Yesterday we made a little bit of blogging history with the first ever gathering of fashion bloggers from all over Australia in one room at Fashionopolis. At the same time. 150 of them.

There is a bumper post coming with lots of photos and a write up, but here is a look at the day through the lens of some of the attendees instragram accounts.

Myself interviewing Sarah Wilcox of Style Melbourne. Taken by cecyliadotcom

Eggs by @jBanham

By @loupardi

By @pybuspr

Charmain from Heart & Bleeker with Sam from Style Paws via @stylepaws

Lovely pins, we all want them don’t we? I fell in love with FireHosiery when they sent me their look book and asked if they’d be interested in sharing the love with Lady Melbourne readers. I think their imagery and product are just superb for an Australian hosiery label, and it extends right through to the quality of the product as well.

Winter is approaching here in Australia but where ever you are in the world I think this prize would make anyone smile. You can change your entire look by adding a pair of tights- from a really edgy fashion forward look through to vintage bombshell it can all be said with beautiful hosiery.

FireHosiery is offering Lady Melbourne readers the chance to win a FireHosiery Gift Pack containing 6 pairs of gorgeous designer hosiery, valued at over $150. Not only that they have kindly extended this exclusive offer for Lady Melbourne readers:

Receive a free pair of Chantilly tights (RRP $24.95) with any purchase from the FireHosiery online store. Simply add Chantilly tights to your shopping bag (plus at least 1 other item), and enter the following promotion code at checkout: LADYMELBOURNE

Wearing 'Chantilly' from FireHosiery

Wearing 'Chantilly' from FireHosiery

Wearing 'Vintage Seam' in natural from FireHosiery

Wearing 'Vintage Seam' in natural from FireHosiery

Wearing 'Deco Flora' in black/grey from FireHosiery

Wearing 'Deco Flora' in black/grey from FireHosiery

To win this fabulous prize all you have to do is:

Like FireHosiery and Lady Melbourne on Facebook

Visit the FireHosiery website and tell me in the comments section below what your favourite pair is.

That’s it!

Competition open to international readers-hooray! Competition closes Thursday May 17th 5pm AEST. Winner will be chosen at random and posted on www.ladymelbourne.com.au

You catch up with old chums at fashion week, and meet wonderful new faces as well. Here’s a look…

I was standing on the street waiting for a cab after a parade when Melanie came up and said, ‘Excuse me I don’t mean to bother you…’

For those of you not in the know she’s an Aussie actress who stars in quite a popular prime time TV show. I thought she was maybe lost or wanted to know where to catch a cab until she told me that she just wanted to say that she reads the blog. On the inside I was like ‘OMG EXCOUSME KEEP IT TOGETHER’ while I smiled and introduced myself. I’ve never had anyone fabulous and high profile tell me they’re a fan, it’s always the other way around. I thought it was photo worthy for no other reason than that it made my day.

Just when I thought I couldn’t get any more start struck I bumped into Susie Bubble outside the same parade. We’ve known each other online for a couple of years but have never properly met. It was great to meet one of my blogging heroes, and to hear that she reads Lady Melbourne and particularly like my blog posts on the new FELLT network. You can read them here and here.

A couple of days later I found out via Twitter that she’d mentioned me in one of her talks she was doing for Portable as one of her favourite Australian blogs to read. I’m totally and utterly STOKED and am telling everyone I know. All the time. Bored yet?!

Alicia from Sea of Ghosts

Alexandre Dubois editor of FAINT magazine

Bryan Boy’s Prada shoes. Why I didn’t get a full length shot of him is beyond me.

Tash from Breakfast with Audrey

Gorgeous Geneva from A Pair and A Spare

Selena from Dear Selena

Margaret Zhang from Shine by Three

In her first solo show since 1981 and being styled by none other than Romance Was Born, you could argue that Jenny Kee’s show was one of the highlights of MBFWA 2012, if not one of the best shows all week. Pulling 30 years worth of archives Anna Plunkett and Luke Sales presented a cacophony of scarves, jewellery and clothing with a healthy dose of eucalyptus branches and native flowers thrown into the mix. Think mad cat lady that lives up the street as worn by Anna Della Russo and you get the picture.

After a week of seeing so many derivatives of Mary Kratrantzou and Dries Van Noten it was in Jenny’s show that the use of print as a signature and in turn expertly mastered, goes beyond a mere trend. Granted that Kee is pioneer of Australian fashion particularly on an international stage, but the show was exactly what you go to fashion week for: to be transported into another place of fashion fantasy.

