Digital Exposed Seminar

This season is all about colour blocking and making a statement with the brightest of brights, fluoro, neon and clashing them (artfully) together.
It might be the middle of winter, but a splash of colour could be just the thing to remedy those `brrrrr’ blues.
Make your all-black ensemble pop with bright yellow or orange leather gloves, or an oversized handbag in sky blue to put the spring back in your step.
Sandra Mitich of Willows in Bloom accessories loves colour and her exquisite range covers the entire spectrum with red, purple, lemon yellow, pistachio green and royal blue.
She sources new brands and accessories designers from her frequent trips back to Serbia and it’s there she discovered the hand-made leather gloves by Serbian accessories designer Evica Milovanov-Penezic which are now preferred by the Queen and the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton.
“I have always loved wearing things that on one else has, clothes, accessories, shoes,” she says. “I love all arts and have often described myself as art consumer, since I do not have the talent to create, I do have a skill to appreciate. Willows in Bloom accessories are wearable art and that gives me opportunity to combine two passions that I have – wearing unique items that stand out and at the same time admire artistry that made them.”

We spoke to Sandra on the key colours and trends for the spring season and the ethical story behind her company before she shows at the Bags & Accessories Fair next month from August 28-30 at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre.

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Noa Noa is a brand that seeks to embrace the bohemian spirit.
The name translates to harmony and simplicity, setting the tone for the brand’s boho philosophy that is greatly inspired by nature and is evident in all of their collections.
The current Spring 2012 collection continues the Mother Nature theme with ‘My Secret Garden’ taking us into three different garden universes – Japanese Garden, Wildflower Garden, Desert Garden.

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When the winter weather cools down, it’s time to get hot with the latest fashions and of course it’s all about stylish layering.
But sometimes those heavy layers can drag you down, and let’s face it, the bleak promise of a cold season ahead is enough to do that alone.
So the clever creators behind wYse designed a luxe range of clothing that is like a second skin.
Their delicate Micro Modal fabric has been knitted with a small amount of Spandex for heightened flexibility and comfort so it fits your body effortlessly and allows you to layer without the bulkiness.
Because wYse don’t believe in suffering for high fashion.
Take their Autumn Winter 2012 Lifestyle collection with its edgy fashion dialogue fuelled with smouldering sophistication all wrapped up in the easy, soft and wearable layers of comfortability.
For those who wish to reign in the femininity and classic elegance of the 50s era, wYse classics is the perfect choice for a touch of the Mad Men mood. Here minimalism takes front seat with clean lines that are both chic and sexy for the confident contemporary woman.
The palette of the season brings the warmth of rust, oat and the sublime appeal of forest green. Pair them back with your staple blacks, marle and charcoal for a striking combo that packs a potent punch.

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Delicate lace intricately sewn into a stylish yet romantic sensibility is at the heart of The Velvet Attic label.
Looking at the craftsmanship and attention to detail across the entire collection, it’s incredible to hear this is Rosemary Holstein’s first foray into fashion design.
Previous to now, she was a fine jewellery designer and sculptor for more than 30 years, working with precious jewels and bronze.
She started The Velvet Attic after seeing a significant gap in the market for fine clothing that fit curvy women.
“As a woman who has curves and is no longer 20 something I was frustrated at the lack of stylish romantic and flattering clothes available,” she says.
“I want to conjure up images of feminine romantic fashion, jackets and dresses that hide the bit we don’t like and show off the bit we do; easy to look after (nothing I do needs ironing ) and most things will pack into the size of a sandwich bag, and will dry overnight for total ease when traveling.”
Holstein’s adoration for the Art Deco period is obvious with generous influences from the era coming through the silhouettes and in the beautiful, unique fabrics she sources from around the world.

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camilla and marc SS11/12 via Frockwriter

If there’s one thing we have all come to learn and accept from working in fashion, it’s that trends don’t always make much sense.
Clearly, the latest obsession with everything scuba is one such look that’s making most fashionista’s feel like a fish out of water.
Neoprene is certainly a fabric that most of us never considered wearing, unless we were diving in tropical north Queensland or playing with the turtles at the Great Barrier Reef.
But somehow, wetsuit fabric has become an iconic fashion statement.
The fact that we have transformed this fabric from its water-based origins to a highly covetable street style, is a sign of the inherent appreciation and love for the beach culture in Australia.
While I can’t see too many Melburnian’s embracing the lycra look, it is certainly something the Sydney cats have taken up with a fervour.

via Vogue.com.au

You know it’s got a strangle hold in the serious fashion world when it hits the cover of Australian Vogue, as it did in January last year with Australia’s hottest model export Abbey Lee Kershaw and model it-boy Tyler Atkins.
It was the top trend of the spring/summer shows that year and is now only filtering down to a street level.

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New Sydney label, Socialight successfully merges the world of art and style to form a street-chic collection with a dash of avant-garde appeal. While the label has a ready-to-wear sensibility, each garment offers quality fabric, an edgy silhouette and elements of intricate detailings.

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Supermodel Anja Rubik via Stockholm Street Style

IT’S a well known fact that stylish Melburnians love to wear black.
Truth is, black acts as a virtual security blanket. As it’s a shade not a colour, the general theory is by wearing it you will become a shadow.
It is the perfect tone for blending into the background, hiding those unwanted lumps and bumps, or for those who don’t wish to be noticed when they’re having a bad hair day.
But worn well, black can also make a significant impact.
How you ask?…

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Gucci Resort 2012 via Fashionologie

backstage at Manning Cartell via Sonny Vandevelde

This season heavy metal makes a come-back, and no we’re not talking the head thrashing music variety either.
The latest fashion trend heralds the return of gold lamé, yes you heard right, as well as copper and silver tones, and heavy embellishment for a metallic sheen in everything from jackets and skirts to full length ball gowns.
But before you shun this shiny micro-trend, let’s take a look at the ways you can wear it.
It doesn’t have to be an all-in-one look, you can accessorise your outfit with a splash of shine and glitz.
Try throwing on a cropped blazer in a subtler blacky gold colour such as this Ellery bolero from her recent RAFW runway show.

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There was a time when fashionable femmes wouldn’t be seen dead walking into a second hand clothing store or op shop, but fast track a few years and hip young things have gotten thrifty.
With the cyclical nature of fashion, girls have realised their local St Vinny’s offers much more than moth balls and grandpa knits, it can also be a valuable resource for tracking down today’s trends in their original form.
Remember the Mad Men 50s housewife craze that recently swept the high fashion runways? Louis Vuitton were charging thousands for their modern take on the poodle skirt and corseted dresses, but frugal fashionistas put their pretty thinking caps on and scoured Savers for the prototype.
It has also spawned the new wave of DIY style with many getting out the scissors and sewing kits to nip and tuck the older designs into a more modern and flattering fit.
To get an insight into this phenomenon, we spoke to active antiquarian and owner of online vintage boutique, Tenspeed and Brownshoes Rachel Wakefield on her personal vintage adventure, obsession with everything 70′s, and what’s hot in vintage fashion right now.

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Masquerade

Finding the perfect bra can be likened to the search of the holy grail for women.
It has been a long and tiring search to find one that ticks off all the essential criteria of comfort, support and high-fashion appeal.
We often reach straight for the most fashionable bra first, and suffer later from constant adjusting through the day, straps that fall off your shoulder, and a sore back from poor support.
Thankfully UK-based lingerie company have thrown women a lifesaver with their cleverly crafted Panache bra range.
The award-winning brand have built their reputation on those three core values of Fit, Support and Comfort, specialising in D plus lingerie.
But there’s no sign of `grandma-esque’ styles or colours here.

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