I’m not gonna lie, I may have lay-byed this baby yesterday. Amongst other things, I have always been obsessed with Native American headdresses. I even had a search around the US for one when I was there to no avail. I love the colour in this one, it’s so vibrant and full of life. The detailing in the beading and feathering is amazing. This is going straight to the pool room and will only be venturing out on very special occasions. And no, that does not mean music festivals. You critters with the bright eyes that get all tactile and shit can stay the fuck away from my wondrous headpiece. That is all.
Where did I get this from? No chance. The thing about nice things is that not everyone has them.
I’m a little bit in love with this mexican/spanish influence cropping up in the fashion realms lately. And by a little bit I mean, a lot. You can see it in all the lace, red lips, blacks, espadrilles, shoulders, fringing, reds, knits, chunky heels, skulls, roses, and all that fun stuff. In fact I like it so much, I really want a sugar skull as my next tattoo. I think they are beautiful when done correctly and traditionally. Here is some rad new stuff from surfstitch.com that fits the bill.
Mariachi El Bronx’s ’48 Roses’ is a great song to get your mexicana inspirations flowing.
Hello hello! Well firstly a big Merry Christmas, what a huge year 2011 has been. It is hard to believe that the holidays are here already and soon we will be embarking on a whole new year. Tell me things, how has your year gone? You could probably guess by my lax posting the past 6 months that things got very busy on this end. Like bat-shit-crazy busy.
First up Stray Magazine was born, it then evolved and finally went to print this month which was a massive achievement! If you haven’t checked it out, get out from under that rock at http://stray-mag.com/ or at http://www.facebook.com/straymag. If you are keen to get your hands on a limited print copy (only 1000 floating) then hit subscribe on the website and follow prompt.
It’s been a lot of hard work but totally worth it. I was lucky enough to work with a very talented young team of contributors that made this all possible and for that I am very grateful. We also bagged our first award a week after Issue 01 went to print, not bad at all. Cheers to Express Media for the award “Best New Project or work by a Young Person or Young People in Western Australia”. Go Team Stray!
Next up I moved to a new city. Ya nothing too major or anything hmmm. So goodbye west coast; mates, amazing beaches and beautiful weather and hello east coast; awesome bars, a great job, and a new beginning. Melbourne is such a cool city but you already know that. I thought I would share some of my favourite hoods with you:
EAT:
Tofu Shop: healthy, nutritious variety of food, priced for dinner not lunch but that never stopped anyone http://www.urbanspoon.com/Tofu-Shop-Richmond
Chin Chin: great modern asian set up, reasonably priced, amazing food, cocktails to finish http://chinchinrestaurant.com.au/
Gerald’s Bar: tucked away, intimate, decadent, perfect for catch ups over great wine http://www.urbanspoon.com/Geralds-Bar-Carlton-North
Lentil As Anything: donation based so don’t be a scrooge, these volunteers offer delicious vegetarian food and abby convent is a perfect setting on a sunny day http://lentilasanything.com/
Bar Lourinha: high end tapas that melt in your mouth, first night there Guy Grossi is on the table behind us, good enough for a masterchef – good enough for me http://www.barlourinha.com.au/
PLAY:
Shopping is ridiculously plentiful here so never shop at the same place twice! You’ve got Melbourne city, Chapel St, Bridge Rd, Chadstone, markets…there is so much variety here, it would be wrong to have just one favourite! Fashion is soooo much cheaper than in P-Town so I reckon the wardrobe has been given a complete once over. Will have to get the camera out and get some proof soon.
Gigs are on every night of the week and in the last month I’ve managed to cross off two from the list; Eminem and Bloody Beetroots. Looking forward to Summadayze on New Years Day and busting shapes to Pendulum, Snoop, Scissor Sisters, Calvin Harris, and Moby…lovvvvve festival season! Then squeeze in a few intimate gigs with Beirut first off the rank and before long, AFL season begins. Can’t wait to make trips to the MCG and Etihad a weekly occurrence to see my Sainta’s.
And in between starting a mag and moving to a new city, I found love! He is amazing and wonderful and was right under my nose the whole time…yup, we worked together. 10 months down and things are going swell (yes I just used that word). He is in Canada at the moment but is making the move to Melbs shortly, the countdown is on and I have never been happier. Find a good one and don’t stop at anything till you do. Fuck I’ve met some duds out and about lately; massive oxygen thieves but it really makes you appreciate what an awesome human being you’ve got when you do. And I’ve got a good one – love you pup!
