Snowflakes softly falling, novelty reindeer sweater, eggnog, a roaring fire, making a snowman…wait what? This is not an Australian Christmas! It’s more like prawns on the barbie, swim in the ocean, schvitzing in the heat and flitting from family to friends’ events because it's not like we are getting stuck in a blizzard for three days. We don’t celebrate like other countries do, so of course our wardrobe isn’t going to be a one size fits all either. Unencumbered by the cold, blessed by the warm breezes with no coat or beany in sight, I’ve compiled a list of 6 dresses that are perfect accompaniments to every activity you may have this holiday.

FORMAL CHRISTMAS EVE

I was born in Europe so a big, fancy, ott dinner is a must. Along with going so extravagant on food that I have leftovers till the New Year ( I’m eagerly awaiting you turkey sandwiches), I always dress up in something beautiful. This year I have slotted this star spangled Leo and Lin dress, Roger Vivier slippers and matching Kismet by Milka star diamond earrings at the top of my wish list.

 

 

 

 

 

XMAS BRUNCH WITH FRIENDS:

One last catch up before everyone flies off to see their families so it’s an opportune time to take the festive mood board and deconstruct it. Give the Xmas tree a run for it’s money with this cool Prada dress while making Santa jealous with red hot Christian Louboutin boots and Prada bag

 

 

 

 

 

CHRISTMAS DRINKS :

Heading out to a party? It’s time to slip into some Bec & Bridge dark green lamé , grab a Dior saddle bag, put on some Mercedes Castillo mules (from Net-a-Porter) and turn yourself into a disco goddess. Trust me, this dress loves a dance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHRISTMAS ON THE BEACH:

Having Christmas lunch with the family, then heading to the beach for a dip?  You need a dress that can multitask , so may I suggest this Zimmermann silk number that loves to play with the breeze whilst keeping you as cool as a cucumber. Accessorize with a Lack Of Colour hat, Karen Walker sunglasses and Christian Dior slides for tonal perfection

 

 

 

 

 

CHRISTMAS BBQ WITH FRIENDS:

Hanging with your homies this year and just kicking back? You need something cool and chill, yet sexy enough in case that cute guy is there- I feel this Dion Lee baby is your ticket. Pair it with a roomy Cult Gaia bag, Ancient Greek Sandals and a Reliquia initial necklace that will help him remember your name.

PICNIC WITH YOUR LOVE

:Family isn’t on the cards this year but gazing into your boyfriend’s eyes as you eat ham sandwiches and sip champagne is? It doesn’t get more romantic and gorgeous than this fine lace Dior dress. Add a snakeskin print bag by Rejina Pyo ( from Net-a-Porter) for a reference to Eve in the Garden, while keeping it dressed down in Ancient Greek Sandals

Self shot on Nikon D750
This editorial first appeared on vogue.com.au

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“Last Christmas I gave you my heart..”- George Michael is belting out his perennial 80s hit as I bring decorations down from the cupboard. I open the box with elation, comforted by the pretty, familiar baubles, shiny tassel and fairy lights that have undoubtedly mysteriously got tangled up again in a frustratingly confusing way, as if Christmas elves turn into gremlins during the idle portion of the year .

There is something about this part of Christmas that I love, re-discovering hallmarks of the holiday always brings back memories of Yuletides past. That time I laughed until tears flowed at my baby daughter loving the wrapping more than the present. The frowning that accompanied burning the turkey that year my family came for lunch. The raised eyebrows of delight at that beautiful antique ring given to me as a present. Life comes with expressions, millions of them. Living life with a completely frozen face is not the journey I want to embark on as I feel lines can tell a story and look beautiful on women, yet  I wish for my skin to stay firm and beautiful for as long as possible. Enter SK-II’s Limited Edition Ageless Beauty Festive Gift Set, a beautifully boxed set of four powerful anti-ageing products.

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Christmas Essentials: the SK-II Ageless Beauty Festive Gift Set contains the Facial Treatment Essence – an amazing Pitera-rich life changing skin renewal liquid, the SK-II RNA Power Radical New Age Cream- a soft cream that increases firmness for extra glow, the SK-II Power Eye Cream- a new innovation in eye care that provides three-point firming for younger, brighter-looking eyes and the SK-II Skin Signature 3D Redefining Mask (2pcs): a Pitera rich firming and softening mask that envelops the magic so many lovers of SK-II know all about. Also pictured: Max Mara bag, Dita eyewear sunglasses, Lucy Folk bracelets, Jordan Askill diamond pave ring

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The pretty box looks beautiful under the tree (SKII Ageless Beauty Festive Gift Set, Nina Ricci shoes from Miss Louise)

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Christmas Essentials: SK-II Ageless Beauty Festive Gift Set, Alex Perry dress, Valentino heels, Cartier bracelet
SK-II Ageless Beauty Festive Gift Set, $399 is available at Myer, David Jones, Sephora and Adore Beauty.

