My gay friend saw the opening of A Single Man when I was in London last year and tainted my thoughts with his anger at Tom Ford’s self indulgent insult to the Christpher Isherwood book he cherished. I have not read the book and chose to go to see a fashion designer’s vision. Tom had me at first glance with good versus evil old hollywood costume dressing seen with Nicholas Hoult and Aline Weber. The evil girlfriend in black and the sweet innocent virgin-esque boy in pale pink mohair. My new Winter uniform.

I love a slow movie, and this was filled with silent close ups and lengthy gaps between dialogue but that just made me search the screen for the beautiful art direction. I was upset that Colin Pompous Firth was chosen for the lead but by then end I found him endearing and well suited to stand beside the stunning Julianne Moore.

images: monument

Millicent Lambert stares off to dreamland in this pastel ice cream knitted candy store. Karla Spetic has just opened up her online store and as the dark clouds hit Melbourne I have forgotten about the mohair leftovers from my London days that are vacuum packed under the bed and am wanting to start again.

The lilac, pastel pink, cream and charcoal striped jumper is straight out of my childhood, and the orange and pink harlequin button up cardi needs to be a part of my future. I love knitwear, it’s the only saving grace for the dreaded cold weather.

http://karlaspetic.swappler.com/

Last weekend I finally made it to the NGV to see the amazing work of mega sculptor Ron Mueck. Brass statues and most dolphin real life sculptures put the medium at my least favorite in the art world. This exhibition has finally made me feel like I was back in London walking around the Tate.  The exhibition was packed with small kids right up to very cool grandparents who brought their own viewing chairs to get up close and admire Ron’s talent.

Working in film I have seen similar silicone work when a character dies and they need a replica to maybe drive over or drop from heights so it was no surprise to read Ron who is Australian but has a workshop in London started out in film as a model maker and puppeteer and even worked on Labyrinth. If in Melbourne you need to check this out.

Sometimes living in Melbourne you get un-inspired. Often the fashion is nice… safe and well designed but similar to the next young designer. Then along comes some black and white shots with a model who’s face looks new and a young Melbourne label taking it far beyond the next level. I am awestruck by the 70’s woven wall hanging accessories and I want to base a shoot around the mega hoops right away. Trimäpee- say; (Trim – mar – pea) has just marched into my top five local brands.

http://www.trimapee.com/

Oyster is also giving the cover and 2 editorials to another young NY photographer Elvis Di Fazio. Styled by Bex Sheers Model Annabella Barber @ Priscillas. Makeup by Jody Oliver @ DLM. Hair by Kelly Grant @ Brad Ngata. Miss Barber enters the House of Fetish for this shiny rubber draped shoot. With her thick black kohl eyes she does look completely vamp compared to the earlier shoot in Oyster I featured….

images: bexual

Photography by Elvis Di Fazio. More styling by Bex Sheers. Models sisters Kate @ Scene and Sophie Willing @ Storm. As stated on stylist Bex Sheers blog “A cheeky impromptu shoot we threw together last minute for Filep Motwary @ The Pop, hours before Sophie was due to fly back to London! Smokin!!! ”

These girls need to travel together as those cheekbones are like a photocopied sketch. Hollowed out to perfection. I love a shoot where the models are almost identical, and there is no real focus on advertisers big bucks.

images: bexual

The young seventeen year old Melbourne Soya winner who is already becoming a big name: Nirrimi Hakanson has her first editorial in the re-vamped Oyster. Styling Bex Sheers, Make Up Diane Dusting, Hair Jenny Kim and Alice is played by Shanay Hall. This teen should by on the bylines of Australian Vogue in no time.

Images: flickr

I just received my Australian Vogue subscription. April issue and Editor-In-Chief Kirstie Clements is 4 for 4 this year with featuring local models on the cover, this time Rosie Tupper gets to book her second cover with Nicole Bentley behind the lense. I love the layout, but Rosie looks younger and fresh inside the editorial. There is still an overseas re-print in the fashion section but our Vogue is definitely listening to the critics and featuring more native content.

Annabella takes the Oyster comeback cover and 2 editorials…An Australian first? Or a long shoot spread through the magazine? On second look it’s Elvis Di Fazio shooting Miss Barber for both editorials but for this one she shares the stage with interspersing male models. Stylist Rinney Lennox and hair and make up Jody Oliver.

Showing off one half of NoDi$count Cami James’ neckpiece over the Arnsdorf red dress,and bustier with black lover cape. I love that this shoot looks British Dazed and yet is almost entirely Australian designers and mixes in newcomer Cami’s designs with ease.

Beautiful model Samantha Harris. Stunning dress with piece de resistance red ankle socks and tranquil setting, I love this Antipodium home page. When I lived in London I loved seeing the Australian label in liberty, now in a less divine setting I got to see a fraction of the range at DJ’s, these days it’s much better to shop online.

http://www.antipodium.com/