Stella McCartney Garden Party

Stella McCartney throws a garden party to showcase her Resort/Spring 2012 collection.

Location: The gardens of St Luke's in the Fields Church in New York's West Village

The colours, hawaiian prints, horizontal stripes, clean lines and classic tailoring...somehow it just works...in the best way possible.

Getting creative

So here's a question, why should I as a fashion graduate/fashion designer, buy a two piece coat that retails for about $1500, when I can easily make it myself. Makes sense, no?

To be fair I won't be taking credit for this design, BUT hear me out.

- I'm not 'copying' it for profits sake to sell to the public

- I have tweaked the design (based on my own style, and of course made it MUCH better)

- But in all honesty I'm just making it for myself to save money. COMPLETELY logical.

So here's a picture of the toile (fashion term for mock up/sample/first draft etc.)

It took me only a day to develop the pattern and have the fit perfect, which was surprising and made me realise just how much I've learnt and improved on my pattern making skills being in New York last year. Especially assisting Annica - The Row's head pattern maker - for a solid 5 months, full time.

Maison Michel

My life would be complete if I was an owner of a Maison Michel hat...it would only set me back $400..no biggie.

Anti Zara Melbourne

'GASP!'

Yup that's right, I am against Zara in Melbourne. How anti-fashion is THAT!

But before you pass out from your overwhelmed disgust, I do have my reasons:

Numero Uno

The Australian buyers for Zara will choose clothing suited for the Australian fashion market. Therefore the majority of the stylish and unique Zara clothes you find over in Europe, will most likely be staying in Europe as it's too 'fashion forward' and/or 'colourful' for our everyday Aussie fashionistas.

2. Seeing as there's a HUGE hype about Zara, anyone and everyone will be shopping there, and since prices will be relatively cheap, it will turn into a 'Sportsgirl' - meaning every second girl you see will be wearing what you bought.

3. The novelty of buying something from Zara has completely vanished. You will no longer feel special knowing you bought something from Zara whilst on your travels. No more bragging and saying 'Sorry, you can't buy it over here, it's from Zara.'

I'm not a total hater, I admit that my points may be slightly exaggerated. I've seen the June Lookbook and I'm loving the fur lined hooded parka and I'm sure there will be a couple of other amazing items, BUT one item in particular will be my beautiful Zara Black leather tote bag that I purchased earlier this year in New York...

you see?! it's already happening! My chic zara bag will now become tacky, because anyone and everyone in Melbourne will own it! (That sounds totally selfish of me, but do you get where I'm coming at?)

Summer Holiday

A few of my friends are jet setting off to Europe to enjoy summer over there and escape this disgusting cold chill in Melbourne.

I'm considering running away to Bali or Thailand for a few weeks in September as well. I just can't stand the cold! especially when the last summer I experienced was last year in New York. Before I came home I had already been through a solid 3 months of New York winter, then coming back home in Feb I got a good maybe 2-3 weeks of Aussie summer, not even, and now it's winter! Again! I now have to experience the longest winter of my LIFE!

The Row Resort 2012

My favourite picks from The Row Resort 2012 collection.

It's so strange to think that nearly one whole year ago I started my five month internship at their head office in New York. I wasn't even planning on staying that long, but I felt so comfortable within the company and was learning so much that I thought it would be beneficial to stay as long as I could.

I feel so proud seeing their Resort Collection and how much the company has developed and grown since I started. Within a year they've developed a handbag range, experimented with beading, embellishments and intricate handwork. They've also worked with different fabrics, skins and textures such as fox fur, python and perch skins, as well as focusing on classic tailored pieces.

I miss it so much, being surrounded and consumed in such a creative and inspirational environment and always being up and on the go in the sleepless city. Although being there, in the moment, I was honestly overwhelmed and didn't enjoy it as much as I should have..but as they say you can't have your cake and eat it too.

Sheer

| Calvin Klein Underwear |

| 3.1 Phillip Lim |

| 3.1 Phillip Lim |

I've always loved the idea of simple yet sexy lingerie underneath a sheer basic tee. Although I must admit it is hard to pull off. If I were in New York that would be fine, but in Melbourne...I think it really depends on being at the right place and wearing it with the right things. If not you may come across as trashy? But that's just my opinion.

Take that picture above for example, pair that with a dark wash skinny jean and black heeled ankle boots.