I think this has been my favourite outfit so far this week here in Sydney. It was way too warm to wear it but what the hell- it’s only Australian fashion week once a year.

Halcyon State generously flung open their doors and loaned me a capsule wardrobe for the week and two of the pieces I’m wearing here. The Elissa Coleman ‘Countess Blouse’ and the Shakuhachi ‘Wool Felt Cape Coat’ almost seem made for each other don’t you think? I can’t tell you how many people came up to me and said, ‘Where did you get that cape/coat?!’

I paired it with my Aqua by Aqua peplum skirt, Vivian Westwood for Melissa heels and some  pearl jewellery. The finishing touch was my studded Siricco bag. What a week, Sydney I love you!

What I’m wearing:
Coat/Cape: Shakuhachi ‘Wool Felt Coat’ from Halcyon State
Blouse: Elissa Coleman ‘Countess Blouse’ from Halcyon State
Skirt: Aqua by Aqua
Heels: Vivian Westwood for Melissa
Bag: Siricco

Here’s another look at some of the amazing accessories I’ve seen this week…

Really, who doesn’t love to get a bunch of beautiful flowers? And in this digital age, who doesn’t love to have them delivered? I love roses, white in particular and I’ve posted numerous photos over the years of the fresh flowers that fill my house each week.

It was a lovely invitation then when Roses Amore got in contact to see if I would like to offer this exclusive prize for Lady Melbourne readers to celebrate Mother’s Day on May 12th. Two dozen large Colombian roses gift wrapped and delivered to mum’s door- perfection!

Here is a little bit about Roses Amore:

“At Roses Amore we specialise in bringing premium Colombian roses direct to you. Why Colombia? Because it has the best natural growing environment for flowers in the world, and after decades of perfecting growing methods their product is recognised globally as top shelf. 

In addition to providing beautiful flowers to countries across the world, Colombian flower farms employ over 200,000 workers and assist in providing stability and development for the communities around them.” 

The biggest difference that I learnt after my visit to Roses Amore HQ(quite literally on my way to the airport for fashion week!) is that Colombian roses are considerably larger than normal roses. I was amazed at what I saw in the cool room and on the warehouse floor- they can import single stem roses that are two metres long. TWO METRES.

They work with farmers and families who’ve been growing roses for years and the roses are sustainably grown and certified by VeriFlora.

But onto the prize and what you can win for mum!

The prize:
12 large pink and white Colombian roses
Ferrero Rocher chocolates
Rocheford Pinot Rose 2010
$30 My Spa Voucher

To be in the running to win this amazing prize delivered for your mum on mothers day:

Like Roses Amore and Lady Melbourne on Facebook

Leave a comment on this post and tell me in 100 words or less what the best piece of advice is that your mother ever gave you.

That’s it!

Competition closes Thursday 10th May 5pm AEST. Open to Melbourne residents only and the winner must be able to supply their delivery address and phone number on Friday 11th May to organise delivery for Mother’s Day on May 12th.

If you are not in Melbourne but would like to share your mothers best advice just leave a comment on the blog but mention you aren’t entering the comp, I’d love to hear from you!

Last week I dropped in to see the queen of eyelashes in Melbourne if not Australia, Emma of Miss Eyelash. Her work is really perfection when working with such a delicate area of the face and although I was once sceptical about eyelash extensions, my mind has now well and truly been changed.

As Emma tells me it’s all about education because there are just so many myths around eyelash extensions. Not to mention shonky therapists or even worse back yard jobs that glue cut up fake lashes onto yours with super glue. Emma has seen it all.

She is soon to open the first ever eyelash spa in Australia opened up in Mount Eliza, otherwise you can visit the Elwood Studio. Her work is precise, natural and absolutely beautiful, the way you want your lashes to look.

Misseyelash.com.au

Well here we are on with what I wore on day 3 of MBFWA and I have to say I do like this outfit and feel oh so ‘Melbourne’ wearing it. I love Chanel but can’t afford to have a wardrobe full of it, so it’s usually in my accessories that I can let loose. These beauties are on loan from Parisian Street Society who collect and sell rare and vintage designer jewellery. Chanel, Lanvin, Givenchy, Hermes- it made my top 5 shops to visit if you are in Melbourne and it’s amazeballs.

