Fashion Trends

We take a look at some of our favourite established and emerging Australian bloggers.

Oh how the world of fashion is changing. Just this year we’ve seen QR codes and Instagram invade the fashion industry, Kanye released his first collection, apparently bum-bags are in and sky-high pumps are out, and now they’re telling us that Bloggers are the most influential people in the fashion industry! Well I’m not so sure I agree with bum-bag fashion craze, but there’s no denying that Bloggers are quickly becoming the go-to people for fashion advice and inspiration.

Here at Streetfash, we love reading your blogs for the incredible outfit posts, style inspiration, and to swoon over your latest and greatest purchases. We know that you guys are in-the-know when it comes to fashion and we want to share the love. Since we are all about celebrating our finest homegrown fashion talents, we thought we would share some of our favourite local Bloggers (in no particular order). Some are professional bloggers, some are just starting out, but we think they are all amazingly talented and certainly worth a follow. Looks as though Sydney is giving Melbourne a run-for-their-money as the most fashionable city!

Through The Looking Glass 
Location: Melbourne 
Who: Giang Cao 
Why we love it: For the incredible photo documentation of people and places in Melbourne.

Il etait une fois 
Location: Melbourne
Who: Bianca Nardo 
Why we love it: For keeping us up to date on all of the latest happenings in the wonderful world of fashion. We especially love it when she throws in an outfit post.

All About Edie 
Location: Sydney 
Who: Mollie Stevens 
Why we love it: For her outstanding ability to mix high fashion staples with affordable trending items. Plus, she always looks oh-so-chic. This girl is one to watch!

Your Only Black Swan 
Location: Sydney 
Who: Lauren Hernandez
Why we love it: For her fun, vintage-inspired outfit posts, and photo diary type posts.

Modern Legacy 
Location: Someone let us know! 
Who: Kaitlyn 
Why we love it: A law student with impeccable street style, flawless grammar (how refreshing) and a heck-of-a-lot of amazing shirts! We love her effortless chic look and vintage ensembles.

Dear Mr. Cat 
Location: Sydney
Who: Brittany Ferns
Why we love it: For her adorable illustrations and artwork, her beautiful inspirational image posts, and previews of her new clothing label Otto Mode. Bookmark this site, she’s going to be huge.

Confident Liar 
Location: Sydney 
Who: Nicole Cooper 
Why we love it: Well her profile reads, “An extremely broke photography student, who can barely afford the bus home yet still manages to buy film.” We love it! Do yourself a favour and check out her beautiful photography. Enough said.

A huge thank you to Kaitlyn from Modern Legacy, Bianca from Il etait une fois , and Lauren from Your Only Black Swan for your gorgeous images.

Words: Christie Sinclair

How often do you splurge on new clothes? Once a month? Once a week? Twice a week? Four times a week even? We’re all guilty of over indulging and over spending from time to time, but have you ever stopped and thought about how much you could save if you were to forgo that habit of purchasing an item of clothing once a week? Have you ever thought about the alternatives to purchasing new products, or where the product may end up when you have finished with it?

During the month of October, the Buy Nothing New initiative encourages the reassessing of your spending habits. It’s about cutting out the unnecessary energy in your life, not going without things you need. It encourages you to source possessions from alternative places; begging, borrowing, thrifting, swapping, exchanging and recycling is ideal, just as long as you ensure you don’t purchase anything new. Of course you’re permitted to buy food, drink, medication and any essentials, but keep in mind you must shop for things you require, not what you desire!

Buy Nothing New Month was established to remind consumers to really think about and weigh up their wants versus their needs. It’s also about making a conscientious decision about the products we buy, where they come from, where they end up, and whether there are any alternatives, in order to challenge the issue of over consumption.

The whole concept may sound a little radical, but when you consider Australians spend tens of billions of dollars each year on unessential items, and 20 billion tonnes of waste ends up as landfill, you can see why we all desperately need to reevaluate our spending habits.

