COACHCAMP

"So they close together
Dressed in red and yellow
Innocent forever, sleeping children
In their blue soft rooms still dream"

Colours are fascinating. Ever since I had a fight with my best friend at 8 years of age over the colour of a t-shirt that we couldn't agree on despite the feverish discussion, I knew that people see colours a differently. Almost everyone has 3 cones in their retina which makes us see roughly the same colours, however, some superwomen have an extra cone, making them a tetrachomat able to perceive a wider range of shades than us ordinary folk. My obsession with how we perceive colours was further amplified by reading Jasper FForde's disturbing sci-fi novel Shades Of Gray, which presents a dystopia future in which people are set in a cast system based on the primary colour they perceive their world in.

In the world of fashion, colour is an expression of a feeling, an idea or a thought, however abstract. If it is sometimes hard to differentiate between prussian blue and navy blue or mauve and wisteria - in the emotional response or sight, it is never hard to tell apart red and yellow from blue , not to mention that the feelings they evoke in us are polar opposites to each other.

For my latest Coach post, I played with the exuberance of primary colours, the latest Turnlock Tie collection, some vibrant new threads and the breath taking Sydney harbour. All this vibrance is what street style photographers' hyperventilating dreams are made of ...

CAMPCOVE1
Set the day on fire in a scarlet red Camilla & Marc dress, Turnlock tie tote and Lack of Colors hat. I created contrast with an orange Marimekko coat, Dita aviator sunglasses and Aquazurra sandals. Tiffany & Co T bracelet and Cartier Love bracelet worn throughout )
COACHCAMP2

Take one sleeveless red coat by Nicholas,add a blue tweed skirt by Bianca Spender, some Chloe tie up wedges and finish it off with a bright blue Coach backpack)

COACHCAMP4
COACHCAMP3
COACHCAMP5

Use primary colours to excite neutrals - pop tan leather with bursts of colour for an updated take on an all leather ensemble  (Max Mara dress, Coach backpack ,Ellery shoes, Preen by Thornton Bregazzi sunglasses)

Beauty tip: Blend Nars' red shades in Dragon Girl and Red Square for the most vibrant pout in town
Photographed by Alice Wesley-Smith

coax

Last week, I was honoured by Vogue Australia and Croser as one of their Women of the Moment at a beautiful dinner held for us at The Atlantic restaurant in Melbourne. It was such an honour to be recognized by the peers that I admire while enjoying some vintage Croser sparkling wine, delicious seafood and the company of remarkable women. Big thank you to Croser, Edwina McCann for her kind and inspiring words and a fun night!

Below is a transcript of my interview originally published on vogue.com.au

Vogue caught up with the model-turned-blogger to talk being chosen as one of Croser Wine’s Women of the Moment, celebrating and everything in between.

Who is the most remarkable woman you know and why?
The most remarkable woman I know is my mother. She survived cancer at 33, spearheaded our move from Europe to the Southern Hemisphere and rose to any challenge presented to her with her head held high – all whilst being the family’s main breadwinner.

What does it mean to you to be selected by Croser as one of their Women of the Moment?
It is completely humbling to be nominated - I feel incredibly honoured!

What does style mean to you?
To me style is more about being sartorially expressive of your own personality and learning to work with your own body, rather than following trends or purchasing high ticket items. I believe in experimentation and having fun.

What are three key pieces every woman should have in their wardrobe?
Gosh, only 3 items! This is a little hard, but right now: a great pair of jeans or leather leggings, a beautiful cashmere sweater and amazing pumps.

As a working Mother what advice would you have for other working mothers in terms of perfecting their style?
When your child is very little opt for beautiful, soft basics in good quality materials and neutral tones so you do not need to think too hard in the morning when you have baby brain and are trying to take care of what seems like the whole Universe. A pencil skirt, good flats, an elegant coat, a great knit, some silk shirts, a sharp blazer, soft denim and an amazing simple tote. Then, once your child grows up a little and can be a little more independent, start introducing more experimentation to your basic wardrobe template and playing around with structure, embellishments and trends.

What’s your biggest achievement to date?
My wonderful daughter Coco!

What’s the biggest risk you’ve ever taken in your career?
Leaving my 17 year modelling career to be a full time blogger

If a risky business move pays off and you have cause to celebrate how do you mark the occasion?
Usually it involves girlfriends, a trip away and some good sparkling wine!

What, to you, makes a moment worthy of celebrating?
Anything that benefits not only my life but the life of my family and friends, my community or planet Earth; that’s a lot of sparkling wine!

Do you have any tips for entertaining or celebrating?
Pre-prepare anything you possibly can – ideally you want to do most things the night before. I am a big fan of roasted, then marinated vegetables to be thrown in with some leaves for a salad, a Tiramisu or similarly pre-prepared dessert. Accept help from friends or hire it – the idea is to have fun and connect with people, not spend your time stressing!

