Photography: Claire Wallman

Styling: Lisa Breeds

Makeup + Hair: Casey Gore

Model: Hugo Salmon (Paris Models)

Graphics: Natalia Horinkova

Fashion caption (above):  Checked shirt by Peter Werth. Bow tie from Rico Jordan. Specs from Glebe Markets.

(Above) Grey suit by Rico Jordan. Black shirt by Brooksfield. Specs from Glebe Markets.

(Above) Grey suit and tie by Rico Jordan. White shirt by Brooksfield. Specs from Glebe Markets.

(Above) Black and white shirt by Brooksfield.

(Above) Specs from Glebe Markets (background pic). Shirt and suit jacket as captioned previously.

(Above) Checked shirt by Peter Werth. Grey suit by Rico Jordan. Specs from Glebe Markets.

DIRECTORY

Brooksfield www.brooksfield.com

Peter Werth www.peterwerth.co.uk

Rico Jordan (02) 9332 1765

Photography: Claire Wallman

Assistance: Casey Gore

Model: Angelique Toy (EMG Models)

Styling: Shakila Rahmati

Hair: Peetr Tadrosse

Retouching: Natalia Horinkova

Video: Mike Roberts

See the video version of the shoot: Motel Blues (Room #02)

Top image: Single by Bonds. This image: Jacket by Sass & Bide. White lace top by Sportsgirl. Skirt by Rachel Gilbert. Denim belt and jewellery, stylist’s own. Stockings by David Jones.

Leather waistband custom-made by stylist. Socks from Sportsgirl.

Sunnies from Shag. Blouse by Wold. Skirl by Maurie & Eve.

Headpiece and belt, stylist’s own. Vintage dress and fur jacket, both from St Vinnies. Shoes by Topshop. Jewellery by Shag.

DIRECTORY

Maurie & Eve (02) 9997 4634

Rachel Gilbert (02) 8338 0192

Sass & Bide (02) 9667 1667

Shag www.shagshop.com.au

Sportsgirl 1300 250 100

Woodford & Co (03) 9690 4669

Australian Fashion Week (AFW) and the Sydney Fashion Festival have confirmed that Mercedes-Benz will return as naming-rights sponsor. IMG Fashion, who own and operate both events, will return to their founding sponsors after a five-year partnership with Rosemount.

General manager of marketing at Mercedes Benz, Gavin Allen, said that the company was “excited to once again align our brand with this premier industry event and continue to strengthen our brand’s global commitment to fashion”.

Peter Levy, IMG’s senior vice president and managing director, gave a fond farewell to Rosemount. Their partnership saw the establishment of the Sydney Fashion Festival in 2008, as well as celebrating the 15^th anniversary of AFW last year.

What we’d like to know is, if Rosemount were able to provide free wine and champagne for VIP guests via its sponsored bar, will Mercedes-Benz being giving guests test-drives onsite of their prestigious product? Or will it only be the Sasses and Bides who score one for a spin, when they can already afford one of their own?

Pictured: a model showcases designs by Zambesi at this year’s (previously branded) Rosemount Australian Fashion Week.

Since jewellery brands like Thomas Sabo, Nomination and Pandora hit shop shelves and e-stores, the trend for small, personally meaningful totems on necklaces and bracelets has exploded. But nowadays those global brands are looking a little too common and it’s not much fun seeing someone else at a party wearing the same tag as you.

One Luv is a jewellery label that injects a certain uniqueness back into charm and pendant wearing.  Origami birds, skeletal dinosaurs, mini harmonicas, even party balloon dogs; these are just a few of their more eccentric designs available, in gold, silver and or gun-metal black.

Our pick of a very awesome bunch are these ‘Just Like Music’ silver plated ear phones, also available in gold and inspired by Erick Sermon’s tribute to Marvin Gaye (“Music is my heart and soul, more precious than gold”). At 1cm x 3cm, they’re the exact size as the real thing.

Prices start from a very generous RRP$42.  Visit www.oneluv.com.au or www.facebook.com/oneluv9 to view the full collection.

Though Rosemount Australian Fashion Week (RAFW) is now long gone, Australia is far from done showing the rest of the world that we’re more than cute odd animals and hot lifeguards. Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival Brisbane is approaching and rearing its talented head in a bid to further show the country that Queensland is on the mend from the past horrendous months. Showcasing a selection of over 60 local, national and international designers involved in Queensland’s diverse fashion market, the festival is committed to also drive interest and sales for the city in a bid to recover. Ironically $1 from every ticket purchased will not go to a relief fund but instead to the AEIOU Foundation for children with autism – either way it’s helping out the community. The festival, being rather fresh, is not weighed down by an exclusivity akin to that of RAFW, so guests can expect to rub shoulders with celebrities and leading fashion folk.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival Brisbane 2011 takes place from August 20 – 26.
Tickets are on sale at www.qtix.com.au.

Okay, so at 5 foot six-and-a-half, I’m not the tallest kid on the block. And I don’t have any issues with it, because, frankly, some lovers like a bit of a pocket rocket. But there are times, I must admit, where I do like to stand a little taller: at the Big Day Out, for example so as to see over the heads of the somewhat taller groovers in the audience in front of me. So it was with delight that I came across a new shoe brand that keeps the criteria of comfort and great style in check, but also delivers several extra inches in height to the wearer.

