Here’s the second addition of RAFW from Mandy at oracle fox. She sent images from the Alice McCall’s collection, which was beautiful. The colour scheme was soft – jet black juxtaposed and gave it that hard edge when needed. Soft light shapes seemed to flow down the runway items that were interpretations of familiar volumes and forms. I loved the billowing backs of some of the garments and the intricate cutout details that was featured on some of the oversized tunic dresses.

Australia Fashion week looks like so much fun, I’d love to get my hands on one of those goodie bags!

First two images are from the Alice McCall show, 3rd images decoration, and 4th 5th and 6th from the Nookie show.

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Macrame anyone?

Macramé has landed on our fp page bringing a little bit of unique texture to our summer feet. Many people get confused with Macramé and crochet so here’s a little about its background. Macramé is an art of decorative knotting without using needles or hooks. By using a series of knots, it can be created using any kind of material. You can use fine thread or even use leather strips. The outcome – a truly unique texture that creates interest.

We love the 1970’s influence and the workmanship aesthetic it portrays deriving from the early sailors of the seven seas.  Sailors made macramé objects in off hours while at sea, and sold or bartered them when they landed, thus spreading the art to places like China and the New World. Nineteenth-century British and American sailors made hammocks, bell fringes, and belts from macramé. They called the process “square knotting”, after the knot they used most frequently.

However, the trend has made its way back and made an impact on the runaways for spring/summer 2011, but how do you wear such an intricate look?

Let the texture tell the story of your outfit; team with a simple sundress and brown satchel, maybe a no print outfit would work best avoiding over busy-ness or run wild with the 70’s look and team some cute little Macramé shoes with bell bottoms and a simple tee.

We’re loving the shoes that are featured here they’re the ideal summer shoe!

See Macrame product here: Gretna Macrame Wedge Shoreline Binetti Bag

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A photo diary from Australia Fashion Week

We reached out to Mandy, our blogger friend at Oracle Fox, to guest blog for Free People from Australia Fashion Week. I was super excited that she was willing to do this for us, as it’s one of my favorite fashion weeks around, and we knew she would do a stellar job documenting it!

She documented the scene of great fashion and the beautiful relaxed lifestyle Australia has to offer. Here’s round 1 of her favorite shows. If you could go to any fashion week which one would you choose? Mine would definitely be Australia.

“The styling at the Miss Unkon show was spectacular!! I loved the beautiful earth tone colour palette and the way the show was accessorized with long delicate necklaces, tribal braiding and incredible body art!”

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“I love this shot of Ivan Rodic taking Nicole from Gary Pepper Vintage’s picture, I think this piccies sums up the whole Australian fashion week vibe…amazing street photographer-check, amazing fashion blogger-check, amazing style-check, opera house-check”

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 pop colours with neutral we love a lot!

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Stay tuned for more!!!

Be bold with colour blocks

Our office went crazy this week with bold colours a new trend we’re all loving, it brought a smile to everyone’s face – worn with simple tops and finished off with a touch of ethnic in accessories.

This Colour Block fashion is one of the hottest new trends for the season. It combines the use of two or more blocks of colour in an ensemble. This could be for a top, bottom, tunic, a dress and even a handbag or shoes. Simply it means – creating an outfit by putting areas or blocks of solid color next to each other. It can include monotone, bright colours, muted colors, contrasting and complimentary colors creating an impact outfit for the summer.

We’re also pretty excited about one of our new hires, Dylana – I’m sure you all know her blog Colour Me Nana. She started Monday as our new assistant stylist!!!
I asked her to pull together a colour block outfit for us and she did it perfectly. The ocean green and peach work well together don’t you think?

