Westfield Doncaster Event: Obsession 24/7 – A/W 2015 Preview

I was invited to Westfield Doncaster A/W 2015 preview night event. I love winter it’s my favorite season.It allows me to layer up and wear my favorite item the classic leather jacket in the colder weather. I’ve since been stuck in two summers since I went overseas so I am waiting in anticipation for winter to arrive!

The event was held in the styling suite, an exclusive room for customers to have personal styling sessions from Westfield Doncaster. I found it to be an excellent venue to hold this type of event. Throughout the styling suite there were beautiful garments spread out in rows around the room. As I looked at the garments a few caught my eye that was of course the leather garments on the rack. The collections of clothing there were very captivating and interesting a very unique type that will be sure to shine through this season coming (winter).

Kate Waterhouse & Alyce Cowell spoke about the latest upcoming trends for this season, as well questions answered by Kate herself. I also spoke to Kate during the night about up and coming trends and leather jackets!

As well we were able to have abit of fun with the outfits on display with creating our own flat lay.

Here are my favourite picks of the up-coming Autumn Winter trends for 2015!

Trend | 70’s Glamour

Photo by: SDP Media

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Trend | Military The Mililtary look, with beautiful tailoring and structed jackets. As well a pop of colour to add.

Photo by: SDP Media

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Trend | Nomcore Clean and simple look, very versatile for work or weekend.

Photo by: SDP Media

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Trend | Monochrome The Monochrome look with different leather teaxtures and layering.

Photo by: SDP Media

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Trend | Leather Layers

Mixing different textures and colours of leather together

Photo by: SDP Media

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Trend | Abstract Abstract prints for winter with beautiful trenches for a sophisticated look

Photo by: SDP Media

Kate also answered some questions during the night, she had explained that she loves having a wardrobe of outfits that she can go from day to night. The diversity of going straight from the office straight out to dinner. Her investment pieces are leather jackets, as Kate is very passionate about the leather trend also. A pair of ankle boots Great knits as well.

My Flat Lay Thurley Playsuit Marcs leather jacket Marcs cigarette pant

Kate also explained how she puts her own spin on outfits, with using accessories to spice things up abit. From mixing bags, belts, statement necklaces as well as other accessories to make her own mix and swing on clothing to be unique rather then the usual. Kates style icons are the Iconic Sofia Loren followed by Kate Moss and the stylish Victoria Beckham.

Special Thanks  to Westfield Doncaster xx Special thanks to Cassandra Pennisi For my outfit for the night Website: www.cassandrapennisi.com.au

Loved this Review? Read more over here!  Fashion Event Reviews 

Student Feature: Ashlyn Farenden

Ashlyn Farenden RMIT Student Ashlyn Farenden is currently in her fourth and final year of fashion design (honours). I met Ashlyn back when we both studied Fashion Textile Merchandising at Kangan, from there she went on to RMIT. Ashlyn has always been very determined to make her way in the industry, continuously passionate and motivated. I interviewed her to see where’s she at now! As well check out her video of her latest collection

Tell us about your time at RMIT. What you’ve learnt and experienced during your studies?

I have enjoyed my time in the course so far and I am about to enter my fourth and final year (honours), which is going to be a lot of work. As well I will be applying to have my collection shown at Fashion Week.

From the course I have gained a few industry-based internships. Such as working for Myer and Nixi Killick. Feedback from these companies was that I was chosen due to my experience and study. They appreciated that I had completed the Fashion Textile Merchandising course (and it also gave me an advantage). The kangan course was more business based. But now i am developing a design background with the BA design (Fashion) at RMIT

 

You’ve just completed your latest collection. Tell us about your theme? Do you eventually want to create a brand?

In relation to designing a brand in the future. I feel that I see myself within a different place in the fashion industry. Although I love design and have really taken to it since starting the course I feel that a more business based career with design elements such as Product development or Buying would be more what I am aiming towards.

My most recent collection is Cerebral Camouflage. Was created around the idea of dual reality. The way in which we see ourselves is not the way others perceive us to be.

I created layered garments so that you could see each piece being worn. Resembling layers of her personality.

What inspired you to create this collection?

We were given a platform to work off by the designers Boudicca (UK-based) and the statements. I chose to research and look further into was ‘Fragmented Souls’ and ‘Neo geographic’

 I then developed these two statements together instead of researching them individually and progressed to the ‘cerebral camouflage’ and ‘dual reality’ concept.

