FARE THE WELL, BRISBANE.

Shirt - Cue. Collared Pants - Self Made. Bag - Vintage. Pumps - Jigsaw.
All accessories - Emily Kate. Cat Eye Sunglasses - Universal.

Last week I left sunny Brisbane for the moody weather of Melbourne, but I couldn't be happier. I actually love the cold weather. I can't handle it very well, but I love it. There's something about the fresh air and cooler colours that makes me feel warm inside. However, I am still yet to experienced this type of weather in Melbourne. The only thing I have experienced so far, is just moody weather. In the mornings its freezing, early afternoon is nice, then late afternoon, is so hot - Brisbane hot! It makes it a bit hard to sort out an outfit for the day that's for sure!

To celebrate my Brisbane farewell, here's a style post for you. I made these collared pants after getting a strange request from my cousin asking for pants with collars on them. I think she was bored in class one day. I happened to come across these great collared pants from Rodarte from their fall 2011 collection but decided to make my own version. Her pants looked so awesome when I was finished with them, so I couldn't help but to make myself a pair too. 

The beautiful accessories I am wearing here, is from Emily Kate. They are so beautiful and intricate. She sources all her materials from overseas, rummaging through markets to find something different to offer. She also uses a lot of vintage recycled materials which enables her to repurpose items and creating one off pieces that would otherwise be wasted.

I hope you enjoyed my last post from Brisbane as I will be posting a Melbourne one very soon! 

CHEERS TO THE YEAR OF THE DRAGON.

Top - Reworked vintage. Bodice - Ksubi. Trousers - Reworked vintage.
Clogs - Sportsgirl. Watch - Tag Heuer. Earrings - Diva.

chinahighlights.com

They say that in 2012, we will see the end of the world, but I can only see the beginning of a great journey. I've recently scored a new job, and will be moving to Melbourne soon. So be sure to follow my journey here. 2012 will be a year of change and new adventures, and that's not just for me! After all, it is the year many people look forward to. It is the year of the Dragon. The year to excel. And it is all up to you to make things happen. Don't wait for things to drop on your lap. Go out and do something about it. Make this year the year to do it!

I wanted to celebrate the first day of 2012 with an outfit post. I haven't done one for a while and wanted to start the year off with a memorable one. Here I am wearing mostly vintage reworked pieces. The top is actually a sleepwear piece by Elle McPherson Intimates. I literally hacked it up and created a collar and lace trimming at the bottom and on the front panel. I wanted to wear it with a black bra underneath for that 'Carrie Bradshaw' look. However, it is way too sheer to pull off without looking like I was, in fact walking around in a black bra. I opted for a denim bodice by Ksubi instead. The trousers, I think was originally a men's trouser, however, I could be wrong. It was quite big so I nipped it in at the waist and made it high waisted. Hope you guys enjoy my first outfit post of 2012, in celebration of the end of 2011 and the beginning of a great year! Cheers to the year of the Dragon everyone!

A CHAT WITH INDIE LUV ECO.

I recently caught up with Emily Symes of Indie Luv Eco and good friend to chat a little about myself and a little about eco friendly clothing. As you may already know, I am a huge fan of vintage clothing and a believer in saving the planet. If you haven't already heard of this fantastic and unique blog, it is about all things Eco, Sustainable, Fashion, Art, Music, Culture and Lifestyle. In addition to blogging, Emily is also an international model and talented Jewellery Designer for her label Emily Kate. I will be featuring her jewellery here soon, so be sure to watch this space. Below is my interview with Emily. Check out the full interview here.  

So what inspired you to work in the field of fashion?

Fashion has always been apart of my life one way or another. I grew up watching my parents make clothes and it kinda started from there. I would help out by sewing labels onto shirts to making my own Barbie clothes. I was inspired mostly from my mum though. She was very fashionable and still is! I would watch her get dressed and be inspired all the time.

How has working in fashion retail helped you persue your career in fashion as a designer/stylist?

Having worked in retail for almost a decade sure has its benefits! Apart from the amazing discounts and a decent sized wardrobe, I have also taken away with me valuable skills and knowledge about the fashion industry on a retail level. Especially from a consumers perspective. Understanding about consumer behaviour has helped me as a designer and a stylist as I have a better understanding of what consumers would want under different circumstances and situations.

Tell me a little about your business Blushion' Style...

Blushion' Style is just a fun blog about my fashion inspirations. I blog about what inspires me, street style and my outfits. I have also recently added a Made to Measure service.

So I hear you also do tailoring/altering/reworking of garments as part of your business? Please tell me more about that and what other services you provide etc...

I have been making clothes for myself for a long time and I always get requests from friends and family to custom make clothes for them! I started to make good money from it so decided I would make this service available to my readers. The Made to Measure service - includes bridesmaids dresses, party wear, designing and alterations. I will soon add a reworked vintage service too.

So your passionate about all things vintage, in what ways do you think vintage/recycled or reworked fashion makes a difference to our environment?I love vintage clothes! Not only is it unique in the sense that no one else will have the exact outfit I have but it is also the most eco friendly way of dressing. Recycling old clothing by giving it new life through dressing it differently, or reworking it saves it from landfill. It's just an additional bonus for me that every time I wear vintage clothes, I know I am making a positive contribution to a better, healthier future.

What are your thoughts on Eco, Sustainable and Fair trade fashion?