Here’s her take on colour blocking;

“I love mixing and matching brightly hued pieces together into one look. It is a lot of fun, but if not done correctly, the result can be disastrous. Try to stick to just two really strong colors at one time (like electric blue and shocking pink), and only three at the most (in this case, the colors must complement each other and have similar undertones . . . think orange, pink, and yellow . . . these are my favorite colors to color block with, especially in peachy, almost pastel tones). Don’t try to get too experimental . . . it takes away from the overall effect that the color blocking trend sets out to make. You want to be statement-making, not an eyesore. Just pick your favorite color and pair it with something that meshes well, and just go for it. Keep your accessories simple, and leave behind strong patterns and prints when going for this trend. Simplicity is key when you want color to be the subject of attention in your outfit”

Stone Cold Fox is here

We’re very exciting to be launching the much anticipated Stone Cold Fox Margarita shorts – everyone is bouncing in the office about these beautiful “perfect” summer short made from vintage Mexican blankets.

I like them with a basic tee and biker boot, topped of with a hat, because of their heavy quality they will look great moving into fall also with tights. We are hooked!

Here’s a little bit about the brand.

Stone Cold Fox grew from the creative minds of 24 year old Cydney Morris and Dallas Wand, two childhood friends who combined their knowledge of fashion trends and great silhouettes to create Stone Cold Fox, a clothing, accessory and home ware label that has fashion bloggers and stylish celebrities buzzing with excitement, girls are desperate to own pieces from this exclusive collection.

The beauties are based in California, the brand ethos is quality over quantity and each item is hand made to order. Their vintage boho garments are made from the most luxurious fabrics and attention to detail is their highest priority. We believe you’ll be hearing lots more about the girls and their gorgeous label in the near future… Here’s a little introduction for those of you who haven’t seen already…

We’re addicted, are you?

Margarita shorts beach day scoop neck Anna boot lorimer straw hat

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How did you start out?
It started after we both graduated from college. Cydney had Foreign Cinema, our first collection, as her senior project. When we both moved back home, we joined forces. With Cydney’s design skills and Dallas’s marketing tools, it became a great combo for a small company.

What’s your latest collection inspired by?
Our latest collection, Lovely Days, pretty much explains itself. We wanted it to be clothes that you wear on lovely days, or make you think of lovely days. Summer time, hot nights, margaritas, the whole summer in the 70’s vibe. It is just what you want to wear all summer, but it transitions really well into all seasons.

Influences…
We are really influenced by the fabrics we see, places we have traveled and an easy living lifestyle. We want every piece to be easy, comfortable and able to wear in any situation. Whether you’re hanging at home, at lunch or even at an event out.

When you aren’t working what do you enjoy?
We really enjoy the beach, long lunches, playing with our baby pug, Olive. Drinking lots of wine and hitting the flea markets.

What are you currently obsessed with?
Currently, were obsessed with home decorating and furniture. We love decorating our new work space that we moved into about 2 months ago, and finding special pieces to go in it. We are also obsessed with good vintage finds, printed bell bottoms, photography and sangria.

Last movie you watched….
Cyd – a documentary on Rocky Erickson
Dall – Secret Diary of a Call Girl episodes back to back.

My wardrobe consists of….
Cyd- 90% vintage clothes, NO jeans, lots of flowy long dresses and Mexican gear.
Dall- Ripped jean shorts, flowy SCF tanks, printed long skirts and peach blazers.

What are your thoughts on the free people girl?
I think she is just like a Stone Cold Fox girl. Loves to have fun, play with what she wears, a little bit of a hippie chick, and isnt afraid to take risks.

Australia Guest Blogger: Lauren Brooks

My love letter to Cafe Bouquineste

I love this coffee shop so much so I get on my bike, Ida Flower, and cycle a 30 minute bike ride along the Brisbane river just so I can hide myself away in the hub of this beautiful cafe.
Coffee that comes out so pretty with love hearts in the milk, home made cup cakes and the most scrumptious eggs you could ever ask for. Borrow a book and settle in. Perfect place for people watching and making new friends.
People flock here why? Because Meridith the owner gives you a little taste of home, a place that is kooky and cosy and makes you want to keep popping back in for more.
My favorite place to just waste time and day dream the hours away x

Her blog Baumbach

Australia Fashion Week

As you’re most probably aware, we are pretty smitten with Australia lately (our guest blog series), and what’s more, we are pretty smitten with its fashion week that kicked off monday for Spring/Summer 2012.