Does your personal style reflect on your designs?

My style when designing is different to how I am as a person. I personally enjoy black, white or grey and usually a simple tailored silhouette.

 However when I am designing (my most recent collection not included) I am usually very sport wear based. You can always see hints of sports wear in my collections, whether it is the fabric choice or the silhouette.I think that is because I enjoy casual dressing and how something can be put together effortlessly.

Your dream job in the fashion industry?

Something I am still deciding upon as I answer this question, but I think it would have to be something within buying or product development. I would ideally like to work for myself; I have a few ideas in the pipeline for that. But I think to gain experience and a handle on the industry I would begin working for someone else.

Your favourite internship since studying?

Favourite internship? I don’t think I could just pick one. Purely because they have all been different and given me different tools that I could apply to my work with and taught me different things along the way.

What fashion designers do you look up to?

Designers I look up to and work I admire would have to be people like Alexander McQueen. I saw his designs at the MET exhibition in New York – 2011, titled ‘Savage Beauty’.

 He definitely designs in a different way to the way in which I design; however I enjoy how he was always telling a story with each collection. He likes to narrate with his work, which is something I also do, especially when doing my folio.

Advice to future students?

It’s hard work but if you’re dedicated and you really want it then at the end of the day it’s going to be worth it. It’s always nice to see all those endless nights and hard work pays off in such a visual way.

 Special thanks to Ashlyn xx Good luck with your final year! 

Dream Monstar: Ella

 

Ella is the fashion designer and founder of Australian womens street wear label DREAMMONSTAR. I had met Ella a couple of years back and was an admirer of her brand. I was instantly intrigued by her collection when I first came across the label at a Neverland store. Dream Monstar is not only designed but created right here in Australia. Her brand is stylish and fashion forward; Dream Monstar is well-known for their muscle tops, street luxe style and neoprene swimwear collections. Her playful and statement designs would complete any savvy fashionistas wardrobe. Ella is now not only simply sold in Australia, but has succeeded to stock her brand in America. Such as online NASTY GAL and Kourtney Kardashian store – DASH boutique just to name a few.

” Dream Monstar is for both dreamers and monstars, and each collection reflects this. We are dreamers with a soft, feminine side, but we are also monstars, rock inspired groupies. The choice is yours, join us in the clouds or down on the wild side.”

Ella how did you get into fashion tell us your story.

I have always been obsessed with everything design – from fashion to print media, art and architecture. I’ve subscribed to Vogue, Harpers and ELLE USA since I was young and would pour over the pages for hours. I still have all issues archived at home.. I started designing swimwear before I worked on Dream Monstar. My husband designs / owns a number of menswear labels and when we met I realised it was the perfect time to start my dream and create my own label. Dream Monstar was born. 

What is your label about? How many years did it take for your brand to make the scene?

Dream Monstar is started as a street wear label for every girl, the ‘dream’ girl who likes more feminine pieces and the ‘monstar’ girl who’s a little edgier.

I was really lucky and launched Dream Monstar as social media was making waves. The label’s social media profile grew fast and with that the brand awareness was strengthened. We then showed at the trade shows in the US, found an LA showroom and sold to Nasty Gal, Dolls Kill and the Kardashian’s DASH stores across the US.

You create day/sleepwear, swimwear and candles tells us a little bit about the progress of each when sourcing to selecting your materials to achieve the final product?

For our fashion and swimwear collections I am inspired by travel, editorial shoots, blogs, fashion sites and runway collections. It’s a long process from sourcing inspiration to receiving samples, shooting our look book and then retailing our product. Each season is completely different, that’s what keeps things fresh.

 

What is your favourite part about being a fashion designer?

Honestly – the whole process. Sourcing inspiration online is totally addictive, planning and shooting look books and campaigns is also extremely creatively fulfilling. Taking a garment from an idea t hrough to a finished product is such a rewarding feeling. I live for travel – it truly ensures constant evolution and a fresh approach to the process.

Who’s your inspiration/ fashion designers who you look up to?

On an international level, I am always inspired by Karl Lagerfeld / Chanel, Olivier Rousteing and his Balmain collections, also labels Emilio Pucci, Saint Laurent and Isabel Marant. Also the glamour of the 70s and the history of LA life.

What gives you inspiration for each collection you create, do you go on fashion trips to gain inspiration?

