Sydney has welcomed me with open arms, unfolding more and more interesting places to see everyday.

 The Rocks

Paddington Market

Bondi Market

The Fringe Bar Market

Paddington Market 

Paddington Market

The Rocks

Paddington Market

Paddington Market

LM xx

It was the 15^th 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.

Below are some images taken from the photo shoot:

LM xxx

I was well aware that Incu’s clothing 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 29^th 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!

LM xxx

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.

LM xxx

Market City

Grandfather hat $15

Chunky turquoise stoned bracelet $10

Anna Sui coin purses $5 each

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:

 LM xxx

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!

 Become a FAN of Renee Cassar by clicking here.

Take a look at Renee Cassar’s It’s Not You  film clip and photographs below:

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 29^th 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.

I am very excited!!

LM xx

Kate Moss for Topshop

Grazia have anticipated that Topshop will be located in Sydney and possibly Melbourne.

The heart throbbing label is expected to be sold in Incu Stores.

You will no longer have to purchase your favourite items across the World Wide Web, neither will you have to roughly estimate what size you are as Topshop clothing is making its way to our Australian doorstep.

The people of Melbourne and Sydney may be granted one of the most exciting fashion gifts of all- Topshop, possibly changing fashion culture.

Check out Topshop online here: www.topshop.com

Topshop Website

British Topshop store

LM xx

WARNING: The information below will blow your mind. You may feel a sudden urge to shop, to shop like you have never shopped before. So, I thought I would be kind enough to warn you.

Australian designer, Bettina Liano, is currently in the middle of an enormous clearance sale. Clothes are discounted at up to 80 percent. Yes, you read correctly, discounts at up to 80 percent!

The warehouse sale is situated at 210 Brunswick St, Fitzroy.

You cannot possibly miss the storehouse as Bettina Liano’s signature colours of yellow and black are splashed loudly across the front windows.

From a distance and in a state of utter excitement, the yellow and black signage gloriously shines at you, like a holy temple, luring you to go in and explore the fantastical treasures.

Well, I was in for a rude awakening. In entering the warehouse I came to the quick realisation that I was definitely not in a religious temple, despite my observation of people running around the store religiously scrummaging for clothes.

My confession: I slowly joined the scrummaging bandwagon, yes guilty as charged. But it was all worth it. I bought some amazing pieces, and there was still plenty left to go round.

The warehouse was highly organised split into specific size areas, from size 6 to 14. There was a range of jeans, tops, shorts, dresses and samples to choose from, suitable for spring or this upcoming summer.

Despite having to change in a communal change-room, (rekindling images of backstage fashion week) it was a very rewarding day of bargain hunting.

The sale is on for another week, running until Sunday the 4th of October, or until sold out. I highly recommend the bargain shopping adventure. It is the cleverest way to shop.

Below are images taken at the Bettina Liano sale:

210 Brunswick St, Fitzroy, Melbourne.

Signs promoting the sale in Melbourne, Australia.

Blue bow floral dress, purchased for $79.00

LM xx

On the blue carpet there was a fusion of diamonds, neutral and metallic coloured gowns, jeweled clutches, and satin shoes defining pure elegance.

Big crowds were anxious to see high profile names, such as Rebecca Twigley and Lauren Phillips.

Twigley continued to ‘wow’ critics with her couture J’Aton gown, accessorised with diamonds valued at a quarter of a million dollars from Myer.

Phillips wore a metallic beige gown with a heavily jewel neckline designed by Thurley proving “that when you’re on a good thing, you should stick to it,” Phillips said.

Heads turned as Taylor Wilson, girlfriend of Collingwood’s Dane Swan, glittered on the blue carpet. She wore a dazzling diamond-infused creation by Aldo Terlato Couture of Richmond.

The gown is worth half a million dollars, imported from America for this momentous night.

The Brownlow is not only a celebration of football talent, but it is a celebration of beauty and Australian fashion, serving to be a successful fashion project.

Below are some images from the blue carpet, courtesy of Nine MSN and the Herald Sun

Geelong’s Gary Ablett with partner Lauren Phillips

Geelong’s Gary Ablett  talking to the media with partner Lauren Phillips

Collingwood’s Dane Swan with partner Taylor Wilson.

Taylor Wilson wearing Aldo Terlato Couture of Richmond

Carlton’s Brendan Fevola and wife Alex Fevola

Carlton’s Chris Judd and partner Rebecca Twigley

Rebecca Twigley in J’Aton

Carlton’s Bryce Gibbs and partner.

Carlton’s Marc Murphy with partner Sara Williamson.

Fremantle’s Matthew Pavlich with partner Lauren O’Shannassy.

Geelong’s Jimmy Bartel with partner Nadia Coppolino.

Geelong’s Tom Harley with partner Felicity Percival

Hawk’s Luke Hodge with partner.

Paul Chapman and partner.

St Kilda’s Nick Dal Santo and Leigh Montagna with their partners.

Western Bulldog’s Adam Cooney and wife Haylea Cooney.

LM xx