It was the 15th of September, the day that we were photographing a spring racing themed shoot for The Melbourne Magazine in Flinders- Aschcombe Maze.
Our call time was 9.00am (sharp). Models arrived at the Melbourne airport from Sydney. Everyone allowed extra time to travel to Flinders, however there was a horrific road accident on the Monash Freeway causing majority of the team to be late.
Many unexpected detours were completed due to the still-moving traffic, although I did have my boyfriend on the mobile phone directing me via Google where I should veer and continue driving – thankfully I arrived at Flinders safely.
Arriving at Aschcombe Maze was like arriving on a set out of a fairy tale. The winter sun was no longer shy as it shone bright over the wild flowers, tree ponds, willows and cottages. It was a truly special place.
Stylist, Kate Gaskin, began to organise the order of clothes in which would be photographed. Pulling out of her suitcase beautiful pieces by the likes of Zimmerman, Alannah Hill, Willow and Nicola Finetti – to name only a few –
The pace of the day was quick. Gaskin and I ensured that all accessories and clothes were all super organised.
On one occasion we carried the outfits for the next shoot to the set to save much needed daylight/ time.
Photographs were shot outside the maze allowing more light to enter through the images. An illusion was created so that the models were thought to be inside the maze through clever angles and lighting.
The final product was beautiful, the clothes, the accessories, the set, the lighting and the vision made the photo shoot a complete success.
You can find the publication of this photo shoot in The Age’s Melbourne Magazine now.
I was well aware that Incu’sclothing store in Paddington, Sydney, was under special renovations, building a new level above their store, to make way for one of British’s leading clothing labels- Top Shop.
It was Thursday the 29th of October: Top Shop’s launch. I was going to see the clothing range, laid out for me on a silver platter ready for inspection- no longer did I have to resort to the internet and the estimating of sizes.
I made my way quickly through the store ready to race up the stairs, when a young girl working at Incu politely stopped me and said, “we have closed upstairs for a couple of days, I’m sorry.”
I thought to myself: No way! Had they sold out the Top Shop range already? Today was meant to be the launch!
To my relief, the young girl continued to explain, “We have closed off our Incu store for a couple of days, as we are just showcasing our Top Shop range. All of our Top Shop clothes are here on the shop floor, but will eventually move back upstairs.”
I was so overwhelmed with excitement to see the flourishing range that it hindered my way of seeing. I didn’t even notice that it was placed right in front of me on the shop floor.
After I had calmed down I made my way around the store, becoming more and more excited every time I came across familiar clothing items, as seen on Top Shop’s website.
To my surprise the clothing range was great and as clichéd as it sounds: ‘too good to be true’, mirroring the successful nature that makes Top Shop so unique.
Incu’s stock was very similar to the website perhaps even better, as Incu housed Top Shop’s limited edition clothing pieces, pieces which are yet to be seen on the internet. There was no high mark-up in clothing prices as the clothes were the same price as the internet site.
No longer do we have to worry about postage and handling or what size you think you could fit into as it is finally here at our doorstep. Hurray!
The Fashion Project arrived in Sydney – and was immediately advised that I should visit Paddy’s market.
Paddy’s is a popular market place amongst Sydneysiders, overflowing with rip off Louis Vuitton handbags, Miu Miu purses and Mac make-up –to name a few.
Despite the absurd amount of designer copies, Paddy’s houses a large amount of quality vintage accessories, food, beauty and furniture stalls.
My market purchases were: a funky grandfather hat, a chunky turquoise stoned bracelet and a couple of miniature Anna Sui coin purses. (See photographs below)
Paddy’s market is located in the heart of Sydney’s China Town at Market City 9-13 Hay Street Haymarket, NSW, operating on a Saturday at 10am to 7pm.
I highly recommend visiting the market to find your own affordable vintage pieces.
British fashion designer/ artist Alexander McQueen, had the whole fashion world stop in amazement when he released his eccentric 2010 spring/summer collection in Paris.
McQueen’s collection pushed the boundaries of contemporary fashion as it was strikingly ultra modern.
The collection was beautifully crafted reflecting his artistic strengths as a designer.
McQueen is expected to change the future of fashion culture.
If you wish to see the Alexander McQueen’s fashion show click here
Below are some photographs from the fashion parade:
Fashion is a concept understood across the globe, it is also understood through music, powerfully uniting the world with a subject that we can all connect with.
Young rocking singer/songwriter, Renee Cassar, took some time out to chat to The Fashion Project revealing how important it is for a musician to uphold a sense of style.
Cassar’s love for music came about at an early age, writing song lyrics, poems, raps and stories on the roof-top of her house- a place where she could think clearly and collect her thoughts. As her enthusiasm for music developed so did her sense of style, growing into her ‘soft-grunge’ yet edgy persona.
In the early stages of her music career she was labelled MySpace’s Number 1 Unsigned Australian Artist, holding the position for 11 consecutive months.
Cassar now proves that fashion and music integrate together whilst launching her incredibly catchy debut single It’s not you. (Which was has been picked up by Nova, Triple J, Rage and Chanel V)
“Fashion and music are both means of expression and … it is ridiculously important for a music artist to uphold a sense of style, reflecting who they are and what their music is about,” said Cassar.
Cassar’s quirky outfits and vintage pieces are mainly purchased from regional op-shops and the clothing store Shag on Brunswick Street, Fitzroy. She firmly believes that op-shopping is fantastic, especially if you have “great vision, looking beyond what is there.”
The young musician is making huge splashes into the Australian music arena and is definitely fashion savvy knowing how to express her true self and music through style.
As feminine frills and classic lines have been thrown out the door, we welcome a quirky yet rebellious rock-edge style that is indeed Renee Cassar. The pop-rock artist is truly an amazing vocal talent, one that you should keep an eye out for!
The fashion boutique store Incu shares a special retail partnership with Topshop.
The fashion partnership have announced that they will launch the Topshop range exclusive to Sydney- the people of Sydney have been labelled the ‘lucky ones.’
Karen Bonser, Topshop’s head designer told Harper’s Bazaar magazine that she “really [wanted] to give the girls in Australia a true taste of what Topshop is all about.”
“Our customers [don't] necessarily follow trends by the book,” says Bonsor. “It’s about an instinct and a vibe. Trends are born on the street and we reflect this in our range we present to our customers. It’s then up to the individual to create their own style.”
On the 29th of October, Topshop doors will proudly open at Incu’s store at 256 Oxford Street, second floor, Paddington, New South Wales.
Incu are expected to receive new Topshop stock every month.
I will be in Sydney at the time of this great launch, so expect reviews and insight information from The Fashion Project.
The Fashion Project is an online collision of fashion-news varying from high-end fashion, street fashion, fashion events, designer profiles, emerging designers, personal fashion inspirations, frantic fashion experiences, backstage fashion parades and the latest trends.
The Fashion Project's goal is to promote the awareness of independent and emerging fashion hence assisting in the communication of fashion within the industry.
The Fashion Project will keep you up-to-date with all you need to know in the ever-changing world of fashion!