Not only will you save money buy pledging to Buy Nothing New this month, but you can also save loads of time by simply shopping for the items you need. It makes sense! So resist the temptation to shop til’ you drop, cancel your virtual shopping cart, and stay away from malls, and get amongst the non-spending movement by pledging your allegiance to Buy Nothing New Month.

October is almost over but it’s never too late to implement changes to your spending habits. Did I mention there are also loads of awesome prizes to be won including $5000 cash? Plus it's a great cause. Are you up to the challenge?

Words: Christie Sinclair

Absorb’s latest short fashion film collaboration showcases the SS11 range by Aussie designer swimwear label We Are Handsome. Get ready for a vivid, polychromatic montage of 80’s film and television references, lots of glitter, and some seriously cool swimsuits. Can you believe it was shot in the middle of a Westfield shopping centre using mobile phones? Check out the film and these awesome images from the shoot by James Nash.

I’m sure you’re aware of the recent shifts in consumer buying behaviour; our smaller boutiques and labels are suffering at the hands of international online rag-trader giants as Aussies turn to overseas markets for a competitive deal. Now more than ever, our independent designers need support to keep them afloat in this current retail crisis.

So what's the appeal in purchasing independent fashion? We discussed the difference in quality and exclusivity in Series One of our Independent Designer articles. But what about good old-fashioned shopping? I’m not talking about trawling through website after website, online store after online store. I know it’s rather convenient to shop online at times, especially when it means you don’t have to immerse yourself in a car-park battle or even get out of your pjs, but lets not forget the physical experience of shopping. Online shopping is a great way to browse products and help us quickly find what we are looking for, but the disconnection and lack of physical interaction only increases the difficulty choosing your product and post purchase dissonance.

Phoebe Garland, co-owner of Garland & Garland Fashion, a leading Sydney-based fashion agency believes we need to recognise the contribution independent fashion has made by reinforcing the personal service and the wonderful relationships you can have with the smaller boutiques and buying from Australian retailers.

“These smaller retailers have contributed significantly to building these multinational apparel companies. And, these are the retailers that are really suffering. They simply do not have the luxury of operating on the higher margins the chains stores and vertical operators do and they have quite often been lining the pockets of the big apparel companies for years,” she said.

Customer service is a notion most of us have consigned to oblivion now that we have the option of online shopping, but it plays a very large role in customer satisfaction and positive brand image. The physical connection between the consumer and a product is imperative, and it is the customer service that can help facilitate a positive outcome in the end.

It seems department stores and large fashion retailers pay little attention to customer service, which is interesting considering the vast competition from online stores and overseas e-boutiques. So if you are after knowledgeable and friendly staff who virtually live and breathe fashion, head to smaller boutiques and independent retailers.

There is nothing quite like stepping into your favourite boutique and knowing you will be greeted, assisted and treated like a friend rather than a potential buyer. You won’t have to search five floors and numerous un-manned counters, or have to deal with stroppy sales assistants who are more interested in simply making sales than helping you find the perfect garment. Although boutiques generally employ less staff, this allows more time for training and ensuring they employ the ideal candidate for the job.

Skill shortages are also not a problem as many independents employ ‘stylists’ as opposed to sales assistants, whose role is to assist the customer in finding the perfect garment using their broad knowledge of fashion and the particular brand.

Celebrity Stylist, Amber Renee agrees that stylists can drastically enhance the shopping experience by providing independent, educated advice to assist the consumer in selecting the best possible garment in the least stressful manner. She also notes that stylists advice is generally not biased as they are not pressured by sales targets or under any conflict of interest.

“If the stylist is educated on body shapes and skin tones they can provide advice that relates directly to that customer – rather than show what’s been the ‘best seller’ or ‘what everyone loves’.”

Words: Christie Sinclair

Australia has an extraordinary independent fashion scene. The young emerging designers we saw at MSFW recently did not disappoint, with many showing signs of promising careers. At a time when Aussie retailers are flailing within a market that shows no signs of budging, independent and emerging designers need our support now more than ever. It’s crucial the fashion community gets behind our independents, or risk loosing them to international retail giants such as ASOS, Zara, Topshop, H&M and Urban Outfitters.