What are some of your musts for a celebration to be successful?
Great friends, beautiful food, wine and a relaxed atmosphere.

Aside from being a successful blogger you’re also an astute business woman, what advice do you have for other women looking to start their own business?
Be willing to work very hard- you are trying to build something from the ground up. I often work all day, then come home to cook for the family and spend time with my daughter before getting back to work. It is important to me that the quality of my work reflects my brand and aesthetic – ultimately, the finished product is my responsibility. Be open to constructive criticism and experimentation. But most importantly always keep learning!

MELNAVY

Navy is one of my favourite colours. Not only is it chic, elegant and less severe than black, but it suits every skintone and hair colour. Best of all, navy comes into fashion so regularly, some would argue that like leopard print , it is a mainstay and therefore never out of fashion. In my eyes, this spells go forth and invest !

This season, in keeping with the 70s theme, there are ways to wear navy that will keep it current and on trend. Ofcourse, navy always looks great with white or black but have you tried it with tan, orange or camel ?

Above :Pop your navy with some 70s orange hued shearling, round sunglasses and gold for an instant seasonal update ( Zimmermann jumpsuit, Coach jacket, Sunday Somewhere sunglasses, Tiffany T bracelet, Cartier bracelet

MELNAVY2

Try navy in a bell sleaved jumpsuit with some tan accessories ( Zimmermann jumpsuit, A-esque bag, Topshop platforms)

MELNAVY3

Jump on the bell sleeved and fluted skirt bandwagon – it’s all the rage this season ( Ellery top, Sportsmax skirt, Aquazurra sandals from Net-a-porter )

MELNAVY4

Keeping it simple : turtlenecks and maxi skirts are a match made in fashion heaven ( Zimermann turtleneck, Michael Lo Sordo skirt, Mode collective sandals

 

 

View the rest of the story on vogue.com.au here!
Photographed by Alice Wesley Smith

melred2

Sydney has been bathing in sunshine lately and even though the nights are close to freezing ,the days have been gorgeously mild. Which suits me perfectly because there is a lot of desperate tan preservation going on at the moment. I'd like to say that I can go pale and interesting, but in reality, my Croatian olive skin just kind of goes yellow in the winter, which is neither english rose pretty nor in any way vampire interesting, in fact it's more jaundice than anything. Ofcourse, being sun kissed also makes you look a bit healthier, which is always a bonus when you are sampling natural wine at Icebergs the night before a shoot. Not that that's what happened here (ahem)!

Anyway, I am bringing back the Look of the day section because I feel like there is so many outfits I wear that my readers only really get a one dimensional look at through Instagram - this way I can show you all the details in more pictures. This particular look is perfectly suited to leisurely weekend lunches while staying 70s inspired...

melred1

I love the timelessness of my Sportsmax shirtdress and it's gorgeous reddish orange hue. The coat, by Viktoria + Woods is light, yet warm and enveloping in a cocoon sort of way. It double ups as a blanket, cape or my cat Tiger's favorite place to sleep (whether or not I am in it). My sunglasses are reflective Miu Mius, my bracelets are Petite Grand and my shoes and bag are from Coach


melred3

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shot by Alice Wesley Smith

THMEL8

The arrival of blistering winds, bucketing rain and the enveloping cold used to herald the decline of my sartorial mojo. My Croatian roots and a flexible, freelance job gave me the luxury of becoming summer’s tireless pilgrim for over 20 years  - since my modelling days and beyond, I swapped hemispheres whenever winter took over season’s reins – owning a coat was unnecessary, boots a frivolity that would only weigh down my already overweight suitcase.

Oh how things change! My daughter’s education has meant I needed to stay put for longer, so my winter wardrobe went from a population of a single pair of Ugg boots and a holey oversized sweater to stylish key winter pieces and expert layering. Nowadays, I get excited when direction of the wind changes announcing a different season - dressing for cooler weather is infinitely more fun with it’s cosy coats, sleek pants and soft sweaters in endless combinations.

For this story, I paired up with Tommy Hilfigher to curate and demystify some of this season’s trends in an urban and wearable way.
Above:Embrace the utility trend with it’s military detailing, leather strapping and gold tone accents

( Tommy Hilfigher top and pants, Versace sunglasses from Sunglass Hut )

THMEL1

This winter choose beige and brown tones across suede materials for an updated take on the 70s trend. Don’t forget to accessorise with mirrored aviators, textured jackets and pops of snakeskin ( Tommy Hilfigher shirt and pants, Aquazurra shoes, Marimekko coat, Max Mara bag, Miu Miu sunglasses )

THMEL3

Black is always back in winter. Pair sleek stovepipe pants and an unbuttoned shirt with your favourite ankle boots and a mannish car coat for a look that means business ( Tommy Hilfigher shirt, pants and coat, Balmain booties, Tiffany & Co Smile necklace )

THMEL2

The arrival of winter shouldn’t mean the banishment of colour. Choose a soft, cashmere, cable knitted sweater in a pop of bright hue to brighten long overcast days.

