Minaudiere's. Fashion has gone to the birds.

In my posts I've discussed how birds are making a fashion comeback on everything from kitchenware to bedlinen.  Well famous American fashion designer Judith Leiber has released her new minaudiere Spring 2010 range which includes birds.

I've often spied many celebrities on the red carpet with a Judith Leiber minaudiere (purse).   Some are adorable and some outright strange. 

However all are very expensive and highly collectable.

What is interesting is that she's picked up on the trends that I've also flagged.  Birds, Seashells and Butterflies.  As I've already mentioned in prior posts, these are "Huge" trends at the moment. 

Judith Leiber's items are always on the cutting edge of high fashion, but are timeless classics at the same time. In addition to designing handbags and minaudieres, the company also produces eye wear, fur, and cashmere accesories.

Here's some more from the Spring 2010 Line.

And did you know that these artful handbags and minaudieres are part of the permanent design collections at The Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute, The Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C., the Houston Museum of Fine Arts and the Los Angeles Museum of Art.

Not only has Hollywood has had a 50 year long love affair with the brand, but nearly every First Lady dating back to 1963 has carried these custom-made bags to the U.S. Presidential Inauguration.  How is that for an interesting bit of trivia.

Other interesting designs include these.

Disco Ball Minaudiere

Bee Hive Minaudiere

Although gorgeous and very striking, I couldn't see myself clutching the last one any time soon.   Imagine your iphone ringing/vibrating and someone pointing out that your bee hive is buzzing.  Then again, it would certainly be a conversation starter.  However the birds are stunning and in my opinion timeless. 

These really do emphasise that fashion can also be art.  Although some do it better than others.  And like art, fashion is in the eye of the beholder.

These Boots Are Made For Walking...

Yesterday I posted about my foray into the world of camping.  As a new tent owner I am now ready to embrace the great outdoors.   However I don't see why my fashion and sense of style should suffer.  I predict the big new trend in fashion will be "Outdoor Camping Chic".  You heard it here first!

So it was with great excitement that my latest purchase arrived via courier from the UK.  Behold my new boots...

Hunter Wellington Boots 2010 Collection

Hunter's black Wellington boots get a luxe update with the addition of crocodile-stamped panels and silver-tone rivets.  

Hunter boots are legendary and here's why...

Originally, Hunter rain boots (circa 1856) were designed for traversing Scotland's rugged terrain and combating its unpredictable weather. 

Production of wellington boots were dramatically boosted with the advent of World War I when the company was asked by the War Office to construct a sturdy boot suitable for the conditions in flooded trenches. The mills ran day and night to produce immense quantities of these trench boots. In total, 1,185,036 pairs were made to cope with the Army's demands. The fashionable boot was a functional necessity.

For WWII they were once again called upon to supply vast quantities of green wellingtons and thigh boots. 80% of production was for war materials - from ground sheets to life belts and gas masks.


In 1977, having continued to supply wellies to the Royal Households for decades, Hunter was awarded a Royal Warrant from HRH The Duke of Edinburgh. This was shortly followed, in 1986, by a Royal Warrant from HM The Queen. Providing great recognition for their work in keeping some very important feet dry!

That's right, only the best quality wellington boots.  However no old fashioned ones for me.  We are talking rock chick fashionista at the camping ground.    And if the rain turns it into Glastonbury, then like every fashionable UK concert goer, I'll be ready! 

             

Fashion aside, they are pretty sturdy and you know they have to be good when the English Royal Family have Royal Warrants on the products.   I can imagine them all walking over their Balmoral Estate in Scotland in these things.   Or the Queen walking the corgis around the castle in a pair.  Maybe she has a pair of these ones.  Who says everything has to been khaki green. 

They look superb even though they didn't really help Camilla when she fell in a rabbit hole and broke her foot.   However at least if I do fall into a hole or experience any other calamity whilst camping, I'll at least have the peace of mind to know I look fantastic when I'm being taken away in a stretcher.   

Alice In Wonderland - The Wonder Takes Hold

Hot on the heels of the new Alice In Wonderland movie with Johnny Depp, fashion has now been inspired Tim Burton's latest film. Everything "Alice" is back in vogue from fashion to home decoration.

Bettina Liano blouse

Prada purse

Moschino Cheap and Chic bracelet

Jay Jays T-shirt

Burberry London ring

Agent ninetynine necklace

OPI's New Alice In Wonderland Inspired Shades.

OPI has created four imaginative new shades in line with the whimsical film with names inspired by the story’s eccentric characters.

(pictured left to right):
Absolutely Alice, a spectacular cobalt blue confection.
Mad as a Hatter is a rainbow of purple, green, pink, blue, gold and silver glittered specks
Thanks so Muchness for its deep berry metallic shimmer
Off With Her Red, a striking tomato-red shade.

For the youngsters who already have my Alice in Wonderland artworks on their walls... you are all clearly fashionista's with exceptional taste!

Colour is the new black

"Colour". That one word can send fashionista's into a spin. Well not all fashionista's but quite a few including myself. I love fashion as much as my art.
My husband would like me to love it a little less than the art when he see's how much I spend on it!

However it recently dawned on me how easy it is to fall into a colour rut, or colour "safety zone". Mine is black. My wardrobe consists of mostly black clothing with some variations, embellishements and "bling". But essentially there is not much colour. Grey and white are a close second and third. My sister even commented on it when she viewed my wardrobe.

Now this is ironic for someone who is surrounded by colour at work. My business IS colour. I love working with colour and I'm inspired by colour. When I went with my family to far north Queensland we visited the Great Barrier Reef for the day and went snorkelling. The colours were breathtaking and like nothing on earth. The fish were spectacular and I didn't realise coral came in so many colours. My boys were overwhelmed and it was the highlight of our trip.

This inspired me to come home and create my Great Barrier Reef artwork. It embraces and celebrates colour.


When it comes to fashion is it a fear or aversion to wearing colour? I'm not sure. Or for me is it because I am surrounded by colour in my store that I rebel by wearing black? I'm not really sure. Recently I discovered designer Matthew Williamson and he loves using exotic colours. The two dresses below are his designs.

He celebrates colour and I realised that I am going to start embracing colour as well. And not just in my artwork. I might start off with baby steps but I am determined to buck the trend for black every day. It might be a while before I can wear a shocking red coat, but everyone has to start somewhere. The only thing I need to be careful of is wearing so much colour that customers can't seem to find me when they enter the store. Blending in with your artworks is not a good business idea. But then again, it would hide me from all the spruikers that seem to come in daily. I can just stand back flat against the wall and turn sideways!

I wonder if Matthew Williamson has been to the reef lately?

My Favourite Find Today...

Christian Louboutin has collaborated with Barbie to create this limited edition 'Dolly Forever' doll. In a khaki mini dress, sunglasses, gold extras and Forever Tina fringed boots, she is the perfect gift for fashion lovers. She comes with a collection of 4 red-soled Louboutins, each with their own shoe box and bag.