Let us consider how some of our favourite designers began. Prominent labels such as Arnsdorf, Thurley and Dhini did not materialise overnight, and their success most certainly cannot be attributed to luck. Aside from devoting countless hours to the development of their labels, access to support networks and backing from industry professionals proved crucial in leveraging their brands. Keep in mind, many young designers lack access to funding, thus inhibiting their ability to reach out and connect with consumers. Without the support of third-party organisations, many of our favourite brands would cease to exist. But thanks to the rise and the current popularity of fashion festivals, events and online forums, our independent fashion community can now breathe a sigh of relief.

It sometimes seems as though fashion festivals such as MSFW, RAFW and LMFF exist for the promotion of established designers, for VIPs, celebrities and the fashion elite to swan around in their high-end designer ensembles. I’m not going to deny, this element of fashion festivals does interest. However did you know such festivals are strategically planned to help bridge the gap between our independent designers and the public?

Program Director of Fashion at RMIT and Former Director of LMFF, Karen Webster believes events such as LMFF have helped shape Australian fashion.

“The fashion industry here in Melbourne and in Australia is in a very different place now. I think we have a really buoyant and dynamic independent designer market. Now you can base yourself in Melbourne and sell to London and Paris. That can only happen if we win the hearts and souls of people in the street, if they feel good about fashion,” she said.

Making it within the fashion world is challenging enough, but to survive, flourish and stay afloat is another thing altogether. Fashion festivals and online communities such as Streetfash have helped spur a backlash against fast-fashion and the poor quality of garments manufactured by ubiquitous retailers. We have noticed a transformation in the local fashion industry in attempt to offset this movement. The quality of independent designers products is only increasing as backing within the industry and general community grows. The challenge is to steer consumers away from accepting inferior quality clothing and to stamp out that ‘disposable’ mentality of the fashion industry, by educating and promoting our diligent homegrown designers. Otherwise they will be completely overlooked.

We must applaud the independent fashion community and their support networks on their efforts in keeping the art of fashion alive within this country. Support your local independent fashion.

Words: Christie Sinclair

We have seen an enormous shift in consumer buying behaviour since the concept of ‘Etail’ first rocked our shopping world, and the soaring Aussie Dollar has only added fuel to this very large fire. Australian retail sales are dwindling before our eyes as we charge towards offshore markets for a fashionable-bargain. While purchasing from an overseas online store all seems well and good in theory, have you ever really stopped to think about why that high-fashion retailer is offering you (and every-man-and-their-dog) such a seemingly great offer?

I have two words for you. Mass production. It’s all about churning out large volumes of product, at an absolute minimal cost, resulting in enormous revenue for manufacturers. So of course, something’s got to give. And it’s generally, (always) the quality. Not to mention the fact there are approximately five million other twenty-something women waltzing around in that very same, top. I don’t know about you, but that’s certainly not my cup of tea.

“What’s the alternative?” I hear you say. Get behind our homegrown Independent Designers. Sure, the attraction to shopping at retail giants lies in the premise of snagging a bargain or two, but if you consider yourself a bit of a fashionista, quality and exclusivity will most likely outweigh the cost. But don’t be disheartened; the word ‘designer’ is not always associated with ‘designer’ prices. You’ll find that many of our young up-and coming designers and even established independent designer’s collections are becoming rather affordable. After all, they are having to compete with chain stores and now overseas online retailers at a time when retail spending is at an all-time low. Thus, the proliferation of reasonably-priced designer fashion. This of course, is in relation to how the product is manufactured and the materials used.

Independent designers often manufacture in Australia as opposed to offshore. This ensures quality and also ethical workplace standards. The use of high quality fibers and materials is ensured when purchasing independent fashion- items are also likely to last longer and function as great wardrobe ‘staples’. Additionally, many garments by independent designers are handmade or have handmade elements, which ensures individuality and quality. As they say, “you get what you pay for” and if it is quality, uniqueness, comfort and beauty, then give those mediocre, rag-traders the flick in favour of our Independent Designers.

