I'm sure I'm not alone when I say I find it difficult to find decent everyday underwear (specifically bras). There's a lot of hideous out there. While I can fathom that perhaps someone, somewhere might want a tshirt bra, it ain't me. Nor do I want boost, satin, or god forbid anything maroon. I want comfortable, chuck-in-the-wash bits that still look cute under a white tshirt. I want well made but not constructed like a tank. I want pretty but not so much that it's impractical. And not so pricey that I'm scared to wear it except on special occasions.

Pfffft, I hear you say. Good luck.

Well, maties, I've found it, and in a rather unlikely place.

Cotton On Body (lingerie/swim/activewear spinoff of fast fashion streetwear chain Cotton On, who have also just launched a next-level-up limited edition fashion range which looks quite cool) may be targeted at tweens who want their boobs up around their chins, but if you push past the racks of push up you'll find some very decent soft cup & unpadded bras. The fit is generally excellent (I have had to wear a completely different size in one mesh style but otherwise pretty true), I've had no qualms washing them (in a lingerie bag) in the machine and they're extremely well priced. There's no knowing what you'll find from one week to the next so I generally just pop in & keep an eye out - I'm really hoping for a repeat of an awesome stretch back/front closure longline bra which has been the best thing I've had in my lingerie drawer for ages! Only drawback is that they only go up to about a 14DD so if you're beyond that you won't have much luck, but perhaps now they've saturated the booster market they can spend some time working on other sizes...

Ps. Although I bought some knickers just for the fun of having matching sets I don't really like the shapes Body offers. High waisted for me so I'll be mixing & matching with Hopeless Lingerie's perfect pants!

(We all just need to jump back in time slightly as I forgot that Stu snapped these on my phone before I left Melbourne!)

I had been JUST WAITING for a chance to crack these boots out - ideally I'd like to wear them with floral and spots (AND stripes AND tartan AND some incredible digital photo print) but one's wardrobe does not always oblige - so they adorned my tootsies for an event at The Olsen, one of the very cool Art Series Hotels. Probably good I didn't get my crazy on anyway, as the shopping app being launched was being launched by the lady from Funniest Home Videos (that'll learn me not to know the names of tv celebrities)...as you can probably imagine the 'fashion' was somewhat limited to 'Now that's what I call a LOGIES frock!', and the app seems to be aimed at people who are unaware of the existence of websites. If she can bolster the state of retail in this country then power to her, but I find it disappointing to see support being thrown at the part of the industry that is repetitively mediocre when there is so much emerging talent that can't get a look in. I should've nabbed the hotel's curator (who was wearing Westwood x Melissa mary janes) for a cheeky tour of the real art!

wearing:

dress - alpha60

boots - diane von furstenberg

scarf/bag/earrings - vintage

necklace tied over scarf - diy

Not quite the prime photo spot, but between the heat (40 degrees today, late 30s the last few!) and housework I've mostly been wearing cutoffs & a tshirt so it's rather arbitrary.

Worn out for catchups on Monday (then shamelessly outfit repeated on Thursday night for the AOTA pop-up launch with a change in accessories, didn't bring enough lightweight things with me as I ALWAYS forget how hot Perth is this time of year).

wearing:

t - willow
bra - cotton on body

skirt - vintage

pearls - vintage

animal eyes - triskaidekaphobia

chain secured with paperclip - diy (as you'd want it to be!)

sandals - zimmermann

clutch - op shop

*Please take a second to vote for my entry in Mimco's styling competition if you are so inclined, just click the widget in the sidebar & 'like' (hate having to beg in these barely facaded popularity contests but the top 5 are supposedly judged on merit so would love to be one of them)! xx*

One for the Perthies! All of the Above Creative are hosting an exhibition & pop-up shop at their studio in the 140 William complex over the next few days. The launch is tonight so swing by for a drink and a chat with Little Gracie, On a Whim, Peppermint Milk (designed by the gorgeous Maevana, with whom I studied costume at WAAPA!) & Catini.

Frock up, I'll see you there!

*Don't forget to vote for my entry in Mimco's styling competition by clicking on the widget on the right! xx*

When Mimco issues a challenge (in the form of an engraved perspex key, no less) one rather jumps at the opportunity. Above is the full shoot that accompanies my one-image entry in their Dreamwarp Society styling competition, which called for an interpretation of their new season themes and will send one lucky (and hopefully talented) aspiring stylist off to assist on their next campaign shoot.