Photographed by Alice-Wesley-Smith
Read the rest of the story up on the Vogue Australia website here

MELCIII1

Shooting this editorial the other day in the last days of Autumn - sun still warm on the skin, dappled glow on the water, sand under my toes, music drifting from an open window - had me wishing I was somewhere dancing into the sunset. Morocco, Cuba, India, Mexico - anywhere I could feel like Yves'(Saint Laurent's) muse LouLou de la Falaise -bohemian, wild and free. What better way to catch the rhythm than with a swaying long dress, this season's parennial favorite. Some of my favorite dresses this season are long, unhinged, unexpectedly detailed and timelessly beautiful .

On the other side of the proportional spectrum this season sit the mini bags - tiny and cute they are the antidote and the perfect match to their flowing counterparts  - enough for a credit card, phone, keys and a lipstick , they come to free us from the restraints of the world so we can dance long into the night unburdened from the clunkiness of the world. With a long practical strap in an on trend tan shade, this little Dakota bag from Coach has been my favourite over Fashion Week and beyond. Perfectly happy with flares, maxi dresses or tulip skirts , it's an all around overachiever. Just as at home on sunny Ibiza isles come August as it is going to be worn with fluffy jackets and suede trenches over Sydney's winter. Who needs a full sized wallet anyway?

MELCIII2
Accessorize your maxi with some leopard - it is a neutral after all! (Kate Sylvester dress, vintage jacket, Coach bag, Gianvitto Rossi sandals)

MELCIII3
Asymmetric lace and long sunny days 4eva (Zimmermann dress, Coach bag )

MELCIII4
Add a gold toned statement jewellery piece to fast forward your 70s to the present ( Amber Sceats ear cuff )

MELCIIIALT
One of this season's best trends is a backless dress.. uncovering one of the sexiest parts of a woman's body while demurely covering the front ( Ellery dress, Coach bag )

MELCIII6
And when the rains come, be ready for them with some gumboots masquerading as riding boots ( Givenchy rain boots ) ( Tiffany T bracelet and Cartier Love bracelet worn throughout )

Photographed by Alice Wesley-Smith

The Spy Who Loved Me was one of those definining moments in my life when I realized that skiing may not be such a bad thing to be into. The movie was 23 years old by that point, and it wasn’t James Bond’s epic skiing/ parachuting down the cliff scene that convinced me of the benefits of snow sports, it was the scene back at the chalet, the one snuggling with a gorgeous blonde on resplendent rugs by a roaring fire.  All of a sudden, skiing didn’t represent cold, snow and sweat, it meant warmth, luxury, mystique and all around sexiness. I cannot say I have made much headway into the sport since – my one and only attempt was a terrifying mulled wine fuelled snowplough down the Black Diamond run that could characteristically be labelled a complete fail. However , adapt at apres ski I most certainly am.

For this reason, when Shona Joy mentioned doing an apres ski story for the next installment of my Winter 15 edit of the collection, I jumped in wholeheartedly. And what better place to embrace the luxury of winter than the amazing One&Only Emirates Wolgan Valley resort?

For this edit, my heroine was Barbara Bach’s feisty 70s beauty playing a double agent in the beforementioned spy film – I wanted to connect the delicious tweed, sexy lame dresses and loose 70s suits with a powerful woman waiting for her spy, calculating her next move…

MELMELSH1She spotted him skiing down the slope towards her. He is sure not to suspect anything whilst she wears trustworthy tweed

MELMELSH6In retrospect, stealing the documents was easy when she looked so elegant in her neutrals doing it

MELMELSH5Could she even trust him? At least her leather enveloped her with the sort of protection she always wanted from a man

MELMELSH2Tonight is the night. She is sure to find out his deepest secrets when she slips him the truth serum at dinner

MELMELSH4Is Is that right? She feigned surprise as the truth serum started to take hold

MELMELSH3Was she right to betray him? Her mind was unwavering but her heart longed to see him again...

 

 

Photographed by Alice Wesley- Smith
With thanks to the One and Only Emirates Wolgan Valley resort

MELWHITE

When I turned 13 years old, my mother was diagnosed with cancer of the uterus. It was an incredibly terryfing and intense experience for our family and we spent the next few years in absolute trepidation of death taking her away from us. To imagine life without my mum was unconcievable, impossible and petrifying. I spent my nights bargaining with invisible forces, begging them to spare her life. This may sound strange but she was one of the lucky ones – the cancer was diagnosed early and she was treated swiftly – she survived and thrived and I am so incredibly grateful that she is still in my life today.

