The Australian Regional finals of the International Woolmark Prize were held amidst calms seas and gorgeous, glimmering sun this Thursday at the Pier 4, the Sydney Theatre Company. It was a truly spectacular day, the kind you are overwhelmingly proud to have the harbour to show off to international guests. Of course, we were equally proud of our Australian designers, who all presented exquisite collections for the internationally-run, highly respected prize. ASOS have given us the gift we didn’t know we needed until we had it- a yearly subscription to ASOS shopping! Finally Australian-based, internationally-regarded fashion blogger Zanita Morgan takes the reigns of Charlie Brown‘s Spring Summer Campaign.
By Bianca Healey
Australian Regional Final of the International Woolmark Prize
The Australian Regional Final of the International Woolmark Prize was held this Thursday, 18th July at the Bar at The Sydney Theatre Company, Pier 4, at #thebarattheendofthewharf, which we are now affectionately terming it after using this social media hashtag all day (as you can see, this is a very tricky hashtag to get right on a tiny touch screen!) With a photo call at 11:30, followed by the announcement of the winner at 2:10, accompanied by sit-down refreshments the event showcased the creativity of Australian design through the medium of wool. The Woolmark Company, the ‘global authority on wool,’ have been sweeping the globe these past few weeks in their search for an innovative emerging designer to award the International Woolmark Prize. The prize requires deigners to create a six piece collection featuring Merino Wool. Crossing border and cultures, the award stretches across Australia, Europe, Asia, The Middle East and the USA. Two days ago, the Asian regional award saw design team ffiXXed awarded the prize for a collection that included gorgeous and experimental woven wool sheath dresses, so the pressure and anticipation for the designs to emerge from Australia’s freshest design talent. The entrants for the Australian regional prize were Christopher Esber, Lui Hon (a former contestant on Australia’s Project Runway), Kahlo, Alistair Trung, Dress Up, HARYONO SETIADI, Michael Lo Sordo and STRATEAS CARLUCCI.
Along with noteable Australian tastemakers Kellie Hush, Editor-in-Chief at Harper’s Bazaar and Edwina McCann, Editor-in-Chief at Vogue Australian, American journalist, founder of blog The Sartorialist, and essentially the inventor of street style photography, Scott Schuman joined the panel of judges
In gloriously sunny surrounds of Sydney Harbour, Christopher Esber was named the regional winner of the Woolmark Prize. His rustic, loosely-tailored merino vest, paired with a sporty, wide-legged black jumpsuit wowed the panel, capturing a classic Australian aesthetic that felt perfectly in-tune with the breezy surrounds of the harbour.
Esber will now go on to the International finals.
Image Credit: @nacmediagroup
ASOS Launches Premier
Just when we thought that online e-tailer ASOS couldn’t get any easier, the world of online retail has made it more attractive, and harder to resist! This week ASOS launched Premier, a service that enables customers to receive orders within two days, and costs a tiny $49 dollars a year. There will be no restriction on the number of orders placed per Premier customer, nor will there be a minimum order value. Throughout the twelve month period, the customer will also be the recipient of other ASOS benefits, including exclusive discounts and early access to sales.
For a limited time, there will also be the opportunity to receive a one-year subscription to the ASOS magazine (which at the moment is only distributed to ASOS customers in the UK). To sign up for Premier, you simply have to add the option to your cart at any point in the shopping process. ASOS has also made it easier to return clothes ( my biggest online shopping nightmare). The Returns Portal allows for a same day courier collection, or delivery yourself to your nearest Australia Post postbox for less than $10. Both options are also fully tracked and don’t include any hidden costs.
This is very dangerous, very wonderful news.
Shop now at www.asos.com/au/
Charlie Brown x Zanita
Australia designer Charlie Brown has experimented with a new look- street style! In a move that is quite departure for the well-established brand, their SS13/14 campaign shoot recently featured fashion blogger Zanita Morgan. Zanita, a model-turned-photographer-and-blogger edited and styled the shoot, and shot it on the streets of Rosebery in Sydney, and will share them across digital platforms and social media.
The collection features animal prints, as well as sleek, ladylike silhouettes, both Charlie Brown staples, as well as ‘90s references. Paisley prints clash with chunky black, along with razor sharp denim skirts and drainpipe black skinny jeans. The collection heralds a nod to a younger generation for the designer, whom Zanita will surely help to take notice with her 36 thousand followers (no really, we just counted them) and great eye for capturing the moment with her camera.
Visit Charlie Brown at www.charliebrown.com.au
Follow Zanita’s blog at zanita.com.au
Follow Zanita on instagram @zanitazanita
