The crisp Autumnal weather was given the nod by one of the week’s must-have pieces- the jacket. MBFWA saw a vast array of statement jackets; structured blazers, power shoulders, bomber jackets, long trenches and bold prints all made an appearance.

Sarah-Jane Clark

Speaking of power pieces – the clutch bag was out in full force during MBFWA. A perfect example of how a statement clutch can add a little extra pop to an already bold ensemble was Sass and Bide’s Sarah-Jane Clark and her statement canvas clutch. Clark, who was attending the Romance Was Born show made a statement with her kaleidoscope of colours and took the outfit to the next level by adding the clutch.

Pip Edwards

Pip Edwards worked two of the MBFWA trends at once- the power jacket and the clutch. Edwards wore a classic sartorial style ensemble- a tailored black blazer with relaxed black harem pants and stilettos. She accessorized with chunky, gold pieces and finished off the look with a black and gold hardware clutch.

Kate Waterhouse

The print was also on high rotation this year at Fashion Week with Kate Waterhouse, Jessica Stein and Nicole Warne from Gary Pepper Vintage demonstrating how well print on print does work. The patterns were bold and the colours were bright, adding some bite to the already fresh autumn week. Hairdos were polished, accessories were delicate and nails were pastel, making the print the sole focal point of the ensemble.

Garry Pepper Vintage – Nicole Warne

Each year MBFWA promises a visual feast for the fashion hungry and with this calibre of 2012’s street style, the fashion hungry were not disappointed.

[Images: Felt.com, popsugar,cocolee,blogspot]

She was first discovered on the streets of Denmark by an agent passing by in a taxi, Erichsen made her modelling debut in 2005 at the fall Paris and Milan shows of Prada, Louis Vuitton and Miu Miu. After her debut, Erichsen has walked for Dior, Gucci, Burberry, Balenciaga and Christian Lacroix to name a few.

On the runway, Erichsen shines. She wears haute couture with impossible ease, appearing as if the designer threads were sewn onto her lean and leggy figure. Floor-sweeping gowns, embellished bodices and full skirts were made for Erichsen, she projects sophistication and femineity without difficulty. Off the runway, feminine Erichsen is nowhere to be seen. Instead Erichsen offers an effortlessly cool and androgynous style, the envy of many. A self-proclaimed tomboy she admits that as a child she enjoyed climbing trees and mountain biking. And look at her now. As of 2011, Erichsen was ranked second on the Top 50 Models Women List by model.com and has been the face of Chanel, no minor feat.

Black and leather are the basis of her street style. Erichsen is the master of minimalist chic. Black skinny jeans and a covetable black leather biker jacket are key staples in her wardrobe. Think motorcycle boots, skinny jeans and a care-free attitude. Each look is not complete without her signature tousled brunette locks and natural complexion. She favours tighter fitting pants with jackets, shirts and androgynous blazers on top. Black and white is the colour palette, Acne and Alexander Wang are the designers.

This tomboy attitude has continued into her twenties and the couture model is no stranger to tattoos, something that separates her from most other models. Erichsen has 16 tattoos, including ‘This World Tonight is Mine’ on her right wrist and ‘Serendipty is life’ on the back of her right arm.

So is her success, the 24 year old has a number of pieces named after her, including the Alexander Wang Freja Lace-Up Stilletto Boot and the Chloé Freja clutch.

The brown-eyed beauty remains wide-eyed when asked of her fame, growing up she believed she would be a rock-star rather than a supermodel. Though those childhood fantasies are being lived out, Erichsen off the catwalk is as rock-chic as any rock-star.

To celebrate the 50^th Anniversary of one of the most expensive movies ever made, starring Hollywood icon Elizabeth Taylor, the make-up mavens at Cameron-Jane Make-up Design held a ‘Get the CLEOPATRA look’ make-up master class.

Think extended dark eyebrows, green, turquoise and gold eye shadow and sweeping black liner. This look (although easily toned down) is not for those who shy away from a statement. Be prepared to turn heads left, right and centre. In admiration, of course.