Inspiration can come from many mediums – from a print created in a landscape to interior styling and runway collections.  For our collections we undertake intensive research online and also go on vacation for true inspiration. I love getting over to the US for inspiration – almost every aspect of our trips there bring inspiration.

  Collection: The High Life

What’s your current achievement with the brand that you are most proud of?

Our stockists in the US are pretty damn cool – we loved seeing Dream Monstar on Nasty Gal and also on Kourtney and Khloe Kardashian. Particularly knowing they had chosen to wear our label, we don’t pay people to wear our pieces. 

And lastly, any advice to people who want to get into the industry!

It can definitely be a really difficult industry to succeed in, need to have a creative eye, fresh concepts, financial backing and a super strong work ethic and determination to make it. Never give up and remember, everything happens for a reason.

Special thanks to Ella xx

Check out all the collections Ella has created HERE Instagram: Website: www.dreammonstar.com.au

Cigarettes and Bribes

I tuned into my inner 90’s grunge phase. I love this look from this era….I actually once went through a phase of watching every coming of age 90’s movie. Empire Records, Fear and 10 things I hate about you.. literally the list goes on.

I really loved watching all of these movies and this look is dedicated to that era.

These shoes I purchased in ROME ITALY are my current love. I stumbled across this epic shoe store there. It’s so different how they display their shoes on sale there. They’re in the window and you point to the ones you want in your size, without making a mess and touching them all.  Also….It was really hot that day, but winter is always on my mind!

DENIM JACKET// SPORTSGIRL // SINGLET // MINKPINK // SKIRT// TOPSHOP // BELT// VINTAGE // SHOES // ITALY

le BLONDE FOX
xxx

KIRSTY IRWIN

Kirsty Irwin is a self-taught fashion designer from Adelaide. Having started at a young age her talent was strong and didn’t go unnoticed. Before Kirsty would get ready for the weekend she would think to herself “if I could wear anything what would it be”?. From there she would then go on to design her own clothes and draw them from scratch. Such a talented person it takes to do this. Kirsty first began working in retail and from there working as a wholesale fashion agent. After gaining experience she then went on to create KIRSTY IRWIN &  JAGGAR the label. Now relaunching her self-named brand  KIRSTY IRWIN. One of her main focuses is on cutting edge style, and quality as well as high-end pieces for individuals.

You’ve created not one but two labels! Tell us about JAGGAR The Label. How was it creating your first brand? It must’ve been exciting to get your ideas out and creating a collection!

I had actually started Kirsty Irwin before JAGGAR & that is how Australian Fashion Labels stumbled upon me as a designer. Starting up a label is a very exciting experience and I would encourage anyone to give it a crack, if you have a true passion for it.

Tell us, What made you want to create your own self-named label? 

Although I had almost complete creative control with JAGGAR, designing/owning your own namesake label is a completely different experience. This is what I have always wanted to do in life, so I’m just going for it!

Typical day in the office?

Step 1– Get caffeinated… This is a very important step!

Step 2– Answer the abundant amount of emails you have received overnight.

Step 3– Could be anything! The best thing about this job is that no day is the same. Anything from designing, fittings, fabric approvals, to the administration side of the business.

What inspires you when you’re designing a collection?

I find both music & travel my biggest sources of inspiration.

How do you go about sourcing your products? Especially leather, I’ve always been so curious about the process (I’m a big fan of leather jackets… I love them!) Tell us about how you source your leather- to creating a leather jacket or leather skirt. What is the process?

I am a huge leather lover, as you probably know. So it’s all about the quality of the leather. I don’t start designing until I have found the leather that puts a smile on my dial. The process for leather styles always take a little longer, so I have to do these styles before the rest of the collection. So it’s really the leather that sets the mood for the collection sometimes.

What’s it like to see both worlds from model to fashion designer?

My sister is the one living the #modellife! I decided to stop that at a very young age. I think immersing yourself in as many sides of the fashion industry is always a good idea.

What is the most challenging thing about creating a label?

There is so much more to it that just designing. Obviously the business side is another huge aspect. You have to wear many hats, so sometimes you aren’t going to know how to wear some of them.

……And the most rewarding? If I see someone in one of my designs as I am walking down the street I give myself a little mental fist pump. I get a real kick out of girls that just contact me on social media, appreciating all the time and effort gone into their garment.

