wear them, and get on with your life.

These three looks come from a show at Paris fashion week in October of 2009. Two years, four full seasons and countless collections ago. Since then, fashion has been throwing up trends left, right and centre - from peaked shoulders and body-limning dresses to colour blocking and wide and flowing silhouettes reminiscent of '70s bohemia. There has been little in the way of constants, of fashion that stands still. Fashion that ignores trends, ignores the constraints of an industry and its so-called tastemakers. These three looks are by a label that here, in September of 2011, needs little in the way of introduction. A label that four seasons ago was known largely only by international fashion editors and bourgeois Parisiennes, just another name in the dusty stables of LVMH, hidden behind shining cash cows like Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, Dior. 

Fast-forward two years, and elements of these three looks (if not the looks in their entirety) are still completely relevant. Two years may not seem like all that long, but in the world of fashion - where in-between collections like resort and pre-fall are increasingly dotted amongst mainline spring and fall seasons, demanding more and more variety - it is a minor eternity. A simple leather tee, tucked into an a-line canvas skirt, a streamlined leather dress that both hugs and skims the body in equal proportion. Wide-leg, high-waisted pants that simultaneously manage to avoid the ridiculousness that the notion of high waists and a wide legs provokes. These all quite simple, classic pieces of clothing. The beauty is there in the details, in the refinement and ease of it all - the roundness of a collar, the length of a hem or the cut of a trouser. Clothes that have appeared to inspire many slightly different (and not so different) incarnations on other runways in these two years following. For what is so special about these clothes, these three pieces of clothing, is that they were modern back then, and they are still modern now. Put simply, they are clothes that women can wear, and then get on with their lives.

The label is Céline, and the woman is Phoebe Philo. 

via: style.com

kimberly ovitz

Reality is a funny concept, especially for people in fashion, who so often seem to occupy that little space outside that avoids the very idea. The fashion bubble, as it is known by some. Not in the case of L.A. native Kimberly Ovitz, whose latest collection (and one of the very first for the spring/summer 12 collections) was inspired by the idea of "disaster versus relief and man versus nature". Or, more simply, the tragedy that followed from the earthquakes in Japan in March. Her show was made up of 19 looks in a palette of white and red (to reference the Japanese flag?) as well as black and wafts of earthy ombre shades. I've seen pieces from her past collections in a Désordre in Darlinghurst, and the slightly cobwebbed knits and asymmetric silhouettes are definitely something I would wear.

It's not groundbreaking fashion - unlike, say, an earthquake - but that is precisely the point. Easy, wearable pieces for girls who like their clothes with a slight, but ever so sexy, edge. 

via: style.com

arizona cubed.

The three covers of Vogue Australia's October issue. Lensed by Kai Z. Feng with styling by Vogue Aus fashion editor Naomi Smith - straying (well, slightly) from her usual palette of monochrome model-off duty grunge. What better to welcome the spring season than aquamarine, white and airy pink chiffon. Granted, it is the October issue, a month smack bang in the middle of spring, but when the magazine is on stands and it's still raining out, it's a fresh change from bleak skies. The knowing stare, that slicked-back hair and those minimal coverlines - barely any coverlines - stand to show just how good every single photo is. But then again, maybe it goes to show just how good the girl is. 

via: fgr

her next move.

So this is what ex Paris Vogue editors get up to... when they're no longer editing Paris Vogue. Convincing the likes of Naomi Campbell, Dasha Zhukova, Mario Sorrenti et al to get together and in the name of a Barneys campaign. And, because they probably didn't have anything better to do that day, her kids offered up their time too. So here's an impossibly cool, Rick Ownes-clad Carine in her own ad campaign for her first client since going freelance. Julia in Tisci's panther-print Givenchy. Vladimir in his own clothes, because French boys are cool like that. And some Natasha Poly, just for good measure. And just like that, she's back. And so am I. 

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poly portrait

Natasha Poly for CFDA nominee Alexander Wang by Inez and Vinoodh. The designer scooped up the prize for Accessory Designer of the Year - and was presented with his award, quite fittingly, by none other than Iris Apfel. (And for those who are stumped by the name, think: thick rimmed specs and strings and strings of beads). And, about time too; those booties and studded bags (and their chain store imitations) have been popping up on counters and Polyvore sets the world over ever since Wang's very first accessories line back in '07. The amount of times I've lusted over a Freja bootie, or a Rocco duffle - don't get me started on those Alla leopard-print wedge mules - and I still have not gone ahead and added-to-cart. Might have to change that, and this might just be the piece to do it with...

And below, the man himself.

via

inezandvinoodh.tumblr.com 

shopbop.com

hey, haider

Thigh-high splits, unexpected cut-outs, encrusted sheaths and slashed silk; softly ruched leather, twists, drapes and chic, sleek tailoring. Haider Ackermann. The man behind the label. Or really, one of the same.

Style.com and Tommy Ton for Style.

can't stop thinking about you...