1488 women will not be this lucky this year, for unlike uterian cancer, ovarian cancer is a much more mysterious and insidious disease -there is no early detection test. Three Australian women are diagnosed every day, out of these 75% are diagnosed at an advanced stage when the cancer has spread and is difficult to treat sucessfully. Currenty, only 43% of women survive ovarian cancer, but if treated early, 80% of women will survive this disease.

I feel honoured to support the Witchery white shirt campaign this year and help in some small way with this important cause. Every woman needs a white shirt in her life and each year Witchery produces some beautiful shirts in different cuts and fabrics – there truly is a shirt for everyone’s taste and the best part is that 100% of the proceeds go toward the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund. Pick your favourite shirt and support a great cause in one go- easy!

MELWS2
Get involved! Go to the Witchery site here and buy your shirt today!

AjeFinalVoguemel

If I were to judge the upcoming MBFWA 2015 solely based on the samples pulled for this story , the keyword of the week would be volume. As in slightly impractical, wonderfully dramatic and so much fun to shoot! The all seeing wizard I am not, but I know I will be proven both correct and incorrect numerous times over the week -Australian fashion is always about providing a number of conflicting trends– from whimsical and dreamy to utalitarian, well cut , feminine, practical, beachy or vintage inspired ; we are blessed to have such a talented and varied bunch of designers in this country.

I have to admit, as soon as I had an idea for this story, I was seeing a remote location – somewhere idylic and breathtakingly beautiful where I could juxtapose all the volume with sweeping vistas and nonpulsed kangaroo locals. Not only is it incredibly exciting seeing previously unseen fashion and taking it for a spin, but also quite scary and nerve wrecking taking original samples out of Syndey a week before fashion week! Thankfully we were blessed with a gorgeous set – an original , renovated 1800s homestead with fields and kangaroos on the grounds of the stunning Emirates Wolgan Valley One & Only luxury resort. Mountain paradise – meet fashion heaven!

(above) AJE : Calling spring! Intricate beading and structured shape of this bustier is vying for attention with the homestead’s white flowers (shhhh, Aje’s new denim pieces also looked amazing)

girl wearing maticevski at Wolgan Valley resort
MATICEVSKI Resident marsupials meet Maticevski’s dreamy polka dot confection

MELTomefinal

TOME  They may be intended for a more urban environment with their cool detailing and oversized shilouette, but these Tome clothes are also high in chill cred

ALICEmel
ALICE MCCALL Mesh pleating and feminine shapes take on country simplicity

RWBFINALVoguemel
ROMANCE WAS BORN  The road is long and there are mountains in our way, but flared overalls will make sure we climb a step every day –and not just because Joe Cocker says so.

Tanja Gacic wearing Michael Lo Sordo at Wolgan Valley Resort
MICHAEL LO SORDO: Pleats please! This modular skirt and top combo had numerous ways of wearing it and they were all incredible.Red pleats & wind = heaven!

ElleryfinalVOGUEmel
ELLERY: Ellery continues her fashion code legacy with sumptious fabrics and exaggerated lines

See the full story on Vogue.com.au here!

 

Photographed by Alice Wesley-Smith
With thanks to the Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley resort

This Friday, the 20th March is a special occasion. Not only is it the Spring equinox in the Northern hemisphere and the Autumn equinox in the Southern hemisphere but there is also a total solar eclipse happening and a supermoon will be gloriously huge in the sky. These things, you see, I take very seriously.

When I was a child growing up in Croatia, my relatives from the countryside used to tell me magical folk stories in which the heavens and Earth were always connected; planets and stars weren't masses of matter but characters personified here on earth. Whenever something was going on in space, it had direct correlations to our mortal world and we had to prepare for our life changing in some way. In this sense, faeries were completely real beings that occupied a world overlapping ours, only a thin veil away. These faeries were not some cute little creatures like Peter Pan's Tinkerbell, but female beings ,long haired, beautiful, sometimes endowed with goat legs underneath long dresses.  They harbored emotions and intentions, sometimes evil and capricious, sometimes pityingly sensitive to mankind's plights . Occasionally they fell in love with men, abducting them and the males would cross into their world never to be seen again. Congregating around water, rocks or anything misty; they danced next to flowing forest springs and roamed foggy sunset fields. I was terrified and mystified yet dreamt and wanted to be them; ethereal and eternal, perfect but ultimately flawed in their formless shape, never quite of the material world.

For my Thomas Sabo edit I wanted to emulate these otherworldly beings while showcasing some of the most gorgeous clothes available right now. Thomas Sabo is a company I have had my eye on for the last few seasons for their meticulous attention to detail, high quality and collections that vary from classically elegant to extravagant and punk rock. Their beautifully crafted , innovative silver jewellery garnered them fame in the 1990s, however the original collection has expanded into a myriad of styles ; from charms and pendants to crystal jewellery, there is something in the range for everyone. For my edit, I picked my favorite pieces ; silver seashells and white pearls, gorgeous gold plated medallions, cute flamingos and chakra inspired mandalas. I hope the faeries approve ...

