how to rock : purple haze

Today is Purple Day. The international awareness day for epilepsy.

Epilepsy is "a neurological disorder marked by sudden reccurrent episodes assosciated with abnormal electrical activity in the brain" (google) and affects 1 in 26 people around the world. Sparked by her own battles with the disorder, Cassidy Megan founded the annual event in 2008 with the goal to "get people talking about epilepsy in an effort to dispel myths and inform those with seizures that they are not alone.” The day encourages the public to wear an item of purple to share their awareness for this disorder.

Purple has also been a major trend on our fashion runways lately, mainly in the beauty department, and is one we are seeing more frequently as we move into the cooler months. To help you master both how to incorporate this trend into everyday life and to show support for a worthy cause I've decided to share my style advice on the trend "Purple Haze".

PURPLE EYES
Purple is the most universal and flattering colour to use on the eyes. Brown, green or blue eyes, brunette or blonde, it doesn't matter purple will still make you're eyes pop and is the an exciting colour to play around with! Another great thing about purple on the eyes is that it can easily be taken from day to night.

If you are looking to start incorporating colour into your makeup routine, eyeshadow is a great way to start, and why not choose a shade thats not only universally flattering but is a supportive colour of such a great organisation.

How To: 

If you want to go bold and daring look,  a full on purple smokey eye is the way to go. Have a play with a bright violet or lavender all over the lid and under the lashes for an intense night time look. Alternately incorporate a deep purple into the outer v and crease for a deeper smokey look that is still acceptable to wear throughout the day. 

Minimalistic gals should look at placing a purple shadow under the lash line using a purple eyeliner either on the waterline or on the lid to create a unique purple cat-eye look.

Perfect products to achieve any of these looks include the Nars eyeshadow duo "Jolie Poupee" or the shade "Urban" from the Urban Decay Electric Palette which you can find at mecca.com.au.

BOLD LIPS.
Bold lips, as always in the winter months, are a huge trend for the coming season. Not only is it a trend that is easy to pull off but it's simple, quick and can be perfected in under 5 minutes! Moving into Autumn we start to steer away from bright oranges and hot pinks and begin bringing out bolder, darker shades including burgundies and deep purples.

Rocking a purple lip is an easy way to show your support for purple day whilst still looking on trend and fabulous.

How To: 

For those of you still holding onto summer, reaching for a bright violet or blue based purple is the perfect route for you! Go for shades like "Gangsta Rap" from Australis or "Gemma" by Stila.

If you are more of a winter soul, go right ahead and pull out those deeper hues of purples, violets and indigoes. Perfect shades include Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in "Train Blue" or Mac "Cyber".

PURPLE CLOTHES

Purple clothing is perhaps the most obvious way to incorporate the colour into our everyday lives. Surprisingly though, it is not the biggest trend when it comes to fashion. Acting as more of a vintage hue, a true purple is only rarely seen on our streets through celebrities or on runways at international fashion events. 

These days we most commonly see pastel purples take hold of the fashion scene. The shade was a huge trend last season and one that I personally would be happy to see come back through again. So if you're a vintage dreamer and love to incorporate old pieces with the new, breaking all the current fashion rules then the purple clothing route is the ideal match for you.

How To:

If you are a true fashionista and are ready to take a bold move, go for a  vibrant violet or deep purple 2 piece or dress. Its the perfect colour to make a statement and show your support for epilepsy in style. Perfect products for you include the T by Alexander Wang leather top or the Sister Jane Purple Flow Flower dress from Topshop.

For those of you wanting to keep the purple soft and relevant, stick to the pastel hues. This trend is still current leading into the winter months and it makes for a perfect time to pull out last seasons pastel pieces. The absolute go-to piece to pull off this look is a pale lavender overcoat. Think along the lines of this gorgeous over-sized cocoon coat from Misguided or this snug violet cardigan from ROMWE.com.

PURPLE SHOES
My final way to rock purple hues is though killer shoes. Its the perfect way to continue to keep your work attire professional and appropriate through monochromatic tones whilst still giving off a subtle hint of colour and totally rocking the purple trend.

 Its also a great way to go from day-to-night or office-to-playground without needing to bring another pair of heels.

I also think purple footwear is the most beautiful way to share your support for purple day as it reinforces Cassidy's goal, to empower those who live with epilepsy and to ensure them they are not alone and walk together with many in this world.


