Sneak Peak - Navajo Bride Collection

Venice Jewellery

When we shot our Spring lookbook, we were looking for the perfect jewellery to complement the collection. When I discovered Venice Jewellery, I knew that we’d found our match. Sydney artist and designer Venice Rish is behind the label, and many of the items are one-offs and beautifully handcrafted.

I love the more romantic pieces, especially the square pendants with etchings of a couple kissing. There are slightly more surreal pieces, too, such as the foot pendant and then the more whimsical, such as a butterfly-like figurine.

There is also a great selection of cuffs and rings that range from the simple and slightly graphic to the ornate. Some pieces look like beautiful works of art, while others almost look like vintage Venetian pieces.

The collection is also made with beautiful materials including 22ct gold, sterling silver, onyx, turquoise and dichroic glass, which resembles opals.

I hope you enjoy discovering more about Venice Jewellery.

http://www.venicejewellery.com.au/

The Royal Foot Silver Necklace, $185
available at Venice Jewellery

Winged Body Necklace, $745
available at Venice Jewellery

Colour Pop

We have some fab new 7 for all mankind denim in store, in great pop colours.  Perfect for the trans -seasonal weather and to add a bit of colour into your Winter wardrobe without having to bare your legs (yet).  Slim Illusion is 7 for all mankind's latest denim technology that makes you feel at least one size smaller. Tighter construction and intense stretch create a sexy slim silhouette, while exclusive technology provides total shape recovery, making this the perfect fit.  So even if you have put on a few extra kilos this winter - these magic jeans will make sure no one notices.

cool blue and ginger (in store now) blackberry and port (coming soon)

Myer Spring Summer '12 Launch

Last night Myer launched Spring Summer, with a distinctly African vibe. Inspired by the diverse landscapes of the Pilansberg National Park in South Africa where the Spring Summer campaign was shot, the show was a whirlwind of vibrant colour . Each designer showcased a custom-made dress, created using traditional African fabric; along with a capsule from their Spring/Summer collections. Sadly I wasn't able to attend the show, but I thought I would still share some of the pictures with you. Check out our African-inspired dress pictured below, (it's the green beaded one).

Artisans of Fashion

I’ve been involved with the Artisans of Fashion initiative for some time, which helps to support the Indian craftspeople who are so integral to the fashion industry, and in particular those women and children based in rural locations.

For this project, I was one of a number of designers invited to create a piece for the Artisans of Fashion Project. These pieces were shot in India on incredible Australian models Nicole Pollard and Louise van de Vorst (pictured) to form an exhibition, which was launched last night. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to be there as my new baby girl is keeping me busy.

Following the exhibition the pieces will be auctioned off to raise funds for the initiative.

I’m so thrilled with our result, a beautiful strapless gown with a beaded lace bodice and a sheer tulle overlay skirt. It’s romantic and nostalgic and I hope it finds a very happy home after the auction. 

Some of the other designers and labels who joined in this project are Easton Pearson, Aurelio Costarella, Roopa Pemmaraju and Camilla.

If you’re in Sydney, please go and have a look at the photographs by Georges Antoni and Robyn Beeche that are hanging in the Strand Arcade. And if you’d like to find out more about Artisans of Fashion, see artisansoffashion.com

J'adore Les Néréides

I discovered this charming line of jewellery and thought it would feel perfectly at home in my boutiques. I could relate to its feminine sensibilities as well as its whimsical and sometimes nostalgic pieces.

You’ll find everything from delicate hummingbirds and flowers to pearl-backed snails, rabbits in crowns, and also ballerinas and swans – two of my favourite motifs. Loveheart lockets contain little red hearts, and there are also charm bracelets with interesting charms such as the credit card chips and burnt matches, coat hangers and clothes pegs, all cast in gold or silver.

The creative couple behind Les Néréides, Pascale and Enzo, opened their first store in Nice in 1980, and now their family has helped it to grow in Europe and beyond.

To discover more see lesnereides.com

or visit one of our Fleur Wood stores.

Inspiration for our Spring '12 Collection - Dream Catcher

I love the whimsy of Dreamcatchers – which are having something of a resurgence. They originated with the Ojibwa Nation, although during the 1960s and ’70s they were adopted by the Pan-Indian Movement and became a symbol of unity of Native Americans for many different nations.

There are different explanations as to how these web-like creations, with dangling feathers and beads, are meant to work. They are intended as a charm to protect children from nightmares; some say the bad dreams are caught in the web, while others say that bad dreams pass through the holes in the web and head out the window. Either way, this leaves the good dreams behind to slide down the feathers to the slumbering child.

Of course, today they have been adopted by non-Native Americans also, and have become a whimsical creation for today’s children.

Dream on…

Dream Catchers in the top two corners were made by the talented Rachael Rice http://www.flickr.com/photos/rachaelrice/sets/72157624669410073/

Fleur Wood Bridal Gallery Launch

We often have customers purchasing bridesmaid and Wedding dresses for their big day and we encourage them to send us in their pictures from the event.  We have just launched a Bridal gallery on our website to display these photographs.  To see more please visit http://www.fleurwood.com/wedding-photos/cat_206.html and if you have any of your own pictures you would like to share, please email us at info@fleurwood.com

Heidi Thornton

Julia Green

Anna Packer

Raffaella Galli-Hurdwell