Bumper Issue! Introducing Natalie Encarnita + New Season Milk From A Thistle!




Hi Everyone!

Who was your favourite in the Archibald Prize?
These are my two picks but looking forward to seeing
them in person at the Art Gallery of NSW when I'm in 
Sydney for Fashion Week next month.


Adam Cullen by Jasper Knight
 
"Bad Dad" Self Portrait by Michael Zavros
 
 
Speaking of Michael Zavros, I had the pleasure of seeing a new exhibition
that is entirely curated by him at the Queensland Art Gallery last weekend
called Artist's Choice.
Based on his own realist work, Michael has selected stunning pieces of
beauty and decadence in one large space, that he has segmented in to separate
rooms.
There are many delicious pieces in the room that I would love for my own rooms:
paintings by Howard Arkley, Willem De Kooning and Katharina Grosse, a sculpture
by Gemma Smith, pottery by Ai Weiwei and the list goes on.

This would be a fun thing to do this Easter weekend if you are staying in town
and take another stroll around the APT7 before it finishes on April 14th.

Last night, the Museum of Brisbane held a very special preview to reveal
their new home, back in the historic City Hall  on King George Square.
It's been about 3 years since the Museum made a temporary home on Ann Street
while City Hall has been going through it's refurbishment.

So if you have to move out and move back in, why not make it a whole lot better?!
That's exactly what they have done.
Under the passionate care of Museum Director Peter Denham and Deputy Director
Christopher Salter, the new Museum of Brisbane has a glorious spot
up on the third floor.
The space feels (ironically for a museum) modern and it's an easy flow through each exhibition.

My favourite exhibition is called Light Fantastic - Expo 88 Parades Rewired.
Anyone that lived in Brisbane during that time knows how important World Expo
was for us and how the international event helped our city grow up and move into
a new phase.
This focus on the unforgettable daily and nightly parades reveals original hand
drawings of costume designs and concepts.
Who could forget these...

The museum officially opens to the public on April 6th and it's free entry!



Introducing...

Natalie Encarnita, Melbourne
 
 


 
Raglan Shirt 
Wool/Acetate shirt with exaggerated raglan sleeves, high neck collar with
invisible stand and concealed zipper at back.
All hems bound and hand finished.
Nude
$349
 
 
Lounge Skirt
Wool Skirt cut with a generously gathered and pleated waistline,
deep pockets and full inside seam binding.
Hand finished hem.
Red
$369
 
Valentine Dress
Wool/Acetate dress with exaggerated raglan sleeves, high neck collar with
invisible stand and concealed zipper at back.
Pockets in side seams.
Fully lined.
Available in:
Nude
Black
(not pictured)
$535
 
Silk Lampshade Top
Structured top with small shoulder pad, cut from luxurious heavyweight pure silk
double georgette.
Concealed zipper at back.
All hems bound and hand finished.
Serge print.
Sizes 6 to 10
$355
 
Boucle Bow Top
Wool blend boucle top with lined body and exaggerated bow
detail at neck.
Sizes 8 to 12
Black
$375
 
I have mentioned before the large number of collection lookbooks
that come through my inbox every day.
All sorts of labels from all over the world trying to find their place.
I usually know in seconds from opening the first page if the collection
has the right aesthetic for us and Natalie Mason's images hit the mark.
I have to like it and YOU have to like it!

Her beautiful minimalist approach is exactly the look I was feeling for the new season -
A naive print that is vintage enough to feel modern again.
A hint of black (sneaking back) with strong, clean blocks of colour.
Incredibly finished garments made from superior fabrics, plus it's all made in Australia.
So, it was love at first sight!

Natalie launched her label in London several years ago while studying there.
She gained attention quickly but the lifestyle was unexpected and Natalie
longed to come back to Australia.
Making her home in Melbourne, she has kicked off again, beautifully.

There is a great interview with Natalie here, on the Weekend Edition:
 
Natalie Encarnita is available exclusively in Queensland at Blonde Venus!