How To:
If you are looking to rock this trend in a more corporate setting opting for a
classic pair of purple pumps or heels is the perfect way to go. If you can hunt down the Aquazzura lace-up purple shoes (pictured above) then these would be the most amazing shoes for you!

On the other hand if you're more of an edgy girl, opt for a pair of lace-up purple ankle boots. The laces will really satisfy you're rockstar flare whilst the purple will keep it looking on trend and give you a unique style that everyone will be wanting to get. These styles are hard to source, but trust me once you've trolled Ebay and Amazon you will find your perfect pair and fall in love.

Purple is such a fun and edgy colour to play around with and one that will always be present in a number of fashion outlets. To have a whole day dedicated to wearing this gorgeous colour is so amazing and it couldn't be for a better cause! 

For more information visit www.purpleday.org

Don't forget to throw on a bit of vintage purple today to show you're love and support.

alexander wang x h&m

Let's talk about fashion collaborations. Whether it be Pharrell Williams for Adidas or Missoni for Target, they all give the fashion savvy public of today's day and age the opportunity to get their hands on an exclusive designer piece.. and we go crazy for it!

One of the biggest inhibitors and enforcers of these types of collaborations are retail giant H&M. Having worked with a number of designers in the past including Karl Lagerfeld, Roberto Cavalli and Versace they have experience in providing these unique opportunities to the public on an incredible scale and as a result have created an amazing and ground-breaking reputation for themselves.

When their 2014 collaboration with Alexander Wang was announced early last year, the world went into a frenzy and waited in anxious anticipation for the collection's release.

That long awaited day finally arrived on November 6th last year when the collection was glamorously unveiled. Held at the Armory Foundation in NYC, the event brought social icons including Dakota Fanning, Solange Knowles and Missy Elliot under the one roof to present an innovative and on trend collection that was unlike anything else and certainly did not disappoint.

From crop t-shirts to sports-bras, weatherproof jackets and even an exclusive run of shoes amongst many more accessories and clothing items, the collection oozes urbanity, modern fashion and all round downtown cool. Its a collection designed for and inspired by the fast-paced lifestyle of NYC, with Wang sticking to a classic monochromatic colour scheme and mixing the aesthetics of both sportswear and performance to offer a range of pieces that are appropriate for the gym and everyday wear.  

The collection is of broad spectrum not only providing pieces for both the menswear and womenswear departments, but a huge range of footwear and accessories including backpacks, boxing gloves and socks to allow buyers to achieve the all round signature Wang look from head to toe.

The collection's style can solely be described as Sport luxe,  a style which we've continuously seen evolve this past year and grow into one of the hottest and most practical trends both on the runway and on the street. Wang has used every element you would expect to see in a typical sport luxe wardrobe throughout the collection to portray a unique and fashion-forward scuba diver cross sport luxe theme. 

Neoprene, mesh, exposed zips, weatherproof materials, stripes and lace detailing take charge throughout the collection with a subtle pop of colour and giraffe print bringing a bit of style and edge to the otherwise neutral collection. He also brought back the puffer jacket and detatchable hoods to allow New Yorkers to stay warm and dry during the unbearable winter months, whilst still looking fashion-forward and cool. The theme perfectly suits this collaboration as it combines the practicality that H&M shoppers look for with the high end, expensive aesthetic that Wang's clients adore.

As expected, the exclusive collection was a huge hit around the world - not only did it make the H&M site crash 10minutes before release by it sold out in Australia within the first 24hrs of it being on the shelf. So incase you didn't grasp the gravity of that, that means that the exclusive, one-off run had sold out in Australia before it had even been released in Europe or the US.

With all that being said its safe to say that designer collaborations,  particuarly ones with lower end retailers,  are a huge success for all involved. Not only do they allow retailers to gain more exposure and broaden their market but it gives designers the chance to share their brand and lifestyle with a different group of people and provides shoppers with the opportunity to get their hands on a special and exclusive designer branded piece.

designer profile: alexander mcqueen

High-fashion labels are not my forte. As gorgeous, creative and inspiring as designer collections are, I've never been one to follow the runway collections of classic, household designer names like Chanel, Dolce Gabbana or Diane von Furstenberg. I'm more of an edgy girl, and I prefer labels and trends that are a little bit off center and add a quirky uniqueness to today's contemporary world. I like a designer who beats to their own drum and has the ability to create and produce a range of collections that scream individuality and tell a unique cultural and emotional story through colour and patterns, shapes, silhouettes and embellishments.