Three seasons on and I can't get this collection out of my head. Even though three seasons - a year and a half - doesn't seem that long ago, in the fashion world, where everything moves and breakneck speed and then some, it seems much longer. Khakis, grey marle, straight shapes and drill cotton; silk skirts and boyish pullovers with toirtoise-shell glasses and leopard print furs. There are the things that can be worn through seasons and seasons and seasons. You can look back through your wardrobe in years to come, past the batwings, past the neon bursts of colours, even past those skin-tight jeans, and unearth these timeless gems. Classic, but with just enough of a twist to keep you coming back for more. Dries Van Noten A/W 2010. 

via: style.com

summertime dreaming

Now that Sydney is moving deeper and deeper into winter (well, as close as Sydney can get to any kind of winter) I am finding myself dreaming of tropical days away. Now matter how much I am relishing my crisp morning runs every weekend along the coast from Bondi to Coogee, I can't help looking at the latest o/s fashion spreads with the slightest pangs of envy. The upside to all of this? I can start planning my wardrobe for the warm weather, with inspiration coming from the latest spring/summer collections at Rosemount Australian Fashion Week. Despite my usual penchant for a monochromal palette or a mixture of neutrals and khakis (especially, the khakis) I will definitely be trying out some of the zingy combos I've spied at shows like Bianca Spender, Shakuhachi and Ginger & Smart. Number one on my hit list? Rusty, earthen orange and bright, bold blue. On second thought, maybe that's best left to the sunrise on my morning Bondi runs. That's the plus side of this kind of dressing being on the other side of winter - I've still got six months to warm up to the idea.

Daria Werbowy by Cass Bird for T Magazine Travel, summer 2011.

Natasha Poly for H&M, spring/summer 2011.

Erin Wasson by Alexi Lubomirski for Vogue Spain, June 2011.

Iselin, Daria, Natasha, Kasia and Ginta by Jean-Baptise Mondino for Elle France, May 2011.

Ashley Smith by Miles Aldrige for Vogue Italia, May 2011.

Natasha Poly, Chanel Cruise 2012.

Christine Centenera in Celine, RAFW.

Dion Lee, S/S 11, RAFW.

via: tFS, OhJamie, FGR.

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isabel's feathers

I never thought I'd find myself wearing, let alone coveting, a piece of Navajo-inspired clothing. Not that I have a problem with the native americas being the source of fashion inspiration (what isn't 'inspiration' for fashion these days?) - I've just never seen myself as a girl who can pull off something so... western. Fringing, suede and spurs have never really been my cup of tea. And when cowboy boots were having their (most recent) heyday back in 2006, I did in fact wear them... to a cowboy and indians themed birthday party. Back to Marant. Ever since I clicked through her most recent collection on style.com a few months back, I literally cannot stop thinking about this sweater. And I'm not even one that usually goes for prints! Which makes this even doubly strange. I do like me some marle however, and this sweatshirt (while not marle, I know) errs on the luxe-y side of dressing down. Which I am all for. I have started this new way of thinking about potential purchases (inspired by dead fleurette) that they will only earn a place in my wardrobe if they well and truly belong there. That is - if they go with everything else that's already there. So that means no impulse purchases. And this, as luck should have it, will most definitely go with my near-uniform of khaki bottoms, white shirts and black blazers. And make it less boring, at that. I feel it is most definitely justified.

via: style.com

show pony

The title of this post probably sounds like a dig, rather than the lame pun that it is. Kate Waterhouse, Fashion Editor for the Sydney Morning Herald - also happens to be the daughter of Gai Waterhouse, champion Australian horse trainer. Although her style isn't anything groundbreaking and (as someone mentioned quite a while ago on her tFS thread) is a little similar to that of Lara (dancing extraordinaire) Bingle's, she looked glossy and polished. That little similarity may have something to do with the fact that Christine Centenera plays (or in Bingle's case - played) her personal stylist. I've also seen a few commenters note that she's like the Australian version of Olivia Palermo, and I have to say I agree a little bit. I saw her at a show during the week, when she was wearing her Natasha Fur, and she looked amazing. I want her Burberry jacket. And maybe her Balenciaga sandals. 

via: vogue.com.au, Tommy Ton for style.com, Zimbio and Getty. 

d'Orsay

I am sightly obsessed with this shape of shoe. While I don't usully gravitate towards a stiletto heel, there is just something so timeless - not to mention incredibly sexy - about the exposed arch and cutaway sides of this style. We were trying so hard at work today to figure out what the style is called, and, as usual, I couldn't sleep until I had my answer. The d'Orsay. Yes, like the Parisian museum. The Frenchness of the name seems quite fitting I think when you consider the sex appeal that the sharp heel, pointed toe and sleek cutaway ooze. And they are definitely a shape that is timeless and loved by all - men included (unlike, say, harem pants). Although I am definitely going through a head-over-heels (sorry) obsession with wedges, I know that I will never be able to pass up the perfect d'Orsay. 

Swedish blogger Elin Kling is proof (if any is even needed) that d'Orsays add instant chic to any pairing - ripped blues included. I could keep my wedge obsession intact with the Olsen's interpretation of the shape for their label Elizabeth and James - the perfect combination of my two favourite types of shoes. But, I really would love nothing more than to get my hands (feet, rather) on a pair of the patent heels from Stella McCartney's A/W 2010 collection. For now though, I'll settle with the black suede pair I spied in Zara. Oh, the joys of our Sydney store!