New nature

Here is a sneak peak into the world of a upcoming melbourne textile designer, Erin Reinboth. Aka my amazing older sis! With an obsession for colour, pattern and textures, underpinned by a devotion for fashion, textile design is the ultimate platform for her well deserved creative career. I've watched her for the last 6 years pour her heart and soul into these studies.

These pieces of work are from a project named New Nature. In which  she explored the concept of nature in the modern world. The juxtaposition between nature and technology and a quest for harmony between them. She developed a concept to how the natural world will be translated and modernised within our fast paced and industrialised society. She designed this floral pattern and then laid it on synthetic materials such as resin and silicon. They are such beautiful statement neck pieces. I love the bold bright colours and the femininity of the floral print. The unique use of materials gives an amazing three dimensional texture which really brings the garments to life. Great concept and a stunning design. Proud sister I am.

Erin graduates next month along with 26 other talented girls. Be sure to check out their blog to see the amazing array of creativity. Their graduation show runs from the 30th of November till the 5th show casing their finest pieces. It will be a inspirational and captivating experience. Cant wait to see it!

http://www.twentysevenexhibition.net/

Leather and Lace

A new city, a new wardrobe. Oh my Melbs is a dangerously good place. I've bunked in with my amazing sister in a unit in Richmond....a cheeky 2 minute walk and you hit Bridge road. A mecca of bargains and sale stores. It may not have the hype, frills or rep as Chapel and Bourke St mall, but if you let that narrow minded way of thinking stop you, you're going to miss out. I've had my eye out for a leather skirt/shorts for awhile now. But struggled to find one within my budget. Real leather ones were never going to happen but even the pleathers seemed to be over the $60 mark. Not on Bridge rd! This pleated skirt was only $19. The lace top was from American Apparel at a reasonable $50. Like a bikey wearing a tutu, leather with lace may sound like a bit of a juxtaposition. But it works. Teaming leather with girly fabrics seems to soften the possible harshness of the fabric. So snap up this leather look before the winter season ends....best thing is, it will most likely be on sale!

Photographer: Erin Reinboth

Cameo Lover

This brand is worth saving up your pennies for! Last week I was lucky enough to do work experience for Cameo the label at their head office in Adelaide. What an amazing experience it was. I walked into the 2-story white stone suburban home to be catapulted into a fashion hub. Down stairs the spacious family living room was transformed into a warm earthy workplace radiating with creativity and passion. Dream boards and desks were decorated with magazine cut outs, model shots, hand drawn sketches and swatches of vibrant fabric. Eight young stunning girls were spread across the rooms in edgy outfits and 8 inch heels. For the week I watched these girls walk, talk and breathe a love for fashion and what they do. In this home, soley by these inventive girls, the amazingness that is Cameo, Finders Keepers, Keepsake and Grace and Favour is created.

While I was there, I was taken behind the scenes for the December Cameo range named Kaleidoscope. I was able to appreciate the intense journey of design. Starting from the initial inspiration, they were then developed and translated into pattern designs, next the meticulous fine-tuning and adjusting and then finishing with the visual wonderworld of international models wearing the glamorous garments for the look book photo shoot.

It was a week of excitement, hustle and deadlines. Heavy lifting and running around in inappropriate shoes, dressing and undressing models while ignoring the boobs in your face, just to name a few events. And all the time, vital styling, design, marketing and business decisions were being consciously made by the team, concreting to me why this company is so successful.

It was an absolute honour to be able to work for the label and be around such inspirational people. The designer for Cameo, the beautiful Kathryn Forth, was humble and trusting enough to give me the opportunity to share my thoughts and opinion in a range of areas throughout my time there. It was such a privilege to feel like I contributed to the range, regardless of how small it might be.

The experience has given me a greater appreciation of why some labels are more expensive. The labour, detail, time and talent put into these clothes could not be justified (or profitable) by a smaller price tag. Learning the secrets of fashion design has further exposed to me that direct copying is not a secret, it’s more of a cop out. Sharing ideas, trends and knowledge is key. This can be used as inspiration to find your own unique garment within your budget. But if your wallet allows, invest in these labels girls especially Cameo. They will be worth every penny.

The pics are of a few behind the scenes shots by me and then a few that were posted on the Cameo blog as teasers for the Kaleidoscope range. Teased they have...Can not wait till it hits the stores!

