THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT PATTERNS

via Jak & Jil

via Milk Studios

via Tuula

In true fashion form, there is always something new, something exciting or something you've never thought of before making waves and making themselves visible on the bodies of global fashionistas. I'm gonna take a wild guess and say that this season patterns, floral and bright colours mixed together in a loony manner are what's going down right now. I'm loving this trend, because it allows us to experiment, be unique and use personal creativity to show your crazy side (and even if you deny that you don't have a crazy side, you are lying to yourself which therefore also makes you crazy, duhh). 

Now where to find good (cheap) patterned pants that won't make me look frumpy?

PHILANTHROPY + FASHION = GOOD

It seems the trend to help the poor has become "cool." Angeline Jolie, no doubt, single-handedly led this trend when she adopted all those children from poorer countries. She did indeed. Then Bono and a whole lot of conscious celebrities hopped on that truck, and rightly so. Because if anyone in the world has more power than actual political leaders and the UN it is, ironically, celebrities.

Here is a list of 3 amazing philanthropic fashion companies from The High Low:

1. TOMS

Of course Blake Myoskie and his company, TOMS, had to be at the top of this list. He has cornered the market for the Buy-One-Give-One (BOGO) strategy and is now branching out from shoes into eyewear and accessories.

2. URBAN ZEN PROJECT by DONNA KAREN

Donna Karen is the queen of making clothes look amazing on any woman no matter what age, shape or size. It seems like she's doing a whole lot more good with her position in the fashion industry with her Urban Zen Project which addresses a wide variety of issues. She has supported progressive cancer therapy treatments and also helped rebuilding Haiti. 

3. EDUN

EDUN is an amazing initiative step up by Bono and Ali Hewson. This organisation wishes to share beautiful clothing as well as supporting global African trade. Bono can really do no wrong. AT ALL. So it is no surprise that he is continuing his efforts to contribute to the world via the fashion industry.

There are of course so many designers doing amazing things for developing countries. And it is so important that companies and individuals with the means and position to do what they can to increase local production and global trade within developing countries.

Check out more crazy cool designers doing some good here.

Peace & Love

Mary Katrantzou x TOPSHOP

It's times like these I wish I lived in the way cooler city of Melbourne. Loving these exciting prints from Mary K to experiment and play with. It's about time we get some interesting silhouettes matched with even better fabrics!

Check it out when it drops at TOPSHOP

KANYE WEST x CHRISTINE CENTENERA

I have a confession to make: I have a perhaps unhealthy obsession with the talents of Christine Centenera and Kanye West. Well lucky for me and the rest of the world, Christine Centenera is working with Mr. West on his new women's clothing line that is reportedly called Palette. I am so proud Australia is becoming a fierce force in the fashion industry and I hope this is only the beginning. For more info check out this NY Times article.

A LITTLE SOMETHING SOMETHING

A little inspiration to get through the rest of the week...

Milan Fashion Week...this makes me wish it was summer here in the southern hemisphere

Kanye! I've never seen him smile with all his pearly whites like this before. He's always got the "I'm too cool to smile because I'm a rapper and all famous" look on his face...but I much prefer this look. 

It's cool to look like a painter now

ADR decked out in Prada...

If only math were this easy...

All photos via Streetfsn

THE HIGH LINE, NYC: PART TWO

New Yorkers, especially those living in or around Chelsea, will all say the High Line was once that old, black, overgrown, above ground rail road track that should have been knocked down a long time ago. But Joshua David and Robert Hammond saw the beauty in this nugget of history and saw their idea of an elevated park come to life. 

Now the second part of the High Line is finally open just in time for a sweltering New York summer. I wish I was still living in the city to take advantage of this amazing above ground pocket of nature. There's something about greenery contrasting with the industrial buildings of Chelsea that makes the High Line a refreshing change from the usual. The High Line, which was an abandoned rail road track, passes through buildings and on top of streets to sustain its history and give New Yorkers an escape.

The High Line

DESERT FLOWER

When I was 14 I remember reading Desert Flower, the story of Waris Dirie, and having so much admiration for this young woman.  Waris grew up amidst the turmoil in Somalia, sold into marriage at 13 and finally fled to America only to become a world renowned supermodel walking on the runways of Paris, London, Milan and New York. I remember when I read it my family and I were on vacation somewhere here in Australia but I couldn't put the book down to even enjoy the new surroundings.

I can't believe this is the first I'm hearing of this movie which premiered at the Venice Film Festival in 2009 and is directed by Sherry Horrman. It is an amazing and uplifting story of a young female determined to fight inequality and subjugation. She is now the UN spokeswoman against female genital mutilation and has shed light upon an issue that was once heavily concealed. I highly recommend the book and following books Waris Dirie has co-written and hope to like this movie just as much. 

Read more about the movie and her story here.