WES ANDERSON

I wouldn't say that I'm particularly bothered or obsessed with detail.

Wes Anderson 

Don't you love a quote that utterly contradicts the entire signature of a famous artist?

Wes Anderson's films are made of the most delicious details. The apparently unnecessary details and nervous tics that end up BEING the story.

Margot Tenenbaum is a great example. Will we ever find out why she only wears an old Lacoste tennis dress and a dank mink coat with too much black eyeliner? No, of course not. Her clothes are her character and she is meant to be an enigma.

Then there is the little cotton dress worn by the teen heroine in Moonrise Kingdom. It's a dress that is too elegant for a child and too small for an adult, so it's impossibly beautiful.

I even like the yellow brunch dress worn by Mrs.Fox in the fantastic Mister Fox. It's as if Wes imagined Catherine Deneuve in fox form and got her 1968 hem length just right.

It makes good sense that Prada chose Anderson to make some short films for their fragrance CANDY. He has that way of fusing luxury with whimsy that is just his. Maybe he is the only director on earth who makes you want to wear a particular starchy dress, or tennis socks or an ironed tuxedo shirt right now. But I'm not completely sure about old mink the colour

Crystal Castles

I’ve always loved crystals. I collect them in their raw or polished form for their various qualities, whether for healing, cleansing, good fortune or positivity, as well as for their sheer beauty.

I’ve been selling crystals through the store for some time, and I’ve also started selling beautiful crystal jewellery. I particularly love big statement pieces, a bold cocktail ring or a big crystal cluster necklace. The colours work really well with my winter collection and are a quick way to dress up a look.  

http://www.fleurwood.com/accessories/cat_75.html

Autumn/Winter Collection

This winter I’ve taken a slightly darker turn, naming the collection Black Dahlia after the infamous unsolved murder case in 1940s’ Los Angeles. But I was also inspired by the dark side of the fairytales I grew up with.

There’s plenty of my favourite lace this season, with sleeves and panels revealing glimpses of flesh, and dresses with swirling skirts adding a little drama to the romance. Simple print dresses have a nostalgic air, with some of the floral prints having a touch of the ’40s about them.

I always love to have some comfortable tailoring in the mix, with slouchy trousers with deep pockets, paired with a number of jacket styles with or without collars and lapels. There’s a longer line jacket that will pair well with a pretty dress, and a camel coat that has something of the femme fatale about it.

Knits always make me nostalgic and, hopefully this season you’ll feel the same way. Perhaps they’ll make you want to curl up in front of a film noir thriller?

Here’s a glimpse of what to expect in store this season.

Fleur's Picks - Spring Racing Dresses

It's that time of year again, when Spring Racing Season has just begun and everyone is looking for that perfect dress. I like to try and stick to the dress code for each race day - bright colours for Melbourne Cup Day, feminine florals for Oaks Day and traditional black & white for Derby Day. Here are a selection of my favourite dresses from our Spring Summer collection, in store now. 

Pictured from left - The Mosaic Dress, Hopewell Dress and Lux Dress 

Navajo Bride Inspiration

Dream Catcher featured, made by the talented Rachael Rice 

Summer '12 Collection - Navajo Bride

Our new summer collection started dropping in stores this week. This season I’ve looked at the beauty and free spirit of the Native American and New Mexican cultures, and the result is Navajo Bride. I tried to channel these thoughts into my vision of a teenage bride and her journey at the turn of the (previous) century.

One of the features of the collection is the Mosaic print, which draws on native floral motifs and desert waterholes. You’ll find this on everything from blouses and trousers to jumpsuits.

A number of pieces in this collection have a soft, romantic quality, with sheer panels, punched patterns and light-as-air fabrics. Linen jackets are a really relaxed piece for summer, and when the weather gets really scorching, a silk maxi dress will be an easy go-to.

Of course, my lingerie pieces are in there, too, with silk-and-lace camisoles and matching shorts a particular favourite.

I hope you enjoy the collection – I’m really proud of it and can’t wait to wear it myself.

