I extend my hand for Rolling Stone and Snakadaktal

Growing up, I would always get comments from my mum on how long my fingers are and that they were meant for creativity. I've been told they are excellent fingers for guitar playing and piano, but never did I think I could live out a secret fantasy of being a hand model- for Rolling Stone Australia no less! Well, I can now tick this off my list of things to do in this life time as I had such an experience. A while ago now, I was asked to assist stylist Philip Boon for an editorial for Rolling Stone on the young Melbourne band Snakadaktal, winners of the Triple J Unearthed competition. Something you would naturally jump at the chance to 'keep your hand in' styling, never dreaming that you would be lending more than a helping hand. 

I had worked with Philip before and the photographer for the shoot John Tsiavis at his great studio so I was looking forward to something I knew would be pretty awesome having seen the concept that he and Nik Dimopoulos came up with. The thing that makes a great shoot is the creativity of a group of people working together for a final outcome. Every single person on that set contributed something to help the day run smoothly and efficiently and relatively stress free for the band. It was a great effort by all involved.

Philip had chosen a great collection of young Melbourne designers for the shoot to complement the young Melbourne band including Neo Dia, Limedrop, Strateas Carlucci, Alpha 60, taxidermy neck pieces by Fionnbharr Pfeiffer and cuffs from Madam Virtue & Co. It's always amazing to start the day with clothes on a rack and to see them come alive and take on a personality of their own once the wearer is in them. One of the most powerful things I feel fashion and clothes can do is how it makes you carry yourself and the trans formative nature of it.

So when I painted my nails the day before I had no idea they would grab the attention of the photographer who asked if they could use my hand to be in one of the shots. I don't know who was more nervous- me or my hand. So, in order to relax it, I warmed it up up for my close up by trying on a YSL bracelet, courtesy of Madame Virtue & Co in Melbourne. Very hard taking this one off I tell you. Ahh...

And this is the final result, the published photo from John Tsiavis with my floating hand up the top just like magic. This is my favourite shot (and I'm not just being biased here) but I think Phoebe looks amazing and she most certainly pulled off this outfit to perfection!

And in case you missed it! Ha Ha!

Love the props that you find lying around on a shoot. I thought fish did a great job, it was feeling a bit parched by the end of the shoot being a fish out of water and all!

The group prepare for the 'big shot'. Just how do you balance a human being on 8 hands?

Very, very carefully!

There you go! Look how relaxed she looks while hoping not to be dropped.

The band take a sneak peak at the end result enjoying seeing the process evolve. I love what hair/make-up artist Kim Tavares did on Phoebe's hair! Wondering how I can do that at home?

And the final editorial looks like this. Look how effortless those guys are holding her up.

Big thanks to a wonderful creative team with Photographer John Tsiavis, Creative Director Nik Dimopoulos, hair & make-up artist Kim Tavares and of course stylist Philip Boon and all the wonderful designers for their clothes and accessories. I had a great day and I hope you check out the September issue of Rolling Stone Australia to see the shoot in more detail.

It's back- and it's still bigger than Texas!

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For those of us in Australia, tonight is a happy night for it sees the return of Dallas to our TV screens. Not re-runs, but a new series with some of the original cast members including JR who is now 79, Bobby, 62 and Sue Ellen who is 70 years of age. If you are not familiar with the popular series, Americas longest lasting prime time drama from 1978-1991, then here's a little summary. Wealthy family the Ewings are oil tycoons and cattle ranchers. They are powerful, influential and are prepared to stop at nothing for greed. Well, JR their son most certainly is. It is a show about family, loyalty and integrity and what price you are prepared to pay for it. But it was also a show I loved to watch for the fashions, especially Pam, Sue Ellen and Lucy's characters. They were always so well dressed and each had a definite style that to me is timeless today- except maybe some of those hairstyles! Although America has already seen this new series, and talks of a second season are being mentioned, this is Australia's first sneak peak into the next generation of Ewings and how the world has changed since JR was in charge. I am so looking forward to it, as Dallas is in my Top 5 all time favourite TV shows and I only hope this latest offering can live up to the brilliance that it was.

