Crisp shirts, austere collars, leather, matte sequins and an almost monochrome palette – KARL by Karl Lagerfeld’s new collection (which is about to be launched exclusively through Net-A-Porter) has a lot of things that resonate with my own aesthetic.
I had the good fortune to be Helen of SassyBella‘s guest when she was invited to preview the collection (thanks, Helen!) and we were given the opportunity to style a model with whichever items from the KARL collection that we liked. Helen very graciously let me take the reins, and the three photos you see above are the results.
The collection plays on Mr Lagerfeld’s own very iconic image – you have the leather fingerless gloves, the buttoned-up collars, the tailored jackets and the black and white palette. These elements are then filtered through the lens of this season’s dominant trends – sports luxe, high shine fabrics and texture. So we have relaxed boxer-style shorts and athletic racer-back tanks, pleather accents and matte or high-shine sequins.
Being let loose in the collection was a lot of fun, and although I have very little styling experience, I’m pleased with how my outfits turned out.
Look 1: Although I’m generally wary of sequins, I loved the relaxed feel of the shorts – the loose tailoring stopped them from being too much. Work with a racer-back tank (monogrammed with white-on-white Karl Lagerfeld silhouettes) and a white leather jacket, I tried to contrast the ultra-glam shorts with pieces that employed clean, sporty lines.
Look 2: Here, I paired a white silk shirt with a detachable leather collar in black leather. The black pants are also monogrammed with silhouettes, which adds a touch of texture. The clutch showcased in this look is one of my favourite pieces – it has a silver strap affixed to one side that you can slip your hand through like a manacle.
Look 3: This t-shirt is so kitsch – but I kind of love it. I paired it with a leather skirt (which reminded me a lot of Alexander Wang’s resort collection) and a black blazer infused with subtle shine.
For those in Sydney, make sure you head to Bondi tomorrow to be the first to shop the collection – all the details can be found here. Thanks to Helen once again and to the lovely Net-A-Porter PR team for having me!
Tonight I was invited to attend the launch of M.A.C Cosmetics new store in Bondi Junction, complete with ice-skaters, perspex-wearing models and delicious biscuits. Oh, and to experience the new Holiday collection called Glitter & Ice.
The Glitter & Ice collection is beautiful, although sadly not really right for me. I tend not to wear sparkly make-up (although I love the way that Selena wears a hint of glitter on her lower lash-line, it always makes me want to try it). But true to its name, the collection has a lot of glitter, gloss and high-shine finishes going on.
That said, there are a few stand-out products. There’s a new matte red called Such Flare included in the collection that I’m very keen to compare to Russian Red (which is probably my favourite lipstick ever), and I love the muted purple nail-polish Festive Finery.
I spent some time at the launch chatting to legendary M.A.C make-up artist (and babe) Nicole Thompson, who told me about the company’s upcoming collaborations with Gareth Pugh and (I swoon) Daphne Guinness. I absolutely cannot wait for both of these ranges – they promise to be right up my alley.
I was very humbled to be asked to contribute to HP Australia’s coverage of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival Sydney.
Joining an intimidating list of bloggers such as Shine By Three, Thrift+Thread, Harper and Harley and more, I was asked to photograph and review the Myer spring/summer collection launch.
Click here to read through the all of HP’s blogger coverage, and vote for your favourite (by voting you can win yourself – or me – a computer).
“You wanna make a living in this business, you gotta know your ABCs.
Always Be Cool.” – Boyd Crowder, Justified.
In Melbourne for the L’Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival, hanging with my main squeeze, Alicia.
These pictures were taken at the one teaspoon store on Crown Street, Surry Hills – but they could have been taken in my bedroom. The space is a converted terrace house, fitted out with black furniture, metal skulls, curios worthy of a a kunstkammer and beautiful clothes.
Along with a host of other bloggers, I was invited to meet with designer Jamie Blakely and the one teaspoon retail staff and explore the current winter collection. Highlights: second-skin leather leggings, billowing silk kimonos and loose, distressed tees. I purchased a beautiful leather bustier, which you can expect to see on the blog sometime very soon.
Check out Sea of Ghosts and Shine by Three for more coverage of the night.
