fashion obsessions

Lately I have been looking for new and innovative ways to freshen up my grungy,  leather, black and plaid based style. I was getting bored with the copious amounts of dark, bikie clothing and button-ups to tie around my waist and I was looking for elements that would keep my style unique and colourful whilst still edgy all at the same time. That's when I discovered my latest fashion obsession: 

bohemian grunge. 

A classic combination between soft, flowy shapes and hard, edgy textures and shades, I love the style because its alternate and care -free. Its a style that truly reflects my maturing self and exudes strong confidence and self assurance. A style that fills my life with joy and keeps me consistently happy and inspired.

 My Instagram feed is filled with a mix of enthusiasts who (just like me) love everything bohemian and/or grunge. They keep me in the loop with all the new and improved trends and elements of these styles on a daily basis and force me to stay motivated.  Some of my main inspirations are Youtubers Cartia Mallan and Karissa Pukas who both have impeccable personal style. Cartia is a free-spirited kitty from Brisbane and I absolutely adore her. She's always putting together fresh bohemian outfits and showcasing the latest trends. She's a huge driving force behind my bohemian traits and I always end up wanting to hunt down or replicate at least one element from her outfit creations. Karissa on the other-hand is a little more badass and brings out the darker side in me. Her grungier style mixed with bohemian accessories and breath-taking prints is a closer example of what my style has begun to evolve into. I'm constantly inspired by her cool and edgy creations and her ability to mix elements from both trends together to put bring to life outfits that always look effortlessly cool.

My biggest celebrity influence is without a doubt Kylie Jenner. In my eyes, she can do no wrong and her ultimate grunge perfection is the driving force behind the harder, more in-depth elements of my style.  I've also been obsessing over fashion sites Shantique Designs and Gypsy Warrior who both produce incredible look books showcasing respectively bohemian and grunge trends and produce aesthetics that are alternate, edgy and super cool. 

I'm literally so obsessed with this trend and can't help but share some photos of inspiration.

Let your mind run wild with the salty air in your hair and wet sand between your toes. 

Be young, be free and dream. 

Street Style

Its now been 2 long weeks since I got the pleasure of attending my very first show at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Australia. As always it was an absolutely gorgeous event that saw some of Australia's top designers (both established and emerging) present their newest collections to a crowd full of fellow designers, celebrities and fashion industry icons. Everything that was presented on the runway absolutely blew my mind but it was the style from the attendees walking the streets that gave me my greatest source of inspiration. 

This year the 70's trend took charge on the streets with flares, flounces, corduroy and denim seen at every turn. Australian fashion icon Tash Sefton from They All Hate Us was the true 70's muse this fashion week, managing to incorporate light wash denim (mainly bell bottoms and maxi skirts) into her looks each and every day. We also saw the classic and sophisticated tailored/menswear trend make it's annual mark with a number of industry personalitites including bloggers Margaret Zhang and Brooke Testoni rocking well structured blazers, coats and collared button up shirts to get them through the indecisive autumn weather. On the flip femininity was another key trend with personality Carissa Walford and international super model (and my ultimate girl crush) Nicole Trunfio, nailling the white, romantic and feminine look. Other trends we saw glimpses of were 90's grunge (plaid, stripes, black on black), bohemian (fringe, prints) and electric (metallic fabrics and neon colours).

I've put together some of my favourite looks from the streets that express creativity, personality and ultimate style.

images sourced from elle.com; popsugar.com; thetrendspotter.net;  

"A brand for the Bondi Bohemian in all of us"

Three of Something is an Australian label created by three talented and ambitious women who met by chance and share an incredible passion for classic bohemia.

Since starting up the brand in 2012 not only have these women become incredible friends but they have built a company that is a standout in it's field and is taking the fashion world by storm both nationally and on an international scale. Three of Something brings to life a  "feminine but edgy aesthetic" combining bold patterns, colours and prints with classic, minimalistic silhouettes to create classy bohemian pieces that scream sophistication whilst bringing to life every woman's inner bohemian soul. 