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For a TV character you just love to hate, unfortunately JR is just as relevant in today's world as he was back then. Still motivated by only one thing- money. But boy is he a joy to watch.

Immerse Yourself Deep In Vogue

Karl Lagerfeld in Fashion Pack: Go Global Courtesy: ARTE, France

Where will you find Karl Lagerfeld, Marc Jacobs, Tom Ford, Jean Paul Gaultier, Alber Elbaz, Isabel Marant, Rick Owens and Mademoiselle Agnes to name a few this Spring? Not the latest runway show, but at the latest offering of films in partnership with Melbourne Spring Fashion Week (MSFW) at ACMI- DEEP IN VOGUE: FASHION ON FILM.

Each year, film curator James Nolen delivers a visual feast of fashion films to coincide with Melbourne Fashion Festivals and this latest offering is not by any means one to skip over in your busy calender of events. 
To kick start you into a fashion mindset, ACMI will be hosting a live event entitled THE BATTLE OF THE DECADES: the 80's vs 90's vs 00's. A free event debated by industry heavyweights as they will no doubt cause a fashion eyebrow to raise as they debate on which of the last three decades were the height of fashion. I've already cast my vote. I wonder if you can guess which decade? Hmmm...

Marc Jacobs in Fashion Pack: Go Global Courtesy: ARTE, France

The film season begins with an Australian Premiere, a three part documentary, FASHION PACK, featuring Golden Eighties (I believe this will be my personal highlight), Anti Fashion and Go Global. A fashion history of the who's who, by French Director Olivier Nicklaus, bringing us interviews and never before seen footage with designers,collaborators, fashion writers and editors and models covering fashion from the 80's, 90's and 00's. 

Raf Simons in Fashion Pack Courtesy: ARTE, France

Anna Wintour in Dressed For Winter 2012/2013 

Courtesy: ARTE, France

Fashion Pack: Go Global Courtesy: ARTE, France

The Day Before:Lanvin Courtesy: ARTE, France

Another first for Australian Screens is THE DAY BEFORE: ISABEL MARANT & LANVIN, taking an inside look into one of France's newest fashion houses and one of their oldest. Feel the tension, the anticipation and the creative excitement build as they have 48 hours to go until they present their Spring/Summer 2012 collections. A must see for those who enjoy a realistic view of the glamorous world of fashion.

Visionaries: Inside the creative mind of Tom Ford 

Courtesy: ARTE, France

If, like me, you heard about this next documentary and got a little bit excited,(understatement) only to be disappointed that it was not shown in Australia, well, your wish and mine has been granted. With its Australian Premiere, VISIONARIES: INSIDE THE CREATIVE MIND OF TOM FORD offers an insight into the fashionable world of this Texan designer and his crisp white shirts. Covering career highlights such as his mark on returning Gucci to a luxury brand and bringing 'sexy' back to fashion, Tom remarks "When I design I want to make the very best thing that I can make;with the most beautiful fabrics, with the most beautiful stitching. Something that I would want." Not a bad ethos to have I say.

Mademoiselle Agnes with Puff Daddy Courtesy: ARTE, France

An absolute highlight for me is the return of Mademoiselle Agnes in DRESSED FOR WINTER 2012/2013. It's like catching up with one of your most vivacious and flamboyant friends who always entertains you, tells you the truth and is frank and honest about anything. She takes you on a guided tour of the last six months worth of fashion parades in a glamorous whirlwind, reviewing and interpreting the collections as only she can beginning with the Marc Jacobs extravaganza show for Louis Vuitton and including Australian expat Catherine Baba presenting her new collection of jewellery for Gripoix. Another premiere screening for Australia, this film will leave you more energised than a triple shot espresso could ever do. Trust me on that one.

Mademoiselle Agnes with Sarah Jessica Parker in Dressed For

Winter 2012/2013 Courtesy: ARTE, France

The fashion fun does not stop here, with an extension of the Fashion on Films season at ACMI, curator James Nolen has selected films free for the public to view on the big screen that will be housed in City Square during MSFW (Cnr Collins & Swanston Streets) 
"We are thrilled to be screening the films in this years collection" says James Nolen. "They showcase true fashion auteur's and their forays which broke ground and pushed boundaries. They are still at the forefront of their game and producing some of the most wanted and talked about fashion today. To be able to have insight into their world brings a new level of context to the wonderful world of fashion." 

