Hi Everyone!
We have new things!
Hope you love them...
Kinoak, Melbourne
Lela Dress
Cotton/Silk in Butter with Corozo Buttons
sizes 8 to 14
$297
Skylar Dress
Glacier Hand Print in Cotton/Silk with Corozo Buttons
sizes 8 to 14
$308
Dahlia Shirt
Glacier Hand Print in Cotton/Silk with Corozo Buttons
sizes 8 to 14
$231
Lutz Tunic
White and Colette Blue Japanese Cotton with Shell Buttons
Sizes Small and Medium (oversized)
$259
Lutz Tunic
Colette Blue and White Japanese Cotton with Shell Buttons
Sizes Small and Medium (oversized)
$259
I Heart Riggins Jacket
Cornflower Blue Italian Wool/Cashmere and White Italian Lambskin Sleeves
with hand printed Silk/Cotton Lining and Riri Italian Zip/Pockets
sizes 8 to 14
$528
You can probably imagine how many new designer look books I see every season.
Our stores are quite niche so it really is a narrow window of opportunity and with
the world becoming so SAMO, as Basquiat might have said, it seems more difficult
to find something that is fresh.
Kinoak designer Amie Darragh has done her hard fashion yards
She studied Pattern Making and Garment Construction before working
for Kate Sylvester in Auckland.
She then move to Melbourne for an 8 year stint with one of our favourite long time labels,
Perks & Mini (PAM).
Amie decided it was time to launch her dream and wanted to name
her label with a new word, something that couldn't be associated with
another time or image.
She came up with the name Kinoak after playing with the words,
family tree.
This same simplistic but thoughtful approach shows in her collection.
The quality of her fabrics and finishing is immaculate
in fact, when the collection arrived, each piece was carefully
pressed and folded and individually wrapped in tissue paper.
Amie has been very particular about the sourcing of her fabrics and garment notions
and the collection is completely hand made in Melbourne.
This debut collection was inspired by the American TV sports drama, Friday Night Lights
which Amie has interpreted into a mix of sporty shapes opposing pretty, feminine pieces.
The outcome - simple, wearable pieces that are beautifully made and trans-seasonal looks
that would work in either hemisphere.
I have already ordered her summer collection so expect to see Kinoak
as part of our family tree for some time now!
KINOAK is available exclusively in Queensland at Blonde Venus.
Nathan Smith, Sydney
Washed Leather Dress in Cigar $299 (also available in Black)
Scoop Neck Tee in Cigar $69 (also available in Black)
Boyfriend Tee in Cigar $69
Basic Tank in Cigar $59 (also available in Black)
We have also received:
the the Long Jersey Skirt in Cigar and Black $79
More fabulous neutral pieces to help you layer into the cooler months.
Nathan has bought back his super soft, stretch leather dress from
last winter in this wonderful new colour.
The Cigar works well with dark tones of black, charcoal and navy but also
amazing with brights and neon!
Nathan Smith available now at Blonde Venus!
Dr Denim, Sweden
New Colour!
Our popular Dr Denim mid rise skinny now available in this rich, rustic tone of Deep Plum.
Also available in Coffee, Navy and Denim and all only $129.
Dr Denim available now at Blonde Venus!
Lover, Sydney
Heather Cape in Stone $726
Zhora Rain Cape available in Cranberry only $429 SOLD OUT
Tennessee Lace Insert Dress in Black $$693
Tennessee Lace Insert Bodice in Black $495
And these pieces complete our Lydia delivery for the season.
Lover didn't do a runway show at Australian Fashion Week this year but
they are certainly being loved and worn by Australian ladies, at every turn.
Here's Brisbane milliner Felicity Boevink at Fashion Week,
photographed by pedestrian.tv in her Divinyl Pleat Skirt.
How about Megan Washington looking smoking hot in their black lace dress on
television this week...
Lover in store now at Blonde Venus!
Merc, London
Reversible Harrington Jacket in Black with Red Tartan $183
Harrington Jacket in Porcelain Blue with Red Tartan Lining $167
Harrington Jacket in Navy Blue with Red Tartan Lining $167
Harrington Jacket in Wine with Red Tartan Lining $167
Sta Press Trouser in Cotton/Polyester Blend featuring slim straight leg
with side pockets and back slit pocket with button closure .