There’s something about Australian fashion that brings sunshine to mind. One of the most exciting Fashion/Beach cities of the world ‘Sydney’ showcased it’s talented designers and yep… they didn’t disappoint.

I have always been a huge fan of Zimmermann. Their swimwear rocks, and now their clothing is taking another step up the ladder to greatness. Water coloured poppy field prints, laser cut art work, and contrasting fabrication – all make for clothes that contribute to that “perfect summer” outfit for day, night and the beach.

Gotta love Australia!!

Photos taken from Style bubble read her reviews on Australia Fashion Week here.

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Office Style

The Style…

(Our beach designer)

Is Caribbean Coastal – I never wear blazers but this linen blazer was a nice alternative to a cardigan or denim jacket and this outfit and was kind of tropical and 90’s all at once. I like clothes that can come out of a backpack all swooshed and still works all together. Vintage Levi’s Denim cut offs and the vintage Indian embroidered leather belt kind of offset the cleanness of the blouse and the linen jacket. It’s the same when the fringe suede back pack off set the French leather ballet flats.

 Oh and of a course a smile makes every outfit work.

The style…

(Designer)

There’s nothing better than finding the perfect vintage dress, something you don’t have to cut, crop, cinch or mess with in any way… this is one of those rare finds… it’s a perfect day-to-night… dining, dancing, strolling in the park, easy 60’s style mini dress.. a little too mini for me so I added the crochet bloomers for safety, the bowler is my favorite outfit completer for spring.

The style…

(Our creative director)

 My dress is an old Jessica McClintock that I have had forever. I always almost get rid of it but then decide not to. The Jean jacket is from the 70’s  I cut the sleeves off and the bottom hem. I just bought this little leather bag in Austin from the lovercraft. The bird necklace is a favorite keepsake. I bought it on the way to Joshua tree. The square turquoise necklace is my boyfriend’s grandmothers. And the airplane I made with my friend Carrie we like to dabble in metal sometimes.

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New York in a second

New York City is a place that excites me. Here’s some quick inspiration from my recent weekend in New York. I always get so inspired when I go there; everything is so visually pleasing and the energies are sky high.

I visited Brooklyn flea market, which had some great vintage stalls and beautiful terrariums. This idea is a perfect little hobby to do on summer days and to bring the outdoors/indoors.

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I always love the fashion in NYC and how people always hit it right when it comes to looking “cool”

Check out this girl that was hanging outside a bar.

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A little kitten that was adopted looking proud  under a British flag

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An afternoon snack, Nothing beats a New York bagel – tomato, mozzarella and pesto

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And a quick stop into these lovely stores made my inspiration rise to another level.

Darr Williamsburg and creatures of comfort Mulberry St.

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It’s always refreshing going to New York, don’t you think?

Going sheer, is it you?

The transparent look is all over the spring 2011 runaway shows – Items that showed off what was being worn underneath, A bit controversial? Yes!

The looks on the runways are not necessarily meant to be worn as-is in everyday life. They’re artistic presentations of a designer’s inspiration, presumably to give you inspiration for ways to wear the pieces yourself. Obviously, the completely sheer ensembles are too extreme for most people’s taste in day wear, but perhaps as inaccessible as this trend may seem, mixing in pieces to suit your personal taste would make it more wearable.

We played around in the studio yesterday to see what works under such sheer items.

We toned down what could be very provocative to the eye by making them a little tomboy; Sheer maxi shirts worn over bootie shorts with a relaxed shirt pattern, bodysuits under sheer tops to add a bit of interest, and lace trimmed bike shirts worn under those adorable chiffon slips.

Would you go sheer?

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Mesh maxi half slip embroidered mesh crop we the free long sleeve burnout baseball tee crossover stripes bandeau skinny stripe bodysuit.