MELTS1This Alex Perry gown is modern romance personified while beautifully crafted silver jewellery and pearls add a little moonlight to the ancient rocks

MELTS2Ellery does contemporary with a vintage twist - this gorgeous tweed fabric and flared details are completely on point. Match up tones with Lucy Folk's delicate bead clutch and Thomas Saboo's Maharani set with radiant milky quarts and milky aqua. Faerie of the seafoam would approve

MELTS3
The forest faerie should be so lucky to posses a special amulet such as this radiant sphere for her crown and a beautifully crafted Toni Maticevski knot top to dance around the weeping willows in

MELTS4
Don't let the adorable flamingo and intricate charms fool you, this faerie is being naughty in her Agent Provocateur corset.

MELTS5
Align your chakras by wearing beautiful pendants the other way around with a backless gown - all that skin needs ornate adornments to shine (Kaliver gown)

MELTS6
Toughen up pretty lace with some rock n' roll jewels - this Bianca Spender floor length dress is asking for moonlight nights and bad boys

 

 

photographed by Ana Suntay- Toledo

melcoach1

Ahhhh, springtime in Paris...Tiny little green buds on the trees, bright jonquils and saffron dotting the meadows, blue skies, fresh strawberries with creme fraiche, bustling mornings with happy enfants walking to school in packs past a fast moving river Seine, jewel like Ile Saint-Louis and Ile de la Cite winking out of the water, Eiffel tower doing it's romantic Christmas tree nighttime routine and warm croissants straight out of the oven (damn freaking delicious croissants totally ruining my record 3 month gluten free run! ). I hate to be so lyrical, so positively full of sparkling, wholesome adjectives but unfortunately it is all true - it is so disgustingly beautiful and horribly nice this Paris in springtime business that every time I wish I was staying, perhaps in a little attic apartment somewhere up high, on the end of a 5th floor walk up, where I could eat all the croissants and drink all the wine I want because, let's face it , when you live up a 5th floor walk up, you are the epitome of that book "French Women Don't Get Fat".

Look, I could talk about food all day, but in Paris, fashion is equally as important, in fact, this is the epicenter, the Vatican of fashion. Other cities might try to deny this but they are the spurned ugly stepsisters just being jealous. So for my newest Coach edit, I wanted to take on the patchwork trend that is currently sweeping the world. A bit 70s and all art class, patchwork is not so much a trend as a way of incorporating different ideas, textures and colors into a unified new entity. For late Spring 2015's collection Stuart Vevers has remixed the classic turn-of-the-century bandana prints and combined them with denim and florals, for an uncontrived femininity inspired by the wilderness of the American Prairie Badlands. Prints such as Badlands Flora, Bramble Rose and Bandit patterns, either printed or appliquéd on bags and accessories or introduced on rugged blue “demin washed” burnished leathers create a modern iteration of one of America’s most loved style propositions. I mixed this gorgeous bag with some great new season patchwork pieces and took it all out on a spin in the iconic Luxembourg gardens ...

melcoach2(Above and here: Coach Americana bag, Karen Walker top, Topshop skirt, Proenza Schouler booties, Olivier Peoples X Isabel Marant sunglasses)
melcoach3
( Coach Americana bag, Lover trench coat, Tigerlilly top,Citizens of Humanity jeans, vintage Marc Jacobs sandals )

melcoach4 ( Coach bag and sweater, jeans and shoes as before)

MELdion

Our designers on their inspirations and favourite Paris haunts

During Fashion Week, Paris is a whirlwind of activity – not only is it an arguable epicentre of the world’s most eagerly awaited fashion shows but numerous buyers flock to Paris for re-sees of collections that occurred elsewhere in the world. This year, I enlisted my dear friend Lindy Klim to help me find out what Australian designers love most about the city of love. We used the opportunity to visit their Parisian showrooms and choose our favourite pieces for a whirlwind shoot whilst picking their brains on their beautiful collections…

(above)Dion Lee

Tell me a little bit about the inspiration behind the collection, which fabrics did you use and why?

With this collection I wanted to explore evening wear silhouettes, that felt grounded and relatable.The silhouettes were created through slashing into the fabric at different points and alloying the fabric to collapse around the body.
We have worked with silk satin, triple viscose, leather and mohair; a mixture of contrasting, luxurious textures.

What do you love about Paris?

I love the sense of intimacy.You feel like you are in a small town, on a large scale.

Favourite spot in Paris?

Comptoir De L’Image on de Sevigne;An incredible archive of photography monoliths and rare design books.

MELESB
Christopher Esber

Tell me a little bit about the inspiration behind the collection, which fabrics did you use and why?

Desert landscapes were a major notion in this seasons collection influencing the white chalky hues and burnt yellows through to the Raffia textures and finer pleat details. I wanted to take a skewed approach on the Classics- the essentials that every woman needs in her wardrobe.