Ok ok once you’ve finished vom’ing, I’m just about done haha. Enjoy your festive season. Hopefully you’ve scored some time off work and doing your best to make the most of it. Lot’s of things to look forward to between the family get ups, partying with mates, festivals, and of course voting in Triple J’s Hottest 100. And on that note, Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year. 2012 is going to be a great one so brace yourself!
Yep pretty bummed I’m missing this lil partay. And only by 2 weeks too, that hurts. Well go on then, have fun, take pics, tell me all about it! I’ll see you the fortnight after for a whirlwind tour of P-Town. Fly in, sleep, work, eat, release issue one of stray mag (yippee), party, recover, family, appt, eat, fly out. Catch me if you can.
This Romance Was Born shoot looks amazing! Not usually a regular Marie Claire buyer but think I might have to make an exception to see this one. I love the boldness of RWB and their exciting use of colour. The detail they put in is amazing, it’s never just about the clothes. The hair, jewellery, shoes, location, background, props, etc are all meticulously planned out for the full RWB story telling experience.
Have you seen any great fashion shoots lately? I brought the latest Vogue Australia because I thought the Africa shoot with Isabel Lucas had some potential but I have mixed emotions about the whole issue at present. A bit ‘tribal’ overkill. Some shots are amazing, others not hitting the mark. And seeing as I am picking…I think Ms Lucas would have suited the shoot better with her more natural darker shade of hair colour rather than the blonde. Just an observation. The cover looked great though didn’t it, love the title.
Enough serious talk on this blog. It’s time for some FUN kids. And no-one puts the F in fun like Patricia Field. Yep y’all long term FFTF readers know who I’m talking about and for those newbies – ya-googly it mate! Did someone say pop art?! Oh snap! Here are some of my current cuh-razy faves:
And that’s just the accessories, don’t even get me started on the crazy-like-a-coconut clothing. We’ll save that for another day. You know the drill www.patriciafield.com.
“There are more than 30 million slaves in the world today, more than at any other point in human history”. What a disgusting fact. We are so far advanced in so many areas such as technology and medicine yet we can’t even get the simple task of freedom right. And the fact that it has got worse as time goes on, not better, is absolutely baffling.
Fashion label AllSaints Spitalfields have teamed up with anti-human trafficking campaigner’s Not For Sale and produced a fashion forward collection that not only supports the cause but practice what it preaches. To really appreciate this concept, watch this.
Proceeds from the line will benefit Not For Sale’s work to combat human trafficking globally, and producers will promote the shared vision of Not For Sale and AllSaints to prevent forced labour and end human trafficking. Not For Sale equips and mobilizes Smart Activists to deploy innovative solutions to re-abolish slavery – in their own backyards and across the globe. Together we can end slavery in our lifetime.
I find a lot of fashion that is done for charity or a cause comprises of unappealing design; tacky/unwearable/too loud. You can think of at least one shocker you’ve seen, can’t you. But I am happy to see that AllSaints have not gone this path. Their Not For Sale collection is indi, on-trend, wearable and totally affordable selling for around $65 each.
Ladies, ladies, ladies. It’s time to get your girls night on. You can have it ‘in’, you can have it ‘out’, there are no rules except for – fun must be had! “Girls Night In” is organised by the Cancer Council over the September/October season each year and focuses on raising funds for women’s cancers. I don’t know about you but the girls in my life mean a lot to me so getting together with them for a fun night of chats and debauchery sounds like a great way to raise money and awareness about the issues that affect us all.
Some of my gorgeous girls!
I was lucky enough to get along to an amazing Girls Night In last year and it gave me many great ideas going forward. It was organised by super-host Jenny, who had 20 of the girls around her place for delicious nibbles, bubbly beverages and a fantastic clothes auction. Oh and don’t even get me started on the raffle! Everyone donated clothes or raffle items to start and I couldn’t think of a better way to clean out the wardrobe. Not only are your clothes going to a good home but the money raised goes to charity – it is a win, win situation that will leave you glowing. Then on top of that, you get to fill your wardrobe back up again with some new stock, and all at bargain prices. And I mean bargain. I got a long coat, maxi dress, singlet (Kookai none the less!), pair of pants, and a top for less than $20. Of course I had to leave more money than that – it was all too cheap not to! I then brought a few raffle tickets for a laugh but Ms Super Host had done such a great job organising the donations – I won 4 or 5 times leaving me with books, photo frames, candles and sooooo much more. I have never felt so spoilt doing good in my life. I tell you, it must be done!
