Hi Everyone!
The big news this week is the opening of the Hats
Exhibition at the Queensland Art Gallery on this
Saturday, the 27th.
Curated by the legendary (yes, actual legendary) English
milliner Stephen Jones, this exhibition comes via the
Victoria & Albert Museum in London for it's exclusive
Australian showing at our own Gallery.
Stephen Jones for Christian Dior Haute Couture Aw 07/08
Stephen Jones is one of the world's most important and prolific
milliners of our time.
As well as his own bespoke and RTW collections he has
created hats for labels such as Thierry Mugler, Galliano's Dior,
Jean-Paul Gaultier, Vivienne Westwood, Comme Des Garcons,
Ghesquiere's Balenciaga, Marc Jacobs, Giles Deacon, John Galliano
Hussein Chalayan, ...the list is very, very long!
This man who once shared a squat with Boy George,
went on to make hats for Princess Diana.
Please read his story -
The exhibition collection contains pieces of cultural
and historical significance including the Schiaparelli hat worn
by Marlene Dietrich in Witness for the Prosecution (1957)
through to a Darth Vader mask from 1977.
Stephen Jones will be in Brisbane next week to officially
open the exhibition and will even be taking the time
to speak to our own QUT Fashion students.
Hats: An Anthology by Stephen Jones
runs until 27th June at Gallery 4 QAG
Look out below - it's an absolute cracker!!!
Richard Nicoll, London
Linen Bodice Dress with Gazar bow detail and overskirt $1132
Grosgrain Ribbon and Fringed Skirt $846
Silk Scarf with Fringe Trim $219
available in -
Tahitian Floral print (pictured)
Slate Grey Abstract Print on Grey Silk
Plain Navy Silk with Grey Fringe
Cutout Stella Dress in Navy Silk $547 (necklace not included)
Twist Tie Dress $647 (under cami not included)
available in Plain Navy Silk and Plain Grey Silk
Richard told style.com that when designing this collection
he was looking for a balance between urban dressing
and escapism.
Some old photos of Tahiti inspired the big floral print and
perhaps the sarong shaped skirts.
I love his relaxed dress shapes and the added texture to
the collection with the linen, silk gazar, ribbon and fringing.
We have also received -
the Scarf Neck Top in Grey Silk with Slate Grey Abstract Print
the Assymetric Stella Dress in Navy with Slate Gray
Richard Nicoll is available exclusively in Queensland at Blonde Venus.
Sara Phillips, Sydney
"Iris"
Iris silk print dress $295
Bow Top Sateen available in Pearl (pictured) and Black $180
Benjamin Layered Silk Shirt Dress in Blush $380
Albert Dress with Iris Print on Cotton Jersey $260
Long Bow Dress available in Black $240
Steve Jacket available in Beezwax (pictured) and Black $385
Alan Bodysuit (under) available in Black and Beezwax $150
Bow Skirt available in Beezwax (pictured) and Black $280
You know that I am always on the look out for emerging
designers and Blonde Venus has become known for supporting
many young labels over the years.
The latest designer to join our collection is Sydney based
Sara Phillips.
Sara is a graduate of the East Sydney Fashion Design Studio.
After graduating, she spent 5 years learning the business
while she worked for "big names" Jayson Brunsdon and Saba
before following her heart to launch her own label.
Her new collection entitled Iris, is named after fashion eccentric
and style icon Iris Apfel - a woman with an uninhibited approach
to fashion who mixes allsorts to make the extraordinary.
Iris Apfel - photo courtesy of http://www.nytimes.com
Rare Bird of Fashion by Harold Koda
This book resulted from the exhibition in the U.S. that documented
Iris' amazing outfits.
Sara's beautiful peachy based, vintage inspired Iris print
is mixed with pieces in nude, black, pearly pink and blush.
The collection combines girlish bows, vampy minis and open-back
bodysuits with soft tailoring of the Benjamin Shirtdress and the Steve
Boyfriend Jacket.
