Meadowlark Reigns Victorious

 

One of the best things about this time of year is getting a sneak preview of what's coming for Spring/Summer 2013/14, and last week I was fortunate enough to attend Meadowlark Jewellery's preview of their stunning new collection.  As well as getting to view the range up close, we were also treated to a tour of the workshop and got to witness how some of the pieces are created, which was really fascinating as all of Meadowlark's jewellery is made on-site.  

 

Clever designing couple Greg Fromont and Claire Hammon specialise in making unique jewellery with a playful edge and this new range is really something special.  Entitled 'Veni Vidi Vici' which is Latin for 'I came, I saw, I conquered' and infamously said by Roman ruler Julius Caesar in 47BC, the collection is a striking mix of stunning pieces themed around battle and victory.

 

The devil's claw pieces which were inspired by leather armour represent the former 'Veni' and are definitely battle-ready.  Amusingly the eyeball pieces are a play on 'Vidi', literally meaning 'I saw' and are actually rather charming as eyeballs go, definitely conversational pieces.  My favourite pieces were the beautiful wreath pieces, which represent victory 'Vici', the amazing oversized necklace was the standout for me.  I also adored the incredibly detailed wreath earrings too, you would certainly feel victorious wearing them!

 

Fittingly young singer Lorde wears the wreath necklace in her new video for 'Royals' and I couldn't think of a better adornment for her whilst performing that particular song.  I'm certain this unique range will find it's way into the collections and hearts of Meadowlark's fans come it's release in a couple months time and I for one, can't wait to shop it. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Images: my own.



Just So Pretty x

Shop The Custom Shoes By Romance Was Born

A psychedelic explosion of colour and craziness, Romance Was Born certainly captured the imagination of the assembled crowd on the first day of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia last month.  Amongst the out-there outfits and amazing make-up were some pretty stunning shoes and I was thrilled to discover that not only were they a collaboration with online shoe design company Shoes Of Prey, but the shoes are now available to customise and buy online as well!

If you're not already familiar with Shoes of Prey, the Australian based company have an online design service where you can create and customise the shoes of your dreams, which are delivered to your door within 4 weeks, how's that for a pretty amazing service?  Especially when you can customise these fanciful Romance Was Born shoes to your exact specifications for just $239 (NZD).  The only hard part is trying to decide which colours and textiles to choose from their extensive range. 

Check out the RWB shoes page on Shoes of Prey here. 

Images from: Shoes Of Prey

Just So Pretty x

Monday Must Have - Fredrick dress from Ingrid Starnes

It's been absolutely ages since I did a Monday Must Have post, but I've decided to bring them back as I see so many beautiful pieces all the time that I want to share and it's nice to have a format to do so that's more consistent.  Ladylike fashion is still very much around and I'm a big fan of designers that can create feminine pieces with a timeless feel but put their own twist on them.

Local label Ingrid Starnes is one of my go-to labels for well-cut garments that are winsome and have a carefully tailored look.  Every garment is immaculately finished and fits wonderfully, you can tell that attention to detail is incredibly important to this label. I love that the garments are a perfect mix of prim and playful that suit a range of ages, my mother's also a big Ingrid Starnes fan too.  The Fredrick dress caught my eye on the runway at last year's NZFW for it's delicately pretty print and pussybow neckline, I've always thought a pussybow makes a top or shirt more feminine.  I also love that the skirt length is a demure knee-length (it's gently pleated too) and that it's 3/4 length sleeves make it perfect to wear in this slightly cooler but not yet chilly weather. 

Blue is my all-time favourite hue and I love the softness of this chambray shade, (the dress is also available in a tobacco shade in this signature print too) and in lovely 100% silk, it's impossible not to feel amazing wearing it.  The Fredrick dress is available at Ingrid Starnes boutiques and stockists now or you can buy it on Ingrid Starnes online store here.

Images from: Ingrid Starnes

Just So Pretty x

Kate Sylvester Smoulders At MBFWA 2013

Sensual, feminine and inspired by one of the most iconic muses in the world, Kate Sylvester's 'The Last Sitting' collection presented at MBFWA last week was my highlight of the week.  The invitation depicted Marilyn Monroe from the sublime series of photos taken of her by Bert Stern just six weeks before her death, which had me intrigued as Marilyn didn't strike me as a likely muse for Kate Sylvester, so I was greatly anticipating this collection and it definitely didn't disappoint.

