blonde venus: March 2010

New! Peter Pilotto, Natalia Brilli... 01/04/10

Hi Everyone!

We went along to the opening of the Hats exhibition at the

Queensland Art Gallery last night.

It was a great party and everyone frocked up for the event.

Girlfriends Shilo Engelbrecht, Karen Turnbull and Sarah Babcock

turned heads with their fabulous style.

Stephen Jones is a genius and has curated an amazing

selection of hats and head wear.

The exhibition is so beautifully placed and wonderful

to look through.

I'm trying to recall my favourite pieces but there are just too

many.

There is also a great children's activity area for making your

own creations which apparently has been very popular with

"big kids" too.

http://qag.qld.gov.au

Easter Trading

Both Blonde Venus and The Outpost will be open

over this long weekend -

Friday - closed

Saturday 10am to 6pm

Sunday 11am to 3 pm

Monday 11am to 3 pm

You will also be happy to know that the Flamingo Cafe

will be open on Saturday!

Thank goodness.

Here's the latest news on our new season collections...

Peter Pilotto, London

Rocket Top in Water Tweed Blue

Rocket Skirt in Water Grey

Aks Dress in Water Tweed Grey

also available in Water Crimson

Scott Wilson for Peter Pilotto Leather Belt - available in Dark Green with Silver Buckle

Design partners Peter Pilotto and Christopher De Vos have become well

known for their incredible digital prints but what about their shapes?

It is wonderful to see a garment morph from the hanger to a sculptural, flattering

piece on the body and that's something that the guys have

achieved and have also received acclaim for.

This summer collection feels positive and light

and the print ideas have again come from nature.

The snakeskin prints, present without the usual connotations

and there's also a soft image resembling sunlight glistening

on the ocean.

We have a selection of sculptured pieces as well

as some easy shapes and have also received -

Dart Skirt in Water Tweed Grey (angular pencil skirt)

U-Dress in Water Tweed Grey (simple short sleeved shift dress with sleeve detail)

U-Top in Water Canvas (simple short sleeved top with sleeve detail)

Shield Dress (signature dress in Water Tweed Grey)

Peter Pilotto available exclusively in Queensland at Blonde Venus!

We have also received a new delivery of gorgeous leather

accessories by Parisienne designer Natalia Brilli.

At The Outpost, we have also received another delivery

from Perks & Mini (P.A.M.).

These collections are already in store (just) but I promise

to send you some images next week, just in case

you can't make it in yet!

Coming Soon... Provensen Shoes!

You may have seen these great boots featured in magazines

lately, including the latest (new & improved) Russh?

Well, due to the obvious good shoe shortage, I thought that I should

let you know that we will be stocking the fabulous Provensen

collection exclusively in Queensland!

They should arrive late April, buy I will keep you posted.

Ask us about them in store and we can take you through

the catalogue...

We are lucky enough to be going to a special dinner

tonight for visiting London milliner, Stephen Jones.

I'm sure that like me, you will be looking forward to

a much needed sleep in on Friday ;)

See you soon,

Thea X

Karen Walker at Creative 3

Karen Walker will be coming to Brisbane mid April
to speak at the Creative3 International Forum.

The 3 day event runs from April 14 to 16 and is for
anyone involved or interested in creative industries.
You can find out all about it here -

http://creative3.com.au/

New Lover The Harvest

The Harvest Short Blazer
available in both Black and Wheat $539

HInterlands Sweater Dress
available in both Wheat and Rust $374

HInterlands Scarf
available in both Wheat and Rust $196

Mohair Cowl Sweater in Burgandy $297
Mohair Wrap in Burgandy $198

The blazer is a neat shape and great for work or play.
This is Lover's first ever knit pieces and they are gorgeous.
The Hinterlands pieces are soft and snuggly.
The mohair blend pieces are a light open knit.
It's great to see colours again like burgundy and rust which work
well with all of the navy that's around and also tan, chocolate
or nude leather belts and shoes.
Lover in store now at Blonde Venus!

Kind words

From Refinery29.com HERE.

Introducing... Sara Phillips, Iosselliani + New Richard Nicoll + More!

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 -

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Jones_(milliner)

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

http://qag.qld.gov.au/exhibitions/coming_soon/hats_an_anthology_by_stephen_jones

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 -

http://www.the-outpost-store.blogspot.com

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.

http://thezoo.com.au/home.html

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.

http://www.edwinacorlette.com/current?eid=34

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!

http://www.monsterchildren.com/

Go crazy.

I have!

Thea X

Lover "The Harvest"

Abby Mini Dress in Wheat $440

The Woodlands Cape Trench in Wheat $616

The Solstice Dress available in Pearl (pictured) and also Black $594

These are the latest Lover Harvest pieces to arrive and
we have also received:
the Solstice Bodice in Pearl and Black $429

Thea x

Dion Lee wins LMFF Award!

photo courtesy of lmff.com.au

Dion Lee was announced as the winner of the Loreal Melbourne
Fashion Festival designer award, in Melbourne last night.

The award, sponsored by Woolmark, has given Dion a prize of
$10,000 plus a trip to either trade shows Pitti Filatti in Milan
or Premier Vision in Paris, to further his career.

Dion was up against an extremely talented group of designers
including Melbourne's Dhini and Brisbane's Gail Sorronda
but came up trumps with his innovative modern tailoring.
Dion Lee is available exclusively in Queensland at Blonde Venus!