Walk like an Egyptian- Get the look

1. Start by filling the eyebrows in with a dark brown liner, the idea is to make the brow as sharp and angular as possible. Seal the liner with black shadow, if you’re fair or not quite ready to take on the Cleo-Brow stick to a dark brown.
2. Next is the contouring. Bronze and peach are best suited to this look. Start at the centre of the ear and sweep the powder along the cheekbone in a crescent moon shape. Contour on either side of the nose also.
3. It’s all about the lids. Line your upper and lower lid with kohl, keeping close to the lash line and ensuring you trace over the line with black shadow- this will prevent smudging. Fill the outer corner of the lid with a dark navy shadow; this will add depth of field when the aqua is applied. In the inner corners and under the brow bone, use an applicator to apply gold shadow. The aqua shadow comes next, fill the entire lid with a bright aqua softening as you reach the brow bone.
4. Finish the lid by continuing the liner in a slightly upward and slanted direction stopping at the end of the brow. Cake eyeliner works best but liquid can also be used. Seal with black shadow.
5. Generous lashings of mascara and a peach liner on the lips take the look from 2012 to 51 BC.

And what is the perfect cosmetic to complement your Cleopatra look, I hear you ask? Lord & Berry, I answer back. This brand straight from Milan has the staying power worthy of any Egyptian goddess and was used in the make-up master class. Lucky-me was sent home with my very own Lord & Berry Skin Lip Gloss in Romantic Dream, for the perfect Cleopatra pout.

The film that showcases one of the most tragic couples in history and their fiery romance still lights up the screen 50 years on, as does the sweeping black eye lines and deep aqua shadows so famously bared by the beautiful Elizabeth Taylor.

This intern counts herself as one that shies away from a statement when it comes to make-up but the allure of the Egyptian eye seems too strong to resist, bring on the costume party I say.

The daughter of an actor slash director, Cotillard began performing in her father’s plays as a small child. And since then the Parisian has been gracing the silver screen with her sophisticated beauty.

For nine consecutive years, Cotillard has ranked as having one of the most Beautiful Famous Faces by The Annual Independent Critics List of the 100 Most Beautiful Famous Faces Around the World. That ‘beautiful face’ was the face of Dior in 2011 and has lead much attention on and off the red carpet.

Not only is her beauty stunning and effervescent, but her style has also been heralded as one of the most elegant in the business. Essentially Parisian-chic, Cotillard’s style on the red carpet showcases her timeless beauty, self-confidence and utter sophistication. Gaultier, Elie Saab and of course Christian Dior have all swathed the French beauty in their elegance, Cotillard is certainly no stranger to the high-end. Her look is chic, very polished and emits the confidence (without the arrogance) that all French women seem to possess.

Off the red carpet, Cotillard’s style is a touch more casual- opting to layer scarves upon tailored blazers and flowing maxi dresses. The trilby and the trench coat are prominent features in Cotillard’s wardrobe.

Only 11 French women have been nominated for an acclaimed Academy Award since its beginnings and only two of those have received the Best Actress Oscar for a non-English speaking role. Sophia Loren was the first in 1962 and the second was Marion Cotillard in 2008. Of those two, Cotillard was the first person to win an Academy Award for a French Language Performance. The particular dress Cotillard wore to receive the Best Actress Oscar in 2008 was especially designed for her by Jean-Paul Gaultier. It was perhaps, then when Cotillard appeared in the mermaid-esque ivory gown that she truly became a style icon.

Approaching her forties, the 37 year old is still as elegant as when she first graced the silver screen and shows no signs of changing this. Recently appearing in box-office hit Inception, Cotillard stars in The Dark Knight Rises set for release in July of this year.

And with French determination in her genes, Cotillard is set to achieve whatever she sets her mind to. ‘My parents always told me that if you want something, you can do whatever you have to do to get it. As long as it’s not against someone else.’

“Each style included in this special collection is rich with history, full of life and carries with it a unique story of creation and inspiration,” a statement by the brand read. “These styles are moments in the life and evolution of a designer”.

Parisian, Louboutin still remembers the very first shoe he designed under his own name – a pair solely (pardon the pun) to amuse a princess. ‘It was 1992 and I was looking at this picture of Princess Diana taken while her husband was giving a speech. She looked so sad and bored, I thought, what would bring a smile to her face?’ The only answer for Louboutin of course, was a pair of shoes – the Love Shoe – a flat pump when viewed from above spelt out the word love.

According to the shoe maven Princess Di never obtained a pair, but that is beside the point. That was the year thousands of other women fell in love with Louboutin. That love affair has remained unaffected by 20 years passing; the brand is continuing to flourish.

Among those worshippers is many a famous face. Kate Moss, Sarah Jessica Parker, Mary- Kate and Ashley Olson, Victoria Beckham and Dita Von Teese are just a few who are drawn to the covetable footwear. Lover of all things Louboutin Diane von Furstenberg says she loves the heels ‘because they make men more chivalrous’.