Put all these together and you get the reason why I am in awe of the expert fashion genius that is
Alexander McQueen.

A luxe fashion house, founded by designer Lee Alexander McQueen in 1992 the brand is an impeccable representation of artistry, creativity and individuality. Its a brand that isn't afraid to push the sophisticated boundaries of high end fashion and one that has made its name by being controversial and by taking an unconventional approach to fashion design and it's classical features.

"Alexander's collections combine an in-depth working knowledge of bespoke British tailoring, the fine workmanship of the French Haute Couture atelier and the impeccable finish of Italian manufacturing."

I first discovered Alexander McQueen in my last year of high school when I was sourcing inspiration for my major project. It was his Spring Ready-to-Wear collections of both 2010 and 2011 that caught my eye and sparked the ideas to create my final body of work. I was mainly in awe of his modern age digital prints, bright colours and abstract shapes but I also couldn't believe the detail he put in to not only every piece of his collection, but every piece of his brand. Shoes, accessories, embellishments, head pieces, you name it, he did it all, and every piece was unique, alternate yet wearable. He was an artist and an incredibly talented one at that. I admired and still respect his impeccable skill, that he wasn't afraid to push the boundaries of fashion and that he had found such success in doing so.

Alexander McQueen - Spring Ready-to-Wear 2010

Another aspect I truly admired about his collections was his ability to penetrate deep emotion straight into your bones. Every collection whether it be happiness on a Balinese island to fear in a combat war - I felt emotion. I could in vision a culture. And I could see pure beauty. 

Lee McQueen made his talent very clear through his array of accomplishments and awards. He made a name for himself through his extensive work as Creative Director for both Givenchy and Gucci where he made some great friends and incredible contacts. His time at Givenchy was also when he was awarded his first "British Designer of the Year" award. Between 1996 and 2003 McQueen was awarded this title 4 times, and in 2003 received the CBE (Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) and named International Designer of the Year.

He was a truly a creative genius and an unbelievably talented man.
 Lee Alexander McQueen passed away on 11th February 2010

Alexander McQueen - Spring Ready-to-Wear 2011

Since his passing the brand has only continued to grow and change the face of fashion thanks to the inspiring works of Sarah Burton. Not only has she kept the unique, controversial and unconventional image of Alexander McQueen alive but she has created a true empire and legacy to his incredibly artistic work and individuality around the world.

Burton herself has also made a huge indent in the fashion world through her designs, accomplishments and accolades. Since starting with McQueen in 1997 and being appointed head of Womenswear in 2000, she has designed pieces for a number of celebrities and society figures around the world including Cate Blanchett, Michelle Obama, Lady Gaga and most notably Kate Middleton who she designed her wedding gown for. Not only has this celebrity affiliation gained great publicity for the business but it has allowed the brand to appeal to more then just an unconventional and edgy audience and convert classic fashionistas to the artistic world. Sarah has also received a number of prestigious awards including the Designer of the Year Award at the 2011 British Fashion Awards and was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2012 for her services in the British fashion industry. 

Alexander McQueen - Spring Ready-to-Wear 2015

"Integral to the McQueen culture is the juxtaposition between contrasting elements: fragility and strength, tradition and modernity, fluidity and severity."

Throughout it's remarkable life so far, Alexander McQueen has produced an inspiring number of outrageous, creative and unconventional collections that push the boundaries of fashion and have each left a memorable mark on the fashion world. From ready-to-wear to menswear, resort and the brand's lower-priced diffusion line McQ, Alexander McQueen does it all and is now making itself available to a wider and more eclectic audience.With every new collection the brand continues to leave its magical and controversial mark on today's contemporary fashion world and grow into an incredible empire in honour of the brand's remarkable founder.

Alexander McQueen - Fall Ready-to-Wear 2012
All images www.style.com and instagram.com/worldmcqueen

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

         

designer profile: casper & pearl

When asked to write about one of my favourite Australian brands or designers I'm not drawn to the household names of Alex Perry or Colette Dinnigan who are known to every woman and her purse around the world. I rather, find a connection with a brand that shows character, quirkiness, passion and displays traits that I can relate to on both a personal and professional level. 

Besides that, I also  love supporting more underground, smaller businesses who are ultra creative and are always striving for success while still being 100% themselves.

This is exactly how I came across Casper & Pearl.

