Being Minimal

Well spring is well on its way and I am definitely feeling the toll of Melbourne's weather; all 5 seasons in one day!! But nevertheless the days are growing warmer and the need to wear dark colours are being hanged out to dry. This is exciting for me because I did come back from america over a month ago and I do miss the sun and my tan so every time the sun comes out to play, I am going to try to make the most of it!

Recently the quote "simplicity is the keynote of all true elegance" has been haunting my mind every time I look at my wardrobe. I have never really known what that actually meant until I tried it. Before I would do a lot of mix and match with colours especially with crazy patterns but now its more just wearing the one colour or a basic and really just keeping it simple. Even when it comes to my jewelry and makeup, I would just wear one thing and that itself would be bold enough to be noticed. For me I feel like that it should be my inner glow that creates my outfit to be more beautiful rather than the other way around.

Anyways in the midst of spring and this fluctuation of heat, I've seen a lot of basic and stripes being used and here are a couple of outfit ideas that I thought of.

xx A

Photoshoot Day!

I am pretty sure everyone that has ever done a photoshoot has had that nervous feeling especially on their first ever. But mine was probably more awkward than most. From trying to figure out what poses to do, my photoshoot was more awkward because there were another two happening in the background. Mine consisted of my friend Blue, her camera and myself. The other two were  more of a professional photoshoot. What I mean was that they had a team and all this equipment; one for a label or magazine and the other was a bands cover photo. It was quite intimidating but I had to remind myself I wasn't a model, I'm just a 5 foot dwarf. HAHAHA, that was a joke, I'm not a dwarf, not that I have anything against dwarves (I love em). I'm just pretty small. Anyways if anyone saw how I was copying the model's poses, they would have been hysterical. Here are a couple of photos from my photoshoot and Blue has just outdone herself. She's an absolute GEM!! Check out her blog, it's amazing!! (www.thelittlequirks.blogspot.com)

Dress: Cameo the Label (via Fashion Bunker ) Shoes: Adidas Originals Superstar (via Adidas )Jeans: Rollas jeans (via General Pants co. )

What JEAN you mean?

Have you ever wondered what makes a great pair of denim jeans? Lately I have and noticed many articles from magazines promoting the ideal denim. It occurred to me, that I didn't own a pair of good denim jeans. Then I thought to myself but ‘What makes a good pair?’

I remember having this conversation with my manager and she gave me three things to think about.  One; she owned too many jeans herself, two; the myths about denim and three; a denim specialist store called De Jour in Brunswick. My manager is a member of the Footscray civilisation so she and her friends know the itsy bitsy areas that make Melbourne western culture the way it is, and her knowing about this store was not accidental. Before I ramble on how amazing this store was, let me tell you a little about the 'Denim Myths'.

Myth 1: You must only wash denim jeans twice a year, in order to retain the shape and colour.

False – Washing jeans twice a year will not necessarily keep the shape in tack, it can actually stretch them more. As for a better alternative to retain the colour, wash the jeans inside-out in cold water.

Myth 2: The stretchier, the better!

False & True – Truth is, the thicker, sturdier and tougher the denim jeans are the longer it will last, so having it stretchier can be comfortable but there will be a chance it will not be long wearing.

Myth 3: Taking a bath with your jeans will stretch them for the perfect fit 

False: Wearing your jeans in a tub in order for them to shrink to the size of your body is a disappointment because unfortunately it does not work. Only one major brand has designed there jeans to do this but it doesn’t apply to other brands.

Now you know the Myths, I can tell you all about the store De Jour which means 'currently very fashionable'. Derived from the French word ‘Du Jour’ meaning ‘of the day’ which implies ‘jeans of the day'.

It lived up to its name. This local business established in 1989 by Nam Huynh caters to a range of sizes for that perfect quality jean. All fitted and made in Melbourne! This business sends off a vibe from the moment you look up at the name and step into the store. 

De Jour came into existence when Nam noticed a need of quality well fit denim in 1989. Even today the demand is still present with a civilisation relying on their denims as quick, no fuss staples. 

I took off to check this place out and see how things were run. I learnt at De Jour that its all about choosing the correct style of jeans for your body. When you have selected your style you can see whether it requires alterations to tailor the jean to fit your body. So that's what I did, I picked the correct style, got it tailored and ta- da had the perfect fitting jeans. 

What was more incredible about De Jour was that this entire process including the Jeans only costs between $40- $50. WHAT A BARGAIN!!

To find out more about the De Jour and what denim suits you, go to the Facebook link provided below and enjoy the goodness of getting your own pair tailored to your own body.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dejour-Jeans-in-Brunswick/165548743476894

Carry a Phone Charger at all Times!!!