Available in Wine, Navy and Black
Sizes 28" to 36" with 34" Leg
$110
Neddy Button Down Cotton/Polyester blend Long Sleeve Shirt in Red Stewart Tartan.
The shirts feature a pointed collar, single button cuff, classic back box pleats,
twin darts and are finished with a chest pocket and embroidered
Merc crown emblem.
Sizes Small to X-Large
$99
Neddy Button Down Cotton/Polyester blend Long Sleeve Shirt in Navy Tartan.
The shirts feature a pointed collar, single button cuff, classic back box pleats,
twin darts and are finished with a chest pocket and embroidered
Merc crown emblem.
Sizes Small to X-Large
$99
Conrad Jumper in 100% Wool with Fine Rib Cuffs, Hem and Shallow V Neckline,
finished with the Merc Embroidered Crown.
Bottle Green
Sizes Small to X-Large
$154
Conrad Jumper in 100% Wool with Fine Rib Cuffs, Hem and Shallow V Neckline,
finished with the Merc Embroidered Crown.
Blazer Red
Sizes Small to X-Large
$154
Jeken 100% Silk, narrow tie in Red Tartan
Also available in Plain Black
$44
Long time BV fans and lovers of Mod will remember
when we stocked London label Merc, around 10 years ago.
Well, it's back!
Merc was established by Javid Alavi in 1967.
It started out as a market stall on Carnaby and quickly
grew to a small shop on Ganton Street and finished up at
number 10 Carnaby Street, the prime location in which
the store still stands today.
During the 60's, Britain broke out it's post-war austerity
and experienced an explosion of bands like The Beatles
and The Rolling Stones along with an exciting new fashion
scene in London and particularly on Carnaby Street.
Through the years, the Mod(ernist) style has been adopted
and adapted by the coolest music genres and their bands,
from The Small Faces in their paisley shirts to Desmond Dekker
and Jimmy Cliffe in their button down shirts and tonic suits.
From the Suedeheads of the early 70's in their 3 button suits (Prince of Wales
and Dogtooth) with brogues and loafers through to the Punks in their
shrunken polos, braces and Harrington jackets.
In the late 70's, Two Tone Records spawns a Ska revival
with bands like The Specials, Madness and Bad Manners.
Here enters the Rude Boys!
The Jam
The early 1980's sees a full Mod revival with a big thanks to Paul Weller
and The Jam followed by The Style Council.
Blur
On the eve of the Britpop explosion in the early 90's, Damon Albarn and
the boys from Blur become regulars at the Merc store.
So the look that grew from 1950's jazz modernists has stood
the test of time.
It's now heritage and some may simply see them as "classic"
shirts or jackets but I love the history, the music and the story
that they can tell.
Merc is available exclusively in Brisbane at Blonde Venus!
Dr Denim, Sweden
The Snap Jean in NEW Deep Plum joins Coffee, Navy and Blue Denim
for our winter collection and they are only $129!
Back in stock!
Classic Navy Blue joins Coffee, Army Green and Burgundy for our winter Dr Denim chino line up
and still only $149!
Dr Denim in store now at Blonde Venus.
Edwin, Japan
ED88 Super Slim Stretch Mid Rise with Zip Fly in Zen Blue Rinsed $169
ED88 Super Slim Stretch Mid Rise with Zip Fly in Last Blue Denim Rinsed $179
ED88 Super Slim Stretch Mid Rise with Zip Fly in Abyss Black Rigger Wash $240
ED55 Relaxed Tapered Fit, Mid Rise Button Fly in Quartz Blue Woven Denim Greaser Wash $179
Edwin SEN Skinny in Inky Blue Stretch Selvage Denim $219
A client told me this week that he has had his Edwin Jeans for 4 years and he still wears them
constantly.
I love to hear that the things we sell are of such great quality - that they are cool but can stand
the test of time, in more ways than one!
Edwin mill their own denim and produce their own jeans in Japan and have been doing
so since the late 1940's.
It's an amazing company story built on family and tradition which is why I also love them.
Edwin available now at Blonde Venus with selected styles at The Outpost!
If you're in New York...
See the exhibition that everyone seems to be talking about this week.
It's Elsa Schiaparelli Vs. Muiccia Prada and it's showing now at
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY until August 19.
Save The Date!
See you soon!
Thea X