by Amber on January 21, 2010
“Designer sunglasses for democratic prices!” a piece of spam in my inbox crowed this morning. Delete. No thank-you, I just bought some, and a democratic expense they were indeed.
We have to thank Ksubi for bringing avant-garde eye-wear to the masses. Their 2010 collection, ‘Book Club’ is brash, exciting and very wearable.
According to the press release, each pair is informed by a different genre – steampunk, pop comics and vintage fancies. I bought these ’stained glass’ inspired frames:
This is where the ‘wearable’ part of my story comes in. Despite my relatively safe tastes, I actually suit them (okay, they were the tamest of the ’stained glasses’ – I have perhaps gone for the tawny look). Yep, I’m very happy with my purchase, and the price was right. Check out all the different shades of the collection here.
by Amber on November 27, 2009
by Amber on November 26, 2009
Hot art tip from my mum, who got back from Sydney last night – “This is the sort of weird thing you’d really like!”
She found a plethora of brightly coloured bird cages strung across one of Sydney’s lanes (Angel Place). There were lots of birds calling, but none visible to the eye! In fact, these were the sounds of Sydney’s lost birds, those that inhabited the area before alleyways replaced trees.
The project is Forgotten Sounds – part of the By George! Hidden Networks 2009 program. I love this idea! Especially the fact that during the evening you only hear nocturnal chirps. You can see more pictures here.
This is how modern tarot readers gussy themselves up – with a ‘Flirtini’ cardigan, the heavy florals of a ‘Magic Carpet’ mini and some decidedly witchy boots.
Aussie brand Ant!podium’s latest collection is called Totally Tarot and it provides a lot of fashion answers. Muted colours, heavy fabrics with playfulness injected through the shapes. Antipodium always make interesting use of zippers and these pieces are no different.
I think this collection makes a case for interactive showcasing – I really want to see the details. Better yet, it makes a case for getting away from my desk and looking in store!
Here’s my favourites from the look book:
If you can look that cute while doing it, I’m totally keen to learn to read real tarot cards!
I’m off to Melbourne for a short break. I’m really looking forward to tiny cupcakes, swapmeets, seductive bars, lanes, San Churro, shimmering lights and splendid vintage finds. Oh and lounge access (thanks Willy). I’m sure I won’t be able to keep quiet while over there… but in the meantime; I wish you a totally delightful, mind-blowing, soul-nuturing and ass-shaking weekend!
by Amber on January 25, 2009
I adore these One Last Ounce T-shirts by Veronica Saints (aka designer Jake Jelicich). They remind me of cigarette smoke, playing blackjack at home and lying back on the bonnets of cars, watching the stars. According to the design notes, they have been created to be abused – to be worn until the cotton is transparent gossamer.
Made of organic cotton, the oversized shirts are good for both boys or girls. Choose your print on the front or the back. For a distinctive tee they are well priced, at only AU$98 a piece, with free global shipping! Apart from the temptation of walking along the street with a satisfied sneer on your face while wearing one, it’s hard to go wrong…
by Amber on August 14, 2008
Voila, my new (vintage) boots from Inzivil, braving the dreadfully soggy streets of Auckland! They’re incredibly comfortable and were cheap – a definite score. I look forward to wearing them with this season’s floral printed tea dresses, as well as black skinny jeans and oversized shirts.
Inzivil is a new online store featuring the fine work of Australian and New Zealand designers (and some vintage to round out the selection). It was founded on the thought that there is simply not enough fashion from that geographic locale available online. It’s a great idea, I can imagine the homesick Kiwi girls of London checking out fresh new designs from their hometowns, snapping them up and flouncing along in style to the Portobello Market.
The name Inzivil really works for their offering too, a definition from their site:
“Inzivil (a German word literally translated to English) means ‘not in uniform’. At inzivil we think fashion should be spontaneous, fun, individual. The last thing it should be is a uniform.”
Designers sold include: Two White Buddies, Ellery, twentysevenames, CHIP CHOP! and shoe designer Kathryn Wilson.
The NZ Herald has an interview with Anna Hayes, site owner on her style & obsessions. It’s really nice to see New Zealand ecommerce finally starting to develop, and I love my new boots!
by Amber on June 29, 2008
While nursing a flat white on Saturday morning, I spied some fashion nugget rocking this shirt with tighty-tight blue jeans and a vest. I had completely forgotten about this tee and very excitedly described the aesthetic joy of it all to my companion… Please say hello to the ‘Que Sera Sera’ t-shirt by Sass and Bide! The sequins are much more vivid in real life.
I am not usually a fan of creamy/white shirts but this one certainly urges me to change my mind. To that I say: whatever fashion dictates, whatever will be! Wouldn’t it be fantastic to bring some sparkle drama to the every day? This t-shirt serve the cause perfectly, without coming off all naff like an amateur figure skater. It looks mighty comfy as well, coming in with a ratio of 10% bean, 60% viscose and 30% modal.
Bonus fact – for all you language boffins out there: ‘que sera sera’ is of no true language origin. It is in fact, *gasp*, made up… merely deriving from the so called romantic languages. Anyway, back on track – in the collection you will also find these two pretties:
Shiny! However if you feel these are all a bit too mild for your tastes, try this Rebecca Taylor sequined jacket, heaven for all hardened sheen queens.