I think its really important. The fashion industry is a multi billion dollar industry and for any business to be successful, it must have all of the three P's - People, Profit and Planet.

What is your favourite Eco fashion label?

Stella McCartney

What are your favourite trends at the moment?

I don't really follow trends very heavily. I kinda incorporate it into my own style - which includes, peplums, collars, wide legged pants and anything high waisted. These styles will always be on trend for me.

Where do you see fashion in the next 5 years?

Hhmmm that's a hard question to answer but it would most probably be repeated. If we look back in the past, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s. They all have their distinct styles. The naughties however incorporate all these eras together and each season, it just kind of takes turn to be in the spotlight. We did for a while, dress mostly in black due to the reaction to the GFC. Maybe if something really significant happens in the economy, that could also transcend to our fashion choices.

What are your goals/direction you see yourself acheiving in the near future?

I just want to be happy and successful in what I do. Happiness is the most important thing. You gotta be happy with what you do, otherwise you won't be successful!! :)

EYELASH EXTENSIONS.

BEFORE
Sans makeup :S

AFTER
It's amazing what a bit of make up can do!

It's exciting to see myself with eyelashes. Actual long curly lashes. My real natural eyelashes are straight and short, somewhat resembling bamboo shoots. Even with the help of mascara and an eyelash curler, my lashes will straighten themselves out within not even 5 minutes! I think that comes with my Asian genes. I've actually got them permed before and they look really good, but my beautician cousin, Kim from Phamous Beauty  introduced me to eyelash extensions. Originated in Korea, this beauty service allows you to have beautiful long curly, semi permanent lashes. So you can say goodbye to those, one nighter fake lashes and ta ta to your mascara. The procedure involves using special glue to attach fake lashes to each individual natural lash, giving the appearance of natural, long, dark, thick, curly lashes. The length Kim gave me was extra long with longer lashes at the ends to give it that cat-eye look, but you can also opt for shorter versions. If you also want lashes that could be the envy of all girls, contact Kim here. She is excellent and her prices are very competitive.

MARY + KATE = PRINCESSES OF STYLE.

In a classic summer dress by Ralph Lauren dress and matching beige Chanel bag
and Christian Louboutin pumps on her Australian tour.

Another cute outfit for her Australia visit. Princess Mary wore an appropriate summer dress
with a bright kaleidoscope print.

Love this navy lace dress by Prada.

Another great outfit for the Australian tour. Princess Mary wore an elegant
black vintage evening dress. She lets her jewellery do all the talking by opting
for beige and black stone chandelier earrings. 

After looking at pics of Princess Mary for a while, I noticed that her Prince charming
is quite a stylish man himself! Here he's looking very stylish in a charcoal
slim fitting suit, brown shoes and coffee in hand.

Looking very good with his 5'oclock shadow for Vogue Germany.

The couple in more casual attire. Prince Frederick wearing a simple sweater and navy chinos. Princess Mary in navy brogues. It's so cool to see a Princess wear brogues!

Prince Frederick looks casually cool in bordeaux chinos, elbow patch jacket and a thick beige pashmina. I love the colours of this outfit and pashminas on men. It's just so much more manly than thinner scarves. Think Brad Pitt and David Beckham.

Even their son Prince Christian has the style gene. Princess Mary must have a very stylish family.
Either that or they must have very good stylists. Christian dresses kinda similar to his dad.

Prince Christian looking so cute for this shoot for Vogue Germany.

The two stylish Princesses unite for Unicef. 

Kate in a gorgeous navy lace dress by Erdem and nude pumps.

Beautiful gown by Jenny Packham.

Another great choice by Jenny Packham.

In a lovely summer dress in a fresh yellow colour by again, Jenny Packham.
If you haven't already noticed, one of Kate's favourite labels is Jenny Packham
and she has been wearing it before being crowned. 

Elegant corporate collared dress by Catherine Walker. 

In a blush Reiss dress to meet the Obamas. I'm loving this shade on her. This dress was sold out a day later after Kate wore it. 

One of my favourite Kate outfits. Roland Mouret dress, Smythe navy one button jacket,
Mulberry handbag and Manolo Blahnik pointy pumps. 

Gorgeous Alexander McQueen dress and Jimmy Choo heels. 

Three things that come to mind when I think of Princess Mary and Princess Kate are: elegance, style and beauty. You would think that being a princess would automatically make you those three things right? Apart from Princess Dianna, Kate and Mary definitely take the cake for being most stylish royalties in my books. Some other not so stylish royal counterparts? Think Duchess Fergie, Princess Ann and Princess Beatrice. Do I need to remind you of that infamous hat she wore to the royal wedding? 

Every girl dreams of one day being swept off her feet by a real life prince charming and becoming a princess. Until that happens, all we can do is live vicariously through these royal beauties. Enjoy!

HAIRSPIRATION.

YSL S/S 11

H&M

YSL Make Up

Vogue UK

So I've decided to grow my hair! It was Anja Rubik, now my latest hairspiration is Arizona Muse. I am currently obsessing over her. After chopping her hair off and going blonde to brunette in 2010, Arizona took the fashion world by storm. Not only appearing in such magazines like Vogue, strutting fashion runway shows all over the world and being the face of YSL S/S 11' campaign, Arizona Muse is becoming the next model muse. Check out the video for YSL S/S 11' campaign above. My stand out piece is the white jumpsuit and of course Arizona's hair.