What do you love about Paris?

All the doors and architecture

Favourite spot in Paris?

Brezih Cafe would have to be my favourite café

MELTOME
Tome

Tell me a little bit about the inspiration behind the collection, which fabrics di you use and why?

This season we chose two female artists: Belgian dancer Ann Terese Der Keersmaker and American Designer Donna Karan .They both rose to prominence in the early 80s and their aesthetic involved feminising and sensualising traditionally masculine elements . We took on their love of jersey and leotards -from Ann we took her geometry and from Donna the business banker cotton shirring stripes, bias cut satin dresses, and love for animal print. Then we took animal print in different directions by distorting it and elevating it in printed tissue silk lame, embroidered organza and wool blend jacquard

What do you love about Paris?

The food, the museums, the Bon marche!

Favourite spot in Paris?

It's not so secret but my favorite place is the Brancusi Atelier just outside the Centre Pompidou.

MELSORDO
Michael Lo Sordo

Tell me a little bit about the inspiration behind the collection, which fabrics did you use and why?

My inspiration for Spring Summer would have to be the creative gathering of models, photographers and fashion designers in early ‘70s Paris mixed with a hint of romance. One thing I’ve always loved on a woman is a sexy dress that makes her not only feel beautiful but also empowered. The collection has a hint of softness with movement of the sheer pleats – chiffons in black, white and red with an undertone of relaxed and effortless dressing.

What do you love about Paris?

There is a certain buzz that hits Paris during Fashion Week. You can feel the spark all around from the Eiffel Tower to the Sacré-Cœur. It’s hard not be inspired on a daily basis - whether I’m in the car or walking the streets – you never know what might see and grab your attention.

Favourite spot in Paris?

Every time I go to Paris the first thing I do is attempt to make a reservation at Breizh Cáfe in the Marais which is impossible at times because they are booked out until like 2018 and even though you must make a reservation over the phone they never pick up. But without a doubt the best crepes you will EVER have.

MELMAT
Toni Maticevski

Tell me a little bit about the inspiration behind the collection,which fabrics did you use and why?

It started out purely about the fabrics. I noticed they all have a papery feel- everything was a bit tone on tone and shade against shade. So then I worked on silhouettes and shapes to exaggerate that flinging of supple crispness. I wanted it to feel clean but the detail in the garment to be really structured. So the whole thing felt a little constrained and relaxed at the same time.

What do you love about Paris?

Whats not to love! The pastry, the language, the people, the city. It really feels like my second home. Since living there over ten years ago just being able to go down any street and still discover something amazing is exciting.

Favourite spot in Paris?

Hmmmm. I love the little gardens across the city.. its so nice to be able to sit for five minutes outdoors surrounded by beautiful buildings, watching kids play and perfectly manicured flowers blooming.

MELEL
Kym Ellery

Tell me a little bit about the collection, which fabrics did you use and why?

Artist Egon Schiele’s expressionistic painting kicked off inspiration for the collection, and is the muse you can thank for the voluminous, twisted, sharp, soft and asymmetrical shapes which were strong throughout the showcase. Think flared pants which are more office-chic than 70s flower child and frilled criss-cross draping on layered shirting, both exuding a certain sophisticated and clean-cut femininity. Fabrics: When designing I tend to choose my fabrics first.
I feel like they really set the mood for the collection. I love to source unique textiles from Switzerland, France and Italy and there is never any substitute for quality.

What do you love about Paris?

I love the culture and history that comes with Paris. The city has such a rich history with so many stories, I really feel that when I walk the streets there.

Favourite spot in Paris?

I love sitting on the grass in the garden at Place des Vosges. Watching the children play in the fountain's water is one of my favourite things to do on the weekend.The fountains are the closest things to being at the beach for Parisians so and as an Australian it is so fascinating to watch.

 

Ellery photographed by Jake Terrey
All others photographed by Claire Price

inflightMEL

Comfort can be an elusive thing on planes but none the less it is the one thing we all seek in the experience. Along with the extra legroom, the window seat ,the glass (or three ) of red wine and new release movies that I inevitably boil my eyes to (what is it about planes that makes me extra emotional?) , I also have numerous little things I need to feel at home. No matter which class I am travelling, I want to feel cosy, moisturised, and well rested. Throughout my long career as a wagabond, I have experimented with various in flight essentials and these babies are my current must haves…

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT

1.Coach tote: This pretty rose strewn tote is strong enough to carry my computer and other heavy duty items and colour match my monochrome outfits

2. Slip silk eyemask : Why would anyone want to put harsh nylon on their precious eyes when this cloud like eyemask exists in the world? It feels as soft as angel wings and in fact I take it everywhere -it’s a great back up to have in case your hotel doesn’t have blackout blinds. I feel as conditioned as Pavlov’s dogs these days because as soon as I put it on I feel sleepy. Zzzzzzz

3. Love and Strife natural perfume by Aromatika – this tiny little roll on perfume smells of Morrocco and is small enough to have as back up on long, stinky overnight flights

4. Kora Energising Citrus Mist: My pet hate is feeling parched on the plane. Spraying this on my face makes me feel like I am walking through an orange grove in light spring rain

5. Grown Alchemist Persian Rose and Argan Extract : I have this weird compulsion where I cannot have dry hands or lips while travelling by any means – it makes me irritable. Car, plain or train, I need my hands and lips to be soft. This rich hand cream is a must have.