Altura gets its name from the Latin for height (think: ‘alto’ in Italian; ‘altitude’ in English) so it’s the perfect brand name for a shoe that lends the end wearer extra height. We’re not talking those clunky kind of shoes Tom Cruise can be seen wearing in ‘Eyes Wide Shut’any time he was within a foot of towering co-star Nicole Kidman. But quality and attractive footwear with hidden height increases of an average of 8cm, depending on the selected style.

The label’s full name is Altura JNK, after its designer Jennen Ngiau-Keng who insists his ‘designer elevator’ shoes are the only products of their kind in Australia.

“My designs are a secret,” says Ngiau-Keng. “The height increase lies in the internal build-up of the shoe, and so it is well hidden.”

Shoes, like the cool black and white stripe ‘Blates’, pictured, retail at around $170 and are available through the online boutique www.taller.com.au with free shipping Australia-wide, or at the first Taller boutique which has just opened at 91 Johnston Street, Collingwood, Melbourne.

Is there any other designer that has perfected the art of minimalism like Marc Jacobs? Nay, we hear you say. We can always count on Mr Jacobs’ clothing and accessories to become classics seasons down the line, simply for their paired-back design, practical nature and potential to be dressed up or down, depending on where the mood takes us. This focus on a trio of important design factors – minimalist aesthetic, strong pragmatism and diversity – is evident, too, in the new Marc Jacobs Splash fragrance line. Inspired by three key cocktail ingredients, the limited edition line features splashes in Curacao, Cranberry and Ginger, so that when you line them up, they look the prettiest trio of cyan, magenta and yellow – the primary colours that make up colour printing (with a dash of black of course). The price tag is pretty minimal, too, at just $99 per 300ml bottle. Make a splash without wearing much.

Available from May 29 from selected David Jones stores nationally for a limited time only. So, yes, you best stock up.

Clarins have a new anti-aging duo, Vital Light Day and Night Cream which treat all the original causes of loss of skin luminosity, harnessing the revitalising power of not one, but three plant extracts: cochlearia (to help firm the skin), waltheria (to boost collagen production and improve light relfection), and spergularia (unifies skin tone by diminishing hyper pigmentation). The day cream is super creamy and as soon as it’s made contact with your skin you’re left feeling instantly revitalised, and unlike a lot of other anti-aging formulas this one doesn’t leave an oily afterthought, only the delicious subtle smells of feesia, peony and jasmine. When complemented with its night cream counterpart, skin is left feeling more luminous and firm. And if you don’t believe us of the power of those aforementioned three plants, Google them, why don’t you?

Clarins Vital Day and Night Cream range (RRP $120-$125) are available from leading department stores, Clarins Gold Salons, through www.adorebeauty.com and selected salons and pharmacies.

While our models wait patiently for apparel from Rosemount Australian Fashion Week to hit store shelves next season, we figured we’d at least equip them with some gorgeous current season accessories.

Photography by Anton Zemlyanoy (at Network Agency + Management)

Styling by Jana Bartolo (at Lizard Management + Production)

Makeup by Desiree Wise (at Network Agency + Management)

Hair by Felicia Yong (at Network Agency + Management)

Image above: Jeff Campbell ‘Meeker’ shoes in black suede available from Zomp.

Isson Betsey glasses in black rock.

Image above: Dries Van Noten anthracite clutch available from Poepke.

Image above: Fornarina Tait flock tall shopping bag.

Beau Coops wedge ankle boot.

Jeff Campbell ‘Brisbane’ shoes in brown available from Zomp.

Image above: Fleet Ilya cage corset available from Francis Leon.

Image above: Nina Maya ‘Albany’ carry-all.

Beau Coops ice-skate heel ankle boot.

Image above: Peeptoe earrings and Miss Bellisima heels in navy and black.

Fornarina Tyler quilt hobo bag.

Galliano tote.

Image above: Michael Lo Sordo wool felt cuffs.

Image above: Peeptoe ‘Miss Chance’ heels in almond and red.

Oroton ‘Coco’ sunglasses in black.

Galliano burgundy bowling bag.

Dries Van Noten grey sunglasses available from Poepke.

Stockists Information

Beau Coops: (02) 9319 3199

Fornarina: 0420 988704

Francis Leon 07 3852 5605

Galliano: (02) 9319 3199

Isson: www.isson.com

Michael Lo Sordo: 02 8338 1388

Nina Maya: 02 9363 1949

Oroton: 1300 721 160

Peeptoe: www.peeptoeshoes.com.au

Poepke: (02) 9380 7611

Zomp: www.zomp.com.au

Leona Edmiston: the smart woman has been in the fashion game for quite some time now, and her growing knowledge was backed last week by a bold yet successful move to show her Spring/Summer 11/12 collection prior to the frenzy of Rosemount Australian Fashion Week. Guests including the likes of Kerrie McCallum, Deborah Knight, Penne Dennison and Sharni Lea Hitchcock all gathered at the The Boathouse on Blackwattle Bay restaurant to not only be the first to view a collection of daring prints and feminine cuts but also to celebrate the 10^th anniversary of the label. In typical Leona fashion, models were swamped with one audacious pattern clashed with another, and a particular favourite of ours was the gorgeous rainbow watercolor maxi jumpsuit with a Burberry-esque center-knot. To balance out the patterns were numerous revamped little black dresses – perfect for those wanting to add a little sexy chic to next season’s shenanigans and festivities.

For more information visit www.leonaedmiston.com.