What I’m wearing:
Shirt: Shona Joy from Halcyon State
Skirt: Op-shop purchase
All jewellery(except watch):  Parisian Street Society
Heels: ‘Vogue’ heels from Therapy Shoes

Two of the most impressive shows from yesterdays parades were Bec & Bridge and Ellery. Bec & Bridges Paradiso Bianco collection while still very Sydney-centric a la Talulah(mentioned in this post) was more wearable broken down and styled with your every day wardrobe. It was fresh, light but sophisticated.

Ellery used another emerging theme (aside from florals which are EVERYWHERE) with metallic fabric and leathers. It will no doubt be a huge success because let’s face it, Ellery is the darling of the Australian fashion scene but I loved it and thought that it was quirky enough to transfer to a Melbourne setting which loves its black or anything particularly unusual.

Bec & Bridge

Photos: For Tomorrow

Ellery

Photos: For Tomorrow

I bought up all these fabulous outfits to wear….that would be perfectly suited to a Melbourne climate. I don’t know why I am surprised when the weather is warm up here given that I lived here for two years but none the less I have had to do a little bit of wardrobe re-working which basically means I probably won’t wear any of the amazing jackets I bought with me.

Yesterday I wore one of my vintage Diane Freis dresses which is sort of like a Lady Melbourne signature and the week wouldn’t be complete without it really. I paired it with two vintage Lanvin necklaces and a vintage Chanel bracelet from Parisian Street Society and the ‘MoMA’ heels Therapy Shoes.

Here are a couple of the more interesting things that I saw yesterday on day two of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in Sydney.

Michael Lo Sordo who’s collection I covered last year was still in keeping with his use of silk and chiffon but more directional with his inclusion of digital prints and metallic leather. All of it was wearable in some way or another- either as a complete look if you are brave or as a one off stand out piece. After seeing his show last year, his entry into the 2012 LMFF National Designer Award supported by Tiffany & Co. and now this parade, I believe he’s cemented his place on the Australian fashion scene and is absolutely one to watch if you are on the look out for emerging designers.

Photos above: For Tomorrow

In other news Nicole from Gary Pepper Vintage opened and closed the Talulah parade which is the first time a blogger has graced the catwalk’s of an Australian fashion week. I had to go just to witness this piece of blogging history being made despite the fact that Talulah isn’t really a label I would wear myself. As someone quipped after the show, ‘It’s for Bondi girls who have gone to Byron Bay.’ Meow.

Still, Nicole did a superb job and anything that advances recognition for bloggers is worthwhile.

Finally the quirky Flowers for A Vagabond show which was far too eclectic for my liking and I’m not sure whether it’s because the actual collection was lacking direction or because the styling was off. None the less being the eternal optimist I am(!) I found a couple of pieces you can see below that caught my eye. Tinsel as a dress or skirt? Yes please!

Here’s a a look at what the fahsionistas are wearing around Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Australia…

Just before I travelled up to Sydney I popped into Parisian Street Society.

I picked out some of what you see below to take with me to Sydney to wear at fashion week. It was like walking into Willy Wonker’s chocolate factory: a dream come true!
 

This is just a little preview of what I’ll be wearing at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Australia that starts tomorrow. I’m super excited about it, I love fashion week! It’s a lot of hard work with long, loooooooong days but the content that I can generate in one week is like nothing else.

I’d like to give a huge shout out to Therapy Shoes, Halcyon State, Parisian Street Society and Samantha Wills for supporting me this coming week. Full time blogging is a funny sort of roller coaster and it’s through partnerships that I can do what I do and bring you the content I do. And I appreciate the support, from the bottom of my heart.

To Sydney!

What I’m wearing:
Coat: Shakuhachi from Halcyon State
Shirt: Vintage
Skirt: Shakuhachi from Halcyon State
Necklace: Lanvin from Parisian Street Society
Bracelet: Chanel from Parisian Street Society
Bag: Vince Camuto

I’ve had a long standing relationship with Leona Edmiston that goes way back to when I wore one of her dresses on the cover of Peppermint magazine in 2009.

So when they contacted me to ask if I’d help to promote an AMAZING sale they are having starting today I said, ‘With pleasure!’ Rather than just writing about it however, I went in store to their Greville St shop to poke around and check out what was on offer. Not only can you snap up Leona Edmiston current season and consignment pieces, but you will also have the chance to raid the Leona archives and purchase vintage dresses that have formed the inspiration for current collections. So really for someone like me who loves frocks and loves vintage it’s amazing!

