From timely Christmas shopping ideas, new stores and an exhibition to make you leap for joy – welcome to December’s fashion round-up!
Christmas cheer
It’s that time of year again, you’ve (hopefully) started looking for gifts for those closest to you, sometimes those with very particular tastes. But whether luxury or charitable items, we’ve got some great ideas for those Christmas stockings… Burberry has a sleigh load of festive pieces now in store, and very colourful options they are, too. Accessories in shocking pinks, scorching yellows, bright greens and bold blues will put a smile on anyone’s face, even your fussiest friends… If you know someone who would appreciate a gift with a conscious, how about a Georg Jensen limited edition Daisy bracelet? It features a simple silver and enamel daisy on a red knotted band; $50 of the $195 price goes directly to the Red Cross (georgjensenstore.com.au) …
For your best girlfriends, CocoRibbon has finally launched an online store (cocoribbon.com.au) where you can find its delectably girlie goodies. You can search for items by product, occasion or price range, and the line-up includes jewellery by Kenneth Jay Lane, bags by Rachael Ruddick, and its own line of pretty underthings (its boho-luxe clothing will be available from January) … And you can pander to the stationery lover in your life with the new range of pendant necklaces from Kikki.K. There are three sterling silver designs, featuring scissors, envelope, or a pen and ruler. That’s a wrap!
Luxury location
For those who enjoy the finer things in life, you can’t go past Hermès for a little indulgence (or just plain dreaming). Well, those of you in Brisbane will be thrilled that a new Hermès store has now opened at 171 Edward St (07 32 36 20 70). So while you’re making that Christmas shopping list, perhaps there is someone worthy of one of their signature silk scarves—or perhaps a set of wooden dominos or a floral elephant beach towel? If you don’t have a store nearby, in Brisbane or elsewhere, then head to the website (hermes.com), which is a delightful browse no matter what you’re looking for.
Suits u
Perth shoppers will be happy to note that the first Australian flagship store for shoe brand IN.u has opened in the cosmopolitan hub of Subiaco (47-49 Rokeby Road). The store houses the brand’s mix of ballet flats, stilettos and sandals made from a range of materials including leather, pony skin and snakeskin in the hottest summer shades. In keeping with the cutting-edge shoe designs, their new home is a colourful mix of custom furniture, graffiti-inspired walls and glossy black counters. It’s worth a visit just to check out the interior alone—although you’ll undoubtedly leave with some shopping bags in tow.
Russian Dolls 
Culture vultures take note: this month sees the opening of the exhibition Ballets Russes: The Art of Costume at the National Gallery in Canberra. The Gallery has one of the world’s foremost collections of costumes from this most avant-garde of dance troupes from the beginning of the 20th Century, a time when art was undergoing a major makeover on every level and in every medium. The exhibition features 140 costumes from 34 productions which were produced from 1909 to 1939, some worn by famed dancer Vaslav Nijinsky, and designed by the likes of artists Henri Matisse and Giorgio de Chirico.
The exhibition runs from Dec. 10 to March 11, 2011; see nga.gov.au.
Image: Léon Baskt Tunic from costume for the Blue God c 1912 from Le Dieu Bleu ?
National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, purchased 1987