A brand created by "self-taught designer Stacey Hendrickson" in 2011 when she was just 18 years old, Casper and Pearl is a quirky, vibrant and innovative label that isn't afraid to push the boundaries of fashion and create designs that will have every girl standing out from the crowd.

   

"Metaphors and hidden meanings are encapsulated to create archive pieces of art and expression; worth collecting and cherishing forever"

                              

I honestly couldn't tell you when I first came across Casper & Pearl, but I do know that I first fell in love with them through their instagram account and largely due to their love for cacti and the mexican culture  (which we have in common) that was a key inspiration for their 'Hola Lola' collection. Other aspects of their brand that caught my eye were their super creative and inspirational prints and images that are vibrant and exude passion and adventure. They create for me, an image of someone who is not afraid to be bold, confident, self expressive and a strong, independent woman who wants to explore the world and treasure her experiences forever.

"In each of Casper & Pearl's collections you will find more than just quirky and creative clothing, you'll find a concept and a story that is told through shapes, fabrications and exclusive prints".

In their short life as a business Casper & Pearl have achieved major success. Their product has been featured in a number of Australian magazines including the covers of Cosmopolitan and Dolly, they have showcased at Sydney Fashion Weekend and their pieces have been seen reguarly on Bambi Northwood-Blyth and Big Brother star Aisha Mckinnon.

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They have also found success on a worldwide scale, being published in a number of international publications including Attitude Magazine and have their product stocked in a number of well know, high-profile retail businesses around the world including Urban Outfitters and Revolve Clothing. They also stock in a number of boutiques throughout Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the US.

 Tomorrow night they launch their newest collection 'Abracadabra' in Adelaide, Australia. As soon as I saw the first sneak peak for this collection I wanted to buy myself a ticket and go but unfortunately Adelaide is quite a distance from Sydney and an expensive trip to take by yourself. That being said I can't wait to see the photos and the collection in full that (from sneak peaks) we already know includes an incredibly awesome floral print and a red and white checked print. I know it will be a great night and another huge success for the brand.

It's businesses and inspiring woman like these that truly empower me and motivate me to keep dreaming big, staying quirky and pushing for success. 

Instagram                                          Website                                         Facebook

instagram.com/casperandpearl                www.casperandpearl.com              facebook.com/casperandpearl  
  (all images sourced from Casper&Pearl sites)

tom ford aw15

Last night, whilst London Fashion Week commenced and with only 2 sleeps until the Oscars, Tom Ford stopped Hollywood in their tracks and showcased his Autumn 2015 collection.You wouldn't think that it could be possible to pull of such an extravagant and detailed show, reigning in a brood of high-profile celebrities at such a busy time of the year, but that's' exactly what Ford did last night in LA at Milk Studios where he transformed the room into a romantic replica of his London showroom.

Stars including Miley Cyrus, Nicole Ritchie, Beyonce, Jay Z and Rachel Zoe, amongst many more, turned out to see the highly-anticipated show. They were treated to a high-luxe collection that gave a sneak peak of the amazing pieces we could see adorn the red-carpet at the upcoming Oscars and the more casual, bohemian style that will be on our streets throughout the coming transitional months. They also witnessed some of the hottest models in the industry walk the catwalk as Ford recruited a number of current faces in his show including Karlie Kloss, Daphne Groeneveld and not just one but both of the Hadid sisters. 

www.vanityfair.com

As always Ford presented a collection that was versatile, bold and unique and captured an array of different fabrics, prints and textures. This time around it came from his childhood and created a collection that was still consistent with his elegant pieces of the past but that presented a more youthful and funky atmosphere for the future.

We saw a serious denim overload,  from jackets to floor length skirts to even knee high boots creating a true denim on denim (on even more denim) trend for the night. A large majority of this sub-collection was incorporated with patchwork of velvet, fur and leopard print  that created a true hippie and bohemian vibe to the show and even received an impromptu applause from the LA crowd.

 His ultra luxe leopard print fluffy jackets were  a personal favourite of mine on the runway because they created a super cool, amazonian atmosphere that screamed high-fashion and ultimate style. Khaki, beige and monochromatic colour schemes also took charge on the night whilst exquisite velvet gowns and intense fringing magically closed the show.

The collection was honestly breath-taking and expressed inspiration from a variety of sources and eras including the Victorian era, the 60's and even the 70's. A combination that you wouldn't expect to work but does because of the magic of Tom Ford.

www.style.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