Hi Everyone
More amazing deliveries this week and the store looks
so beautiful and fresh and particularly springy...
Well, there are only 4 more days of winter left!
The September Issues are all out and I'm feeling
the love of the new season.
Here's my hot tips!
Life Without Black
Again this season, there is barely a skerrick of black in most
collections which is a great challenge.
We have to think just a bit harder about making interesting
combinations rather than falling back on black.
Give her a rest until she regains her strength and glory
and live summer in shades of Macaroons:
from Nudes through to Biscuit, from Pistachio through to Olive,
from Tan through to Chocolate, from Peach through to Rust...
Keep working the "new neutrals" like Navy, Grey and the Nude tones.
Digital Prints
This look has still remained important but it depends on
the quality and the exclusivity of the print for it's success.
From the northern hemisphere you are safe with designers
like Peter Pilotto and Mary Katrantzou who really broke this
trend initially.
In the Australian collections, I love Sara Phillips NY skyline
print in her statement jacket or pleated pants.
Arnsdorf's pretty crystal print image looks great printed on the
organic cotton canvas.
I also love Dion Lee's Rorschach prints in their brilliant
pastel tones and Emma Cook's smudgy charcoal flowers,
bats, horses and birds are amazing.
The Maxi Skirt (and other long stories...)
Don't confuse this look with the garish maxi dress trend of
summer's past or anything too boho.
Please bin them now.
This is sophisticated and sexy and makes a welcome change from
seeing everything thigh-high.
My favourites:
Richard Nicoll in Grey Wool Flannel or his soft tulle version
in Pale Grey or Petrol Blue.
Lover's soft silk pleated version in Cinnamon.
Arnsdorf's bell shapes in Tan and Rust.
Karen Walker's collection includes some beautiful dresses and skirts
in slightly longer lengths for a lady-like look which is still edgy.
Leather
It has been quite some time since it has been officially cool
to wear this much leather (Urban Cowboy?) but take a leaf
from early adaptor Chloe Sevigny (amazing) and the woman
who has made it commercial Phoebe Philo (Celine), crank up the
airconditioning and give it a try.
My favourites:
Christopher Esber buttery soft tees in Black or Ice Blue
lined with tulle.
Sara Phillips sculptured suede tee or pastel hued crop
tops which are easy to layer.
Tailoring
If your wardrobe is looking like a ball of artfully challenged jersey,
this will bring some structure back in to your life.
There's nothing quite like pulling on a beautifully tailored garment
whether it be a sharp jacket, some soft pleated trousers, an immaculate
A-line skirt or some flirty high waisted shorts.
My favourites:
Karen Walker's Salzburg U.S.A. collection is full of just the right
things - classic shapes with edgy styling like her cute Brocade shorts-suit,
the Von Trapp Jacket in Beige with Navy Trim, with matching shorts and
skirt.
Richard Nicoll's draped wool Jacket in Grey with Houndstooth.
I also love Lover's pleated shorts and trousers and their modern wrap
trench dress, all in Stone.
The Shirt
It's time to ditch those jersey, strappy tanks and replace them
with something shirty.
Buttoned, unbuttoned, tucked in or tied at the waist, this season's
blouse can cross from sharp and masculine, to layered and frilled
to a sexy western number.
My favourites:
Dress Up fine cotton voile in Peach, Oatmeal or Fawn.
Sara Phillips' Western Shirt in White.
Richard Nicoll's cool shirting from masculine to ruffled in Navy, White and Fawn.
Here's what's been keeping us busy this week!
Emma Cook, London
Northern Hemisphere AW10
Horse Dress Silk Crepe Mini Shift Dress $538
Never Forever Print Silk Chiffon Kaftan $466
Painted Flowers Silk Crepe Shift Dress $559
Painted Flowers Silk Chiffon Kaftan $466
Never Forever Silk Chiffon Evening Dress $559
Susan Frill Vest Top available in Toffee Silk Crepe De Chine $424
Susan Evening Dress in Toffee Silk Chiffon $715
Susan Tie Mini Dress in Toffee Silk Chiffon $594
Emma Cook studied along side Stella McCartney and Alexander McQueen
and is a graduate of London's Central St Martin's College.
She worked with Martine Sitbon in Paris, Ghost and Liberty in London and
Ruffo in Italy before setting up her own label in 2000.
