A Taste of Fashion

Last night’s Vogue Fashion’s Night Out was a huge success, the city positively heaving with happy shoppers. I had a pretty hectic night, too, popping into my two Sydney stores in the new Westfield and the Strand Arcade. Robyn from the team at HQ made coconut ice from my book Food, Fashion, Friends, which was a clear winner with visitors to the stores.

I was also put to the test in the culinary department, taking part in MasterChef Live in the Pitt Street Mall. I was lucky enough to be partnered with former MasterChef contestant Hayden Quinn, working alongside Alessandro Pavoni from Spiedo Restaurant & Bar. We whipped up one of Spiedo’s signature dishes, Casoncelli alla Bresciana—or pasta sheets cut up and filled with pork and served with burnt sage butter. Delicious!

Move to Myer

We’re very excited to announce that we’ve launched at Myer, joining the ever-growing stable of great Aussie designers.  I love the Myer spring/summer campaign shoot, full of vibrant colour and we think Jennifer Hawkins looks amazing in our Confetti Floral maxi dress.  

The move to Myer is like being part of a whole new extended family.

You’ll find us in these Myer Stores: 

Bourke Street and Chadstone Shopping Centre, Melbourne

George Street and Westfield Bondi Junction, Sydney

Queen Street, Brisbane

Hooker Blvd, Broadbeach

Rundle Mall, Adelaide

Murray Street, Perth

Sam Haskins

Photography is a constant source of inspiration for me, and perhaps my all time favourite photographer is Sam Haskins. His 1964 book Cowboy Kate is one of my most loved books of images. He changed the way nudes were photographed—with Sam, they could be cheeky, nonchalant, casual or slightly surreal, and while they’re sexy, they’re not at all overt. It’s amazing to think that this South African–born photographer, who also lived in London, moved to the Southern Highlands outside Sydney in 2002, and was still working into his later years. His last shoot was for Australian Harper’s Bazaar, in 2006. He died in 2009, at 83, after an incredible and industry-changing career. I would have loved to meet Sam, I think he would have been such a cool guy with amazing stories to tell. Hope these images inspire you.









 

Ode to a Nightingale

We’re still shivering in Sydney, was shivering in Melbourne last week too, but the next delivery of Spring is dropping in store as we speak. Just arriving is my favourite print from the collection, called Ode to a Nightingale. I love traditional botanical prints, and this one has wonderful muted colours. I think it works particularly well in this maxi dress, which will surely become one of my own summer staples.

Ode to a Nightingale Maxi Dress

Ode to a Nightingale Shorts and

Free as a Bird Blouse

Spiritual Uplift

I’ve long been a fan of the work and thoughts of Marianne Williamson, author of A Return to Love. She’s a spiritual teacher who is hugely successful in the US, and is also a close friend of Oprah Winfrey, who helped promote her books and work. Marianne was in Australia last week, and I was lucky enough to meet her through a friend. We just happened to be heading to Melbourne at the same time, and so agreed to meet up for dinner while we were both there.

This was truly a dream come true for me, and I wanted to share this with you, especially in case you are unfamiliar with her and her writings. Marianne’s teachings are based on the book A Course in Miracles and are inspiring in a spiritual way that is outside of the usual religious parameters. For anyone who is in need of a little spiritual or emotional boost, here is the quote from A Return To Love that she is most famous for. I read this whenever I need a little more courage and faith in the universe and myself.

(It has often been incorrectly attributed to Nelson Mandela in his inauguration speech of 1994). Enjoy…

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. 
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. 
It is our light, not our darkness
that most frightens us. We ask ourselves
who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
 Actually, who are you not to be? 
You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. 
There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, 
as children do. 
We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; 
It's in everyone.

And as we let our own light shine, 
we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we're liberated from our own fear our presence automatically liberates others.

Marianne Williamson

Fleur Wood Denim

It’s Jeans for Genes Day and everybody in the office is wearing their new Fleur Wood jeans.  We’re loving the colourful denim, perfect to brighten up Wintery days and transition into sunny Spring. 



Berta

Surry Hills eating spot Berta is rapidly becoming my new favourite for dinner‹helped by the fact that it has the same owners as another old favourite, Vini. It¹s just the kind of Melbourne-style restaurant that you want to find in Sydney. The buzzing, modern space has an Italian-inspired menu that changes daily, but regulars include a chicken liver pâté that is silky smooth and a panacotta that¹s second to none. They also do ³Sagra² seasonal ingredient dinners each week, with a four-course menu designed around one particular ingredient, whether that¹s cavolo nero or chocolate.

Delicioso.