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Proponents of earthing believe that we need to allow our bodies a bare skin connection to planet's magnetic field regularly so we can release stress and electrical charge from our bodies. They say that barefoot walking is a fantastical way to release our energies into Earth leading to greater wellbeing and health.

I'm pretty sure that's true, since I always feel happiest in places I can slip my shoes off and dance barefoot ; sink feet into grass, wriggle toes into sand or sway legs in a refreshing body of water. Summer becomes a time when footwear becomes superfluous and I turn into a shoeless hippy, often a painful exercise like when you realize running across hot asphalt really does burn or when a monster bindi pierces your foot in dry grass. But being barefoot also means being free, yes, even for a girl like me who loves heels and thinks that she could outrun or outdance anyone in a pair of stilettos even if they were Louboutin Pigalle 120s, that sexy pump that makes me feel like a goddess on stilts. Yet who wouldn't rather take them off and salsa onto the beach in wild abandon ?

For one of my last collaborations of the year, I paired with Eastland, the new shopping destination encompassing a state of the art cultural and library facility in the newly redeveloped Town Square. With over 100 retailers such as Mecca Maxima, Mac, Sass & Bide, Scanlan & Theodore, David Jones, Oroton etc, Eastland also unveiled a world-class level of art to Eastern Melbourne, with a series of works from celebrated artists David Bromely and Joost Bakker- David Bromley having revealed his largest mural project to date; a whooping 1,600 metres appearing throughout Eastland. I wonder if this state of the art culture, food and fashion hub allows bare feet, because I have gone and pulled my designer favorite barefoot outfits for this story; ones that shun shoes and relish summer in all it's unstructured chaos. Just add a red nail polish for color pop!

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Why wear a little black dress when a little blue one totally wins summer? Cinch in that waist and show some leg, because this silk baby will stay footloose all night long ( Rodeo Show dress )

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I love a messy linen suit on a woman in the summertime, especially when worn with sandals off. Wear yours with nothing underneath or a little bralette for ultimate androgynous elegance (Skin and Threads pants and jacket )

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With a cinched in waist and long, flowing layers, this Sass & Bide dress will work the breeze to it's advantage

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There is something about a simple linen pinstripe dress that spells relaxed chic ( Veronika Maine dress )

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What would summer be without a good bikini and cover up? I have been loving everything Tigerlilly has been doing lately, including this version of the wrap around dress that doubles as a beautiful robe for the beach

 

Check out more about Eastland here!
photographed by Alice Wesley- Smith

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Ever since I was a little girl I have loved Tiffany and Co. Watching Breakfast at Tiffany's with my grandmother my mind swirled with beautiful dresses Holly Golightly wore and the gorgeous jewels in the shop windows. Well I got an opportunity to live my fantasy by picking out the most gorgeous jewellery a girl could ask Santa for. As though I magically awoke inside Tiffany & Co's Sydney store on Christmas morning , I explored the stores' treasures in fabulous new season dresses from Resort '14.

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Green Tourmaline and Diamond ring, Pink Sapphire and Diamon ring, Tanzanite Doleste ring, Tanszanite pear shaped ring, DIamond Victoria bracelet, Diamond bracelet, Tanzanite Soleste ring - all by Tiffany & co, Alex Perry gown, Giuseppe Zanotti heels 

 

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A girl can never have too many Tiffany's boxes don't you think?
Tiffany & co Green Tourmaline and Diamond ring , Jean Schlumberger for Tiffany & Co Blue enamel bangle with diamonds,Green enamel bangle with sapphires, and Diamond and 18K gold Lynn necklace

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Make like Holly Golightly and pair a gorgeous black gown with white diamonds for old school glamour.
Diamond Chandelier earrings, Metro bangles, Diamond Soleste ring all by Tiffany & Co, dress by Gucci

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Check out the full story including 6 more pictures with gorgeous Tiffany & Co jewellery  and all the details on the Vogue Australia site here 

Shot by Ana Suntay Tanedo

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