FS Style

Feeling the Heat

It’s the first weekend of Spring and we’re already losing our winter layers in favour of loose styles and billowing silhouettes.

Keep it low key in a vintage-inspired maxi dress (Woodford & Co’s Love Child Maxi Dress, anyone?) and head with some friends for a local adventure.

Throw your Sunday essentials into a pop-coloured tote bag (we love CC Skye’s Taylor Bag) and you’re ready to roll.

Shop what’s new at FrockShop.com.

FS Loves: MyLookBook’s Search for Style

MyLookBook.com.au has launched it’s first annual Search for Style competition.

Enter by uploading a photograph of yourself that showcases your personal style and you could win a $1000 shopping spree at FrockShop.com. Stylishly shy? Simply cast a vote for your favourite look and you could win a $250 voucher.

FS Style is always on the prowl for new style inspiration, so we can’t wait to see the entries!

Shop the latest in style at FrockShop.com.

Oh So 70’s

It’s official; a new season calls for a new muse, and what better cause for inspiration than the first day of Spring?

For The Vine’s latest Look of the Week, Peny Lane channeled a fictional daughter of a 70’s-at-heart mother.

The product of laid back parenting and a childhood that smelt of incense, the dreamed up daughter is as sweet as a button but rebellious at heart. She rocks out to grunge music but also has a secret soft spot for Sonny & Cher.

She is also lucky enough to have inherited an enviable collection of vintage earrings, painterly printed pieces (we love Elizabeth and James’ Lee Skirt), lace numbers (opt for camilla and marc’s Orion Bodysuit) creating a style that mixes both bohemian and grudge elements.

She can turn up the glamour in sequins when required (she’d fall for Alice + Olivia’s Charlie Dress), or can opt to lounge around in nothing but a tie dye t-shirt (try Fluxus’ Burnout Pocket Tee). Purple is her favourite colour and she loves big chunky boots, a ‘la Beau Coops.

Shop 70’s style at FrockShop.com.

Guest Blogger: Adrian Fernand

Writer, fashion-aficionado and blogger Adrian Fernand has a razor sharp, tongue-in-cheek outlook on the concept of style.

He has penned a debut novel, The Glamour Never Stops, which is inspired by his time working for Louis Vuitton and is the author of the social protocol and etiquette website, I Do Believe I Came With A Hat. He also has in excess of 90 pairs of shoes.

Here, he goes undercover in Paris and exposes his candid, yet hilarious, perception of French street style…

The supposed arbiter of good taste, Parisian style oscillates between two main streams of thought: fashion-forward and ultra-conservative, and very little in between.

Those whose body mass indices hover dangerously low whilst they mill around the entrances to shows of directional designers like Rad Hourani, seldom wear any other colour than black. Razor-sharp haircuts meet knife-edged tailoring that only the very thin (and very rich) can consider wearing.

Street style doesn’t differ with the vast majority of hipsters, or ‘bobos’—bourgeois-bohemian—congregating in shabby chic arrondissements, swilling 1664 beer and hunting in packs for the latest trend that will disguise their upper-middle-class roots.

Thrift or ‘frip’ store finds are paired with over-priced American Apparel imports, Bata-lookalike school shoes and designer jeans.

As for the remainder, currently they’re incredibly du jour, sporting double (and sometimes triple) denim for Africa. In reality, this trend never left the French and has hung around like strong-smelling gruyere since the mid-nineties.

Likewise cargo pants, black socks with white trainers and floral-print dresses. You can stick an Aussie in Paris but ‘daggy’ is the word that will never cease to leave my side.

image credit: Streetpeeper.

A Stylish Mission

Twelve stores, one hour and $500 to create a strikingly on-trend outfit; a piece of cake, right?

Still a little bleary eyed from our stint alongside Gala Gonzalez at the Rosemount Sydney Fashion Festival, we traded our Fashion Week heels for ‘running shoes’ (read: ankle boots) and took a trip out to Westfield to take part in Brisbane News’ Stylist Challenge.

With a fashionable brief set thanks to suggestions by our Twitter followers (Our mission? Slouchy tailoring) and armed with a list of cheap and cheerful chain stores, it was ready, steady, sprint from the word go.

Poised alongside fashion stylist Lucia Arias Martinez and Project Runway contestant Leigh Buchanan, FrockShop.com’s director and buyer Marnie raced from Sportsgirl to Wittner and darted into Country Road and Bardot in pursuit of the ultimate outfit; on time, on budget, and on trend.