Sara has achieved a difficult task of making quirky, but easy
to wear pieces for the modern girl that are also really affordable
and incredibly the collection is all made in Australia.
Sara Phillips is available exclusively in Queensland at Blonde Venus!
Iosselliani, Italy
Set of 4 rings in Sterling Silver, Gold Plated Silver & Bronze with Zircons $292
Sterling Silver Hoop & Stud Earrings Set with Black Rhinestones $167
Fixed Abstract Ring in Sterling Silver with Imitation Pearls $447
Fixed Abstract Ring in Sterling Silver with Crystals $389
I admired this jewellery so many times overseas and I just couldn't
stop thinking about it.
Roberta Paolucci and Paolo Giacomelli founded
their jewellery label in 1997 and have built a strong signature
with their designs which are often based on traditional or
vintage concepts, interpreted into something completely unique.
Paolo studied architecture before following his passion to study
traditional goldsmith techniques and he makes all the prototypes
for the collection.
Roberta is a jewellery and interior designer and together they have
collaborated with big name fashion houses Romeo Gigli,
Missoni, Alessandro Del' Acqua, Antonio Marras and Kenzo.
In 2004 they opened their own flagship store in Pigneto, Rome
and followed with another store in Shibuya, Tokyo in 2008.
All of their jewellery is hand made in Italy, largely from 925 sterling
silver but they also use gold plated silver, 18K gold, brass and bronze.
Stones can be a mixture of synthetic, semi-precious and precious
depending on the setting but can also incorporate shell and
Swarovski chain.
They have become well known for their complex fixed stack
rings, which have one ring as the base and then several
rings worked on top, in various angles and styles.
Another Iosselliani favourite are their ring stack sets which can
come in groups of 4, 5, 6 or even 7 individual and unique
rings that you can wear singularly or ideally stacked on
all at once.
We have many more styles in store.
You will just have to come in and take a look!
Iosselliani is available exclusively in Queensland at Blonde Venus.
Hello Boys...
Malmo, Melbourne
Thern Fancy Cardigan in 100% cotton knit Blue $169
Thern Fancy Cardigan in 100% cotton knit Black $169
Bolling Slim Shirt in Green Checks $89
We have also received -
-the Ibra Fancy Crew Neck Sweater in Blue $149
-the Bolling Slim Shirt in Navy Checks $89
-the Sellberg Shirt in Oxford Blue $89
Malmo in store now at Blonde Venus.
Cheap Monday, Sweden
Studio Jacket in Dark Beige $240
A selection of Cheap Monday Men's Ready To Wear is in store now at Blonde Venus.
What's New at The Outpost?!
There's always lots happening at The Outpost so
for absolutely all the updates, please check out Matt's blog -
Cheap Monday, Sweden
Lena Tank in Black/Lilac $65
Lena Tank in White/Sky $65
Unisex Tight Jeans in Summer Blue $90
Unisex Tight Jeans in Very Repaired Blue $110
Cheap Monday in store now at The Outpost!
Matt will email the winners of The Happening tickets later on today.
If you haven't got a ticket...it's on this Sunday the 28th at The Zoo.
Tom Ford's acclaimed debut film A Single Man is still
showing, but not for much longer -
Palace James Street
Palace Barracks
Dendy Portside
Sydney based artist Kill Pixie is flying in direct from LA
and opening his latest exhibition in New Farm tonight
at the Edwina Corlette Gallery.
The exhibition runs until April 10.
If you happen to be in Sydney this Saturday afternoon,
Alleged Gallery founder Aaron Rose will be at the
Chauvel Cinema in Paddington, showing shorts
from his film Beautiful Losers as well as rare short
films and bits by lots of great artists, including Mike Mills,
Harmony Korinne and Spike Jonze.
Matt will be there!
Go crazy.
I have!
Thea X