For an example of great independent fashion check out the amazing pics from Orri Henrisson's AW10 collection. Streetfash will be stocking Orri Henrisson SS11/12 when it drops in a few weeks.

Words: Christie Sinclair

New Zealand-based menswear label, I Love Ugly have kicked off their Spring 2011 collection with a bang, releasing an idiosyncratic collaborative short film titled ‘A Conventional Camouflage’.

The film embraces concepts of their latest range, also titled ‘A Conventional Camouflage’, inviting viewers into the quintessential I Love Ugly world of unique textures, patterns and unorthodox design

From its humble beginnings as a small T-shirt label, the label’s founder, illustrator and designer, Valentin Ozich has successfully transformed I Love Ugly into one of News Zealand’s leading menswear labels. The slightly eccentric take on classic pieces and designs has attracted a cult following; the label is now well known for obscuring the lines between fashion and art to create enduring collections, successfully bucking the transient nature of the fashion industry.

Designs by I Love Ugly are available now at the Streetfash online store here: I Love Ugly.

Words: Christie Sinclair

Congratulations to RMIT fashion student, Anisha Bhoyro who won the 2011 RMIT Student Prize as part of the Melbourne Spring Fashion Week (MSFW) Spotlight Emerging Designer Series.

The MSFW Emerging Designer exhibition is the first major public exhibition for the talented young Melbourne designer, who has been making and experimenting with clothes from an early age.

Bhoyro designed her collection, Precious Threads with the polarisation of the fashion world in mind. Her garments are based on the concept of reviving old-world values in order to impede the all too common notion of ‘fast-fashion’, and the disposable nature of the industry.

“I have developed a new system of garment cutting and construction based on manipulations of yarns within cloth. The resulting garments are intricate, precious pieces which oppose the throw away mentality of fast fashion,” said Bhoyro.

Her creations are carefully constructed to deliver a unique and elaborate aesthetic, of which demand closer inspection in order to discover the, “intelligent, refined and understated luxury.”

Influenced by film photographer Rodney Smith, and inspired by the elegance of certain people in her life, Bhoyro hopes her unique designs will not be compromised by the mainstream disposition of the fashion industry, in the future.

“In three years I hope to still be learning, designing, creating and perfecting my craft. I hope that I will not fall into a position where the commercial side of the fashion industry overtakes my design passion,” said Bhoyro.

Bhoyro won the prestigious award after presenting her collection at the launch of the MSFW Spotlight Emerging Designers Exhibition, at 1000 Pound Bend in Melbourne on Monday 29 August. The prize includes an all expenses paid trip to Milan where she will undertake an internship with a renowned fashion house of her choice, before returning to MSFW next year to fulfill her duties as the 2012 RMIT Student Ambassador.

Melbourne Street Fashion is a proud sponsor of the 2011 MSFW Emerging Designer Series. Events of the series include:

Spotlight Emerging Designer Exhibition (29 August – 11 September) – 1000 Pound Bend
Spotlight RMIT Student Exhibition (6 – 18 September) – No Vacancy Gallery
Spotlight RMIT Student Runway (10 September – 6.30pm and 9pm) – Melbourne Town Hall
Spotlight RMIT Alumni Exhibition (5 – 11 September) – Lobby, Grand Hyatt Melbourne

Words: Christie Sinclair

Livia Arena's latest collection is now available through the Streetfash online store.   

Melbourne based designer Livia Arena’s second collection, ‘The Gathering’ is the product of a collaboration with Melbourne jeweller Deirdre Hoban. Inspired by Hoban’s use of washed-out tones and their mutual admiration for the aesthetics of each other’s designs, the pair have created a classic yet feminine Spring Summer 11/12 collection, incorporating elements of both labels.