6. Which brings us to Beauty Chef’s Beauty Fix balm : Sure, Carla Oates is sort of my sister in law, but this is not why I swear by this lip balm. Made from pure coconut and other organic ingredients it smells like a tropical holiday that is good enough to eat and great for your lips too.

7. Banjo & Mathilda cashmere pants : Talk about feeling cosy! These babies wrap you up in a 100% pure cashmere cacoon + are a sport luxe version of trakkie pants. Win win

8. Clinique’s cheek colour balm: A little rosy touch up on the other end goes a long way

9. Better You DLux vitamin D: vitamin D is so important in maintaining immunity -since flights out of Australia can be up to 30 hrs long, I take this little spray bottle with me to top up my vitamin D on the go ( Fpr immunity I also take 3000mg of vit C, 2000mg of Magnesium, some Armaforce and Whitania –both super adaptogens and immune boosters because there is no point getting there just to get sick )

10. SKII Facial Treatment Mask : If you don’t mind looking like a burns patient and don’t care about scaring small children, this SKII mask contains powerful pietera extracts to leave your skin in better condition than when you started the trip. Put on when the lights go down for sleep time and take off when you awake. Alternatively,put it on once you are at your hotel and all showered up & ready for a nap. Moisture surge guaranteed.

11. Anya Hindmarch travel pouch: Say goodbye to struggling with collecting all your toiletries and stuffing them in those annoying little plastic bags when going through luggage screening. This bag will hold all your essentials and you won’t need to take anything out – the clear windows are 100% customs friendly.

12. Ysl Babydoll mascara: Want to have wide awake eyes on the other end? Fluff them up with this golden wand.

13. Wot Not facial wipes : These are the most moisturising wipes I have ever tried and they contain all natural, organic ingredients such as aloe vera, rosehip and sweet almond oil. Deliciously good for your skin and handy for taking off make up or refreshing your face

14. Stila perfecting concealer: This concealer packs a punch and is your secret ally after tiring overnight trips. A little goes a long way so use sparingly.

15. Trilogy Rose Hip Oil: Another in the Ultimate Moisture Team. Good for everyday and the plane, this is my secret weapon for combating anti aging, dryness and imperfections.

16. Therapy Range Sleep pulse point : 100% natural aromatherapy oils of lavender and chamomile will make you irrisistible to Sand Man and beautifully relaxed. Say aaaaah!

17. Aesop Facial Hydrating cream is ultra rich and smells oh so delicious. Layer on post SKII mask and Rose Hip oil for ultimate in flight softness

Voguebeauty7

Make up is a special weapon us women have in our arsenal to keep ourselves looking fresh ( men were blessed with facial hair to cover their imperfections)  but this coup can quickly become a curse when it becomes a tedious, time sucking routine . It took me a long time over my long modelling career to work out what make up works, what doesn’t and in which order, but now, I have this daily ritual down to 10 minutes flat - which is always a blessing when all you want to do is savour your morning coffee a little longer before rushing to work.

MELvoguebeauty1

Step 1: Apply Hourglass Veil primer over moisturiser -this luxe,mattyfying primer will help foundation glide on easier and keep it on for longer -use it sparingly for best results. Lightly dot multi performing Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk foundation on the face, then rub in with your fingertips. The warmth of fingers will help blend the foundation seamlessly into the skin.

Step2 : Fill in eyebrows with Anastasia’s Perfect Brow pencil then brush out with the brush attachment for a natural look. Doing this first frames the face and lets you easily identify the high and low points you would like to highlight in the next step. I have fair eyebrows, so filling in all those light hairs really helps me find my features!

MELVoguebeauty2

Step3 : It’s all about reverse contouring! I find this is the most natural way to highlight/lowlight a face. Simply apply YSL Touche Eclait to the bridge of your nose, chin, under the eyes , under the arches of the eyebrows and just above the cupid’s bow to gently highlight these areas, erase dark circles, smooth lines and make the lips appear more plump. Finish off with a super light dusting of gorgeous, light Ilia translucent powder.

MELVoguebeauty3

Step 4. Curl eyelashes and apply lenghtening mascara such as Giorgio Armani ‘s Eyes To Kill. Take an eyeshadow shortcut by using Clinique’s eyeshadow chubbies in Lots o' latte to the eye sockets, then add a little of the lighter shaded Ample Amber just above it. Blend until edges are softened.

