A New Muse

Glebe markets

2008-07-20T22:08:00.002+10:00

Photos by Olivia Lamotte

To all you creative young things

2008-07-18T15:16:00.002+10:00

To all you aspiring stylists, fashion photographers and creatives.

A New Muse would like to be a platform for you to showcase your talent to like minded people.

If you have created your own fashion, accessory or hair and makeup shoot, please submit it to;

anewmuse@gmail.com

for the chance to have it featured on this blog.

We look forward to seeing your submissions.

Kylie Hawkes

2008-07-14T21:25:00.006+10:00

1. Describe yourself in a sentence.
An eternal optimist with a slightly overdeveloped sense of mischief, also I make clothes.

2. What is the first thing you ever designed?
My grandma taught me to sew and knit when I was very young. Together we would make clothes for a certain 11” doll who shall remain nameless. I also designed a tree house for my brothers and I (which we half made from stuff we found) and a time machine, which strangely never got past the blue print stage.

3. Describe your labels aesthetic.
My pieces are detailed, clever, modern and clean. Feminine and forward looking, sophisticated I guess, with a sense of fun.

4. Where do you draw your inspiration from?
Everywhere, sometimes it is the smallest thing; a found object, a comment, an idea. It can be a jumble of seemingly disconnected things that somehow come together in my head. Mostly when I need to actively seek inspiration, I get it from nature and the natural world (where would I be without David Attenborough?)

5. What is your point of difference?
All my clothes are Australian made and I am very particular about fabrics and construction. I design garments to last and try to build in a certain amount of versatility so my pieces can work harder in your wardrobe.
How did you get to where you are now?
I studied for 4 years at UTS (Bachelor Design -Fashion & Textiles). When I graduated, I was lucky enough to win a grant to start up my label. I have also worked in fashion retail and have had some production room experience.

6. What is the best thing about what you do?
Having creative and personal freedom is fantastic; also it’s great fun seeing your ideas come to life. There’s a huge feeling of joy when someone loves your work enough to bring it into her life and make it part of the way she wants the world to see her.

7. What is the best business advice you have been given?
That’s difficult, I’ve learned loads since I started up. The best advice would have to be ‘know when to seek help/advice’ which can be harder than it sounds.

8. What are you working on right now?
I’ve just finished sampling a new transeasonal collection which I am about to put in to production.

9. Where can we find your collection?
You can look me up on my (almost completed) website kyliehawkes.com and also find me hanging out at various Sydney markets (Paddington, Kirribilli Art & Design, Fringe Bar...)

Style inspiration - Leggings and skirts

2008-07-10T20:50:00.003+10:00

Surprisingly masculine silhouettes.

Givenchy

Comme des Garçons Homme +

Maison Martin Margiela

Kiminori Morishita

Comme des Garçons Homme +

Sara Phillips

2008-07-01T14:38:00.006+10:00

Sara Phillips made the decision to start her own label while studying an Advanced Diploma in Fashion Design at Sydney Institute’s Fashion Design Studio. The twenty-two year old Sydney-sider had always wanted to have her own business. After gaining invaluable industry experience with fashion heavy-weights including Jayson Brunsdon and Saba it was time to take the plunge. Phillips was never interested in working for any other designers after she graduated. "I thought it was important to start creating a foundation for my label while still at college”.

The result is the beautifully executed self-titled label, Sara Phillips. Feminine, fresh, innovative with a strong trend focus; Phillips’ SS09 collection entitled In Bloom is about to take the fashion set by storm.

The collection is brimming with fun wearable dresses and separates. The unique result is a combination of feminine design with an eccentric quirky touch and one of a kind prints.

Taking cues from the film The Secret Garden such as vintage floral prints, and simply wanting to create “pieces that were missing in my own wardrobe” provided Phillip’s inspiration for the range.

The delicate colour palette of silver, powder blue, lilac, white and pink with unexpected injections of denim and black makes for pretty garments with a definitive edge.

The designer who cites Penelope Tree, Patti Smith and Charlotte Gainsbourg among her style icons, says that her label will appeal to “any woman that finds real enjoyment through fashion”.

