Hi Everyone!
…and just like that, it's August!
The collection showings for next year are starting already
so I made a trip to Melbourne.
It had been too long!
It's the middle of winter but the city was still a buzz with the opening
of the Walter Van Beirendonck: Dream the World Awake exhibition at the RMIT Design Hub…
I ran in to old friend Gary Bigeni at the exhibition, who took this snap for me :)
The exhibition entry is free and open now until the 5th of October, 2013.
I visited the team at Perks and Mini / P.A.M. to see their latest work - amazing!
They had also had a visit from Chris Dercon the director of Tate Modern in London
who was in Melbourne to open Walter's show. What a coup!
Dercon had seen a recent exhibition by PAM in Frankfurt and cited them as one of the strongest
fashion designers in the world right now!
He also acknowledged QAG and GoMA's Asia Pacific Triennial as major for Australia.
Here is a link to the interview with him from The Age.
Even in a big city like Melbourne, it is surprisingly small in like-minded fashion circles like ours.
There are a few exciting newer retailers though that are pushing the boundaries and worth a visit
if you are there.
I visited the gorgeous Kiara from Pet Shop Girls in Curtin House on Swanston Street.
It's literally a skip from the amazing Someday Store and a jump from Metropolis Books.
Kiara stocks our loved Australian labels Verner and POC as well as cool Japanese labels
Zucca and Tsumori Chisato.
I also met the vivacious Julie at her beautiful store Dagmar Rousset, a shining light on Gertrude Street in Fitzroy.
Julie stocks an eclectic and colourful mix of finds including JCDC, Red Brick Scarves, Norblack,
Reality Studio shoes and All Knitwear.
The newest retail experience and the most exciting for me was a space called Centre for Style.
Opened by recent RMIT graduate Matthew Linde, CFS has opened in the corner of edgy city
art gallery Fort Delta.
The store stocks a minimal mix of work by recent graduates (including Brisbane's Sally Edwards)
and new experimental labels (including POC).
Matthew is treating the venture as more of an art practice than a traditional retail store and has started
to hold regular store happenings and events.
It's good for Australia!
I met up with Sarah and Ashleigh from POC for a coffee and chat
about their Honours research at RMIT into the history of denim making
in Australia which led to their very exciting brand.
More POC coming for summer!
Pageant is another amazing newer Melbourne label that we will be carrying
for this Spring/Summer 13.
I met up with the two gorgeous girls behind the label, Kate Reynolds and Amanda Cumming
for a peppermint tea at Cookie.
The girls told me about their time working in London where they both moved after studying at RMIT.
Amanda worked at Tim Soar and then Christopher Kane.
Kate worked with Cassette Playa and then Christopher Shannon.
After their amazing experiences, they moved back to Melbourne to start Pageant
and they are both also teaching design at RMIT.
Keep a look out for their collection in store!
I absolutely love the photographic work of Australia's Carol Jerrems who was
prolific in the 1970's so I took the scenic train ride out to the Monash Gallery of Art at Glen Waverley.
Well worth the trip!
Judy Morris by Carol Jerrems
The exhibition entry is free and open now until the 29th of September, 2013.
Another amazing art space is the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art - ACCA.
I was lucky enough to catch the Mikaela Dwyer and also the Daria Martin shows
in their last week.
Both so memorable and inspiring.
Naturally there were some great live shows playing in my three day whirlwind.
I saw Dom Stephens from Outerwaves play at The Tote.
The Ooga Boogas played an amazing Saturday afternoon show at Morning Ritual
at The Copacabana.
Melbourne bands Superstar and Angel Eyes were great with Brisbane bands
Per Purpose and Blank Realm at The Tote.
As I was so close to Hobart, I FINALLY made the trip to MoNA!
The building is incredible - a real adventure to explore.
I can also recommend the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery
which is currently showing the Hobart Art Prize and a WOW installation
by Australian conceptual artist Ian Burns.
The TMAG has been recently renovated making it a light and lovely space
to walk through.
Ian Burns Installation
Ian Burns Installation
The Ian Burns works are perfectly housed in a dark lower room of the gallery
which has an eery beauty with it's bare dirt and raw sandstone.
Hobart, I would love to see you again in the summertime!
Here's what' new!
Cheap Monday, Sweden
AW13
Donita Top
Sizes Small to Large
$60
Sporty Micro Bra
(worn under)
Sizes Extra Small to Large
Also available in Lime Punch
$39
Barlow Lace Blouse
Sizes Small to Large
$99
Second Skin
High Rise Jean in New Black
Sizes 25 to 32
$90
Cheap Monday women's styles are now in store at Blonde Venus!
Win Movie Preview Tickets!
What Maisie Knew is a contemporary re-imagining of the Henry James novel.
It tells the story of a captivating little girl's struggle for grace in the midst of her
parents' bitter custody battle.
A solid script and powerful performances particularly by little Onata Aprile as Maisie
have given this rave reviews internationally as a substantial film.
We have 10 double passes to give away courtesy of Palace Cinemas and Think Tank Communications!
When: Monday 5th of August @6:30pm
Where: Palace Barracks Cinema
Email me back with Maisie in the subject with your name and phone number :)
Save the Date!
Join us in store from 6:30pm on Thursday the 8th of August for the release
of the new Limited Edition Capsule Collection by Brisbane's
Austin Moro.
Austin is a recent graduate from QUT BFA Fashion, a finalist
in the Australian's in New York Award and also a finalist in
the News Queensland Media Inspired Fashion Award.
There are SO many things on this week.
Brisbane, you're a busy town too.
The event of the week though is the opening of the
Chicks on Speed Scream Exhibition coinciding with
Part 1 of Fresh Cut at the Institute of Modern Art / IMA.
Alex Murray-Leslie from Chicks on Speed is in Brisbane for the
opening and here for the week!
Image Caitlin Franzmann and Courtney Coombs Focus 2012
Fresh Cut is the IMA's legendary annual exhibition for
new artists and the first two artists to show this week are Caitlin Franzmann and
Joseph Breikers.
So excited about seeing all of this!
It all starts at 5pm this Saturday the 3rd of August.
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
707 ann street
fortitude valley 4006
queensland
australia
t + 61 7 3216 1735
http://www.blondevenus.com.au