“Deirdre and I were introduced to each other by a mutual friend and we threw the idea about for a while. Then all of a sudden, we were working on the Summer collection together. I think it just seemed like a normal thing to do, especially when you consider that we’re both kind of just starting out and I guess it’s easier to collaborate at that point,” said Arena.

The first Summer collection from the Livia Arena label includes beautifully tailored pieces, striking silhouettes and that signature Livia Arena subtle detailing which adds a little luxury to each piece. The partnership of the two designers has certainly given Arena’s designs a fresh perspective, her latest line emanating a strong feminine aesthetic whilst maintaining her prominent classic style.

Although she admits to being cowardly with colour, Arena saw Summer as the perfect opportunity to offset the typically clean lines of her own designs, by referencing Hoban’s soft colour palette.

“I was immediately taken by her sense of colour. I am really reluctant to use colour, but I was very aware that for Summer, colour is actually really important... I think it’s ended up being a lot more feminine than the clothes I create when I work alone,” said Arena.

It’s attention to detail such as the presence of the unique custom print, which makes this collection so distinctive and appealing. The colourful spotted print was the outcome of both artists’ desires to make the collection representative of the hand-made nature of Hoban’s work and the texture of her ceramics. The process involved Hoban creating a large spotted ceramic plate, which was then photographed and manipulated to form the repeatable print now a feature of this collection.   

The innovative collection is also composed entirely of natural fibres including high quality silk, cotton and linen, (and combinations of the three) making the clothing light, breathable and ideal for Summer dressing.   

After completing a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science at Melbourne University, Arena enrolled in a design course at RMIT before taking a graduate job as a corporate banker. Thankfully, she finally gave into her creative side, thus began the namesake label Livia Arena. Although she felt a career in design conflicted with her previous education, it is clear her escape from the corporate world has inspired her design process; her collections an amalgamation of structure and uninhibited femininity.   

Words: Christie Sinclair

At the moment we're seeing straw hats all over the streets.

Now that the cold snap has left the city the beanies and hoods have been replaced with head gear of a different kind.

Over the years hats have been worn for many different reasons whether religious or a fashion statement. You can easily update your look with an extensive choice of head coverings.

Turbans, no longer exclusive to fortune tellers, have been floating around the trend list for a couple of years and looks like they're here to stay for spring. The versatility of scarves are shown by twisting, wrapping and tying around the head with the bonus of concealing any level of a bad hair day. As for hats Its rare to stroll the city without spotting a fedora, pork pie or boater - they can complete any outfit whether dressy or casual.

Try City Hatters on Flinders St for an broad range of styles, all crafted with the highest quality materials. If vintage is your thing head to Shag in Centre Way arcade and hunt for that hidden gem. Who knows, you may just find your new look.

Words and photos: Holly Rose Butler

Dare I say it, but this summer it may be time to put those trusted Ray-Ban Wayfarers away and grace your face with a new and exciting shaped frame. Said frame should, in simple terms be circular (or at least of the rounded curvaceous family and not of geometrically rigid and square decent).

Granted this is not an easy style to pull off. It's likely you'll need lots of attitude and possibly a leather vest or some 90s Brit-pop/ grungy plaid shirts to help you out. Trickling through last summer we've already spotted many-a "Lennon loving" boys and girls who have prompted and fashioned a return to the circular shade. And it's a trend that looks set to continue well into next year (see Topshop Unique's and Anna Sui's recent SS2011 collections at London and New York Fashion Week respectively).

If you're struggling, try the alternative. A bold 60s/ 70s style frame with a tinted or polarised lens. Overstated sizes, curved outlines and thick acetate frames chosen from a nostalgic palette of vintage hues (Isson have a great selection www.isson.com.au as do Mykita- www.mykita.com) will be turning heads for sure. But if it's attention you crave, follow the direction of Mr Alexander Wang and embrace the trend for feline 'cat-eyed' sunnies. They're slightly superhero-ish and exactly what your sunnies should be this season: bespoke, unique and bold.

All sunglasses from a selection at Lost & Found- Smith Street Vintage Garage-Smith Street and Saint Cloud- Gertrude Street.