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.

BYRON BAY

A spontaneous trip to Byron Bay is always a good thing. Even if there's nothing to do there's always something. Here's a little wee list of all the places I like to visit in Byron for a day trip.

STRANGE TRADER

This little store had the coolest home decorations and jewelry pulled from places all over the world. 

BEACH HOTEL

And of course with all that shopping and browsing, you have to stop into the Beach Hotel for a refreshing mojito to keep you going.

SPELL DESIGNS

Unfortunately I didn't have the pleasure of visiting Spell Designs and meeting the lovely ladies behind this here blog that always has me wanting more. This is top priority next trip to Byron.

POMPIDOU

Pompidou is filled with top Australian designers and others from across the globe. I really enjoyed taking a sticky beak in this store for a little inspiration. They also had the tiniest jeans for toddlers (even though I don't have a kid and won't for a while I can still appreciate small things).

190 THE BOWERY

This baffled me when I first saw it in the New York Times! I'm not sure if any of you (if there are any of you actually reading this) are aware of this building on Spring and Bowery in NYC...but I am! I used to pass this place on more than a rare occasion and every time there would be a happy old man sitting on that graffiti covered stoop wishing passers-by a good morning in the late afternoon. [If you're still there old man...keep doing your thang].

190 Bowery is an old bank building purchased by Jay Maisel, a photographer, in 1966 for $102 000. With six stories and 72 rooms I don't doubt their daughter has had countless slumber parties/hide and seek adventures in this gem [i wish my childhood could have taken place in a mysterious new york city mansion...seriously].

 

The Fifth Floor

The dining room

 

The bed is so high so that she can see the nyc skyline from her bed...how thoughtful. 

The Maisels chilling on their OWN roof. It's amazing how well kept the facade of this building is...even the copper trimmings have remained.

The elevator in its original form [they should totally use this for a music video].

The Third Floor which is now an art gallery featuring Jay Maisel's work.

The vault is bad ass. Imagine accidentally locking yourself in...

I would love to rent out the ground floor of this place for a shindig with my friends, only for one night though. I don't know if I could deal with the massive-ness for too long. Apparently you can actually rent out the ground floor which must come at a price for a building that is now worth approximately $30 million.

TURBAND: 3 WAYS

I love this video tutorial by Geri Hirsch of BecauseI'mAddicted! She is creating her own fashion/lifestyle website called LEAF (Living, Eating and Fashion). I can't wait to see more videos like this and what else she's cooking up. 

STYLE ICON: CHRISTINE CENTENERA

Christine Centenera is the Fashion Editor of Australian Harper's Bazaar. AMAZE.

So I know you guys are probably really bored with these fashion week street style shots I'm posting, but seriously I can't get enough. There's been a big up roar about Christine and rightly so because her style and influence in the fashion world is unbelievable. At only 29 she is the Fashion Editor of Australian Harper's Bazaar and she's turning heads of some of the world's most influential in fashion, the Sartorialist and Garance Dore amongst them. All I want is this wardrobe. Yes please and thank you! 

Azzedine Alaia bodysuit, Balenciaga skirt and heels

Balenciaga Heels

Hermes scarf bomber jacket, Josh Goot top, Balenciaga skirt and shoes, Givenchy and Tiffnay & Co. cuffs

Bassike t-shirt, Celine pants and necklace, Balenciaga shoes, ksubi sunglasses

At Paris Fashion Week

The thing I love most is that she wears statement pieces more than once and is not afraid to make it obvious. Fashion is all about how you wear your clothes. She changes the total look of the outfit by pairing these baggy cool pants with a white basic and then with a black blazer for a totally different look.

Burberry Studded Leather Jacket

So ummm yeah let's talk about this studded goodness. Leather jacket with only one sleeve decked out in studs, yes please! That's so bad ass chic! 

Oh yeah...and then there's this photo which makes me green with jalousie! Seriously Stevie Dance and Christine Centenera are friends...Well of course they are! Hannah Rose from CaptureTheCastle summed it up perfectly.

Images via Harper's Bazaar, Jak&Jil & Stockholm Street Style

ALL WOOLED UP

I came across this insightful artwork whilst perusing Honestly...WTF. Julia Santacruz Herrera beautified Paris with a lot of vibrant yarn to bring a few smiles to some French faces. It reminds me of another Paris knitting project by artist, Magda Sayeg, who covered parking metres and pretty much anything she could in colourful knits.  

Via Magda Sayeg 

Also seen on Honestly...WTF, these wool on wood stalls. So cute with a little grandma vibe in there too. 

FASHION WEEK STREET ShNAPS

These shots were snapped by that talented Tommy Ton (Jak & Jil) for Style.com at RAFW. It's all in the details, am I right? I am quite surprised at how big this years fashion week is in Sydney and how much talent there is, not only on the runway, but also on the streets. #wishiwasthere

I can't wait to see what's in store for the remainder of the week...

MARNIE SKILLINGS

Marnie Skillings S/S 2011/2012 uses henna-esque designs with a pop of colour to match the organic feel of the collection.

Via BellaSugar

IN LOVER WITH YOU

LOVER Spring/Summer 2011/2012. 

White, red and all things nice.

Via OracleFox

FROM THE FRONT ROW

Australian Harper's Bazaar's Christine Centenera at RAFW

Julian Louie x ALDO = Something Fierce

via ALDO

These wedges are yummy. Something fun and different for the changing seasons with that African/South American tribal vibe that is floating around these days. Unfortunately they're not available in Australia...yet.

RAFW.DAY.1. - WRAP UP

Zimmerman began Rosemount Australian Fashion Week today with sheer elegance with indian inspired white lace and modest pops of color in muted tones. It certainly made me itching to jet off on a summer holiday in the Greek islands. The silhouettes themselves are very structured which is balanced with the ornate patterns and dainty sheer fabrics. 

Arnsdorf is another designer that has taken on whimsical outlines and watercolored fabrics but has also paired these styles with tailored features, such as pants and blazers.

Bec and Bridge also took a similar interpretation of Summer with muted tones, however took advantage of flowy fabrics and unstructured silhouettes reminiscent of the 1970s. Defs need to get my hands on one of these lilac akubra felt hat! An iconic Australian hat that I can wear even when I'm not on a farm...hell yes! [And no, don't get the wrong impression, I'm never on a farm]. High waisted shorts, pencil pants, sky high heels and watercolours....gimme that!  

This Alex Perry dress took my breath away. Definitely a future wedding dress option [not that I'm thinking about that right now...I mean that wouldn't happen for a while....but there's no harm in fantasizing, right? Especially after all this whole royal wedding extravaganza!]

Can't wait to see what is in store for tomorrow with the Rachel Gilbert & Therese Rawsthorne shows x