For everyone that is fortunate enough to call a pair of Louboutins their own, each comes with a Louboutin moment. Whether it was the first time they lay eyes on the pair they fell in love with or the moment they knew the love affair with the red-soled beauties was just beginning, there is no denying there is something very special about Louboutin.

The classic brand’s 20^th anniversary no way signifies Louboutin slowing down.  ‘This is a celebration of the first generation of the brand; an anniversary of its first young adventure’.

So if you are looking to invest in a piece (or two) that will remain timeless and a favourite in your wardrobe, why not the epitome of class, sophistication and absolute chic? Love the Louboutin.

And if you ever want to shy away from a towering heel for fear of aching feet; forget it.  Louboutin says ‘Don’t reject a shoe because you can’t run in it. It’s OK not to run, you see more’.

Sweaters should no longer be banished to the back of the closet or stereotyped as one of nanna’s frumpy throwbacks, when styled the right way a textured sweater is a classic option to cosy up in.

The most important thing to keep in mind when wearing a sweater this season is balance. Because your top half will be swathed in a chunky knit, skinny legs worn on your bottom half will keep you from looking chunky all over. For an effortlessly cool combination pair a slouchy gray knit on top with a coloured pair of skinny legs. The pop of colour the pants bring works well with a monochromatic knit and keeps the outfit fresh and fun.

One celebrity on par with this wintery trend is Just Be favourite and style icon extraordinaire, the girl who never gets it wrong- Alexa Chung.  Chung’s street style regularly embraces the sweater and one such way she does so is teaming a classic white collared shirt underneath the sweater. The hint of collar dresses up a chunky knit without having to add more layers (which in turn can change a look from fashionable to frumpy).

Adding a little pattern or pastel to your sweater is not taboo; this season has seen the Navajo pattern working well. Pair a Navajo sweater with a pleated, leather skirt for a stylish look. The texture and pattern of the knit give a great contrast to the sleekness and edginess of the skirt. The classic monochromatic stripe also looks great on sweaters, worn with cigarette pants and a pair of the brogues the sweater brings a Parisian chic-ness perfectly suited to the chilly climate.

The nation’s premier fashion industry event, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia, hosted journalists, bloggers, buyers, stylists and special guests from across Australia and around the world, for an incredible week of designer collections shows, presentations and special events.
Here, stylist Sophia Banks-Coloma, shares her thoughts on the trends and styles shown at Fashion Week that made it one unforgettable season.

Hair and makeup:
Generally on the runway we saw a very natural, minimal look. The model’s hair almost looked wet at the BOWIE show. There were almost no accessories used at all too. However, there seemed to be a lot of colour in the form of nail art with shades of yellow and wild patterns. At Lisa Ho they used coloured pieces of hair. You could also see models rocking a pink lip at other shows too.

Neon versus pastel:
The neon trend is still huge in LA, however I think you had it early with Sass and Bide and Ksubi. You’ve had the neon trend briefly and now pastels are in, which you saw on the runway. At Whitney Port’s show you saw floral mixed with peach colours.
Whitney Port as a designer:
I like Whitney. She has really cute, summery clothes. I’ve actually used some for photo shoots with Nylon Magazine in the States. I think her clothes are really good for that. I think her collections will do well here in Sydney. It’s a good market for it.

Standout shows:
Definitely Magdalena Velevska, she was amazing. Michael Lo Sordo was great too. And I loved Romance Was Born. I’ve already started emailing my clients as to pieces shown at Fashion Week that I feel would look great on them. I’ve already had emails back asking me to request particular dresses which I’m working on.

Mixing prints:
You can get prints anywhere, but there’s definitely an art to putting different prints together. If you have to follow a rule, pick two basic prints that have some way of aligning together. Usually colour is the best way to go. Mint green is huge this season too.

Accessorising when mixing prints:
Accessories should be minimal when mixing prints. I always say to my clients, if you’re wearing a statement dress or jewelled dress or something very loud, then that’s your accessory.

[image: Tim Jones Photography]

PAMPER, PAMPER, PAMPER! The answer to most Mother’s Day mayhem dilemmas, beauty and hair care…

Wella Professionals have released three easy gift sets for Mother’s Day which cater to a number of individual tastes and hair care needs, ensuring a match for every mum’s mane.

You can pamper your mum this Mother’s Day with a gift she’s sure to love. Whether it’s bouncy, shiny tresses or vibrant colour, Wella can meet her needs. If your mum strives for more voluminous locks or a smoother, sleeker look, Wella will have her every wanted covered.