In an admirable move for a young designer, the entire range is made in Australia, a process that is very important to Phillips. “If you can keep work onshore, why wouldn’t you? It is important to keep Australian machinists in work, and you definitely have better quality control, which makes for better garments”.

Sara Phillips In Bloom is released nationally this month. It is stocked in some of the country’s premier fashion boutiques including Anaki, Euphoria, Sekushi, Lady Boutique, Miss Mouse, Belle, Paige and cult online stores www.stylepalace.com.au and www.beginningboutique.com.au.

Cascade dress

Ditsy bow T- shirt dress

Peony dress

Wind in the willows dress

Book review - Florence Broadhurst, Her Secret & Extraordinary Lives

2008-07-01T12:52:00.005+10:00

This book is for those seeking visual inspiration and an intriguing story alike.

This beautifully presented book documents the personal and professional life of the chameleonesque Florence Broadhurst, while showcasing a library of her famous flamboyant wallpaper prints including never before published designs.

With its stunning red and white floral print fabric cover, it also makes a nice addition to your coffee table.

Broadhurst's designs have been used by Australian fashion designers Akira Isogawa and Zimmerman to spice up their ranges.

If you would like to purchase some of her wallpaper or even fabric to make your own wonderful creation, head to www.signatureprints.com.au

For this gorgeous read check out Arial and Kinokuniya.

Japanese Floral

Japanese Bamboo

The Egrets

Kirribilli

2008-06-29T21:39:00.004+10:00

Photos by Olivia Lamotte

Markets

2008-06-25T12:06:00.003+10:00

I would like to welcome a new contributer to A New Muse, her name is Olivia Lamotte and she will be snapping some Sydney street style for us!

Muse - Debbie Harry

2008-06-25T10:33:00.003+10:00

Style icon Debbie Harry became the poster girl of punk style during the Blondie era. With her two tone bottle blonde hair, Harry's strong on stage personality mixed with cool sexuality and streetwise style led fans to believe that her name was actually Blondie. On the contrary Harry also had an edgy glam Studio 54 look going with her long spangly asymmetrical dresses and flicked out locks.

Amy Kaehne

2008-06-17T20:53:00.011+10:00

1. Describe yourself in a sentence.
I take light things very seriously, and serious things very lightly.

2. What do you do?
I create things to cover nudity as stylishly as possible.

3. How did you get to where you are now?
I moved to Sydney after I received my fashion degree in New Zealand. My label was created this year after assistant designing for somebody else's dream.

4. What is your aesthetic?
Intricately structured detailing.

5. What inspires you?
The elements:
Water - rainy days.
Fire - candles alight.
Wind - in the willows.
Earth - diversity.

6. What is the inspiration behind your current collection?
The underlying themes and symbolism of Tim Burton films.

7. What is the best thing about what you do?
Being able to create an enigmatic and charming collection that hopefully will be worn and treasured over time.

Being able to boss myself around and not answering to somebody I don't like.

8. What are you working on right now?
Winter 09, which is going to be a reflection of my childhood in New Zealand.

9. Where can we find your pieces?
Corner Shop, LeBlackBook, Mint, Fat, Gloss by Blondies, Subway DC, Apartment

Style Inspiration - Black Magic

2008-06-17T19:43:00.003+10:00

Cross over to the dark side this Winter with a focus on sculpture, texture and layering.

Rick Owens

Hannah Marshall

Yohji Yamamoto

Sandra Backlund

Haider Ackermann

Ann Demeulemeester

Adam No Eve

2008-06-08T15:41:00.008+10:00

1. Who is behind Adam No Eve?

Aaron O'Brien (myself) & Marcel Bingham are behind Adam No Eve. Marcel and I met at a school party two years ago when we were in year eleven. We both had something really in common and that was we're both very style conscious people that have an interest in fashion of all kinds. Marcel is now studying tourism part-time and I am studying Fashion Business at FBI part time.

2. What motivated the conception of Adam No Eve?

We've both have always had a love for accessories but we could never find what we wanted. It was either too girly, to bling bling or just tacky. So, we decided we'd create something different, something that men actually like to wear and feel good in.

3. Describe your aesthetic.

We have quite a distinct look about our designs. Marcel has a clean-cut, mod approach to his designs where as I have a more alternate look.

