Melbourne Photo Diary - Rags & Riches

(ASOS Top with slouchy extreme dip back, Bardot leather paneled leggings, Dolce Vita wedge booties, ASOS smooth steel cuffs, Sportsgirl chain)

Feeling like a super hero is an understatement with my extreme dip top. Making lazy days feel seamlessly nonexistent, a good slouchy shirt with added edge is the only thing I resort to lately on a lazy day and a much better alternative than sweatpants. 

"Sweatpants are a sign of defeat. You lost control of your life, so you bought some sweatpants" - Karl Lagerfeld. 

When is Mr. Lagerfeld not right? And who said you can't look fab and fashionable on an off day? So I've taken into consideration to gather up a few basic staples for my wardrobe that was not only used in every way possible for layering up, particularly in winter with different textures, but also for those moments I just wanted to slip on a shirt and leggings on a 'fat' day. And that morning before our long drive home from Melbourne to Sydney nothing could have been more suitable. We all need to be comfortable yet nobody wants to hop off every pit-stop looking like you've been sleeping in you car for days.

Photography by tymothyjames

Melbourne Photo Diary - Sandy Brighton Beach

 (Burberry Prorsum SS12 cashmere ruffle sleeved knit, White Closet leather skater skirt, Dolce Vita wedge booties, Glassons scalloped hosiery, PU Woven clutch)

I've always wanted to visit Melbourne's colourful Brighton beach bathing booths (a bit of a tongue twister there haha) and although it wasn't appropriately "beach weather" back in August, Tim and I wanted to take up every opportunity in having the convenience of our own vehicle to drive about freely and make the essential detour while on our road-trip. Don't be fooled by the deceiving warmth and summery vibe from these photos, but I suppose how could you not be reminded of summer with all those bold colourful blockades? I didn't even pack anything that was anywhere close to being beach-friendly, but then again who would even dare to go for a dip and bake in the middle of winter. I felt that the worst thing to be wearing by the beach-side is anything too bulky either, so trying to keep it as light and minimal, yet I still needed to remain warm I can always count on a good cashmere piece by Burberry. Although the adorable ruffled knit was part of the spring summer collection, it was strangely appropriate for a winters day at the beach. A skater skirt in leather to add was just the girly combination to my outfit that simply permitted plenty of twirling around. Brighton Beach would definitely be a lovely location to revisit and particularly to re-shoot the next time we're in Melbourne again, ideally for summer if and when we get the opportunity!

Photography by tymothyjames

Melbourne Photo Diary - The Great Ocean Road Coastal Drive

(Burberry SS12 Mulberry silk blend beaded cardigan, EF faux sheep wool coat, Bardot leather sleeve varsity jacket, Dreverie Denim Cargo's, Nine West point tip flats, Coco Liberace cat-eye half frame sunglasses, Vintage calf leather belt)

While Tim and I work hard on new shoots over the past few weeks, I've taken the time to finally dig up a few long-due snaps I've been hoping to put together particularly for a photo diary from our road trip to Melbourne for sometime now. It was one of the many things I've always wanted to accomplish as part of my long bucket list and that was to drive along the Great Ocean Drive to visit the Twelve Apostles. As part of a birthday treat during the the dead of winter back in August, Tim made it all possible for me as we ventured across Victoria and Melbourne City. Reminiscing back through these photos certainly brought back an abundant of memories from the trip. From the breathtaking views of the scenic coastal line along the Great Ocean Road, to witnessing a stunning sunset over the giant Twelve Apostles formations, to the piercing cold winds followed by long cuddles. I'm glad I ended up sporting a comfortable pair of cargo's for the long drive. The frostily cold weather conditions were almost unbearable so I layered up as many winter friendly combinations from faux sheep wool, to doubling up leather panels and cardi's underneath was the only fashionably ideal way to overcome the cold. Put aside the frost I would definitely re-do the Great Ocean drive in a heartbeat if and when given the opportunity. Stay tuned for more from my photo diary of Melbourne in posts to come this week!

Photography by tymothyjames

Australian Graduates Fashion Week Launch Party

(ASOS crepe dress with drape, Sportsgirl caged heels, Rose ruffle purse from Landmark Philippines)

I would like to thank the AGFW team & Create Cosmetics for the invitation to Australian Graduates Fashion Week (www.agfw.com.au). It was a shame I couldn't attend the actual show last Saturday because of Stereosonic, however the pre-launch held at The Vault a few nights before was a great opportunity to take a glimpse of what was to be expected and anticipated at the show. Mingling with plenty of style enthusiasts, followed with an abundance of delicious canapés, great music and eventually an open bar towards the end of the night no doubt took the launch party up another level. The brief showcase was definitely an eye opener of all the amazing up-and-coming talent that's quickly emerging in our home ground. It was fabulous to be a part of an event which proudly supports future Australian & New Zealand fashion!

Photography by vucouturegirl

Seaside net of Wonders

(Cooper St. open slit maxi dress, Elastic strap gladiators from Overseas markets)

It was the birthday dress I picked out with only less than an hour of shopping time available before my big night out of town with my friends. Surprisingly enough after a quick lap around my local shopping mall, impulsiveness took a better turn and what initially was a 'last minute' birthday dress has now turned into one of my favourite dresses for this summer.

Its Grecian goddess resemblance made it an undeniably suitable frock for the seaside breeze and everything about the intensity of the colour yellow, and the light-weight draping of chiffon makes it fashionably bearable in today's heat which can also be easily transformed from a daytime dress with a pair of gladiators, to a show stopping evening gown when teamed with a good pair of 'look-at-me-now' stilettos and matching clutch.

Photography by tymothyjames

Sculptures by the Sea

(Vintage sandy pencil maxi skirt, Forecast satin drop cage cami, Sportsgirl silver steel cuffs, Glassons round-framed sunglasses, Woven clutch from Landmark - Philippines, Cut out sandals from Malaysian Markets.) 

For those who know me personally, I've always been the girl who's loved nothing more than enjoying a good bottle of cider and kicking back in the sunshine. So there was no surprises when a 35 degree plus day comes along, I was sure to not miss the opportunity to visit my local deli and round up a good picnic to make the most of my day with much needed vitamin D. Conveniently enough it was the annual event that attracted photographers whether pro or amateur, locals and now a growing popular event for tourists to commute to the scenic coastal side of Bondi to Tamarama for Sculptures by the Sea (www.sculpturebythesea.com).

I use to always sport short shorts while taking a trip to the beach, but lately it's been all about the maxi skirts. I really struck lady luck the day I picked this minimalist sandy skirt from another previous op shopping haul and it's been my favourite go-to skirt when I'm feeling neutral, you might say. Teamed with an oldie, I've always loved the femininity about the cage detailing of this cami - baring skin but just about enough. Although Sculptures by the Sea has already passed for the year, I'm already looking forward to what's installed for the following. It ceases to inspire me every time!

Photography by tymothyjames

Vu Couture girl meets Warhol's Children

(www.warholschildren.me)

I would love to thank the team of Warhol's Children, particularly subeditor Rebecca Lay, for my first ever interview and feature on their online magazine this week. It was an absolute pleasure to be part of the online magazine "about other people", and raising questions on fashion I've never really taken a hard look at before. be sure to visit www.warholschildren.me for the full article of my interview, and for plenty more articles featuring other interesting people such as an exclusive interview with my most recently favourite up-and-coming dj, Flume.

Click on the following link below for the full article of my interview: 

http://warholschildren.me/post/35621536720/inside-the-life-and-mind-of-a-fashion-blogger-the

Photography by tymothyjames