So what’s on offer?

The Enrich Pack – RRP $44
This range helps tackle split ends while boosting hair’s shine, smoothness and moisture levels. Enrich also contains silk extract and shea butter leaving hair instantly full of shine and soft to touch. The Enrich Pack contains Enrich Shampoo, Enrich Conditioner, Enrich Intensive Treatment Mask for lush hair full of movement and Wella Professionals Stay Styled Finishing Spray, the perfect everyday hairspray for finishing your mum’s look.

The Brilliance Pack – RRP $44
This range is infused with multi-sensorial ingredients such as diamond dusk and orchid extract, to leave hair free-flowing with an irresistible touch. The Brilliance Pack includes Brilliance Shampoo, Brilliance Conditioner, Brilliance Intensive Treatment Mask and Wella professional Stay Styled Finishing Spray. The Brilliance range helps protect colour from fading as well as enhancing its vibrancy, so that your mum can wear coloured hair with confidence.

The SP Gift Set – RRP $64
The Wella SP offering combines innovative product formulas and a revolutionary, personalised hair care service. The SP range can be customised to suit your mum’s specific hair care needs, for the ultimate in hair perfection. The SP line offers your mum a variety of choices, including: Volumize, Hydrate, Smoothen, Repair and Shine. If you purchase any SP Shampoo and Conditioner this Mother’s Day, you’ll also receive a complimentary personalised SP mini travel kit valued at $20.00, so mum can achieve personalised hair care perfection at home or on holiday.

Wella Mother’s Day gift sets are available from Wella salons nationwide from April-May, 2012. For stockist details please call 1300 889 886.

The year that passed was full of intense speculation, rumours flying as to who would the fill fashionable shoes of John Galliano. It had been reported that front-runners from Alexander Mcqueen to Lanvin would be asked to take over, each declining.

Cue the breakout chapter from a Beligian designer Raf Simons. As details of Galliano’s rant emerged and Dior revealed they no longer wanted any association with the designer, Simons was creating masterpieces at Jil Sander. His pieces were modern, classic and simple –reminiscent of classic Dior and polar opposite of Galliano. The fashion world began to take notice of Simons; his collections were capturing the attention of all.

Fashion commentators began to speculate Simons would be the one chosen by Dior. But the speculation ended as quickly as began. The rumour mill began to lose steam, whispers of who would be Galliano’s successor began to fade. Until, a move that could only happen in a world of the fashionable and fickle- Simons was dumped from the label and it was revealed Ms Sanders herself would once again be at the helm of her brand. It was wondered what would happen to the innovative and creative Simons? Would his talent be forgotten?

Now, over a year later the answer has been revealed and Dior addicts can breathe a long sigh of relief. Dior has found its man; Raf Simons is the new Creative Director. In a statement recently released Dior has said Simons will ‘inspire and properl the label into the 21st Century.’

And Simons couldn’t be happier, ‘the first time I heard about the Dior position, I thought “this feels right.”’

A fresh twist on mid-century modern, sleek minimalism and fluoro brights … all by Raf Simons at Jil Sander. Photograph: Getty Images.

The netted beanie Raf Simons designed for Jil Sander’s spring/summer 2012 collection. Photograph: Victor Virgile/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images.

Belgian designer Raf Simons at the end of the Jil Sander Spring/Summer 2012 women’s collection in Milan.

The Australian luxury accessories label, Oroton, presented its first ready-to-wear collection at MBFWA at 2pm on Wednesday 2nd of May 2012. The collection, designed by Oroton’s Creative Director Ana Maria Escobar, was styled by internationally renowned stylist Taylor Tomasi-Hill.

The face of Oroton’s current campaign Samantha Harris opened the show wearing an eye catching silk ensemble featuring the collections hero plaited rope print in electric blue.
The collection featured a bold colour palette, inspired by Ana Maria Escobar’s South American heritage. Vivid blues, pinks and oranges offset cool tones of beige and stonge to set the scene for heady summer days, while the acoustic rhythms of music producer Johnny from Stereogamous recalled a summer evening in a South American seaside village.

“Showing at MBFWA has been an amazing experience and it is the perfect platform to showcase our first apparel collection combined with our accessories” Ana Maria Escobar.
Oroton seeks to provide the modern Australian and international woman with stylish, wearable pieces. The SS12/13 collection saw the label to create wardrobe foundations that answer to modern fashion sensibilities.