4. What is the inspiration behind the current collection?

We have two collections Adam's Career and Adam the Night Owl.

Adam's Career is inspired by the geeky yet cool side of life. E.g. old school video games and cartoons. The inspiration also came from men not being able to be their edgy self at work. A lot of businesses have strict conservative dress codes. The idea is to funk up that boring business suit.

Adam the Night Owl this is a more casual range which is inspired by Sydney nightlife, everyday life and where we come from, Sydney.

5. Your jewelry is produced in Australia, could you share some insight into the production process?

Each piece is manufactured in Sydney. We feel keeping as much production as we can in Sydney is important. Our ideas come to us whenever they pop in our mind, this is the first step of production. The second is placing them on paper and looking at them to think whether they are realistic. After all this is done we select the appropriate metal as each metal has different properties. Then we manufacture them and hand finish them in our studio in the Northern Beaches of Sydney, each piece has its own identity.

6. What is your favorite material to work with and why?

Our most commonly used metals are sterling silver, pewter and brass. These are some of the most functional metals people can wear with an off-the-rack purchase. Us guys can give our accessories and absolute beating so they need to be durable. However, we will use other metals for custom orders, such as gold and platinum if requested.

7. Where can we find your range?

We are quite a new business but you can find our pre-range at Roof On Fire in Paddington for the city-goers or we even have people popping by our studio on the Northern Beaches. Our online store will be up and running in the very near future. We are adding new designs to our current website every week. The full range will be up on adamnoeve.com in late June. But for orders or general enquiries email us at info@adamnoeve.com

Surry Hills & Paddington

2008-06-07T22:22:00.007+10:00

Asuza

2008-06-03T12:49:00.006+10:00

Asuza was conceived by Daniel Preston and Jonathan Redfern after they identified a gap in the Australian market for well structured simple men’s fashion.

The A/W 08 collection titled 'You have your own life now' is now in store at Incu, Dobry Den and Fat.

http://www.asuza.com.au/

Le Black Book

2008-06-02T21:58:00.006+10:00

Le Black Book is a new Australian online boutique focused on providing a luxurious experience. The boutique offers simple relaxed shopping from a range of consistently updated collections by leading designers including Jessie Hill, Shakuhachi, Sretsis and Disaya.

Each order is beautifully packaged in a dress box secured by a gorgeous ribbon. Same day delivery is offered to the Sydney metropolitan area, but Le Black Book ships to all corners of the world.

Le Black Book has generously offered an exclusive discount for A New Muse readers. Use the special code 'muse' to receive a 10% discount off all designer items.

http://www.leblackbook.com.au/

A New Muse Heart's.....

2008-05-31T19:37:00.008+10:00

Hyde S.k Bags

Daydream Nation Bow necklaces

Betsey Johnson

Chanel red lipstick

Florence Broadhurst Wallpaper

Bim Kenesis

2008-05-25T13:07:00.006+10:00

Bim Kenesis, the new Perth-based label, is steadily attracting interest for its artfully quirky, highly covetable collections. Since its inception late 2005 it has been earmarked as a new emerging talent, consistently receiving accolades across the industry. With a debut collection snapped up nationally, and its 2007 short-listed SOYA status, many have tagged Bim Kenesis as a label to watch.

Bree Kiddey, the imaginative young designer behind Bim Kenesis, has utilized skills honed during her Curtin University fashion and textiles degree well, creating a label that celebrates her love of music, movies, art and a host of current obsessions. Bim Kenesis features bold and sweet must-have pieces with unique signature aesthetic. Exclusive prints, intricate cuts and clever designs are incorporated within garments that are edgy and fun, but wearable.

Electric Landscapes is the eagerly anticipated winter 2008 collection from Bim Kenesis. The new collection has a graphic yet girly aesthetic, so popular with the label’s growing fan base. Its inspiration comes from all things electric - including atoms, magnetic fields and lightning, as well as from diverse sources such as 1980’s sweater patterns, to urban landscape photography.