So back in March, I volunteered as a dresser in the Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion week (that's a mouthful, so we will stick to VAMFF, but even then, thats still a lot). Ive said this plenty but it is the truth. Every show brings a new element to fashion that the previous did not have. I'm in awe of the production and how so many ideas come together to present a runway that's both  spectacular and breathtaking. 2014's Melbourne Fashion Week was all that and more. It wasn't  just the fact that I got to walk on the runway but... HAHA you caught on, yes I got to walk on the runway again for this fashion week. (I'm pretty sure, I can make a career out of this.) 

But in all seriousness it was just for timing, but let me tell you, it was quite a thrilling experience.

Moving on from that I got the privilege to meet The Nicole Warne, or as she is better know; GaryPepperGirl (www.garypeppergirl.com ). My inner fan girl screamed in glee and boy oh boy, was I blushing, nearly tearing up. She was just wonderful, and so so SO beautiful, like I don't know how to explain her beauty (actually maybe I can... flawless). She was so kind and lovely to me and my friend Sherilyn (ooh yeah, another friend I made at this event along side an upcoming makeup artist).... yeah she was amazing... She definitely falls under my women crushes...

Okay snap out of it!! Not only did I get to work as a back of house volunteer but I also got to work as a front of house usher. You really appreciate what goes on behind and in front of the scenes - watching the runway. With this event, I got to work in the collections room and one job that every volunteer must do is shoe taping, it can get quite frustrating but then by doing it, it sends a feeling of calmness especially before the crazy, fast anticipated show.

Anyway one day, I was working in collections (I wasn't supposed to be there, I should have been in my tutorials at uni but that slipped my mind. But any young person reading this, when you get to uni or you are at uni, please, please, please don't miss your tutorials cause it can be hard to catch up haha) when I was approached by the head dresser of that particular show to get more grey socks from Target as there wasn't enough socks for the male models in that show. Just so you know, the show was about to start in one and a half hours time. Obviously I didn't say no to helping out, but lets get something clear 'Make Sure You Bring a Charger For Your Dying Phone' because I wasn't far off from having my phone die on me and I hadn't used the trams in Docklands to get to the city. 

My destination was Target in Bourke Street, which was a lot easier getting there. I rocked up there hoping the Target staff had the socks on hold, which was asked of them, but nope, they didn't!! I had about 50 minutes left, and I was freaking out so I ran to the socks and underwear section and basically was pulling everything out. So from constant texts to the head dresser to check that the colours of the socks was right, I finally managed to get what I needed. Running to the counter, I was like 'yeah for sure they will be letting me take these, its for the fashion show'. UMMMMM, that was wrong, the manager was like "you have to pay for them!" That was a blonde moment for me, cause then I thought to myself 'well of course you have to pay for these, whatcha going to do, walk out with them for free!!'

At that time, my phone was on 7%. I payed for the socks. Ran to the tram. Got onto the wrong tram, ran off the tram and got onto the right one. Missed my stop. Had to wait for the tram to loop around to get me to the Docklands Boulevard (entrance to the fashion festival). During that last moment, my phone died and I couldn't get in contact with the head dresser. I ran to her like it was the zombie apocalypse and managed to get there 10 minutes before anything started... BOOYA!!!

Well that was an experience, don't worry, I got reimbursed for buying the socks, but that's not the point. The point and moral of this phone is to always remember "CARRY A PHONE CHARGER AT ALL TIMES!!!" 

xx A

A Royal Botanic Runway Show

A runway show mixed with a heat wave is a good recipe for disaster, so avoid the risks of having one.

Designers from Akira Isowaga, Aurelio Costarella, Collette Dinnigan and Martin Grant featured their collection for the union of the inspirational fashion of 2014. Their range of clothing was an inspiration to upcoming designers, fashion students, major companies and to me. Each model featured in the collection fit the whole concept each designer was trying to accomplish.

Being apart of this show was another runway experience with a new understanding on how it is run and the difference it has to other shows I have done. The construction of it was breathtaking, elegant and very floraish (if thats even a word) because it corresponded to its environment, which was at the Royal Botanic Gardens.

Having the show at the Royal Botanic Gardens was exciting, even for me! During the dress rehearsals one of the models hadn’t arrived and I was quickly asked to fill in for her. I didn’t wear any of the clothes or shoes, even though i wish i could, but i filled in for her to see the timing of the walk. If only i had a photo to see the height difference with me and the models. Im already short enough as it is, but standing next to the models on Heels was way to funny!!! All those who were working in the show were hysterical and it was rubbing off me too.

Point is during the walk, I had the best time, I strutted like the models and added a lot my flare to my walk; swinging my hands, bowing, swirling and waving (just like the princess diaries film taught me). Everyone was hysterical including the models.

That was a good part to the day until the heatwave. Lets just say get the job done so you don’t step on any toes, constantly be hydrated and check that your makeup doesn’t fall off your face (which happened to me). Bring an umbrella, a phone charger so that it doesn’t die while your taking photos (hello me) and network your life away with the upcoming and current fashion generation & make sure your having fun so you remember these type of moments.

Well thats all from me, here a couple of photos i took before my phone died.

xx A