 

 

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The vintage vibe

The next five outfits posted are based on my findings from op shops of Adelaide. Vintage shopping is the holy grail of my little secrets. Once you get over the smell of moth balls and through the endless racks of nanna cardigans, shoulder pads and frumpy dresses, you then come accross the most rare and unique pieces. And for dirt cheap! Vinnies and Salvos are my favs with such a huge range. And the great thing is when someone asks where its from, you dont have to lie or tell them it was cheap. All I need to say is..... 'It's vintage.' (In that stuck up voice of corse). Instant fashionista acceptance.

Motivation...

Splendor bendor

For those of you lucky enough to be heading off to the splendid festival this weekend.!!! Days and nights filled with music, friends, dancing and just pure bliss! I hope you have those outfits planned....Its all about embracing that inner hippy with soulfull but edgy garments. There is plenty of it around with the launch of the spring collection for most labels. Gumboots, ripped shorts, lace, crochet, floral prints, headpieces and hats are all essentials. Mink pink have done an amazing range this spring, most of the pics are by them. So your get up wont break the budget either....you will have plenty of coin left over for those outrageously priced drinks! Enjoy my free spirited kidlets.

                                          

Stealing the Candy

 




Bright block colours what a way to bring on spring and summer. As spotted on the uber cool Gary Pepper blog whose repping this electric outfit on the left. So I went on a mission to find the same look under my budget. These are a couple of my findings. Ally fashion are responsible for the cute mini skirts with beautiful pocket detailing and at only 20 bucks! Teamed with a silky blouse and some gold accessories you have got to stand out. The blazers are by Ally as well and at a cheeky $35, these would freshen up a pair of skinny denim jeans perfectly, just breezing into the new season. Princess Polly is responsible for the last outfit, mustard is a must. Pops perfectly with a tan and dark hair. So ladies, rid those winter blues and bring a little secret sunshine into your life :)

'Beauty is power; a smile is its sword' ~Charles Reade

Inspiration from the sis

Love you errie...

Asos

Asos may not be such a secret to the world but for those who don't know it yet....hold on to your knickers! Great prices and FREE DELIVERY!! I love this top, I think it just oozes glamour and only $65. Check out their bathers also, well priced and very cute detailed styles. 

http://www.asos.com/Women/

Princess Polly

Ahh Princess Polly....A never falling online boutique. The website showcases their pieces perfectly and are all within a good price range. It speaks for itself really. Check it out.

http://www.princesspolly.com.au/

Sally's Silk World

So fur is everywhere this winter and Im loving this earthy hunter-gatherer look. There are plenty of cheap and chunky faux fur knock offs around but nothing feels and looks more classy than real rabbit fur. But to my dismay, all the major labels have been pricing these for the big bucks. The vest on the left is by the label Wish comes with a $320 price tag. Not so affordable for some. So what little secret have I found...Sally's Silk Word. A random little ebay online store and such a gem! This lady sells a huge range of real rabbit fur vest and the prices range from $80-$150. Now thats a hell of a lot more affordable. Fur up ladies.

http://stores.ebay.com.au/sallys-silk-world

The best advice from the best friend. My amazing sister Erin.

A new beginning....

4 years…..7 semesters……28 exams….I sat at my desk with my study notes in front of me and all I could think was; why am I doing this?

Four years of slaving away at vet school and I was finally ready to admit it…I didn’t want to be a vet. I always had my doubts, I saw the passion and eagerness of other students and knew I didn’t share the same desire. I was just rolling along doing the minimal amount of work required and complaining all the way.

But everyone had expectations, I put expectations on myself, I was intellectually capable and thought I had to define myself by studying this ‘admirable’ degree. But as the years went on, the cover up was transparent and the lack of passion was real.

There I was, the night before my last exam for the semester and I just couldn’t do it anymore. Not one part of me was interested. I didn’t want this life and I had to do something about it.

So here I am, about to start a journey to figure out what I want out of life. Im ready to pursue my passions that I had suppressed for so long. Its time to share with the world what really makes me excited and happy.

Whats my little secret then? Clothes!! Nothing else gives me more of a kick than finding a perfect garment for a great price. I love the hunt, the bargain searching, finding ‘the look’ for the season. As I have been a poor uni student this little secret has been carried out on a very tight budget. Another one of my little coverts….may look expensive... but it wasn’t!

Here it goes, im sharing my findings and little gems on here. I hope I can help other ladies find some little secrets of their own!