For those of you in Melbourne, make sure you mark these dates in your diary as it is a wonderful compliment to the runway shows and events as part of Melbourne Spring Fashion Week 2012. 

DEEP IN VOGUE: FASHION ON FILM screens from the 2-9 September 2012.

For more information and session times/details, visit the ACMI website.

Pastels,Linen Pants,Blazers,No Socks-It All Started With The Vice-Miami Vice

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What goes around comes around. The same can be said about fashion. Nothing was more evident when perusing the shopping malls and going from one shop to another only to see the same thing repeated over and over again. Pastels, Stripes, Spots, Blazer Jackets, Biker Jackets, Printed T-Shirts and Leopard Print to name a few. And colour, colour, colour- from pastels to brights to fluro! One thing surely came to my mind. The 1980's and Miami Vice! Yes- you heard me! The show that set the fashion world on fire and started their own trends that are reinvigorated today launched signature looks and brought Italian fashion labels and trends into the US market. Commonly known as the Crockett Look- or the T-Shirt under Armani jacket look, Don Johnson played the character Sonny Crockett, accompanied by Phillip Michael Thomas as Ricardo Tubbs, two undercover cops working the Vice squad in Miami. I remember even as a teenager thinking how these guys were amazing to be able to look so tough and cool in pastel colours and pinks while working as cops. The show ran for 5 seasons from 1984-1989 and became one of the most influential TV series of all time with their use of fashion, music and visual effects in telling a story, launching many a musician, actor and designers career. As I mentioned in my last post, how architecture can influence fashion and vice versa, the use of pastel colours in the shows wardrobe reflected the Art Deco architecture that was prominent in Miami. They designed a whole look and feel for the show that was reflected in the Miami heat. The Ray Ban wayfarer soared in popularity due to the show, or should I say how hot Don Johnson looked in them! The fashion was not just limited to the men of the show, with the co-stars of Saundra Santiago as Gina and Olivia Brown as Trudy wearing some of the most outrageous clothes that I would figure it wouldn't be possible to do your job properly wearing them- let alone the male cops to focus on their jobs! It was all about big hair, lots of accessories, mainly gold chunky pieces and lots of prints and colour. If you haven't seen or heard of the show (please email me and explain to me how this is possible? Fair enough if you weren't born yet!) and if you are already a fan, why not revisit if for some style inspiration. As one of my Top 5 shows of the 80's, I never tire of it and those that know me, know that I never tire talking about it either. But I will leave you with these images from the show and why not be adventurous and try a few looks yourself. What are some of your favourites and are you inspired like me by TV character fashions? If so, which ones? Would love to hear!

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Tank tops and button down T-Shirts were all the rage-proving you can be masculine in pink and lilac!And don't forget the gold medallion. 

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Coloured Blazers in double and single breasted teamed with a cool pair of sunglasses.

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Ladies- sheer delicate blouses with spots, cinched waist and leopard prints tickle your fancy?

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This colour has made its way back into stores along with gold statement necklaces and fashion sunglasses.

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Green is everywhere this season in many shades. Love the print on Trudy's dress.

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Tubbs was always more refined with polished suits in double breasted and striped and teamed with pastel shirts and predominantly a coloured and printed tie.

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This is the classic Crockett look, linen pants, jacket, t-shirt with loafers and no socks. How many of you men out there have been influenced by this? 

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Boxy batwing jackets became more prevalent in the late 80's.

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The Biker jacket is a hot trend this season. Crockett gives this one effortless cool.

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Ok Ok. This picture is purely to show off Don Johnson's hot toned arms. How to make a gun holster look hot while wearing canary yellow!

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Cool stripes in pale colours to cope with the Miami heat.

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I'll leave you with a quote from Crockett that can apply to anything but most certainly fashion:

"You've got to know the rules before you can break 'em. Otherwise, it's no fun".(Season 3-Episode 14-Cuba Libre)