 
 
Milk From A Thistle AW13




Nowadays Tunic
Mahogany Leather Front 
Burgundy Merino Wool Sleeves and Back
Made in Australia
XS to Large
$365
 
Cabin Fever Silk Blazer 
Softly tailored, fully lined blazer
Two button opening
Alpine Stripe 
Made in Australia
XS to Medium 
$585
 
Park Life Silk Tee
Alpine Stripe with Mahogany Leather Sleeves
Made in Australia
XS to Large
$245
 
Heritage Leather Skirt
Mahogany
Made in Australia
XS to Large
$359
 
 
Navigator Silk Shirt
Punk Pink
Made in Australia
XS to Large
$249
 
 
 
Harvest Silk Dress
Alpine Stripe with Punk Pink Sleeves
Made in Australia
XS to Medium
$335
 
Navigator Silk Shirt
Punk Pink
Made in Australia
XS to Large
$249
 
 
Avalanche Silk Pant
Alpine Stripe
Made in Australia
XS to Medium
$289
 
Woodchip Quilted Sweater
100% Cotton
Made in Australia
XX to Medium
Grey Marle
$249
 
The Yeti Dress
100% Cotton, Quilted with Mahogany Leather Shoulder Detail
Made in Australia
XS to Medium
Grey Marle
$389
 
Navigator Silk Shirt
Made in Australia
XS to Large
Acid Yellow
$249
 
Bungalow Knit
Four Colour Round Neck Long Sleeve Knit
Merino Wool
Made in Australia
XS to Large
Berry/Burgundy/Navy/Teal
$189
 
Heritage Leather Skirt
Burgundy
Made in Australia
XS to Large
$359
 
Navigator Silk Shirt
Two Colour Button Through Silk Shirt
Made in Australia
XS to Large
Petroleum Blue/Copper
$249
 
 
Anchorage Three Colour Silk Shirtdress
Made in Australia
XS to Large
Petroleum Blue / Copper / Acid Yellow
$345
 
 
 
Ranger Elasticated Pant
Easy Fitting Silk Pant with Tapered Elasticated Ankle
Contrast Tuxedo Side Stripe
Made in Australia
XS to Large
Petroleum Blue / Acid Yellow
$289
 
Sydney based designer Danielle Atkinson
blew me away with this collection.
Known for her nature loving prints, Danielle has
let the creatures lie this season and designed the
collection around this rich stripe accented by leather,
quilting, plain wool jersey and silk.
It's her eye for colour that is astounding and the combinations
are absolutely beautiful.
Available now in store and also on our webstore:
Milk From A Thistle is available exclusively in Queensland at Blonde Venus!



Easter Trading!

Both Blonde Venus and The Outpost will be open these times
over the Easter Weekend:

Friday 29th - closed
Saturday 30th - open 10am to 5:30 pm
Sunday 31st - closed
Monday 1st - open 11am to 4pm



Hope that you have some time off.
Enjoy yourself!

See you soon,
Thea X





 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

New Karen Walker Forever Eyewear, Diana Vreeland on DVD, Jelly Beans for Guys & More!




Hi Everyone!

I can thoroughly recommend the Gregory Crewdson photographic exhibition
that is open now at the IMA.
The prints are absolutely enormous and so powerful.

The IMA also hosted a very busy couple of nights of experimental,
electronic noise/music this week in conjuction with Room 40.

On Monday night we saw Scraps followed by Oneohtrix.
Last night it was Tom Hecker followed by Pole.

These events were fantastic and also free which is incredible.
We're lucky to have these opportunities here.
Keep any eye out.
ima.org.au/
 
I mentioned the French Film Festival - most films have several screenings
over the course of the festival which runs until April 4th.

This week, I saw Laurence Anyways which apart from being a touch too long
was quite fabulous.
Great characters, costuming and colour, this film has an incredible richness
to it helped by the initmate filming of the actors' beautiful, open faces.


I also saw a BIFF film preview of Hyde Park on Hudson
at Dendy Portside.
I honestly went to see this because it stars Bill Murray but this
is the most mainstream role I have ever seen him in.

It is a light hearted little slice of history about Franklin Roosevelt
and his apparent lady friends and also how in 1939, he hosted a visit
by the King and Queen of England - the first ever visit by a reigning
English monarch to America.
It's a pretty easy watch.
 
 
 
Then on Wednesday night, I saw the recently released Performance
which I loved.
Starring Christopher Walken, Philip Seymour Hoffmann and Catherine Keener
it is the story of four musicians who have played together in a string quartet
for 25 years.

Some bad news strains their relationships, testing their friendships and the future
of the group.

I love hearing classical music but this was an added bonus to the very strong
and beautiful acting performances by this cast.
String musicians way find it difficult to watch them play their instruments
but this slight awkwardness is overcome by their powerful story telling.

I feel like Christopher Walken could read me his grocery list and I would
still feel affected!