Emma has won the UK New Generation award three times since then,
has done several highly successful collaborations with Topshop and
boasts around 35 stockists internationally including Liberty in London
and Opening Ceremony in the US.
Her collections are often described as girlish without being cute
and her distinctive prints often draw inspiration from nature
like wild animals, flora and quite often birds.
This beautiful collection made from light, soft silk
fabrics translates well to our hemisphere and I'm excited
to be finally introducing Emma Cook to Blonde Venus!
Emma Cook is available exclusively in Queensland at Blonde Venus!
Dress Up, Melbourne
Everything In It's Right Place
Spring/Summer 10
Tie Up Shirt in Fawn 100% Cotton Voile $176
also available in Peach and Oatmeal
Cuffed Pant in Cocoa 100% Linen $286
Tilting Shift Dress in Pale Peach Linen/Viscose with Silk LIning $484
Photography: Samuel Hodge
Model: Jillian @ Chadwicks
Hair/Make Up: Anastasia Borovik
Styling: Kate Reynolds & Stephanie Downey
Stephanie Downey has been growing her collection each
season but Dress Up has retained it's almost "careful" identity
of subtle pieces that can speak volumes for the girl that likes being "the outsider".
It is wonderful to see the simplicity of a cotton blouse and a linen trouser -
notions that are often lost in collections now but are so perfect for our
climate and lifestyle.
Dress Up is available exclusively in Queensland at Blonde Venus!
Sara Phillips, Sydney
High Noon SS10/11
Chrysler Dress in Peach $380
Chrysler Pleated Crop Top in Peach $190
Rodeo Cropped Leather Tank Top available in Petal and Donkey Suede $280
Rodeo Leather Tee in Donkey Suede $450
Jackaroo Skirt with Pleated Detail in Grey $440
Sara Phillips made her solo debut at Rosemount Australian Fashion Week
with this collection earlier this year to the tune of Dolly Parton's Jolene
and the girls in high rockabilly quiffs and cowgirl hats.
Sara Phillips back stage shots taken by Sonny Vandevelde
It was a fun show but it is exciting to see the pieces hit
the shop floor and be transported from the Runway to Real Life which
has very much been the case this week.
Girls have been eager to get into the look.
Great news for such a young label and Sara obviously has lots of fans.
She has a great future.
We have also received -
the Simple Tank in Donkey and Black $90
the Bra Tank in Donkey and Black $100
the Bike Pants in Donkey and Black $90
Sara Phillips is available exclusively in Queensland at Blonde Venus!
New Kid, Italy
Mathcore $230
Doowop $230
Jigpunk $250
Elma Slipstitch $239
Shoe designer Rachel Beagley, popped home a little while
ago to visit friends and family in Brisbane and also brought
in her very latest collection for us to look at.
After the success of Provensen, I was keen to further
alleviate the problem of finding good shoes in Brisbane
and Rachel's collection of footwear inspired by memories
of the 90's, music and slacker films, easily won me over.
Interesting, fashion forward shapes that are super easy
to wear.
The leather shoes are all beautifully hand made in Italy and are
also, super surprisingly economically accessible!
Limited stocks available, so get in quickly.
New Kid is available exclusively in Queensland at Blonde Venus!
What's New at The Outpost?!
For Matt's complete updates, go to -
Penny Skateboards
Penny Completes $149 each
Penny Completes are an exciting re-issue of the 1970's style plastic boards.
They are so compact and can even fit inside your backpack.
These juicy coloured boards are made in Australia and come fully assembled
and ready to ride!
Penny Skateboards in-store now at The Outpost!
This weekend, it's all about Friday night so please expect some
less than perky service on Saturday morning until we have
had several Flamingo coffees ;)
Early tonight Gentle Ben and His Sensitive Side play the final
show of their August residency at The Powerhouse from 6pm
and it's free.
Later, No Anchor are playing at The New Clubhouse
(you may remember it as The Hacienda?) along with
Fangs Of, Undead Apes and Tiny Spiders.
Also tonight Velociraptor and Sleepwalks are playing at
The Zoo with headliners DZ who are trying to fund then
upcoming tour to New York with this show.
Doors open at 8pm and it's only $15.
On Sunday, there's another all ages show at Burst City with
local bands Die on Planes, Cured Pink and Psy Ants plus
Melbourne's Fangs Of.
The show runs from 3pm until about 6pm and the cover
charge will be economically pleasing.
See you real soon,
Thea X