How would you describe your personal style? Does it reflect into your designs?

I always cringe when having to describe my “style”… I like to mix grungy, worn in pieces & match it back with more structured, sophisticated style. This will definitely be imminent in the KIRSTY IRWIN collections.

Your biggest achievement with your brand?

Seeing JAGGAR on the runway at  Fashion Week, has been my career highlight so far. Watch this space!

And lastly, any advice  and tips to people who want to get into the industry!

Prepare to work hard & be ready to overcome some hurdles along the way… It’s a wild ride, so make sure you hang on!

Special thanks to Kirsty xx
Website: http://www.kirstyirwin.com
Instagram: kirstyirwinofficial
Blog: http://kirstyirwin.blogspot.com.au

5 Second chit-chat with Kirsty…

Most treasured item in your closet? My first ever design… A pair of crazy leather pants!

The person that inspires me the most…… My amazing boyfriend, Tom! He is pretty much a design assistant ha ha.

When I leave the house I never leave without my….. My phone! Instagram never sleeps.

Dream location shoot? Somewhere no one else has ever been allowed.

If I could go anywhere right now I’d go to…………………………… Mexico!

Describe the fashion industry in three words. Exciting, innovative & challenging.

Definition of Style. What does style mean to you? I personally think true style is not something that can be taught; you are born with it running through your veins.

Millicent Elizabeth : Tiffany Stuckey

Not to long ago, I became acquainted with Tiffany at the Adelaide fashion festival. We then spoke about her personal brand and from there she explained about what she did. Her brand Millicent Elizabeth is dedicated to providing classical styles for the busy modern woman.

Millicent Elizabeth is a premium Australia clothing label. Made by hand in Australia with the use of superb natural fibers. It is a unique label in a world of mass-market fashion, as garment production is limited to just 100 garments per style. It offers clients a unique opportunity to own these limited designs as once they sell out to be collectable styles.

Tiffany has built her brand on the principle of clean modern understated elegance. Her range is clean cut and exquisitely classic. This is a powerful range and classical that will never go out of fashion and very useful for everyone’s wardrobe.

“Our philosophy is based on the fundamentals that less is more harmonised with smart design which enhances the wearers natural beauty.”

What made you create Millicent Elizabeth Tell us your story and your brand name.

 My brand names comes from my two middle names which are named after my great-grandmothers. I started Millicent Elizabeth because I felt frustrated as a shopper and couldn’t find a modern minimalist women’s wear brand, in luxurious fabrics.

How did you get started in the industry?
I started off in Merchandising

Have you always wanted to be a fashion designer?
No, I tried a few things before fashion, jewelry design and found it took too long to get tot the end result, I’m pretty impatient, after I design something I want to see it in the flesh straight away to see if works or not.

Where did you study fashion?
TAFE SA

How do you go about sourcing your products?
I don’t source, I design, pattern make and sew it all together myself. Proudly Australian designed and made!

How long is the process of a Season collection?
it takes at least 2-3 months to put a collection together, source fabrics, designing and fitting.

What is the feeling like seeing your collection on runway?
It was a phenomenal feeling, it takes your breath away, make all the blood sweat and tears worth it.

Where is the final product made?
In my studio, in the Mill (artist hub)

What is your favorite part about being a fashion designer?
Seeing your designs on customer, make them feel beautiful confident and make the piece their own.

How and what gives your inspiration for each collection?
my designs are very architectonic, so I look at architecture, art, interior design and film

Who is your target market?

25- 40 year old women who love design and who love the design detail, it’s the all in the detail. I find a lot of my clients are in the design field themselves architects and interior designers.

How would you describe your personal style? Does it reflect into your designs?

I’m very minimalistic, I don’t like over embellishment, for me less is more, black is certainly my favorite colour. I love fabric but I chose texture over print.

What’s your current achievement with the brand that you are most proud of?

Coming runner-up at this year Emerging Designer Award at the Adelaide Fashion Festival

Who’s your inspiration/ fashion designers who you look up to?
Alexander Wang for Balenciaga, he was the one to bring back-packs in an elegant way.

And lastly, any advice to people who want to get into the industry!
My advice is learn as much as possible from others, as people are your greatest source of information.

If you want to start a label, embodied your brand you are your greatest advertisement.

Special thanks to Tiffany xx

Website
Instagram: @millicentelizabethlabel