Monday, May 9, 2011

In Rust We Trust

Mustard Inspirations:

Mustard Maxi with open front
Shakuhachi

Carey Mulligan in Proenza Schouler


Chasing Rainbows
MUSTARD Maxi Dress
Amazing embroidered detailing
Sexy split, Low Back
Can be worn true to size or belted for a draping Grecian look

Rust Inspiration:

Rust Pleated Midi-Skirt

Rust Dress - Kirrily Johnston

Anja Rubik in Rust Chloe Maxi


Chasing Rainbows
Thick RUST winter pleated midi-skirt
Perfect pleated details,
heavy material that hangs perfectly.
MUST HAVE this Winter!

Heartbeats for Pleats

There's no denying it, pleats and maxi skirts are in trend this season!

Skirts should be making a strong statement this winter, while tops are playing second fiddle. The trend sees tops becoming loose and shapeless; while full skirts, detailed pleating in soft billowing material compensates to the minimalist top. The greatest fact about floor sweeping maxi skirts is that they make you feel much more graceful than you actually are!

Chasing Rainbows Skirts:


Houndstooth in 100% Silk

Thick winter pleated skirt in Rust | Cream sheer pleated mini-skirt

Black asymmetrical pleated skirt | White Sheer Pleated Maxi Skirt

Inspiration:



Asos Asymmetrical Peach skirt

"Lover" Maxi Skirt


Kate Bodsworth in Nude Maxi Skirt

Pleated White Halter
Billowing in the breeze


Autumn Colours & LBLDs


A new acronym I want to share with everyone LBLD = Little Back-less Dresses!

Clothes in colours inspired by the deciduous trees around us.




Mustard Gold


Ever-green


Wine

Day LBLD

Night LBLD

Lil V, in Nara, Japan 2010
amongst Autumn maple leaves


Inspiration!



Sunday, May 8, 2011

Star Trails

Have you ever driven to a remote country town where there are no city lights, no lamp posts, no houses anywhere, then look at the night sky? It's incredibly stunning.

Photographers take long exposure photos of these night skies called "star trails."



This dress draws inspiration from these star trails, and you'll feel just as majestic when you wear it!

We think it looks like a "Serena van der Woodsen" mini dress with long sleeves and sparkles to light up the room.

The velvet is superbly good quality and it is fully lined to keep you warm while you hop from bar to bar this winter!







Princess Grace Kelly's Royal Lace Collars

Although the Royal Wedding was a few weeks ago, all the fashion magazines are still a-buzz with wedding dress inspirations!

We think our lace dress mirrors Princess Grace Kelly's wedding dress, especially the delicate lace pattern and lace collar. This Chasing Rainbows' lace mini peplum dress is exquisite! Just look and see!




Inspiration:

"Nastasha" Dress $349
Shop Til You Drop, Jan '11

"Alibi" Dress $198.95
Shop Til You Drop, May '11

"Anaessia" Dress $1650
Shop Til You Drop Jan '11

We also love Grace Kelly in "High Society." We love the 1950s it portrayed (despite it's high society-esque ignorance). Loved the witty-lyrical jazz soundtrack with Louis Armstrong on the trumpet; it makes you hang for every next line and giggle at its ironic pun. Looove loooove the high-waisted, belted, loose collared shirt look to the red-riding-hood-esque coat she wore with the rainbow lining, to the white grecian swimming robe equipped with cape to the cute one-piece dress bather underneath. This is why Grace Kelly is a fashion legend; her style transcends decades!



Grecian swimming robe



One-piece bathers

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Fur Shizzle

This is just a short musing about fur and fashion. 

Fur is making a comeback, whether faux or real. Whether you like it or not. I am still hesitant on whether I should be wearing real fur. I do love the aesthetics of faux fur, but the tactile texture of fur is unlike anything! The fur trend looks incredible and conjures up the appearance of old-world glamour, wealth and attitude. As a fashion admirer, I my eyes and hands are drawn to the the allure of this fur trend; but my mind has second thoughts.

Is there a difference between using leather from an animal for fashion as opposed to fur? Are we being hypocritical for wearing leather shoes, sleeping under duck-down doonas but condemning fur in fashion?



My Vet friend, who is delightfully stylish, believes in not wearing fur because "you really don't have to since there are other ways to achieve the look." Some of the most popular fur items come from minxes, foxes, chinchillas, seals, lynxes, hamsters and rabbits. Many of these animals are farmed, killed when young for their soft fur in conditions that are reportedly inhumane. I understand that some 50 pelts are required to make one fur coat. I have not seen the inhumane treatment of animals myself myself, but I can imagine! 



Anna Wintour, Vogue's editor in Chief, is an adamant supporter of fur, a multi-million dollar fashion industry. For her support, she receives year-round abuse from PETA and other "anti-fur" individuals. Nowadays, the fur industry is hitting back, claiming that creating synthetic fur produces much carbon and toxic pollution and has harmful health risks to factory workers.


I sense a 180-degree change of heart from the 1990's "We'd rather go naked than wear fur" campaign with supermodels Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington, Cindy Crawford and Elle McPherson posing nude for anti-fur advertisements. In 1990, PETA managed to un-glamorise the use of fur. In 2011, the fur industry, with the support of leading fashion designers and tabloids are re-glamorising fur. And it's flying off our shelves, whether faux or real.  

It seems to me that at this moment, an arbitrary decision by a leader in the fashion industry, with enough support from fashionistas and celebrities, has dictated the popularity of fur. I would hope that consumers are aware of the ethics behind the fur trend and actively consider it. 

Ruth Rosselson, spokesman for Ethical Consumer magazine makes a valid point, "In the end it very much depends on the consumer's own morals and what is important to them. "Synthetic clothing does have an environmental impact, but the fur trade is ultimately going to involve cruelty to animals in an age when it is no longer necessary to kill animals to keep us warm."

Chictopia


Personal Post-script:
After actively researching more on this topic myself, and I admit I have only skimmed the surface of the debate, my personal moral says I don't need to wear fur. Fur was originally worn for the practical use of warmth; now with climate change and the evolution in synthetic materials that can keep us warm, the use of fur for warmth is unnecessary. I don't want to sound hypocritical because I do eat meat, wear leather shoes and sleep under a duct-down doona, but I would prefer not to have fifty minx clinging to my back as I walk down the street in the name of "glamour."  

Warning: 
we have one vintage faux fur minx coat in the Winter collection. 

Tumbler

Friday, April 29, 2011

Pre-fix to Post-fix

After sourcing items from Melbourne, Country weekend trips, Northern Victorian country towns via work and internationally, we alter them to make them suit contemporary styles while keeping the beautiful vintage fabrics and tailoring. 

(Hand)wash, hems, bust sizing and embellishments later, voila!