MELvoguebeauty4

Step5. With a soft wide brush such as all vegan Eco tools , swipe a light dusting of Natio bronzer in Sunswept just under the cheekbones, temples , hairline and jawline for added lowlights. Follow up with a little bit of Nars blush in Deep Throat on the tops of cheekbones for a healthy, rosy glow.

Step6. Apply a lipstick like Tom Ford’s lipstick in Blush Nude or a grown up lipgloss such as Dior’s lip plumping Lip Glow Colour Reviver Balm and voilá!

Tools of the trade: (clockwise from left) Nars bronzer in Sunswept, Ilia translucent powder, Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill Mascara, YSL Touche Eclait, Anastasia Perfect Brow eyebrow pencil, Eco Tools brush, Clinique eyeshadow chubbies in Lots o’latte and Whopping Willow, Tom Ford lipstick in Blush Nude, Dior’s Glow Colour Reviver Balm, Nars’ cheek colour in Deep Throat, Hourglass Veil mineral primer and Georgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation

MELVoguebeauty8

Wearing: Uniqlo x Ines de la Fressange shirt , Tiffany & Co necklace and Cartier bracelet

 

Photographed by Kasia Werstak

MCOACH1

2015 is definitely all about a 70s revival. Maxi dresses, flares, blousons and velvet on carefree, rock n'roll girls that look like they are a lovechild of Janis Joplin and Michelle Phillips. But if the thought of incorporating flares into your life is giving you the style equivalent of a Nag Champa incense headache, fear not. There are ways to wear your flares that are appropriate for work or the weekend.
This story also heralds my first collaboration with Coach, the iconic New York based accessories and ready to wear company that has recently been helmed by Stuart Vevers; the man who has in the past brought magic to labels such as Mulberry, Bottega Veneta and Loewe. Under Stuart's direction, Coach has grown into a super cool, youthful and playful brand with a kaleidoscopic use of color, print, cute cartoon characters as well as polished, lust worthy pieces. I am proud to announce I will be collaborating with Coach all this season - there are so many beautiful accessories I get to play with - I hope you fall in love with them as much as I have.
First up is the Swagger collection where Mr Vevers explores modern elegance and streetwise sophistication. It's all about delicate, jewelry like chains, hantags and amped up turnlocks. I wanted to pair my picks of the collection with the best of new season clothes and to show you just how easy it is to turn into Stevie Nicks without losing your 2015 modernity. All hail the flare!

MCOACH2

So you think flares are best kept for the weekend? You haven't seen the Ellery version yet. With their swishing, multi layered bottom, these pants are not just elegant but super fun to walk, dance or run after a cab in. An all black palette means business and gold hardware details add luxe bling - I paired this outfit with a Swagger bag in black crock because, well, crock print is everything

( Ellery pants, Christopher Esber top, Max Mara jacket, Coach bag, Hermes cuff, Cartier bracelet, Tom Ford sunglasses, Aquazurra shoes )

MCOACH3
MCOACH4

Karen Walker has done some amazing flares this season and this pair is printastic as well as a great 70s shade of orange. Tan and brown accessories are de rigoeur this season to elevate any 70s look. Pair with a floaty white blouse for effortless cool ( Karen Walker pants, Isabel Marant top from Parlour X, vintage Gucci belt, Sunday Somewhere sunglasses, Kirsten Ash necklace, Prada shoes )

MCOACH5
MCOACH6

 

 

 

Photographed by Nicole Cooper

MelW5

As summer slowly draws to the end and the rays of light get less hot , I always go through my wardrobe and do a major reshuffle. I store all the light summer things away and pull out cosy knits out of the boxes where they slept the summer away, then go through the leftovers of my wardrobe and take a critical look at what I need to buy so I can refresh my look for the upcoming season.

For my newest Witchery Edit , I am playing with the First Edition March collection and styling it with different pieces to show you how I will refresh my wardrobe. I love it’s predominantly neutral palette, graphic lines, focus on quality and modern silhouette that make it such an effortless way to add building blocks to one’s transeasonal wardrobe. Above, I am wearing a turtleneck poncho that is a great cover up on cold mornings. Turtlenecks are back in a big way for Autumn.

MELwitch

White and cream is one of my favourite tonal combinations of all time. I paired this slinky white First Edition skirt with a beautiful, loose turtleneck knit, boyish loafers and a leopard bag for extra pop

MELW

This dress combines black and cobalt for a perfect lesson in colourblocking and begs to be taken out on a date
Read the full story on Witchery's website here !

 

 

photographed by Alice Wesley-Smith

Subscribe

© Copyright 2024
My Empirical Life - All Rights Reserved.
Site by KORE

crossmenuchevron-downchevron-right