Taking a clever approach rather than a literal one, and interpreting the details of Marilyn's life in a unique way, Kate created a beautiful collection of timeless garments which referenced the fifties and sixties with modern touches.  Different elements of Marilyn's life such as her husbands were included, Playwright Arthur Miller referenced in button-down shirts and Baseball legend Joe DiMaggio in the baseball stitching and caps on the runway adding a masculine edge.  But Sylvester took most of her inspiration from the contrasting happiness, fragility and tragedy that accompanied the last phase of Marilyn's life.  The piece which stayed with me the most was the ethereal white dress (second to bottom) which reminded me of something Marilyn herself might have worn as a nightie, although she famously said she slept in nothing but perfume.

I adored the gorgeous silhouettes, delicate embroidery and soft colour palette of this collection, the sexy cut-out swimwear and sumptuous leather added a flirtacious edge, which added to my love for these pieces.  I also loved the slighly dishevelled hair and bold pink lip (diluted from Marilyn's signature red) making for a more real muse.  One of the things Kate Sylvester does best is make well-constructed clothes which are also really wearable and last season after season and this collection is another classic example of that.  I simply cannot wait to shop this stunning collection come July/August.

Watch the video of the collection on the runway at MBFWA here.

 

 

 

 

Images from: Lucas Dawson for Kate Sylvester and my own

Just So Pretty x

My Favourite Collections From MBFWA 2013

Serpent and The Swan

It's hard to believe Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia has been over and done with for a week now, I had a fantastic time in Sydney and was thrilled to see so many collections in person, even though it felt like it all went by in a shiny blur. I've finally had a chance to put together some images from the collections I loved and looks that took my breath away. With the exception of Kate Sylvester and Surface Too Deep whom I'll be posting about separately.

I was thrilled to see more beautiful lady-like pieces on the runway for Spring/Summer 2014 with lace, florals, sequins and pretty prints all catching my eye during the week. My first show was the exceptional Aurelio Costarella, whose exquisite collection of couture garments was a wonderful welcome to MBFWA 2013.   Alex Perry's glamourous gold and black range of sheer sexy dresses also got my attention on the first day and speaking of gowns, Maticevski and Lisa Ho delivered some stunning eveningwear which literally took my breath away.

There was certainly an abundance of sheer and shiny garments on the runway with Aje, Blessed Are The Meek and Shakuhachi all presenting lots of stunning sequinned pieces.  I loved the beautiful sheer florals at Aje and Shakuhachi too, the looks were really covetable and reminded me a little of Barbie clothes in a good way, especially at Shakuhachi. 

Alice McCall's ocean and Lalique inspired looks featured intricate prints with the standout pieces for me being the beautiful blue and white dresses pictured below.  I also loved the bright hues at Talulah, with gorgeous prints on crisp separates and swimwear enhanced by gorgeous woven belts which would be amazing on hazy summer days.

Making a statement with his Cowboys meets Aliens style creations, Phoenix Keating's spectacular installation was certainly a fantastic MBFWA debut, his clever use of draping and metallic accents made for a striking collection that was feminine and unlike anything else shown during the week.  Another label making an impact were the always impeccable Zambesi, who made a welcome return to the runway and were my last show of the week.  Intelligent, modern and effortlessly cool, Zambesi's mix of mens and womenswear was a perfect end to an amazing week, with the tassled ivory maxi-dress (pictured below) my favourite piece on the runway, it had such incredible movement and I found it impossible to take my eyes off it. 

Thank you to all the wonderful designers, PRs, photographers, stylists, friends and family who made my MBFWA such a fantastic one.  Can't wait for the next one already!     

Aje

Alex Perry

Alice McCall

Aurelio Costarella

Blessed Are The Meek

Lisa Ho

Maticevski

Phoenix Keating

Shakuhachi

Talulah

Zambesi

Images from: MBFWA

Just So Pretty x

Carey Mulligan Dazzles As Daisy

My 1920s flapper fever just kicked up a notch upon seeing these incredible images of Carey Mulligan as Daisy Buchanan in the new The Great Gatsby film, which is released next month.  Director Baz Luhrmann's stunning adaptation of the 1925 F. Scott Fitzgerald novel is going to be an opulent drama showcasing the sumptuous fashion, decor and style of the period and US Vogue are so excited they've devoted their upcoming May issue to the film.

These gorgeous images have just been released from the new issue and feature Carey wearing Christian Dior Haute Couture, Nina Ricci, Chanel Haute Couture, Miu Miu, Oscar de la Renta and Alexander McQueen in some of the most exquisite photos I've seen this year, shot by the legendary Mario Testino.  The issue is released in Australia on April 23rd and I simply cannot wait to get my hands on it!  Oh and I will be waiting in line for the new film too, which is released in Australia on May 30th and in New Zealand on June 6th, but in the meantime I'm going to gaze some more at these beautiful pictures, Carey makes such a winsome Daisy.

Images from: Vogue Australia

Just So Pretty x