New Season! ANTIPODIUM and introducing BENAH!

H Everyone!

Thank you to everyone who came along to our launch last
Thursday night for Audrey Lam's new photo exhibition Hinter Here.
If you didn't make it, Ella Callach read a J. D. Sallinger short
story, McKisko sang some of her beautiful songs accoustically,
everyone drank LOTS of wine and everyone LOVED Audrey's photos.




The exhibition is on show in Blonde Venus until August 11 and
her prints are available to purchase - $100 framed or $60 unframed.
A perfect surprise for someone special.


I just came back from a very quick trip to Sydney to see PULP play
at the Hordern Pavilion.
Last time I saw them was at the Livid Festival in 1998 and I can still recall
the feeling of being at the concert and how good they were, so...

This was a sideshow for this weekend's Splendour In The Grass
festival and Wendesday's show was SO incredible that I am tempted to drive
up on Sunday night just to see them play one more time.
 


It wasn't only that Jarvis Cocker is a wonderful frontman but the
whole band sounded amazing and the stage and lighting show
was truly spectacular.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqgXzPfAxjo&feature=related


Next Thursday the 4th of August, QUT Creative Industries
Precinct are hosting an evening with fashion historian, curator
and director of the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology,
New York, Valerie Steele.


http://valeriesteelefashion.com/blog/biography/


Valerie will be speaking on the subject Is Fashion Art?
An oldie but a goodie.
It will be interesting to hear her perspective.
This event is free and seating is at 6pm for a 6:30 start.
For full event details, go to:
http://www.ciprecinct.qut.edu.au/shows/details.jsp?news-event-id=36351



Look out below.
It's a NEW season!

Introducing...
Benah, Sydney


Lena Canvas and Leather Shopper in Red & Tan $440


Classic Canvas Tote in Black $119


Classic Tote Red $119


Classic Tote Orange $119


Classic Tote Destiny Print Orange $149


Classic Tote Destiny Print Olive $149


Kodi Leather Cuff in Tan $120
Also available in Black and Red



You have probably noticed that I rarely order bags for the stores
and it is simply because I normally don't find many that I love.

I like my bags to have a strong yet understated aesthetic and they
must be beautifully made.
Minimal branding - so chic
Exclusive - definitely!  You hardly want to see your bag on every other girl.

Benah is the design debut for Sydney based Brenda Harvey.

This is the first delivery from Brenda's summer collection called Pale Ryder
which was inspired by Sydney band The Preachers who are photographed
throughout the Benah Spring/Summer lookbook.

How fabulous are the colours?
We have more structured leather and canvas styles to come...keep a look out.
Benah available exclusively in Queensland at Blonde Venus.


Karen Walker Eyewear
 

Fruity!
We have just received another delivery of Karen's latest eyewear collection, including
Patsy and Bunny in Crystal Orange, pictured above.
Karen Walker Eyewear available at Blonde Venus



Antipodium
Goodbye Horses
 

Plainsman Maxi Dress in Silk Georgette Hide Print $499


Plainsman Maxi Skirt in Silk Georgette Hide Print $369


Plainsman Shirtdress in Apricot Silk Georgette$349


Jolene Shirt in Goodbye Horses Print Silk Crepe de Chine $299

Midwest Skirt available in Black Stretch Cotton Twill $169




Quilter's Paradise Cotton Skirt $249

Menswear Collection


Bad Seed Pique Knit Pullover in Salt & Pepper $129

Player Short in Tan $149


Saloon Shirt (under) in Charcoal Cotton Check $169
also available in Light Grey


Most of us don't get to see all of the action behind the scenes
of designing a collection -  from the birth of an idea and the transformation
of those thoughts into clothing.
One of the best examples that I can think of is the documentary made
in 2007 on Marc Jacobs and Louis Vuitton.

I find it fascinating to take a peek into the designer's inspiration and most
seem to create a wall of imagery in their studio called a mood board.

They often collect bits and pieces that they are drawn to visually and conceptually.
It is generally lots of photos but can be random things like food wrappers, string,
and old button, postcards from a friend, old keys, grandma's brooch, a perfume bottle,
a baby's christening dress, a lock of hair, someone's underwear (?) - I've seen ALL sorts of things in
studios over the years!

London based Antipodium designer Geoffrey J Finch is ALL about the mood board
which makes me love him even more.
Geoffrey often creates a soundtrack to compliment his collections, something which
I think shows how passionate he is about his concepts.

I asked him what inspired Goodbye Horses and he was kind enough to share
images from his mood board for the collection.
This is what got him inspired...thanks for sharing Geoffrey X

 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Geoffrey also likes to support other young designers and collaborates
with an independent print designer each season.
This time around, he worked with Chloe Constantinidi who previously did
print design for London's Eley Kishimoto.

