Photo of the Week

Miranda Kerr for i-D Summer 2010 by Willy Vanderperre

Favourite Things: Stevie Dance

Stevie Dance

Editor, RUSSH Magazine

balenciaga aviator shearling jacket, sophia coppola for louis vuitton, my nikon FM2 camera, ed ruscha, alexander wang leather corset shorts, piercings, josh goot worn laissez faire, ann demeulemeester tan buckle strap sandals, bare backs, japanese sandalwood incense, balenciaga silk striped sandals, not wearing a bra, vintage levi's from the 1950's, manifesting, sun on face, the vaselines, old 6 buck army bags, listening to the complete sun city records vol. 1-4, wearing everything inside out (especially chloe silk blouses and isabel marant jackets), beck circa one foot in the grave, giving everyone a nickname, joan didion, my A team, anything suede, drinking sake, dancing, my daniel johnston lovenhouse painting, my job, RUSSH of course, and saying "where have you been all my life" and actually meaning it.

Images: JAK + JIL
- A x

Willow's Eclipse of the Art

Willow designer, Kit Willow-Podgornik and Sydney artist Dorryce Rock, have teamed up to produced artwork inspired by the designers latest collection 'Eclipse'.

The collection uses a clean, fresh palette of colour to create pieces that are not nostalgic, but rather expressive of the present moment. Layer upon layer, through laser-cutting, printing and drapery, fabrics are used to cast a shadow on the body; the perfect eclipse of the feminine form.

As an artist, Rock appreciated the essence of Willow’s design; her sense of colour and artistic, feminine and sculptural feel, that she felt paralleled her own work. "The Willow label relates to my work in that it is relaxed yet structured, free spirited and in her own words… "timeless, strong and elegant." Rock's greatest influence, however, was the colour palette for the Eclipse collection - "the black gives it strength and drama, red and pink - warmth and passion, and the nude - soft femininity."

Here's a sneak peak of the artwork, which will add as a backdrop to the 'Eclipse' collection, displayed in Willow's Sydney and Melbourne boutiques from July through to October. Available for purchase by the public.

- A x

RUSSH #35

masterhighresmatte 1 from Russh on Vimeo.

(click to enlarge)

Alessandra Ambrosio like you've never seen her before, in a hauntingly beautiful story as told through the lens of Will Davidson. Ambrosio wanders the streets of NYC in some of the seasons most sought after looks, styled by none other than Fashion Editor, Stevie Dance. The August/September issue of RUSSH (out July 28) shows a raw innocence to Ambrosio that I thought I'd never see.

"Sometimes when you least expect it, all that you were hiding comes undone."

- A x

Dion Lee + Relative MO

Australian Designer of the Year, Dion Lee, (who also happens to be one of my favourite Australian Designer's) is set to conquer the world. First stop - the UK, where British Vogue have announced the young designer has just signed with London PR company Relative MO.

Lee is in good hands with the PR empire, whose other clients consist of Preen, Herve Leger, Erdem, Mary Katrantzou and many more, including fellow Australian designer Willow. The agency are set to embark on a series of press presentations in London, Paris and New York, exposing fashion editors to Lee's latest collection over the coming weeks.

Dion has received international praise for his architectural approach and expert tailoring, with each collection a clear progression from the last. His latest collection, entitled Facade, takes on a new direction of softness, putting technique to the test with dramatic Grecian draping and knotting juxtaposing the more athletic body-con shapes.

"It's easy to be minimal and to pare things back - I think it's good to move in unfamiliar territory," said the designer. "The soft drape element of this collection was something that was quite foreign to me."

After stealing the spotlight at Rosemount Australian Fashion Week in May, and winning such fans as JAK + JIL's Tommy Ton and Vogue's Tim Blanks - who likened Lee to a "fellow twenty-something Marios Schwab and Proenza Schouler". Net-A-Porter's own Natalie Massenet is the latest giving Lee her stamp of approval, with the brand being stocked on the site from October.

Images: JAK + JIL
- A x

Miu Miu...Miu?

We always hear talk about the "model of the moment" or the "it-girl", carrying her "it-bag", well now the focus is shifting back on to the clothes. In particular, one Miu Miu dress, as seen on the covers of W Magazine's July issue and both British Elle and British Vogue's August issues. Albeit, they are slightly varied versions of the dress; Eva Mendez and Freja Beha Erichsen both wear the tangerine version while Lilly Allen wears a version made from lilac lace.

The Guardian notes that while celebrities may book multiple covers in a month or a period of two or three, this is unusual for clothes.

Maybe this Miu Miu dress is a reminder that before there were celebrities, there was fashion, and that the clothes - not people - are the true stars of this business.

Who do you think wore their cover-look better? My vote is with Danish model, Freja Beha.
- A x

Photo of the Week

kj by Kirrily Johnston

Kirrily Johnston's garments are the kind you live in. They're what you throw on when you're rushing out the door, or what you wear when you want to be able to move and be comfortable - and they are designed exactly for those purposes. The kj by Kirrily Johnston range features pieces designed to be layered, styled or simply thrown on. Some have the ability to be worn a number of different ways.

Designed to compliment her mainline collection, kj by Kirrily Johnston consists of a selection of luxurious jersey pieces to inspire both men and women.