These woman work hard, they hustle and its the reason why they have already achieved such great success. Working from a super cute studio in culture hub Alexandria, the trio pump out a new collection every month of the year, that's designing, producing and shooting a brand new collection every 4 weeks (yep I told you they hustle). They're incredibly driven and their passion has allowed them to make some amazing connections within the business. They have over 100 stockists throughout the country including online powerhouses The Iconic, Revolve Clothing, Surf Stitch and Lalabazaar, just to name a few and also have a number of stockists in the U.S. They recently exhibited at the ENK International Tradeshow in Las Vegas - catapulting themselves into an international market and putting their name out there to be recognised by passionate fashion figures and companies around the globe.

Their current collection celebrates classic prints, sophisticated silhouettes and a youthful edginess, focussing on two of the biggest trends of the moment; pattern clash and denim as well as adding a modern colour pop and incorporating detailed structural elements to their timeless pieces. Its the perfect transitional collection and one that will seamlessly slide into any woman's wardrobe.

WRONG TURN - MARCH 2015

I was lucky enough to assist these ladies on one of their recent campaign/look book photo shoots (which you'll have to wait til August to see) and I can't express how much fun it was. As a fashion student it's crucial for me to undertake workplace training and working with Three of Something has definitely been my most memorable experience to date. Not only were the ladies super friendly, genuine and kind but they were extremely talented and you could see in their eyes that they have an incredible passion for the industry and extraordinary love for what they do. 

The opportunity gave me the chance to experience what it was like working for a smaller label and engage in the photographic atmosphere that my inner photographer has been dying to explore. It was truly an incredible day, bringing together a number of talented creatives to produce true fashion magic. I enjoyed every minute of being involved with the shoot and I cannot wait to take part in another creative day like this. 

I'll be continuing to follow the Three of Something journey and look forward to seeing what their April collection has instore. For more information on the brand, stockists or to purchase their pieces

 head to threeofsomething.com

(All images sourced from Three of Something sites)

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Leila Joy.

There are many inspirational and talented creatives in the fashion industry however when asked to write about just one it can be a little hard to chose. As I've said before I'm not necessarily your typical mainstream girl, I feel inspired by people who are a little bit off centre, beat to their own drum and achieve success with an edge. I don't typically go for the industry house-hold names and I'd much rather support someone who is a quiet achiever, modest and an undiscovered, underground success. 

These inspirational souls are the people I search for and tend to love best. It was by chance I came across this creative gem but I've followed her journey and continued to be inspired by her ever since.

Please allow me to introduce Leila Joy Berney.

A self-taught photographer living in Sydney,  Leila is a free-spirited, edgy, raw and brave creative who has a deep passion for "people, exploring the world and telling a story through words and images". She isn't afraid to push the boundaries or expectations of any industry and stays true to herself through the purity and rawness of her photographs.

"Trying to capture the essence of a person or place, their vulnerability, their whole, the life inside them."

I first discovered Leila through local Sydney beauty (and my ultimate girl-crush at the time) Dj Tigerlily. I was obsessing over her blog when I came across pictures they had taken together. The images had a gypsy-like bohemian feel, telling a story of a wanderer through the sun, sand and sea.  These elements combined with the juxtaposed environment really caught my eye. Tigerlily's unconventional green-tiped dyed hair mixed with high fashion pieces and a rustic background all bought together this unbelieveable beauty, a combination of high-end luxuries and ultra cool urbanity.  I simply could not believe the breath-taking beauty Leila had created and I loved that they portrayed an unconventional, care-free world.

Another aspect that I love about Leila is that she hasn't permanently dropped herself into one box. She combines her two passions; writing and photography to tell stories. Stories of fashion, nightlife, travel and personal adventure to share and inspire others. Her stories have the ability to connect with the viewer and penetrate deep emotion within their bones, all giving off an incredible energy and defining her unique style.

"With a camera in one hand and a pen in the other, I capture and record little sparks of life and share them with others."

Her editorial work has been published in a number of both Australian and international online platforms and digital magazines including Nylon Japan Magazine, MINC Magazine, The Feed and David Jones online, just to name a few. Aside from fashion Leila has also gained great exposure through the Sydney nightlife and Dj scene by photographing some iconic faces and events including regular shootings of Dj Tigerlily and last year's sold out Alison Wonderland Warehouse Project.