To see more of the collection, please visit http://www.fleurwood.com/summer-2012/cat_212.html

Affirmation

Fleur's Pick Of The Week

The Lux dress, as its name suggests, is pure luxury.  Made from French lace and silk, it is actually based on a dress that I designed and wore to the races in Melbourne last year. I received so many compliments that I decided that we had to put it in the collection this season.  It's a fantastic occasion dress that will be perfect for a Spring Wedding or a day at the races.

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.

Sneak Peak Spring '12 Collection - Dream Catcher

This week we hosted an intimate event at our Westfield Sydney store. Guests were invited to preview our Spring '12 Collection, Dream Catcher and indulge in a glass of champagne and high tea prepared by the talented chefs at The Victoria Room Tea Salon.
Our Spring '12 Collection Dream Catcher captures the essence of a romantic, weaving whimsical aesthetic that presents like a careful curation of personal treasures. Here's a sneak peak of the collection, dropping in store and online mid July, plus some photographs from the event.

7 For All Mankind

As much as I love putting on a beautiful silk dress, sometimes you can’t go past a great pair of jeans when you need to be running around all day. Something comfortable that fits like a glove and only gets better with age. 7 For All Mankind jeans have long been a favourite of mine, and I’m so happy to again be stocking them in my stores around the country. The Slim Straight style is denim perfection. As their name would suggest, they’re slim fitting without being too tight, and they finish just above the ankle, so look great either with white canvas plimsolls and a tee for market fossicking on a Saturday, or with heels and a silk blouse for a weekend lunch.  And they look just worn-in enough. But if you do like that super-skinny fit, the Roxanne Original Skinny in this dark indigo shade will answer your denim dreams.  

Our staff have been specially trained to fit 7 For All Mankind, so come in store for a denim consultation and find your perfect jeans.

Also check out 7 For All Mankind's new marketing campaign directed and starring James Franco: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=atPE7ERKWDo

Indigo In The Air

Our wonderful buyer and visual merchandiser, Dani, discovered this beautiful range of jewellery called Indigo In The Air, created by expat Sydneysider Micaela Nisbet. The range uses raw crystals and sterling silver to create chunky, one-of-a-kind rings. Of course, being crystals, they also carry their own unique energies, which I love. The crystals include citrine, smokey quartz and amethyst as well as more obscure ones such as white apophyllite and pink stilbite. I think they are a great complement to my current winter range, which has just started dropping in store.
www.indigointheair.com

Winter 2012

Our Winter collection has just arrived in store and having recently come back from Christmas in the UK, I’ve given a lot of these pieces a test run.  I love the beginning of a new season, when you can revamp your wardrobe by adding new pieces to your existing collection and I really feel like our Winter line titled Barbizon, is great for doing just that.

 I’m particularly obsessed at the moment with the inspiration for the range, New York’s infamous Barbizon Hotel for Women. From the 1940s through to the ’60s, it was a breeding ground for the fabulous, the soon-to-be-famous—and a few that never quite made it out. It was essentially a boarding house for the well bred, many of whom moved to New York as young ladies from the Mid West, some with modelling contracts, others attending secretarial school, or those simply on the hunt for a wealthy husband. All of them armed with youth, beauty and a dream. Its former residents reads like a who’s who of the times: Sylvia Plath, Grace Kelly, Carmen dell’Orrefice, Clorice Leachman, Joan Crawford, Candice Bergen, Ali McGraw, Jaclyn Smith, Liza Minelli, Cybill Shepherd, Betsey Johnson, Edith Bouvier Beale (aka “Little Edie” of Grey Gardens infamy)… I could go on, but I think you get the picture. Vanity Fair described the imposing building on the corner of Lexington and E. 63^rd as an “elite dollhouse” in an article a couple of years ago. It was certainly that, and so much more. The Barbizon has become that most glamorous of urban legends.

You’ll recognise some familiar and evocative names among the collection: the Bell Jar Cardigan, Charm School Dress, East 63^rd Coat, Kitty Foyle Blouse and Stork Club Pant. Just add dreams…

To read the Vanity Fair article on The Barbizon in full:
http://www.vanityfair.com/society/features/2010/04/barbizon-hotel-201004



Charm School Dress, East 63rd Blazer

 


Stardust Allure Dress

 

Morning Star Dress

Jaclyn Blouse, Lillies Skirt