You don’t have to do a clothes auction, you can have a games night, a cook off, a movie night, a night out and about, or even a training night…there are lots of ways and ideas that can revolve around raising heaps of funds for a good cause like this. And whilst we are on the topic of awareness, when was the last time you checked everything? It is ALWAYS better to be safe than sorry and no matter what your age, cancer can effect us all. Here is some motivation for your breast check today (watch till the end!):
Sheesh! There is A LOT going on in Perth this week. This is your free token to bitch-slap anyone who complains that there is ‘nothing to do in Perth’ over the next fortnight, use it wisely.
So first up is Perth Fashion Festival which officially kicked off yesterday. Another great calendar of events is on offer including amazing ticketed shows like Wheels & Dollbaby, Student Runway (always a great show), STM Swimwear and many other designer capsules. There are also a whole bunch of free events including shows by Billie & Rose, Betts and 140 Fashion Parade’s. And for those lucky few, some amazing invite-only events including the much anticipated Hyogo-Banshu event where 7 WA Fashion Designers were given the opportunity to go to Japan and design their own fabrics. So much to look forward to, really wish I was in Perth this week! It’s going to be a bit of a shock to the system after attending about 6 or 7 shows at PFF last year. Oh well, LMFF watch out next year, I’ll be trawling up a storm! Head to www.perthfashionfestival.com.au for more info. Get pumped for PFF11 with one of the stand out shows from last year, Jaime Lee Major’s – Up! The Finale.
This Sunday, 25 September also holds host to Outskirts, “a treasure trove of local creative talent where street stalls, workshops, exhibitions, pop up stores and more will fill the streets, laneways and local stores for one day only”. Always a fun day and without a doubt, something for everyone! It’s basically the Royal Show equivelant for creatives in the city; there is so much to see, do, collect, eat and drink, and best of all – it’s completely free!
This year’s involves a stellar lineup including THE BAKERY, FRISK ESPRESSO, GEISHA, CONNECTIONS WAREHOUSE, 189 ARCADE CARPARK, BEANS AND BUNCHES, THE BIRD, RED STRIPE CLOTHING, STATE THEATRE CENTRE OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA, GOTHAM CORNER, PERTH CULTURAL CENTRE, THE CORNER STORE, TWOFOURTEEN, TU, RECHABITES HALL, WILD LILY EMPIRE, OH HENRY VINTAGE, LOCK LANE, HOOK LANE, OUTRE GALLERY, THE WORKSHOP, THE BUTCHER SHOP, THE STUDIO, RUMMAGE, GALLERY CENTRAL, FI AND CO, 1UP MICROCINEMA, VILDOSOLA, THE MOON CAFE, OK GALLERY, 399, SCRAPS, WILLIAM TOPP, THESE DAYS,ADVENTURES OF SKULLBOY, and DRESSING RIGHT. There is over 100 events amongst these venues so make sure you get involved! This year sees the fun ‘Outskirts Passport’ come into affect which will guide you through a heap of hidden spaces filled with creations from West Australian designers. Fill your Outskirts Passport with stamps and collect a set of free official Outskirts Souvenir Pins from 11 OnWilliam venues. Head to www.onwilliam.com.au/outskirts for more info.
Whilst you Outskirt’ing you may as well get into Popsicle, Perth Fashion Festival’s selection of WA designers who have collaborated with Northbridge’s independent fashion boutiques, giving shop windows a makeover and filling the shelves with their handmade wares. I’m exhausted just looking at all these options, over to you – www.onwilliam.com.au/popsicle/.
Aaaaaaannnnnddddd then….since you are already out and about on Sunday, why not kick it with the best at Perth’s Sneaker Swapmeet?! Yup that is happening by the west end of the State Library. Actually putting two and two together would suggest that this is actually part of the Outskirts program – gah I’m a genius! Buyers are in for only $2 bucks and sellers are still invited to register here www.insertcoins.com.au/sneakerswapmeet/ to empty out that piled up limited editions closet. Do it.
Oh, and did I mention some festival called PARKLIFE is on?!!
Spoilt for choice I tells ya,
The First Casualty xx