Here is the film trailer which was originally released as A Late Quartet:
 
The film is showing now at Palace Barracks and Dendy Portside.

Here is what's new this week...








 
 
Karen Walker Forever 
Eyewear Collection



Ilona in Atomic Black


Atomic
Black/Smoke Mono
$329
 
Linda in Atomic Peach
 
Atomic
Peach/Blue Smoke Mono
$329
 
 
Joyce in Northern Lights Crazy Tort
 
Northern Lights 
Crazy Tort/G15 Mono
$295
 
Ilona in Northern LIghts 
 
Northern Lights
Fluro Yellow/Smoke Mono
$295
 
Northern LIghts
Black/Smoke Mono
$295
 
Linda in Orbit Crystal Turquoise
 
Orbit
Clear/Brown Mono
$329
 
Orbit
Crystal Pink/Brown Mono
$329
 
Photos by Ari Seth Cohen from http://www.advancedstyle.com
 
We still have a couple of styles to deliver (Intergalactic & Eclipse) so I'll let you know when
they arrive.
Remember that we can order any styles in from the current collection
for you to try because like anything, you need to try them on to make
sure that they are perfect!
Karen Walker Eyewear in store now at Blonde Venus!



 
 
 
 
Karen Walker Jewellery
New Styles!

Filigree Bunny Pendant
Sterling Silver 
$114
 
Filigree Bunny Ring
Sterling Silver
$140
 
Small Flower Ball Pendant
Sterling Silver on 45cm Chain
$138
 
Single Flower Ring
Sterling Silver
$83
 
We also have some of your favourites back in stock from 
the Superfine Collection:
skull ring in sterling silver $43
skull studs in sterling silver $46
heart ring in sterling silver $43
heart studs in sterling silver $46
heart pendant in sterling silver $101
daisy ring in sterling silver with diamond $68
daisy pendant in sterling silver with diamond $124
rabbit ring in sterling silver $43
Karen Walker in store now at Blonde Venus!





Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel




Purchase a copy of Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has To Travel ($30) and
go in to the draw to WIN a beautiful hard cover book of the same title 
valued at $70!



Courtesy of Madman :)
The competition runs for one month and the winner will be announced
on the 19th of April.

If you haven't seen it yet, now is your chance.
Diana Vreeland is a very inspiring woman and this fantastic
documentary captures Diana and and her work with the energy and pizazz
that she created.
In store now at Blonde Venus!



Marina Abramovic
The Artist Is Present



Another inspiring and powerful film, now available on DVD ($30)
I have seen this film three times now and still want a copy for my library.
This moving documentary captures the work of performance artist Marina Abramovic 
beautifully, culminating in a large retrospect of her work at New York's 
MoMA in 2010.
Unforgettable.
Where will she take us next.
In store now at Blonde Venus!



Man Loving Jelly Beans


QUT fashion graduate Austin Moro wowed us with his fabulous women's collection but how
about the attitude of his menswear?
A beautiful hand knit jumper, softly tailored wool trousers finished off with with a pair of Jelly Sandals!

I'm all for encouraging the demise of the thong which should only  be worn after a pedicure, at the beach or in
strange showers.

We have the Jelly's available in Men's sizes 40 to 46 in Blue (pictured) and Black and they are only $35.
Jelly Beans in store now at Blonde Venus.



L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival
Sportsgirl National Graduate Show



The L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival is on at the moment to help launch the Autumn/Winter collections
as they are arriving in to store.
Though it is a retail initiative, the festival has grown and totally established itself as a social and creative
entity.
The main programme includes the mandatory runway shows but the full festival programme includes one month
of events that you can engage in, including artist collaborations, art exhibitions, fashion walks, fashion windows,
launches, film, business seminars etc, etc.

These things need some fashion love from corporate sponsors and Sportsgirl have been supportive with 
the National Graduate Show.
Recent Fashion Graduates are selected from around Australia to present their graduate
collections on the big Runway with a chance of being offered the opportunity to design a capsule
collection for Sportsgirl.

You may remember last year that our very own Sally Edwards was selected
for this show and is now living in Melbourne enjoying a very busy and rewarding
position in the design studio with Rodd and Gunn.

This year, three graduates from Brisbane's QUT were selected: 
Koren Wheatley (front left)
Hayley Elsaesser (second back)
Monique White (fifth front)

The Ladies will be presenting this Saturday night the 23rd of March.
If you happen to be in Melbourne, you can purchases tickets for the show here:
 
 
 
See you soon!
Thea X

 




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