The End of an Era

I was a little shocked to hear this morning that Carine Roitfeld, the editor in chief of French Vogue, will leave the magazine at the end of January.  She's started her career as a model and later stylist for Tom Ford among others.  She's been with French Vogue for ten years and says she has nothing else planned yet.  She will definitely be missed at the fashion shows since she has such amazing personal style.  I especially love that her skirt hems hover around the knee instead of the thigh like many fashionistas.  I've also never seen anyone look chicer in a jacket.  For a fun look inside her world, check out the Carine Roitfeld Revealed video on CNN.  Bonne Chance Carine!

french bohemian style - emmanuelle flahault

A funny thing happened after a recent photo shoot for Real Living. Both the stylist and art director came back in LOVE. They were so taken with one of the women that we featured in our "Style Tribe" shoot - in the April issue - that I was curious. They described Emmanuelle Flahault as one of the most beautiful women they'd ever met. I looked at the images and agreed she was mightily attractive, but there was something more. Let's say a je ne sais quoi.

So when I went to Life In Style I was determined to track down Nell, as she's known. She was busy - a testament to her beautiful designs and stand for her womens' clothes, accessories and homewares business Nell (she sources European fabrics to create one-of-a-kind designs). But when I met her I could understand what the men were talking about. She radiates calm, happiness and has a definite French flair, and, yes, perhaps a little je ne sais quoi.

Which five words best describe you? Generous, optimistic, cheeky, hard worker and mediator.
What was your first career job and what path have you taken since? Fashion designer assistant.
What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? To breathe when things get tight.
What’s your proudest career achievement? Receiving authentic and lovely testimonials from happy clients.
What’s been your best decision? To move down under.
Who inspires you? Coco Chanel.
What are you passionate about? Travels and tresors.
Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Barack Obama.
What dream do you still want to fulfil? Having a large family.
What are you reading? The unbearable lightness of being from Milan Kundera.


images real living and nell

nancy bird's emily wright

I have to admit that when I first discovered Nancy Bird, and then learnt a little more about its founder and designer Emily Wright I was impressed at how much she has accomplished in such a short period of time. The handbags and accessories are beautifully produced with a thoroughness to detail that's amazing. The fabrics are sourced in Sri Lanka, the textiles screen printed in Melbourne and the leather tanned in Italy. The designs are old school with a modern sensibility. Yes, amazing.

Which five words best describe you? Worrier, dreamer, kind, earthy, curious.
What was your first job and what path have you taken since? After uni I went straight into starting nancybird. I was spending all my holidays making things and selling them locally during uni so it just made sense to keep going. The label came out of the desire to practically use my fine art training, getting artwork out of the gallery environment and into stores, which I thought would have a broader audience. I think it has been both a help and a hinderance coming from a fine art background – it was a steep learning curve for a few years, learning about buying cycles, the way to structure a range, how to cost things properly. But the fine art training has helped in seeing what I do with a different eye – I never saw bags as having to be a certain way, and I enjoy playing with the elements of bag making because I’m an intruder in the world of accessories
What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? To juggle. Time management in production so that each season gets into store at the right time, as well as the daily tasks which require switching from right to left brain quite a bit. The other more personal lesson is the courage to move through the self doubt when designing a new range. I think it’s a common trait in creative people, and can be a real block. I now consciously turn those thoughts off, and it works. Once I don’t have the blank piece of paper in front of me and am working on a design, I fall in love again and things click into place.
What’s your proudest career achievement? Seeing a collection at a final stage is when I am most proud – they’re like my little children! I’m really so proud of my business, as it was just me working in it for a long time… I’m proud that I’ve created something out of nothing.
What’s been your best decision? A big decision a few years ago was moving production offshore. Before that everything was made here, which I loved, but it became untenable – lack of skills and manufacturers here the main issue. With a bit of a heavy heart I started looking overseas. The issue of Australian made is a tricky one and one that I could spend an entire night talking about, but for me moving offshore has meant the freeing up of design ideas – so much is possible, compared to the difficulty of sourcing and manufacturing here. My designs really grew wings after that, and the quality increased hugely. I have been so impressed with the skills of the people making my range and their unending patience in my complicated designs. We still print fabrics here in Melbourne, and I really enjoy the immediacy of that too, so I feel quite lucky to have struck a balance I am happy with.
Who inspires you? People living by their convictions, and making their own way.
What are you passionate about? Textile design! I love collecting books with a million designs in them, my latest crush is Indian embroidery. A relatively new passion has been furniture – I’ve just reupholstered a couch and some chairs in some of my textile prints and leathers, it has been fun doing something creative just for me.
Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? I have a bit of a crush on Warren Ellis from the Dirty Three, but I’m sure if we met I’d be too shy to talk!
What dream do you still want to fulfil? Spending some good chunks of time overseas, but not for a while. I would love to really explore Africa, I love their textile prints and I would be keen to meet some of the makers over there. Spending more time out of the city, upholstering more furniture and tending the vegie patch are goals for this year!
What are you reading? Off the Grid Homes by Lori Ryker. My partner Rob has a property on the Yarra River outside of Melbourne and is planning to build on it using solar, tank water and composting toilets, and we’ve been reading this book for inspiration and guidance.

images courtesy of nancy bird

Charleston Fashion Week

Today kicks off Charleston Fashion Week.

