything about Maximillia is personal.

7. Planning
My guilty pleasure is planning my next holiday whilst I'm still on one. It started early, according to my parents I started carrying a massive leather bound diary around with me in year 1!

9. Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Jason Segel, Jonah Hill and Paul Rudd - how can you go wrong! Closely followed by Superbad, Knocked Up, I Love You Man...

10. Nic
We've been inseparable since the last year of high school - and it was the perfect time for him to propose two weeks ago in Hawaii (ironically at Turtle Bay resort where Forgetting Sarah Marshall is set!) He's my best friend and I can't imagine spending my life with anyone else.

glamour

Vogue Italia / T.B.A / Chairs / Dazed and Confused / Funny Face / Amazing collection of Schiaparelli perfumes

SAO PAULO - fashion week inverno 11, day 2, 01/29/11

More photos of SPFW day 1 on my visual diary.

My Shopping Conquest #119

Below: 3.1 Phillip Lim Cockerel Applique T-shirt With Penguin Tail... I am ready for my 'GETAI' (Lunar Seven Month Street Concert) Debut...

Below: Love the uneven length of the hem, creating a tail on the back, when worn...

Below: Intricately sewn sequins to form a cockerel image...

Below: 'Penguin' tail design which I love...

Below: As seen on the Spring Summer 2011 Mens show, but in a slightly different Cockerel motif... gorgeous!

3.1 Phillip Lim Cockerel Sequin Applique T-shirt With Penguin Tail

I want to be alive... and rock the world...

That is why I got this 3.1 Phillip Lim Cockerel Sequin Applique T-shirt With Penguin Tail. The longer shirt tail at the end created a unique silhouette for the otherwise simple t-shirt, hanging out of your blazers, adding the flowing flair as you walked. Like a tuxedo jacket tail... abeit a more flamboyant one...

I am getting 'cocky'!

(Get yours from Club 21 Mens, Four Seasons Hotel Singapore. Price SGD$360... great price for such a intricately crafted t-shirt!)

Source: myMANybags, Style