It all began with the shoes…

Closely followed by accessories…

The hunt for the perfect pair of softly tapered khaki pants…

We found ourselves slightly distracted by the cute window installation at Sportsgirl (and contemplated a pit stop for coffee!)

There was no stopping Project Runway’s Leigh Buchanan; that man knows how to power shop…

Armed with more shopping bags than we could carry, we were whisked away to shoot in studio. We can’t wait to share the shots with you but in the meantime here is a sneak peek at the look Marnie put together…

Guest Blog: Gala Gonzalez at RSFF, Day Three

As my stint at the Rosemount Sydney Fashion Festival draws to a close, I’m a little bit upset as this will be my last day reporting for FrockShop.com.

Thank you to the FrockShop.com team for giving me such an incredible opportunity! Guest blogging for FS Style has been a total pleasure.

Although not quite as glamorous as yesterday (where the standards were through the roof with gorgeous gowns) but the third group show of the week brought a crop of fresh and cool pieces down the catwalk. And best of all? Each of the ready-to-wear pieces were actually affordable, yay!

The show began with tons of suede, silks and pastel leather. Sara Phillip’s collection, featuring cropped tops and high waited tailored trousers, was sexy and masculine combined to the max. I loved the outstanding printed shoes by Alice McCall, who relied on transparencies, a bit of patchwork on skirts and a hell load of jumpsuits which we all have been loving so much recently. One of the most gorgeous collections was by Miss Unkon, full of fluid fabrics and vaporous silk tunics.

Karla Spetic, Dhini and Lucette’s collections showed strong patterns and put loads of emphasis on pockets and zippers. Phos Phoro sent an interesting black and white collection down the runway where volumes and baggy silhouettes created a comfortable and feminine elegant woman with a twist of fun.

Guest Blogger: Gala Gonzalez at RSFF Day Two

With the Rosemount Sydney Fashion Festival in full swing, FrockShop.com’s guest blogger Gala Gonzalez of AmLul.com has been on hand to give commentary on the best of new season fashion by some of our favourite designers.

Seated front row at last night’s runway parade featuring the likes of Rachel Gilbert and Lisa Ho, she has reported back from the runway and shared her thoughts and favourites…

Day Two of Rosemount Sydney Fashion Festival and everyone rushing to be seated on time. From front row, it seems that everyone is checking out each other! People looking smart left and right, and in front of me is Alex Perry (looking very smart!) We’re all excited for the show, a close look at the best of Australian’s Haute Couture.

The show begins with a quick sneak preview of the backstage, the comments of the host are lighthearted which makes people forget that this is a strict catwalk!

Nicola Finetti opens the show with short (very short) lengths in silky pastel colours. It reminds of 80’s Valentino; full of sexiness and glamour. The volume of the skirts and the ruffles give it a funky side.

I had seen some of Jayson Brundson’s pieces at the Marie Claire Gala Launch on Monday but in this show he displayed a 60s inspired collection. I loved the oriental prints and thought the use of sequins made every piece rich and elegant.

Next was Lisa Ho, with a more edgy and masculine touch. Combining shirts and long skirts, the strong prints and draped tops were the highlight of her collection.

The funky bit came with Rachel’s Gilbert collection where she added stripper’s shoes… and everyone loved it! Adding such clash to gorgeous gowns was a very smart touch. Probably she was one of the few to dare to use bright colours and make them look so rich and elegant.

Aurelio Costarella was the only one to use leather on nightwear, making it work to perfection. Lingerie label Ms Couture showed amazing little underwear, the dream of any girl and adorned with capes and bathrobes of tulle and elegant lace. One of the models end up taking her shoes of…I can imagine how difficult must be walking with so little clothes in front of so many people!

To close the evening, the well-known Alex Perry showed a beautiful collection of exquisite taste where white was the predominant colour and the feminine woman was the main thing on the catwalk. Dresses with romantic touches, pleated skirts and gorgeous stones decorating transparent fabrics could make feel anyone like a red carpet star… and that’s why he is so good at dressing the best of the best in the industry. Well done!

first image credit: want what she’s wearing.

Guest Blogger: Gala Gonzalez at RSFF Day One

Internationally renowned fashion blogger Gala Gonzalez of AmLul.com has a keen eye for style and, since landing on our shores for the holiday of a lifetime, has developed a deep appreciation for Australian fashion design.

Seated front row alongside the likes of Camilla Freeman-Topper and Bianca Spender, our guest blogger was able to get up close and personal with the best of the new season by some of our favourite labels. Here, she reports back from the runway…

This year’s Rosemount Sydney Fashion Festival hallmarks fifteen years of fashion and style, and I was thrilled to be invited to see it first hand.

