Digital Exposed Seminar

It isn’t difficult to see why Sydney design trio, AJE are gaining cult-like status at a phenomenal pace.
The former Queenslander’s, Eddi, Adrian and Bree, have reinvented the sequin, taking it from its often glitzy and tacky history, to a new refined and very modern state of luxury.
The spotlight shone on the AJE label when they won the Chambord Shine Awards 2 years ago with their stunning creation embedded with thousands of hand-stitched Chambord-flavoured sequins.
The dress immediately set a new trend for the `mullet’ style, short at the front and floor length at the back.
Now AJE is stocked nationally with their flagship boutique in Potts Point, Sydney and plans to open more boutiques in the near future.
Aside from creating exquisite garments, the trio have impeccable taste when it comes to their muse for each collection.
Not long after Bambi Northwood-Blythe starred in the AJE Autumn/Winter 2010 lookbook, she was strutting the international runways for the likes of Chanel and Balenciaga. Now she rates as one of the most in-demand models around the world.
This was also the case for Summer 10/11 muse, Ruby Jean Wilson who went on to become first face exclusive for Yves Saint Laurent fall winter 11/12 show during Paris Fashion Week.
Rachel Rutt stars in the current winter collection and just walked for Acne Resort 11/12 show.
Now they debut their current catch, upwardly mobile Queensland glamour, Olivia Thornton.

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If you’re trying to avoid a flashback to the 80s, then avert your eyes or grab your nearest set of shades as the fluoro trend is about to brighten your world.
Neon is the latest flavour taking over our closets and hungry fashionistas are ready-to-eat.
The fluoro trend is set to shine a light on your black winter uniform with hues of bright fuchsia, sickly citrine, chivalry’s dead chartreuse, and poptastic pink.
It’s a trend that the new Zara Sydney and Melbourne is pushing big time with hot pink cino pants, a Moschino-esque pink blazer complete with gold buttons, and a fluoro yellow tote bag.
Blogosphere babes are already rocking the electric looks with the Cambridge Fluorescent satchel a popular favourite from style blogger Hanneli to Swedish trend-setter Carolina Engman of Fashion Squad being snapped tottering the streets with the trendy tote.

But fashion’s new obsession with neon doesn’t stop there.
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via katherineisawesome.com

Even at the tender age of 2, South Australian beauty Jemma Baines knew she wanted to be a model.
Now she is finally living her dream after being named the winner of the 2010 Girlfriend Rimmel Model Search, signing up with Chic Management in Sydney and their sister agency, Next models in NYC.
Since her discovery, the 16-year-old has impressed fashion figureheads with her classic beauty, porcelain snow-white skin and soft pink pout.
Baines followed in the fashionable footsteps of former finalists and Vogue cover girls Alyssa Sutherland, Catherine McNeil, Pania Rose, Samantha Harris, Abbey-Lee Kershaw and Sarah Stephens with her debut at Rosemount Australian Fashion Week last month.
The statuesque stunner, a snitch off 5″10′, strut for all the top Australian designer names including Dion Lee, Josh Goot, Zimmermann and Christopher Esber.
In our second segment of Mannequin Minute we managed to grab the in-demand model-of-the-moment for a quick chat on her new `fresh face’ tag, love of fruit mince pies and interest in seismology.

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Rachel Gilbert

Lui Hon

Our Fashion Exposed seminar speaker, industry figurehead and FEO feature writer, Sarah Gale was the glamorous host of the evening, and celebrity stylist Phillip Boon offered his expertise in bringing the outfits together for the runway.
And from the photo evidence, he did a spectacular job with the high-fashion lounge wear from Australia’s top designers.
Putting the spotlight on tracky dacks in support of kids in hospital was such a fun idea, even Melbourne’s red carpet favourites, J’Aton designed a pair of glam trackies for the charity runway.
A wonderful event to support a more than worthy cause, TLC for Kids.
Well done to the entire team.

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via Google

Her bare skin, freshly scrubbed sans make-up and hair undone, reflected a cool new youth with attitude, not privy to society’s restrictions, defiant of current trends and a mission to mould her own rules.
With no more than a nonchalant stare, Kate Moss delivered that message and more when she joined forces with Calvin Klein in 1993 to produce one of the most powerful and highly publicised campaigns of the decade.
The combination of Kate and Calvin proved a formidable recipe, it defined an era and saw fashion take a swift departure from the curvy supermodels of Cindy Crawford and Elle McPherson to Moss’ waif-like `heroin chic’.

Kate Moss with Calvin Klein

Thanks to the cyclical nature of fashion, the body trend has reverted back to the curvaceous figures of the 90s `supers’ with CK’s recent signing of shapely stunner and models.com world number one, Lara Stone.
This combination of the right face with the right brand has proven a tried and tested recipe for success.
FE blog had a chat with industry veteran and Vivien’s Models general manager, Catherine McGill. We quizzed her on what to look for when casting your next face or ambassador, and why choosing the right model is a critical decision in the placement and exposure of your brand for its future success.

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via Herald Sun

After months of preparation, anticipation and trepidation, the new Zara Bourke St flagship is finally set to open next Wednesday June 15.
Today I attended the media launch hosted by Zara Chief Communications Officer, Jesus Echevarria who flew in especially to deliver the news.
To say there is buzz surrounding the opening is an understatement.
The expectations, given the Sydney store reportedly still has a nightclub style line-up outside during peak hours, are high with many Melbournian women desperate to get their hands on the cheap designer threads.
But at what cost to the local retail market?