Reflecting the casual cool aesthetic of past and present Kirrily Johnston collections, kj takes an innovative approach to basic design; taking simple essential wardrobe items and re-inventing them with Kirrily's signature touch of volume, draping and detail, and let's not forget the classic Kirrily stripes.

Whatever the occasion, kj by Kirrily Johnston is a collection that will compliment all wardrobes.

Available online at Mycatwalk and Kirrily Johnston Shop.
- A x

When Editors Become Cover Stars

I was a little slow at getting my hands on the 1st edition of INDUSTRIE, featuring cover star, Anna Wintour. Two months slow in fact. So after a frantic 2 days of online hunting, with no luck, and many phone calls later, my final call to Magnation Sydney proved I was in for some luck! After breaking the news to me, yet again, that it's sold out; the lovely man went on to say that they are expecting another shipment by sea, due to arrive in just a few weeks!!

INDUSTRIE is the first and only media title dedicated to presenting an independent, in-depth look at the fashion industry, going behind the scenes to chronicle the personalities, stories and defining moments in the world of fashion.

Founded in 2009 by Erik Torstensson and Jens Grede, of the Saturday-Group, INDUSTIRE aims to shift focus away from current collections and trends and provide a considered insight into the culture of fashion. INDUSTRIE documents the individuals who influence fashion and critically examines the ideas which shape it.

INDUSTRIE, which came out in May this year, is said to be like the fashion industry's version of a high-school year book, except seriously more stylish and elegant, showcasing the fashion industry's stars in their best light. The first issue features Natalie Massenet, Tom Florio, Karl Templer, Luis Venegas, Panos Yiapanis, Solve Sundsbo, Rick Owens, Katie Grand, Patrick Demarchelier, Giles Deacon, Alessandra Ambrosio, Lara Stone and Daria Werbowy.

Here's an inside look at the magazine, which is published biannually - I hope you're all fast readers...

Industrie Magazine — Issue 01 from Wednesday on Vimeo.

- A x

Christine Centenera

Harper's Bazaar Australia's Fashion Editor, Christine Centenera, Is one of my biggest (Australian) inspirations. She also happens to be one of the people in the industry here that I most want to meet+work with+be taken under their wing+wardrobe raid and, well, generally just want to be.

In the world of Fashion, in which you look with the heart and talk with images, style is something which comes from within, it's an attitude; a feeling. For me, It's that moment when you see past the fashion, that you find style.

Christine's style however, is very much in keeping with the aesthetics of the magazine in which she works. I like to think of Harper's Bazaar as being the supermodel girlfriend of a rock star. Or in Christine's case, being the Fashion Editor girlfriend to a designer.

(click to enlarge)

What I admire most about her though, is not only her obvious style, but her work. Without looking at the credits of an editorial, you can tell what is Christine's work - it's that feeling; her work, quite simply, speaks her name. And that is something to aspire to.

A few things you may not know about Christine Centenera:

1. Her boyfriend is designer, Josh Goot
2. She is a self-confessed sucker for anything with studs, metal detailing or patent leather. Preferably all three at once.
3. She has an insanely high instep which means she never has to wear flat shoes. She considers this a genetic gift.
4. She lives in Bondi, Sydney
5. She is Lara Bingle's Stylist (and friend)
6. She started her magazine career working for Cosmopolitan Australia
7. She DJ's with fellow stylist Pip Edwards - called Chicks on Decks
8. She is responsible for the styling of Dion Lee's amazing runway shows

- A x

Fantastic Man's Gentlewoman

The Gentlewoman is a new magazine from the founders of Fantastic Man. Featuring inspirational, international woman, it pairs ambitious journalism with a sartorial and intelligent perspective on fashion that is focused on personal style - the way women actually look, think and dress. The Gentlewoman is a biannual style magazine for a new decade. With issue #1 (featuring on the cover Phoebe Philo, designer of Céline), completely SOLD OUT everywhere (and trust me I've hunted!), you'll have to hop to it fast when issue #2 comes out.

As for Fantastic Man, well boys, I suggest this alongside your purchase of GQ. Fantastic Man's aim is to re-invent the gentleman's style journal. The magazine contains interviews and fashion features with inspiring men and interesting personalities. It features men in clothes rather than models in fashion. Take my word for it, pick up the latest issue #11 from your nearest an dearest newsagency.

- A x

John Galliano...

pictured above: John Galliano, photographed by Paolo Roversi

The genius revealed some secrets to French ELLE...

16 things you may not know about John Galliano:

1. He lives in a private hotel from the 17th century
2. He wakes up every morning at 5.30am
3. For breakfast he has: green tea, a soy and fruit smoothie & 2 slices of black bread
4. At 7am he works out with his personal trainer
5. The John Galliano factory is located inside an old toy factory
6. He has 2 huge black files with all the info for a collection
7. He has a personal driver
8. He's inspired by the beautiful ladies of Montaigne, Paris
9. He left Spain at 6 to go to London
10. He has never sent an email
11. He doesn't like the telephone
12. Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell are his muses
13. He's inspired by his interns
14. He loves taking late night scented baths, surrounded by candles
15. He sticks post-its all over his bed but can't read them the day after
16. He's BFF's with photographer Jean-Baptiste Mondino