Pip Edwards and I have been friends for 20 years, way back when we had terrible hairstyles, wore questionable clothes and did a lot of dancing on the weekends.
We both had kids before any of our friends and then navigated heartbreak, single motherhood and career life in parallel timing, so these days when life gives both of us a snippet of free time at the same time, we like to live it all the way up.
Pip is a powerhouse at the amazing sportswear brand P.E nation, so catching her is near impossible. But, it just happened to be that we were both in Los Angeles at the same time so we drove into the desert, Thelma & Louise-style, to one of my favourite hotels in the world: the Parker Palm Springs.
This iconic accommodation is an oasis in the desert teeming with hummingbirds in beautiful lush grounds, with mid-century styling, hip restaurants and cool art. I managed to persuade Pip to take part in this trend-based story. And, oh boy did we have some fun along the way!
Scroll on to see five summer trends showcased in the iconic desert surrounds of Palm Springs.
Above: Tanja wears Double Rainbouu dress, Reliquia scrunchie and star earrings, Le Specs sunglasses; Pip wears Balenciaga sunglasses and Versace swimsuit.
( Versace sunglasses from Sunglass Hut, Hermès scarf, Max Mara bra top, Tiffany & Co Smile necklace )
As the summer came to pass, unfairly amidst 6 weeks of rain, I was inclined to shout curses whilst waving a closed fist to the heavens. How dare the powers up there deny us of the best part of the season? All those late march barbeques and languid lazing on the beach gone up in a poof of neverending rain.Then, I started editing pictures for this story and realized the summer was plenty alright, even if it had prematurely ejected itself from my overzealous plans. In collaboration with Sunglass Hut, I spent the past few months wearing amazing sunglasses I had edited from their extensive collection and these babies made every one of my outfits incredible by extension. So without further ado, here is my summer diary…in sunglasses
Above: In December, my boyfriend and I took a trip to India. It had been my dream to visit Kerala since I saw a documentary on the region’s food a few years back so he surprised me with the trip (more on India coming soon in a travel post!) We rented out a whole houseboat and sailed the backwaters , all the while eating delicious seafood curries. These Versace sunglasses are my favourite shape; somewhere between a cat eye and wayfarer and are uber versatile with their tortoishell tones
( Prada sunglasses from Sunglass Hut )
After the boat, we spent a few days on Kerala's serene beaches where the fisherman's boats were painted an obviously on trend shade of orange ; ). I'm absolutely in love with the Prada sunglasses I wore in this picture and still mix them up with everything from jeans to LBDs
( Ray Ban sunglasses from Sunglass Hut, Agent Provocateur bikini )
After India we jumped onto a plane to Sri Lanka, where we stayed at the beautiful Anantara hotel surrounded by hectares of coconut plantations. I loved how these Ray Ban sunglasses had reflective lenses...perfect for napping on day beds whilst pretending I'm reading a book
(Miu Miu sunglasses from Sunglass Hut, Rebecca Valance top, Sarina Suriano earrings )
Back to Sydney post holiday and off to a friend's birthday. Loved how these Miu Miu shades added elegance and metallic sheen to my pretty ruffled top
( Dolce and Gabbana sunglasses from Sunglass Hut, Max Mara top, Thomas Sabo necklace, Cartier bracelet )
Taking a break from shooting in possibly the best aviator sunglasses I have seen in a while. With their geometric and exaggerated shape, these honeys cover a multitude of sins whilst making every outfit cool AF.
( Prada sunglasses from Sunglass Hut, Binny dress, vintage earrings )
It's now autumn but the sun is out again so how about pretending the summer is still going? Certainly, looking through pink tinted lenses might help to see the glass as half full - that's why these Prada sunglasses are staking a firm hold in my wardrobe
Hello khaki my old friend. I see you stalking the runways and being worn by all the cool kids again . To me you have never gone out of fashion- a military green anorak has shielded me in it's grunge embrace since '94 turning everything it touches a little bit more awesome, whether that is a ballgown or a pair of beat up jeans. You work with heels and sneakers, simple neutrals or patterns - a wardrobe neutral in my eyes just like leopard ; ). If I were a beauty pageant contestant my plea for you would be this : My wish is for world peace and for you, dear khaki to get released from your army duty so that you can take your rightful crown as an iconic fashion hue 4eva. Amen!
Wearing: C&M skirt, Jac&Jack linen t-shirt, APC bomber jacket, Balmain booties, Versace bag
photographed by Alice Wesley Smith
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 )
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 )
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 )
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
Metallics are slithering into this season and I have been keeping my magpie eyes on some of my favourite pieces. Feeling like Gollum before the Ring That Rules Them All, these shimmering pieces make me want to scream : My precious! What is it about metallics that bring about this hysteria? To me , it is evoking a feeling of a bygone era of shiny luxury ; imagining cutting the dancefloor carelessly at studio 54 in gold lamé, bitch fights on Dynasty and 90s supermodels in Versace. It is the way they make anything else worn with it more exciting, be that a plain white t-shirt or an otherwise black outfit. No wonder designers still haven't tired of it! Here are the pieces on my wishlist now...
1. Alexander Wang Sweatshirt
2. Altuzarra skirt
3. Gianvito Rossi flats
4. Dion Lee skirt
5. Michael Van Der Ham skirt
6. Versace necklace
7. Givenchy slides
8. Valentino clutch
9. Gianvito Rossi mules
10.Gianvito Rossi sandals
11.Topshop skirt
12. Givenchy sandals
13. Saint Laurent dress