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via Candice Lake

Want to put a positive spin on the dreary winter chill?
For me, the best way to get out of the house or office and enjoy the weather is by dressing up for it.
Embrace the gale force winds with a shaggy fur jacket in a subtle lilac from Zara or Prada-esque bright blue fur stole draped around your neck.
Fend off the icy air with arm-length leather gloves and a pair of knee-lhigh designer boots over your black skinny denim jeans.
But if you really want top the look off with finesse, opt for the finest in hat couture! And it’s the best way to keep warm, while looking seriously cool.
This is my favourite part of dressing for the cooler season and there is plenty of headgear to choose especially with the 70s influence in fashion right now.
Try on a fancy fedora, men traditionally wore this style in the 1950s and I still see a few classy fellows sporting the look in Melbourne now. I love it.
But with the girls for boys androgynous trend in fashion today, this is also a fitting hat for the ladies – I love the vintage Sonia Rykiel hat below on this savvy stylista shot on the streets of New York by Vogue.co.uk snapper Candice Lake. It gives a mannish look to her feminine face.

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Shot by Richard Bailey for Vogue Australia via Chadwicks Models

As promised this the first post for the new Fashion Exposed blog series titled Mannequin Minute.
Each week FEO will profile Australia’s up-and-coming models, the next batch of potential Miranda’s and Abbey Lee’s who are keen to step into their Manolo’s, or vintage combat boots as is the case with Miss Kershaw.
We felt the need to start this section to assist retailers and fashion labels, because with so many beautiful girls out there, it can be tricky sourcing the right face to fit your aesthetic.
Securing the perfect girl is the final piece in your product puzzle, she is the muse that reflects your story, the essence of the creative process that underlies your brand.
And let’s face it, stitching the right face with the right brand has been a tried and tested successful recipe in fashion history.
Just look at the triumphant partnership of Kate Moss and Calvin Klein, Erin Wasson and Maybelline, or in even with the alignment of Miranda Kerr with mega-department store David Jones fresh from her Victoria Secret signing and pairing with Hollywood heartthrob Orlando Bloom, it was an explosive chemistry.
And there’s no denying the impact Australian high-street chain, Portmans’ had on it’s competition when they launched their last campaign bearing peroxide princess, Abbey Lee Kershaw straight off the Chanel catwalk.
The imagery posted on billboards nationwide and accompanying behind-the-scenes video, starring Harper’s Bazaar stylist Christine Centenera went viral – obviously.
So in saying that, Mannequin Minute will endeavour to reveal the next crop of `it girls’ we’ll be coveting and the babes you’ll be crushing on for year’s to come.
But right now, we’re hot for Chadwick’s catch, Sara Ramen, with pins to rival Jessica Rabbit, tousled waves of caramel-flavoured tresses, and a face that hints at the iconic beauty of runway royalty Laetitia Casta, it won’t be long before this genetic gem is hitting the big time.
You know you’re on your way when style bible Vogue Australia has handpicked you for a shoot with lens legend, Richard Bailey, and a test shoot with glossy snapper, Nicole Bentley.
We took five with the Melburnian maven to chat about how her French mum influences her style, being discovered at a Hoyts cinema age 11, and her favourite food, Swedish Gravadlax?

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via Anarchy Street Blog

If you woke up in Melbourne this morning, then you too were welcomed with the rude shock of 6 degree frosty weather.
Unfortunately there is no electric blanket jacket in production yet (perhaps we are onto something there?), but when it comes to rugging up this winter it’s not all skivvys and grandpa cardigans, and it certainly doesn’t mean you should skimp on the accessories either.

Looking through my favourite street style sites this morning, I noticed this gorgeous image of Brazilian model, Alicia Kuczman rocking a layered up wintry look with style. She looks chic in her fur jacket worn with a colourful scarf tied loosely on the noose of her neck.
She adds futher colour with a green woollen dress that would normally seem dowdy and plain if it weren’t for the western-esque belt slung loosely from her hips. To toughen the look, she’s added a black leather biker jacket and topped it off with brown vintage lace-up boots and patchwork leather bag.
Oh, and then she adds a pair of vintage John Lennon round-lens shades – magnifique!

Kuczman certainly doesn’t skimp on accessories, so we decided to hunt down a few fabulous options of my own to tackle the winter chill without compromising my high fashion style amid all those layers.

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If there was one trend that was blindingly obvious at the recent Australian Fashion Week, it was the tidal wave of bright white sweeping across every fashion brand from Fernando Frisoni to Christopher Esber, Michael Lo Sordo and Melbourne label, Friend of Mine.
Clothing in chalky hues were seen together, on top of and tucked into one another, layered alongside complementary milky shades and ivory tones.
But this look paled in comparison with Friend of Mine’s debut collection showcase who went all the way with the icy trend, pairing the milky-faced peroxide princess, Krystal Glynn and fellow pint-sized bleach-haired glamour, Anja Konstantinova with a snow-white mini dress and white ankle boots.

Krystal Glynn and Anja Konstantinova (above) are all white on the night for the Friend of Mine SS 11/12 RAFW show. Images via Fashionising

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