I caught up with the girls from FrockShop.com preshow and enjoyed a chat with them whilst having some drinks at the Rosemount O VIP Bar before we headed to our seats to watch the show.

The show itself begun with a vibe of strength and charisma; the colours were soft and the silhouettes full of details and harmony. We could see the very best highlights from the collections shown during Fashion Week last May.

The show begun with Ginger & Smart. Their proposals were full of clean and delicate draped dresses mixed with floral prints as part of their main inspiration for their collection, with ruffled skirts and volume mostly on the bottoms, very inspired for Spring.

Little Joe kicked off right after with die-cut fabrics and gorgeous, pop coloured snake skin shoes.

Crowd pleaser camilla & marc, one of my favourites, showed a strong woman with compounding shoulders, mixed fabrics and patterns creating a feminine but modern silhouette. I loved the draped skirts.

Anna & Boy brought a tropical touch and some swim wear to the runway, followed by Bianca Spender with gorgeous greek inspired dresses. Gary Bigeni and Zambesi surprised us with beautiful transparencies and organza mixed on jerseys and cottons. Simply beautiful.

One of the big moments was when Kate Sylvester showed a collection which I personally can identify with; full of nude and a warm colour palette, shorts and a bit of a tomboyish look. Without a doubt, the best detail of each outfit was the quirky shoes with a 30’s touch. A total winner!

And for the very last, but maybe one of the best; Fernando Frisoni sent out models bearing an exquisite and elegant collection full of whites and block colours. Simple but striking.

first image credit: want what she’s wearing.

5 Minutes with Gala Gonzalez

We’ve fallen head over heels for Fashion Blogger du jour Gala Gonzalez. With her model looks and playful personal style, it’s easy to see why this stylish twenty-something has been rated by American Teen Vogue as one of the most influential fashion bloggers.

Ahead of her first guest blog post for FS Style from the front row at this week’s Rosemount Sydney Fashion Festival, we caught up with Miss Gonzalez to speak of Australian style, leather icons, and what she loves most about blogging…

What has been the highlight of your trip to Australia so far?

Meeting and discovering great new labels with so much talented designer behind them.

How would you describe your personal style?

Eclectic, chamaleonic, elegant and a bit tomboyish sometimes.

What do you love about Australian style?

The vibrant colours,the playful shapes and the stylish risks people take while dressing.

What are your favourite Australian designers and why?

I love so many! I think Bowie’s frocks are just exquisite. Makes you feel like a million dollar babe. Then I love Gorman’s cos it reminds me so much of British clothes and I’m a big fan of this style. I’ve met Camilla and Marc and they do a great job too. New upcoming designer Renee has created Billy Bride, a collection of jewels that are just amazingly gorgeous! And of course I’m a big fan of Flannel, Standard Issue and New Zealand label Stolen Girlfriends Club!

What do you love most about blogging?

being able to travel and meet new people that can provide me with so much inspiration.

What was it like collaborating with Botkier for their AW10 campaign?

It was fantastique, when they reach me I was very excited to see the upcoming..and being able to create my personal look and campaign was just a great experience. Also, I just can’t get enough of the new Ava bag!

You’ve joined Pixie Geldolf and Louis Simonon as one of Loewe’s ‘Leather Icons’. Can you give us some styling advice on how to incorporate weather into our Spring wardrobes?

I love the big fluffy and hippy white dresses mixed with the hard look of a leather biker jacket…

image credit: AmLul.com.

Just In: Gala Gonzalez to Blog for FS Style

You heard it here first; London-based Spanish blogger Gala Gonzalez of Amlul.com will be blogging from Rosemount Sydney Fashion Festival for FS Style!

Seated front row at shows featuring designers such as camilla and marc, Ginger & Smart, Lisa Ho, Rachel Gilbert, and Karla Spetic, Gala will post exclusively for FS Style.

With several fashionable collaborations under her belt (H&M, Botkier, and Loewe to name a few) and an elegantly directional personal style, this is one style setter that is giving the chic citizens featured on The Sartorialist a run for their money.

We can’t wait to read her thoughts on Australia Style…

To celebrate our exciting collaboration with one of fashion’s most stylish bloggers, FrockShop.com will be giving away tickets to some of the most popular shows at Rosemount Sydney Fashion Festival. Simply become a fan of FrockShop.com on Facebook and share our page with your friends to enter.

image credit: Teen Vogue.