blonde venus: November 2009

Hi Everyone!

I have to sincerely apologize for the typos in my last letter.

This lead to a great deal of confusion with my blog link.

Here goes again -

blondevenuslovesyou.blogspot.com/

My London based girlfriend Lyndell Mansfield called me from Sydney just over a

week ago and says "I'm here with Beth (Ditto), do you want to come down

for a party?!"

That is so typicall Lyndell.

Spontaneous and crazy and fun!

I packed a bag but pulled out at the last minute as we were just too busy

for me to get away :(

So maybe next time!

Beth and her band Gossip were in Sydney and Melbourne for a quick press

meet and greet.

They all picked up some Karen Walker sunglasses while they were here

and here is Beth back in Paris already sporting hers along with her new

orange tone locks, courtesy of Lyndell!

Please excuse these vague references to celebrity dressing.

I generally don't encourage it.

Beth Ditto in her new Super Duper Karen Walker frames

We currently have the Black version in stock $295

I have lost my voice this week which may have something to do with last week.

Thursday night we saw The Buzzcocks at The Zoo.

It was roasting hot but fantastic fun and Steve Diggle even wore a polka dot shirt.

Then last weekend we bid our farewell to Ric's Bar as we know it.

We had found out rather suddenly that Ric's and Fatboys has been sold

to RG's - the monstrosity beer garden/pokies/sports screens pub that has

tainted our Valley Mall.

Unfortunately, most of the staff have been retrenched but some have already

found a home like Nick (Norto) Naughton will be DJing at The Troubadour

from December the 4th.

Ric's has been there for the last 15 years or so, one of those places that you could always rely on to meet up

with friends, any old night of the week.

Remember all of the young bands that they have booked and incubated over

the years? (Custard, The Melniks, The Zebras, Six Ft. Hick,

C.O.W., Minimum Chips, Del Toro, No Anchor, Gentle Ben, The Mint Chicks, Sekiden,

Cunningham, Yves Klein Blue, I Heart Hiroshima, Cunnningham... and legends like,

Grant McLennan, Spencer P Jones and so many more.)

Also remember all of those nights upstairs on the squishy dance floor where even

Matt (Old Lady) used to DJ? (Johnny G, Seany B, Katch, Alex G, Heinz, Love&Roxy,

Teenage Kicks, Black Fag, BRMC, Nick Zinner YYY's ...)

And always free entry!

So, on Saturday night we partied until 4:30 in the morning just as the sun

was coming up, for old times sake.

We remembered a happy time before the hen's nights and the mainstream

element moved in and vowed that we won't roll over and give up our

home.

At least we still have places like The Zoo, The Troubadour , The Bowery,

X&Y which are still independently owned small business venues with their

hearts in the right places.

This Friday night (if I'm better) we're going to see Songs play at The Club House

which is the old corner bar at The Empire.

songssongs.net/

Tex Perkins has extended his Johnny Cash show at the Twelfth Night Theatre

until December the 13th -

twelfthnighttheatre.com.au/

Marianne Faithful has just announced a show at The Tivoli for the 30th of January.

thetivoli.net.au

I recently joined the World Cinema Club and last night, thanks to them,

I went to a free preview of the new Jane Campion film Bright Star.

It is a devastatingly romantic tale of the love affair between

the poet John Keats and Fanny Brawne.

The film is beautiful and so precious.

The acting is wonderful starring Abbie Cornish and Ben Whishaw (Perfume)

as John Keats.

brightstar-movie.com/

stgeorgebiff.com.au

Here's the latest new arrivals!

Make Believe

Bryan Boy wearing his Make Believe pendant with Messrs Dolce and Gabbana in Milan this year

bryanboy.com/

We have a new delivery of Make Believe pendants in the fabulous Blue

(as worn by Peaches) and also a beautiful new Pale Pink.

The pendants are available in the original large Petal to the Metal size

as well as the new miniature size - just like Bryan Boy's.

Make Believe available exclusively in Queensland at Blonde Venus!

Dion Lee, Sydney

Shirtdress with Blazer Harness in White $590

Silk Sheer Pant in Flesh $690

Silk Double Neck Dress in Flesh $440

Twist Sculptural Dress in Black $1550

Twist Shoulder Shift Dress in Black $790

Open Back Double Zip Biker Dress in Blue $790

Silk T-shirt with Sheer Back in Blue $340

Also available in Flesh

Twist Sleeve Silk Blazer in Blue $890

Also available in Flesh

Structured Shoulder Jacket available in Black $1500

Dress Up, Melbourne

Near Dark SS09/10

Draping Hook Dress $396

Hook Camisole available in Ivory and also Black silk $165

Draping L/S Blouse $297

Summer Waisted Shorts available in Black and also Beige $190

Knife Dress $330

Linen Blazer $378

Stephanie Downey is another young Australian designer that

keeps going from strength to strength.

Her Dress Up collection was recently picked up by Liberty

in London (they will carrying this collection if you are reading

this in London) and only last month, Australian Vogue

dedicated a story to her.

Such wonderful endorsements and these pieces show you why.

Dress Up is available exclusively in Queensland at Blonde Venus!

What's New at The Outpost?!

The Outpost calico shopper

Only $3 or free with purchases of $100 or more!

the-outpost-store.blogspot.com

Cheap Monday

Ice Wash, all sizes, 25-36.

We will have Very Tight Black in on Monday and still only $90.

Pass Port, Brisbane

Don't forget to tell Mum about this one as you can finally say,

yes, I do want socks for Christmas!

Only $15 for a set of 4!

We have also just received three great new T-shirt designs from Trent, including this Hammer & Rose

print.

Only $44!

Arthur Street Market

Open for business!

If you missed out on our killer 4 day sale, I have some exciting news for you.

The space that we used was still vacant, so we have joined forces with Ann Street

boutiques Ultra Suite and Nelson Molloy to give you Arthur Street Market.

The pop-up store features archival fashion pieces, workroom samples, one-off pieces

as well as some current season pieces at market prices.

We will all be restocking randomly and weekly so you will have to keep checking

back for those surprise bargains.

We have a mix of Karen Walker, Lover, Antipodium, Arnsdorf, Carl Kapp, Dhini,

Carly Hunter, Richard Nicoll, Ann-Sofie Back, Jens Laugesen and more

at crazy prices including 18th Amendment Jeans at only $50 a pair!

Arthur Street Market is open:

Tuesday to Friday 10-6

Saturday 9-5

Sunday 11-4

for a limited time only...

The countdown to Christmas is on!!!

See you soon,

Thea x

Mary Katrantzou, London
northern hemisphere AW09/10

The Shallimar Dress $1612

The Perfume Dress $1343

The V Dress $1346

The Amphorea Dress $1185

Mary Katrantzou made waves when she presented her
graduate collection of oversized jewellery prints on
brightly coloured silks.
The bold simplicity of an idea, executed incredibly well
has led to her rapid success and she is now stocked in prestige
stores around the world including Browns in London and
Colette in Paris.

Mary studied at the Rhode Island School of Design NY before
transferring to Central Saint Martins in London to complete a
BA in Textile Design and then finishing with a distinction
in MA fashion.

After such acclaim, it is often difficult for young designers to
follow up with another strong collection, considering all the
pressures of launching straight out of design school.

Mary has well and truly proven her fabulous eye for design
with this collection inspired by vintage perfume bottles and
she has recently done it again at London Fashion Week
with her strong SS10 collection.

The colours and depth of her prints along with her clever
print placement make these extraordinary pieces.
Mary Katrantzou is available exclusively in Queensland at Blonde Venus!