Not sure if these are boutiques, stylists offices or closets. Regardless, they give me mad inspiration. And as I try to figure out what the ___ to wear to the show, I am painfully reminded that I desperately need a new wardrobe.

[Pause with me while I pout.]

via citified

via whoneedsacloset

via sunnys

[Still pouting.]

And speaking of Charleston Fashion Week, I wanted to give a shout out to my friend, Dee Ruel, who's jewelry will be featured in the show! Dee is crazy talented and unlike many of us who make jewelry as a hobby, she actually studied it at the Hui No' Eau art school on the island of Maui no less! I can see it now...Yeah, dad I want to go study in Hawaii. What, yes, I am serious! In addition to making jewelry, she is also a paper artist! She made me the cutest little calling cards. I wanted something to put in the package when folks make a purchase through Objects and she totally nailed it. Nailed it!

I mean really.

If you need cards, invitations or the like...Dee's your girl. And if you need to bedazzle your arms, ears or neck....Dee's your girl. Local? Check out her shop on Coleman Blvd. in Mt. P (she just celebrated her 3rd anniversary!) and if you are not local, no fear she has a website too!

fashion designer fleur wood

There are some stores that I enjoy visiting just for a pick-me-up. One of these is the Fleur Wood shops in Paddington and The Strand. Instantly I'm transplanted to a world where beauty reigns supreme and femininity is the order of the day. Not only do I covet everything I see, but the decor is sublime. Meet the ever-so stylish woman behind the designs.

Which five words best describe you? Busy, sometimes cranky, and always trying to look at bright side. (sorry more than five words).
How did you get your start in fashion and what path have you taken since? I started out as a VM and on the retail floor selling, I never really intended on being a fashion designer.
What advice would you give to aspiring designers? Don't! Just kidding. Work hard and don't worry about what every body else is doing.
What's your proudest career achievement? I am always delighted when I  see someone walking down the street in one of my designs.
What has been your best decision? To listen to people with more  experience and take good advise when offered.
Who inspires you? My husband.
What are you passionate about? Human rights.
Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Mary Magdeline.
What dream do you still want to fulfil? World peace.
What are you reading? The beautiful fall, by Alicia Drake. The story of the friendship of Karl Lagerfield and Yves Saint Laurent.


images courtesy of fleur wood

Fashion Week

I know a lot of bloggers do posts turning outfits into a room. Cheers to you! I love it but can't seem to find the time. However, in honor of New York Fashion Week I wanted to do a little somethin' somethin'. Here are some celebrities photographed at Fashion Week and I have likened their outfits to a room. I cannot imagine the pressure of dressing to go to a Fashion Week show! It must be like the first day of high school x 100. And do you wear something by the designer of who's show you are attending or is that like wearing a concert shirt of the band who's show you are going to see?

Rachel McAdams

(I love you but stop making romantic movies that are totally unrealistic. It is just cruel.)

Rachel Zoe and Milla Jovovich

(Bananas!)

via porchlightinteriorsblog

Lauren Conrad

(I wish I was you.)

via materialgirlsblog.com

Olivia Palerma

(You are a royal bitch. Be nice, it gets your farther.)

Designer Suzanne Kasler

Lindsey Lohan

(There are no words.)

And while I am at it, I might as well give yet another shout out to my friend, Lisa Johnson, who created Aspen Fashion Week. She is brilliant! If you are able to go...go. And if you are going, buy me a ticket. In the meantime, I will work on some better outfit to room segments in time for Charleston Fashion Week!

Happy, Happy Birthday!

(lamps via: Decor 8 and chandelier via 1st dibs)

To me!! Yay!
I am one of those obnoxious persons who likes to tell everyone about my birthday! You know I want to wear a big button on my shirt that talks about it, or a birthday tiara. When I was a kid I never understood why I didn't get an automatic day off from school on my special day!
So, I am going to tell all of you about it today. Ha, ha! I am turning the big 34! It freaks me out a bit, because I've always imagined the threshold for being a "mature adult" as turning 35. Now I only have one year to really get my act together. Aahhh, I don't know if I'm ready!
To celebrate, I put together a wish list of gifts, for myself. I thought some of you might enjoy it also:)

(Top left: Billy Reid Bottom left: Nivaldo de Lima Right:Shrimpton Couture )

Terry Graziano

I would take anything and everything from this shop. It was a struggle to keep it down to only three!
Funny enough, this month also marks the second anniversary of my blog. I am reminded how much I have loved getting to know so many wonderful people via this site. I appreciate all of you who stop in to check on me everyday:) I hope to keep writing this for a long time and I hope to get to know all of you more and more.
So thanks everyone!