Her style is free-spirited, edgy and raw, and captures the essence of a person or place and moments of “spontaneity and purity”.  She firmly believes that "what is raw is beautiful" and that quote of her's consistently continues to inspire me. Just like Leila has done, I too one day aspire to combine all my passions into one, sharing my obsessions, personality and loves with the world through images and text.

Leila Joy is an absolutely incredible talent and I cant wait to see what she can produce and where her journey takes her next. Its motivational woman like her that push me to keep dreaming big and strive for success.

 For more information about Leila or to explore even more of her amazing content head to her blog:  followthezephyr.com

(all images sourced from Leila Joy sites)

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from the street: autumn trends

Summer is over, the steamy sunshine has set for another year and the Autumn cool is soon to be upon us. This means it's time to push your summer essentials to the back of the closet and bring forward the best transitional pieces you own to continue looking fresh and feeling super stylish throughout the cooler months ahead. Personally, luscious layers, super snug knits and drinking hot chocolate by a flaring woodfire are my favourite things about this time of year but I also love discovering and experimenting with the upcoming trends and styles that we see emerge as the seasons change. 

This season's trends are currently being set on fashion week runways around the world however the runway is not where I typically look to find my inspiration, its the street. Street style is a huge inspiration for me and I love stalking street style bloggers and photographers to uncover the latest trends and discover how everyday fashion advocates style their favourite staple and statement pieces in a fashion-forward, unique yet wearable way.

In praise to the brave and bold global trend-setters from the streets of New York, London and Milan fashion weeks of 2015, here is my first showcase on this year's Autumn trends.

THAT 70'S SHOW.

Every season we see aspects from a past era take charge on the runway and become a major trend for the coming months. This Autumn its the free-spirited, peace praising decade of the 70's that has taken the cake and bought the hippie-like, care-free culture back to our streets. 

Immediately the first thing that comes to mind when I here "70's" is  peace signs, tie-dyed clothes and psychedelic print, but thankfully these aren't  the elements we will be incorporating into our everyday lives. This season, the stylers on the streets are giving a subtle nod to the 70's through minimal statement pieces and by incorporating shapes, fabrics and textures from the era into their attire. These vintage components, mixed with today's current trends create a modern-bohemian vibe and bring a unique and alternate style to the contemporary fashion world. 

Bottle blue jeans, bright and bold colour contrasts, classic overalls and flared pants are all back from the past with denim, fringe and wide-leg cuts being the stand out key components to achieve this season's vintage inspired look. 

If you love you're denim go hard (or go home) with breaking the denim on denim fashion rule because this season the rebellious trend is back and has become a huge game player in the 70's street style fashion. We are seeing it being incorporated and re-created in a number of both new and old ways; wide-leg jeans, classic overalls and midi or full lengths denim skirts are your ticket to denim perfection and provide you with a vintage take on the current bohemian trend. Mixing your denim overalls with last season's oversized denim jacket and a vintage suede or fur coat is a perfect combination to achieve this trend and allows you to combine key season pieces with your wardrobe staples and old school pieces.

  

On the flip, if you're not a denim lover and more of  a gypsy living, free-spririted boho babe this trend will also satisfy your fashion needs. I personally have a super soft spot for this style, so trust me I can relate.

Suede and knitted capes along with unique aztec patterns and bold colour clashes are your best friend this Autumn with fringe detailing taking full charge. Its another more subtle aspect from the 70's taking over the streets and is a rising trend amongst a number of different styles. I love it not only because it is versatile, super comfy and an easy detail to style but its one that EVERYONE from every fashion genre loves and an element that can be adapted to a number of different styles. 

My favourite way to incorporate fringe is through statement pieces such as a jacket, skirt or handbag, but don't be afraid to play around with smaller pieces and incorporate subtle hints on your shoes or accessories. Fringe is the perfect detail to add that slight 70's vibe to your Autumn ensemble whilst still keeping true to your bohemian spirit. 