*I would dearly love to be the one to get this opportunity, and this requires voting. If you think I've got the goods please click on the widget in the sidebar & vote for me!*

The brief and sub-themes can be viewed on the Mimco Dreamwarp Society site - after throwing ideas around I decided to take elements from each of the sub-themes, working them in to a story that I felt embodied a kind of fashionable Dr. Who, a girl whose dreams breach the walls of reality, allowing her to take inspiration from the corners of space and time. I'm pretty pleased with my flowers-bursting-through-posters background, it's amazing what you can do with spray adhesive and Blutak...

"She runs, one world bursting into another as eras intertwine. Wide-eyed, she takes in smokey Shanghai corners, Sid&Nancy's passion, bright glints in the desert sky & finds herself a chameleon, her style merging into each new scene...as if in a dream."

ENOURMOUS thankyou to my wonderful friend Emma who helped pull together the spectacular team (at short notice when I suddenly jumped across the country) from her Perth-based agency All of the Above Creative. Ladies, you were all a pleasure to work with!

Photography: Libby Edwards @ All of the Above Creative

Beauty: Rebecca Joanne @ All of the Above Creative

Model: Rachel @ Scene

Styling: Claire Mueller

Printed swim top by Joanna Henning (who also let me raid her lingerie archive & borrow the What Katie Did bullet bra, thanks Jo!)

from tumblr

There's change on the wind at the harbour.

I've had to alter my course to help a shipmate in distress, and am spending some time in sunny Perth. It's calm now, but there are rough seas ahead, so please bear with me as I navigate through.

I will endeavour to keep up the blog, but posting may be somewhat erratic (and I'll have to find a new spot for outfit photos!). Leaving 5 years of Melbourne life behind will be, when it sinks in, somewhat disconcerting, but I feel lucky to not only have great friends in WA but a sea of friendly voices online. I look forward to keeping in touch, maties!

This dress is one of those pieces that divides genders. All my girlfriends like it, but my boyfriend HATES it (I believe the term he used was 'prison outfit'...). I figure if I'm going to wear denim why not reference the chaps who pioneered it as workwear?

dress - cotton on men's shirt, customised

boots - acne

necklace - gala curios

Getting my Indi (Jones, that is) on for a day of sourcing. I do find dressing in theme gets me in the adventuring spirit! There are, after all, always treasures to uncover.

wearing:

dress - vintage (I've recently removed the sleeves, they were weighing me down)

necklace - diva (customised)

scarves - vintage (paisley) & sportsgirl (fluoro)

boots - old gringo

bag - alexander wang

Photos by Penny Lane

It can be a bit of a gamble seeing two of your passions combine (What if they just don't go and it burns my eyes and THEY'RE BOTH RUINED?!), and for me it's fashion and film. I'm fine with breathtaking imagery of swirling fabric and extreme close ups of intricate detail (or collarbones or sideboob as many directors are wont to do), but to be classified as a 'film' I like a wee bit of plot. Not just anyone can pry a story out of a frock, but I think there'll be plenty of opportunity to see fashion films done properly at LMFF, with great talents from both industries coming together on video projects at events including No Home and Penthouse Mouse.

The images above are from a short film made by From Here to There (who do all sorts of exciting things to promote emerging WA designers & creatives), featuring gear from United Constructions, Helena Bogucki and one of the sweetest WA labels, Little Gracie (who is stocked at Lady Petrova in Melbourne). This one will be playing at Penthouse Mouse and the LMFF opening night so look out for it if you're heading along!

In my styling capacity I pride myself on knowing what shapes and silhouettes look best on people, but I can't help breaking my own rules sometimes. Despite being acutely aware that I better suit styles fitted on the waist it gets a bit boring wearing the same thing all the time (I'm no slave to Trinny & Susannah)! I've been drawn towards shift and trapeze shapes at the moment (chasing a 'contemporary' look plus wanting loose fitting clothes in the warm weather) so have been experimenting with how to make them work on my figure. So far have sussed that I need a bit of shape up top and not too much length to get away with it!

wearing:

top - zara

skirt - carly hunter

collar - cut off an op shop shirt

shoes - demonia

bag - furla

earrings - vintage