From today you will be able to get 30% off the marked price at their Melbourne vintage stores:

• ARMADALE VINTAGE BOUTIQUE1091 High Street,
  Armadale VIC 3143

  t. + 61 3 9822 4424

  e. armadalevintage@leonaedmiston…

• PRAHRAN VINTAGE BOUTIQUE123 Greville Street,
  Prahran VIC 3181

  t. + 61 3 9510 1700

  e. prahranvintage@leonaedmiston….

Above is one of the pieces from the Leona vintage inspiration  collection. I think you can see the influence of this print in some of her recent designs.

If you have great condition Leona Edmiston you can take it to their vintage stores and pop it in on consignment.

Fashionopolis is approaching- have you got your ticket yet? I super excited because they are selling fast and I’m looking forward to meeting you all on the day. As a refresher here is what it’s all about:

Fashionopolis is Australia’s first ever industry day for fashion bloggers giving you a chance to network, learn and get yourself in front of some of the country’s most high profile fashion bloggers. If you have ever wondered about the business of blogging, this event is a must on your fashion calendar!

Part networking, part education Fashionopolis will open your eyes to a range of different topics unique to fashion bloggers: how to establish your blog as a brand, how to approach advertising as well as hosting Fashion Torque, Australia’s only fashion chat show that will broadcast live from the event.

Whether you are an established fashion blogger or just starting out, Fashionopolis will get you out from behind your computer and amongst the Australian fashion blogging community. Start planning your outfit now!

Here are some questions that have come in I thought I’d answer on the blog:

Who can come?
Anyone! Fashionopolis’ aim is to bring fashion bloggers of every stage of their career together. Learn from the veterans and freshen up your outlook from beginners.

Will there be more events?
Possibly! If this is a success I’d love to look at hosting these in cities all over Australia.

Who’s coming- will I know any bloggers already there?
You sure will! To name just a few who will be speaking and attending on the day:
Frockwriter Sydney
Spin Dizzy Fall Sydney
Stolen from Grandma Perth
Gary Pepper Vintage Sydney
Heart & Bleeker Perth
Fashion Hayley From Melbourne, now in Sydney
Style Paws
Pardi Pardi 
Michelles Style File
Style Melbourne
Businesschic.com.au
Esme & the Laneway
Smaggle Style
Il Etait Une Fois
 Jo Jo’s Styling
Cecylia.com
Friend in Fashion
(if you are in fact coming and I haven’t listed your blog please let me know!)

Where do I get my ticket?
Right here! 

If you have any other questions just leave them in the contents and I can edit this post.

I usually keep my inspiration photos and pictures exclusively for my Tumblr so that the lines aren’t blurred with the original content I post here on Lady M. In this instance I just couldn’t help sharing below with you here- I love them all so much!

Find Beauty in the Rain by Katie Daisie

Cow, Birds, Finches by Amy Ross

Picasso illustrations above and below

The Art of Kissing by Caitlin Shearer

The Snail and the Teacup

Over the weekend I visited Coburg Trash and Treasure. I’m trying to get around to more markets and recently visited Camberwell Sunday Market.

I thought it was rather small and that there was plenty of trash and the treasure was hit and miss. That said if you were prepared to rifle through every stall you could find things, but in terms of fashion and textiles it wasn’t great.

On the flip side I picked up a couple of random bits and pieces and it was much cheaper than Camberwell.

Are there any other markets in Melbourne that you think are worth a look? Let me know and I’ll pop along with my camera in tow so I can report back.

What to buy, what to buy?

This guy was hilarious, as soon as he spotted The Gardener taking my picture he did everything to get in shot. I have a whole series of photos of him nonchalantly hanging about MID FRAME.

I bought this tea cup and saucer for $5 to add to my blue and white china collection. Below was an ash tray with a gold alsatian which would have fit quite nicely with my porcelain dog collection, only I don’t smoke.

I first got the idea for this skirt when I was reading one of my favourite blogs ‘A Pair and A Spare.’ Geneva truly does the most amazing DIY projects and I absolutely loved the concept that a rug or a mat could be fashioned into such a covetable skirt.

The only problem was that I hadn’t spotted such a mat….until today! I promptly bought the mat, making sure that it had enough stretch in it that it could just be pulled on to be worn body con style. You can see Geneva’s tutorials here and here.

I’ve taken a couple of photos of how I’ve fashioned it as you can see below and it’s really pretty simple. I think I’d prefer it if it was a little bit shorter, but I thought I’d try this as a prototype and if it worked would give other styles a go.

What do you think? I’m thinking about perhaps creating a small range and selling them through the blog, even though I was glad to leave it behind me at the time I do miss the creative side of having my own label sometimes.

