The Art Gallerist And Her Culottes

Yesterday, I woke up earlier than usual to make a start on a boxful of the latest international magazines and journals. I'm doing a wardrobe essentials plan for a fashion savvy someone who claims she needs help but who I think isn't quite ready for it. There's nothing worse that having a client-come-friend who is denial of their true size and who thinks what size 0 so-and-so of such-and-such publication says is gospel. If you only knew how many times I say "Darling that's not going to work." in one session and how bizarre it is dealing with someone who is so confident terms like age-inappropriate, muffin top and camel-toe simply aren't part of her vocabulary. As frustrating as it may be, it's wonderful to be around a woman who is able to laugh at herself, have fun with fashion and who 'shuts it down' when she walks in any room with her energy.  

As I was skimming through one magazine, I came across an article about specific clothing items readers should get rid of or retire until they supposedly come back into fashion, if at all. Culottes were one of the items that were said to be totally out of fashion and should be dropped off at the nearest thrift shop while palazzo pants were still fashionable but only if they're printed. I thought to myself "Since when did fashion have all these ridiculous rules?" and pulled out navy culottes I scored for $20. No magazine so-and-so with a mug shot looking photo was going to tell me that my culottes were bound for my local Salvation Army Store. My culottes and I had work to go to. 

I decided to team them up with a basic yellow singlet for a pop of colour, a linen bell sleeved jacket I've always struggled to pull off and a pair of heels to elongate my body. To complete my Contemporary Art Gallerist Look, I chose to wear Tahitian pearl studs, necklaces made from recycled magazine paper from the Oxfam shop and a simple tote. 

Top - ZARA

Jacket - Chloe

Pants - DKNY

Bag - Celine

Shoes - Gianvito Rossi

Jewellery - Hikari pearls + Oxfam necklaces + 

BVLGARI watch + ring 

 xxx

Adios Spring Fashion Week!

It was a rather tame but still enjoyable Melbourne Spring Fashion Week this year. I carefully chose which events I would attend after years of going to nearly everything and then being exhausted for days from all the talking and schmoozing. I remember going to my first runway show and sitting front row purely by default. I remember exactly what I wore, how I sat with perfect poise and that moment where I felt like I was repping for my country and couldn't afford to zone out during the show. I remember several photographers coming up to me and asking who I was and the disappointment in their faces when I didn't have an Anna Wintour worthy answer. I'd shaved my head for that fresh-to-death factor, had perfectly manicured nails and dressed immaculately just in case I bumped into Kirstie Clements, former Vogue Australia Editor-In-Chief. I thought it was enough. Clearly, it wasn't. Years later, I still shave my head before a fashion week event so my baldie looks fresh-to-death, still have perfectly manicured nails but dress purely for me. The odd photographer comes up to me and when asked who I am, my answer is simple "I am Elliot and Eve's daughter and Nigel's sister."

Thought I'd share two looks from Christine, Melbourne's answer to Browns in London, that saw me ignore what my accountant said and pop into the boutique the very next day after the show. I do enjoy shows with what I call razzle-dazzle factor that leave Fashion Week attendees gasping but I love seeing models in wearable clothing. Christine delivered just that - highly wearable edgy garments with movement. I was sold the moment the third model walked out.

Etro (Christine)

Swash London (Christine)

If only you knew how I agonised over what to wear to the various fashion-related exhibitions, seminars and shows but when push came to shove wore whatever jumped out at me in my wardrobe. Gone are the days where I'd have my outfits planned days, if not weeks in advance, garments steamed to perfection and accessories laid out hours before an event. If it was an evening show I'd take the afternoon off to tidy whatever eyebrows I had left, go to my nail place for a quick colour change and nap before the festivities. There was no way I was going to turn up looking haggard. How things change.

Thought I'd share a few not-so-serious photos of myself and my blogger sister Miranda that bypassed my inspiration board and went straight to the fridge door. Thought I'd also share what I wore to an Australian retailer's show that has me looking at the brand in a new light. 

Top - Paul Smith

Jeans - Dejour

Shoes - Pierre Hardy

Clutch - Chloe

Jewellery - Georg Jensen watch + 

Sportsgirl cuff + EA Drew ring + 

BLVGARI earrings + ring

With Miranda of Mirandas Inside Scoop and Rachel of Estelle La Mode

Rolling solo to Sportscraft Runway 

Cardigan - Sonia Rykiel

Top - ZARA

Skirt - Camilla Staerk

Shoes - Olivia Morris

Bag - Hermes

Sunglasses - House of Harlow

Jewellery - Anton Heunis earrings + 

Sportsgirl cuff + EA Drew ring + 

BVLGARI ring

 xxx

Wardrobe Essentials 101

At last Spring is here and to celebrate it's arrival, I spent my Sunday morning packing away knitwear and pulling out lighter-weight tops that I gave up on layering a couple of months ago. A number of fashionista friends are masters of layering different garments then teaming them up with bold accessories somehow making it work. I'd promised to swing by an acquaintance's birthday drinks before catching up with some Sydneysiders who are here for Melbourne Spring Fashion Week (MSFW) and thought I'd try my hand at playing The Layering Game. Two tops, one pair of skinny cobalt pants and an animal print turban later, I knew I looked like a Housewife Of Ghettoville and had to admit that my desired look wasn't working. I wasted no time in ironing a white shirt with a twist.

You see... every woman needs a classic white shirt in her wardrobe. Every woman needs another white shirt that's a little quirky for those off-duty days and casual date nights. Thought I'd share my tuxedo-inspired white shirt and the rest of my Sunday outfit with you.

Shirt - Paul Smith

Jeans - SABA

Shoes - Gianvito Rossi

Bag - YSL

Opticals - Alain Mikli

Jewellery - Sportsgirl cuff + earrings and bangles from 

Harare street vendors 

If there's one thing Carolina Herrera, a fashion icon, has taught me it's that a woman in a white shirt can do no wrong. It can be worn with anything however, confidence is key. Ladies get your day to day white shirt at Edgars, Truworths, Stuttafords, Country Road, ZARA, Massimo Dutti, Target, Gap, Banana Republic or whichever high-street retailer that you frequent. For those days you feel so good you just want to do The Butterfly or Beyonce's body roll in the street, put on a lippie that you love and simply pop your collar.

 xxx

PS - Please feel free to email me your white shirt enquiries at hararembama@gmail.com