By adding suede and knitted fabrics to this trend not only do you keep yourself super warm in the colder weather but you add another textural layer to your outfit and create more depth and interest to your attire.These elements paired with bold contrasting colours and braided, gem like accessories present a modern bohemian and grungy take on the typical 70's wardrobe and show off a unique style to the fashion world.

So if you're an obsessive-compulsive fashion hoarder or a rebellious rule breaker, this season is for you. It's a time to play with textures, patterns and vintage silhouettes and really experiment and push the boundaries of the contemporary, modern day fashion.

All images -  www.style.com ; www.elle.com

         

evolving style and inspirations.

Style is something that can not solely be defined. It is an expression of our personality through clothes and accessories that can never be exactly replicated by anyone else. Just like everyone's personal style,  my style is ever evolving and changes depending on my mood, surroundings and my current inspirations and favourite trends.

I think I really started to establish a personal style when I was about 15. I was going through a lot of friendship problems at school (getting deep) and turned to rock, metal and heavier music to take my mind away from the drama and the isolation I was feeling. Bands like Fall Out Boy and Panic at the Disco were my go-to artists to listen to but it wasn't until I started to discover girl-fronted rock bands that my fashion and personal style truly started to evolve. 

My main and most prominent source of fashion inspiration that I looked to was Taylor Momsen. At the time she was a main character on one of my favourite TV shows Gossip Girl (XOXO),  playing sweet and innocent Jenny Humphrey. Her character had always caught my attention because she was an aspiring fashion designer just like myself, and I found I could relate to her on more than one level. She then debuted her rock band The Pretty Reckless, who ultimately defined grunge music and unveiled my undeniable love for the genre and style. I fell in love not only with their grunge-rock and rebellious music but with Taylor's undoubtedly risque/ultra cool rocker attire. Some of her fashion choices such as her stripper heels and suggestive suspenders weren't exactly elements I was anticipating to experiment with myself however I still found them rather inspiring. It was mainly her studded leather jackets, lace stockings and vintage satin nighties from the op-shop that caught my eye. There was something about the endless layers and use of multiple textures that screamed to me individuality, personality and confidence.Thanks to her inspiration, lace and leather, studded pieces and a ridiculous amount of black began to take up my wardrobe, giving me confidence to wear something a little bit different and thus starting my love affair with grunge fashion.

Panic at the Disco, Paramore and Fall Out Boy -
listal.com ; galleryhip.com ; imgarcade.com

Taylor Momsen -
 imgarcade.com ; posh24.com/ ; bitesizewriters.com

As I hit 18 and began discovering music festivals, electronic music and the fresh 18 nightlife, street wear and elements of a typical festival attire started being added to my wardrobe. My solo grunge style (or failed attempt at) began to transform into a more youthful, urban and festival approved attire that saw a lot of high-waisted shorts, colour and long sleeve shirts (mainly to tie around my waist) enter my wardrobe. Skrillex's "Scary Monsters and Nice Spirites" was truly the starting point of this change, as it bought an upbeat,  positive vibe back into my life and began my long-lasting relationship with festival fashion and electronic music.

Festival Fashion - (unknown)

 This year however is the time for a little change. As a newly crowned twenty-one year old I've realised I'm at a point in my  life where I want  to be confident enough to be brave with my fashion choices and have the courage to wear bold, statement print, experiment with my style through accessories and colour and to stop caring so much about what people think. I want to start wearing the types of clothes I'm constantly inspired by and really make my style about me. 

So right now, as I'm on this self-discovering journey, I'm currently finding inspiration from my surroundings and cultures apposed to fashion figures .I've been enjoying admiring symbols and art from the Buddhist and Hindu cultures including the hamsa hand, henna art and the mandala. I've also been loving home-grown Australian brands such as Ethel and Leo and Casper and Pearl who are more underground brands but ones that aren't afraid to be different and are creating an amazing and exceptionally inspiring array of bold print and colour to achieve success and make their mark on the fashion world.

I know my style is something that will always continue to change, and a creative outlet I will keep on using  to experiment and express my personality without words. I've really enjoyed looking back at where my personal style has been and I am certainly excited to see where it takes me in the future.

casper and pearl

ethel and leo

shantiquedesigns ; hennaearth ; flickpalmateer