As this is primarily a blog about fashion, I don’t make a big deal about things like fitness, food or politics all of which I am passionate about.

I’ve been practicing yoga on and off since I was 18 and I’ve been running and jogging for fitness for about 10 years. I really believe in moving your body, working up a sweat and getting outside to keep not only your body healthy but also your mind.

A daily hit of athletic-induced endorphins gives you the power to make better decisions, helps you be at peace with yourself, and offsets stress.

Lululemon manifesto

I’m also passionate about anything that helps to keep women happy and healthy, and it’s with that sentiment that I was invited to attend the lululemon ‘Yoga Remix’ warehouse party last night.

I don’t think I have ever done a yoga class with so many people in my life let alone with a DJ and fairy lights to boot. But that’s all part of the lululemon charm- you move your body the way it suits you.

lululemon athletica creates components for people to live longer, healthier and more fun lives. If we can produce products to keep people active and stress-free, we believe the world will become a much better place.

Lululemon manifesto

After the group yoga class there was home made lemonade and a chance to preview what was on offer for their huge warehouse sale. All I can say is if you are into fitness and you want to look and feel amazing while you exercise get yourself down to the sale happening this weekend.

Practice yoga so you can remain active in physical sports as you age.

Lululemon manifesto

I love the pieces that I picked up (and at absolutely bargain basement prices!) but what made me really happy was to meet some of the women who work for lululemon and hear them speak. Fit, healthy and inspiring, the general manager has 5 kids but manages to do yoga and keep herself in amazing shape. All of the women from sales assistants to the digital manager were inspiring and it was a delight just to hang out in their company for the evening.

So if this is your kind of thing my advice would be to get down to the lululemon warehouse sale that is on NOW!

lululemon athletica Melbourne warehouse sale

30 Rupert Street, Collingwood

hours of operation:

friday, april 20 10am – 7pm

saturday, april 21 10am – 7pm

sunday, april 22 10am – 4pm

Instagram account – #lululemonWHSmlb

Twitter – @lululemonWHSmlb

Email – WHSMelbourne@lululemon.com

ou all know how much I love my jewellery and accessories- it’s how I got my start in the fashion industry. It was with much anticipation that I was invited to preview the Samantha Wills ‘Wanderlust’ collection at The Olsen hotel yesterday and I can exclusively bring you these photos. The range doesn’t drop until June/July but you can check out here what will be available and start your wish list. I know I have!

If you’d like more info or to contact Samantha Wills go to www.samanthawills.com

Australian Fashion Week is for many die-hard fashion devotees on top of their wish-list, as this industry-only event is normally reserved for the crème de la crème of Australia’s fashion scene.

Media, models, bloggers, celebrities, fashion designers, photographers and stylists are generally the only people that are privileged enough to experience an Australian Fashion Week event…until now.

Oscar Oscar Salons and ghd Australia are giving one lucky person the opportunity to be a guest beauty blogger backstage at the Bec & Bridge fashion week event on Wednesday the 2nd of May.

One lucky winner will get the chance to interview Oscar Oscar Salons session stylist, Paloma Rose Garcia, as she works to create glamorous runway hair for the Bec & Bridge show.

Paloma Rose Garcia is one of Australia’s up & coming star hairdressers, with a celebrity client following that includes fashion designers Kym Ellery (Ellery) and Anna Plunkett (Romance Was Born), as well as TV host Michelle Bridges (The Biggest Loser).

THE PRIZE:

• Return flights to Sydney, • 1 night accommodation • A ghd air professional hairdryer, • Hair styling by Oscar Oscar Salons in Sydney • A VIP seat for the Bec & Bridge show as well as a backstage pass • The opportunity to have your story published on the Oscar Oscar Style

News blog.

HOW TO ENTER:

Visit www.oscaroscar.com.au/ghdcompetition and in 100 words or less tell us about your favourite runway hair trend.

ENTRIES CLOSE 5PM WEDNESDAY 25TH APRIL

I’ve talked about the shop where I find all sorts of beautiful jewellery on Sydney Rd in Melbourne. They don’t have a website and it’s cash only but if you feel it’s worth the trip (and it is!) I’m sure you’ll be delighted. I bought these earrings there for $10 and sadly for you(!) the necklace was a gift from Mother Melbourne for my birthday. It’s from another shop near by and she was told it was made in Pakistan. Double delightful.

Ottoman Treasures from Turkey: 385 Sydney Rd Brunswick VIC 3056 Ph: (+613) 9388 8400