Want to start getting into the vibe of winter woollens and evenings curled up under blankets? The Strand Arcade is hosting a massive VIP shopping evening this Thursday – and it’s all in the name of wool…
We love winter – because it’s a chance to break out the boots, scarves, hats and fabulous trenches we’ve been saving all year.
And luckily The Strand Arcade agrees with us. To celebrate Wool Week, this Thursday 2nd May they’re throwing open their doors for a VIP shopping evening.
The lures? Let’s start with exclusive meet-the-designer ops and one-night-only discounts at the Strand Arcade’s shops. Manning Cartell, Alex Perry, Dinosaur Designs and Gorman are all joining in the fun, with at least 20% off full-priced clothes.
Add in some complimentary bubbly, free hot chocolate and fairy floss and a showcase of cool wool-based student work from UTS and Whitehouse, and you’ve got the ingredients for a very fuzzily fun evening.
Australian wool is undergoing a big promotional burst – celebrations have included a massive photo book of the international couture made in Aussie wool and the Woolmark prize – but this shopping extravaganza might be our favourite so far.
It’s also got an arty touch. Textile artist Magda Sayeg is clothing two gigantic gum trees with 600 metres of vibrant merino wool. Definitely worth a look.
Plus anybody who spends more than $200 gets two pairs of Leona Edminston’s fantastic retro-style tights, Pins – definitely on-trend.
Will you be popping down to Sydney’s Strand Arcade? Wool Week’s VIP night runs from 5pm-8pm, so get in fast.
Image: Wool outfits from the student exhibition at the Strand Arcade.
US brand Proenza Schouler, which is best known as one of Kristen Stewart’s faves, has finally become available to us non-Twilight mere mortals.
They’ve collaborated with Net-a-Porter, producing a tiny nine-piece collection full of their trademarks: epic prints, beachy casual style and bold colours. It’s a recipe for instant cool.
The label’s actually owned by Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez- Proenza Schouler is in fact a combination of their mothers’ maiden names.
Holli Rogers, Net-a-Porter’s fashion director, said, “We are so excited about this collection, which is everything you would expect from Proenza Schouler – slick, cool and covetable, with a buy and wear now sensibility.”
The big inspiration? Surfer style. The two designers said they wanted to “riff on the idea of surf-inspired classics… but reinterpreted in luxe fabrics like leather and custom tweeds”.
That means high-fashion board shorts in suede and leather, a gorgeous suede blue-yellow striped hoodie, and a grey tee with sea splashes that wouldn’t look out of place on Bondi’s surfer boys.
It might be coming out of the sunning season for us in Australia, but these pieces are so cool and layer-able that they can be built into a winter wardrobe as easily as riding a wave.
Will you be getting into Proenza Schouler for Net-a-Porter?
Image: The Proenza Schouler range.
It’s not Oshkosh, or even the 1980s – but dungarees and overalls are making a fashion comeback, for better or worse.
You know it’s big news when major newspapers feature the trend, and women are divided into two camps: ‘that looks cute’ and ‘oh god, not again’.
So who’s to blame for this new emergence of the 1980s staple favoured by Kylie in her early Locomotion days and Bananarama?
Stella McCartney, Henry Holland and Current/Elliott have sent overalls stomping down the runway in recent months, but it’s actually due to taste-makers like Alexa Chung, who’s a big fan of wearing vintage pairs with pretty patterned blouses underneath.
The popularity of vintage style and rummaging in thrift stores has also brought all manner of things back into style, from oversize sweatshirts to denim skirts to big 1990s Doc Martens.
So is this one step too far, or cute for playing with the high-low fashion look?
The full-length route is exclusively for people who don’t mind playing with volume – dungarees aren’t renowned for their close fit – and are either straight up-and-down or don’t have a pronounced waist. The flat sides and straight lines will swamp anybody with curves, and the hang is no good for people with much of a bottom.
One way to get around the waist problem? Viva Vena’s denim number over at ASOS, which is sleek chambray denim and has a waist-sash for cinching.
Many of the issues of dungarees can be resolved if you want to go a bit shorter. Get your layering on – pair shorts-overalls with long tights, shirts, cardigans and sneakers for a cute weekend picnic outfit in the cooler weather.
Or, alternatively, an edgy night-time outfit – and we’re only talking when you’re feeling incredibly confident – is an all-in-one with beautiful chunky 70s heels and an elegant blouse for dinner with friends. Pair it with uptown accessories and avoid looking like Rihanna on her days off.
So what do you think: dungarees – yes or no?
Image: Alexa Chung in dungarees.