Chloe designed the faded hide print (inspired by a hearthrug
from Geoffrey's late Grandmother's house) and also the Goodbye Horses
title print: an image of an ecstatic woman embracing her horse - the
sexuality of Richard Prince made as sweet as icecream in a repeat print of
pastel peach and lilac.
Just delicious.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Prince

We have also received more styles that aren't photographed, so make sure
you come and check these out too -

Jolene Shirt in Black & Tan silk crepe de chine $269
Jolene Skirt in Goodbye Horses print silk crepe de chine $299
Quilter's Paradise Dress in Black $269
Plainsman Blouse in Black cotton voile check $159
Plainsman Maxi Skirt in Black cotton voile check $179
Plainsman Shirtdress in Black cotton voile check $199
Half Time Dress in HIde Print $219

Antipodium available at Blonde Venus.



This exhibition looks good for tonight...
Hole Hearted
 

 

This is the debut show for young Brisbane painter and QCA graduate Laura Horrocks.
Laura has made it into a real community event and the exhibition will also feature work by other young
Brisbane artists:

Luke Kidd
Charlie Hillhouse
Holly Janet Ryan
Dominique Elliott
Alex Winters
Jack Pemble
Tom Dalmau
Martha Poggioli

White Canvas Gallery
26 Church Street,
Fortitude Valley
6pm

After party at WOODLAND

For more details, go to the Facebook event page -
https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=192917724088640

See you soon!
Thea X



blonde venus
707 ann street
fortitude valley  4006
queensland
australia

t+  61 7 3216 1735

http://www.blondevenus.com.au


the outpost
5a winn street
fortitude valley  4006
queensland
australia

t  + 61 7 3666 0306

http://www.theoutpoststore.com.au



 








FURTHER MARKDOWNS in our end of season SALE!

Hi Everyone!



Well, just a slightly small queue of people waiting to get into our big annual event  I Used To Skate Once 7  on June 23.
As always, Matt from The Outpost  did a fantastic job of putting this whole concept together which has
been such an important event for Brisbane creatively, musically and socially.

These nights are always so happy, so "up" and this year felt even more so for some reason.


Artist: DARKROYO, Sydney

The feedback I have heard is that the artwork was particularly strong this year.

A wonderful cross section of artists who used a wide range of techniques including  traditional oil paints and pens but also
embroidery, quilting, neon, industrial design (thank you Michael Candy), photography, collage, laser cutting and special effects
like Ben Havenar's "sinking" deck, Steve John Sullivan's "leaping" fluorescent skull and Cameron and Sarah's "the finger".

All of the boards are now hanging in The Outpost so make sure you come and take a look.



The bands were fantastic as always.
The night opened with the beautiful inspiring sounds of McKisko, followed by some dirty rock and roll from Brisbane bands
The Chokes and Martyr Privates, finishing up with the highly energizing Royal Headache from Sydney.
Swede Tooth and Potato Masta kept the crowd entertained in Winn Lane with their delirious dub and reggae 
antics.

To see all of the artwork images, just click this link to the official I Used To Skate Once blogspot and there are some social
snaps down the bottom too -

Thank You to our amazing sponsors who help make this happen!
The Zoo, Carhartt, Vodka O  
 
 


Our sale continues...

FURTHER MARKDOWNS!
There are some fantastic buys to be had as I've just whipped out
the red pen and made some further reductions!

At Blonde Venus -
Richard Nicoll
Peter Pilotto
Mary Katrantzou
Karen Walker
Lover
Antipodium
Dress Up
Sara Phillips
Dion Lee
Christopher Esber
B Store
Edwin
Carhartt

At The Outpost -
Emma Cook
Milk From A Thistle
Carly Hunter
Above
Dr Denim
Cheap Monday

Remember to shop local and support your favourite independent stores whether they
be fashion, music, books cafes, restaurants...
I was saddened to hear recently about some really cool boutiques closing in Melbourne and also
New York.
It's these innovative and interesting stores of character that makes the culture and
personality of a city.
These are the places that are breaking in new designers, supporting young artists, 
challenging our senses and enlightening our lives by exploring new concepts.

Imagine flying all the way somewhere to discover there was only boring, generic chain stores
to look at?
So take a look around and give some love to your creative community because life
would be so very dull without them.

I saw Tree Of Life courtesy of BIFF at Dendy Portside.
It left me quite dazed but I really enjoyed it and was surprised
to see some people leaving during the film?!
It was very sensory, sensitive and thought provoking.
A very unusual film.  Let me know what you think about it?

I also saw The Trip at Palace this week and thought it was absolutely hilarious
and so clever.

Watch the trailer here - 



See you soon,
Thea X







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