The collection pieces feature exclusive prints, quirky lace through belt details, triangular panels and draping reminiscent of power transformers and conductors. The seasons colour palette includes sky and midnight blue, fire red, metal silver and zappy yellow highlights in baby combed cottons, silks, sequins, drapey jerseys and cotton denim and drills.

Prices in the collection range from $149 to $330. You can find Bim Kenesis in Sydney at Mish Mash (Bondi) and Roof on Fire (Paddington) and online at www.ytba.com.au.

For further information and stockist details see www.bimkenesis.com.au. Make sure you sign up for the newsletter to receive information on new collections, news, updated stockist details and sales.

Fashion News - Fontaine Fashion

2008-05-22T21:52:00.010+10:00

In an earlier entry, I introduced you to talented illustrator Fontaine Anderson.

If you are as inspired as I am by her intricate work and are a lover of unique fashion, then you will be pleased to know that you can now wear her art!

Fontaine collaborated with Melbourne fashion label P.A.M (Perks and Mini) on their 'Space Face' collection by creating a whimsical pattern design for their unique range.

Fontaine also collaborated with 'Something' designer, Natalie Wood, on a collection of really sweet T- Shirts consisting of her fun prints.

http://www.fontaineillustration.com/

Perks and Mini
SS 08 Collection
Space Face
Available at Incu stores in Sydney

Something
by
Natalie Wood
Available at David Jones Australia

DavisEyes S/S Launch - 'Classified' Collection

2008-05-21T21:15:00.006+10:00

Justine Davis created DavisEyes, the 'luxe punk glam' label, in 2006. Achieving interest from local and international buyers since its inception, DavisEyes was discovered through Australian Fashion Week and achieved critical acclaim soon after.

The current DavisEyes collection, titled 'Classified', is a mix of chic tattoo inspired print and body sculpting lines.

"In this collection, I have created an exciting mix of detailed pieces that include, as well as go beyond, traditional wardrobe staples", says Justine. "Not just black, but white, metallic and bold colours in silks and jerseys combined with unique luxe trims bring everyday clothes to life with a modern touch of fantasy".

www.daviseyes.com.au

Style inspiration - Frill seeker

2008-05-16T20:34:00.009+10:00

Get your frills and flounces on this winter for a look that adds a bit of drama and fun to your outfit.

Victor&Rolf

Zac Posen

Karen Walker

Lanvin

Marni

Sonia Rykiel

Meet Bert's Friend

2008-05-08T17:12:00.009+10:00

Meet Tessa Richardson, she has just launched the label Bert's Friend which consists mainly of large and pretty rings.

About Tessa...

I'm doing my final year at the National Art School in Sydney, where lately I have been exploring various means of collage.
I became frustrated when my work was contained to 2D pieces and wanted to incorporate my ideas into life - collage you can wear.

Aesthetic...

I'm aiming for a quirky and pretty style that derives from Victorian bourgeois,70's floral patterns and antique tea cups using vintage buttons, patterned stones, rhinestones from Germany and found objects - all with 24 carrot plated bases.

Where to find these beautiful treasures...

All are hand made, they range from $20 to $60 and you can find them at Fringe Bar Markets at Paddington most Saturdays and by contacting me at tessarich@hotmail.com.

Surry Hills Markets

2008-05-03T22:52:00.002+10:00

Purple Sneakers

2008-05-03T10:37:00.012+10:00

Muse - Pat Benatar

2008-04-29T17:48:00.005+10:00

Style icon Pat Benatar epitomised edgy and sexy during her heyday. This "heart breaker" channelled an eclectic mix of rock chick, disco glam and folk with bowiesque inspired make-up. What made her style so strong was her alluring femininity combined with confronting attitude.

Chloé Eau de Parfume

2008-04-24T20:15:00.008+10:00

The new Chloé fragrance is the first pillar fragrance to be released in over ten years.

The fragrance is a classic modern scent that features peony, lychee and freesia top notes, rose, magnolia, and muguet middle notes and base notes of amber and cedar fading to a subtle hint of honey.

Style chameleon Chloe Sevigny, model Anja Rubik and French actress Clémence Poésy were chosen to represent the romantic, edgy, sexy and sensual facets of the fragrance.

This fragrance is a great all rounder and easily transverses different aesthetics and moods.