Tanja Gacic and Pip Edwards wearing Double Rainbuu and Balenciaga in Palm SpringsPip 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.

Pip Edwards wearing Versace in Palm Springs

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Excess all areas
This summer is all about bringing the excess of the ‘80s and early ‘90s back. Think: bright colours, over-the-top styling and gold baby, gold!
Above: Pip wears Double Rainbouu shirt, Versace swimsuit, Nomadic State of Mind sandals, Jordan Askill necklace, Sarah & Sebastian necklace, Balenciaga sunglasses.
Pip Edwards and Tanja Gacic wearing Dion Lee in Palm Springs

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Strolling through Joshua Tree National Park like…
‘90s minimalism is also having a revival. The normcore polar opposite to excess, this trend highlights clean lines and simple styling, think: Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. Bermuda shorts are a must.
Above: Pip wears Balenciaga sunglasses and thongs, Dion Lee top and shorts; Tanja wears Dion Lee top and skirt, Dior sunglasses, vintage shoes.
Pip Edwards and Tanja Gacic wearing Zimmermann at the Parker Palm Springs hotel

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Jungle fever
You can’t put a foot wrong if you wear animal print this season, so why not make it a full look.
Above: Pip wears a vintage hat, Zimmermann bikini, SWF skirt, Chanel sandals; Tanja wears Reliquia headband, Jimmy Choo sunglasses, Zimmermann playsuit, vintage heels.
Tanja Gacic wearing Alice McCall at the suite of the Parker Palm Springs hotel

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Bird of paradise
Don’t hold back on wild feathers and vintage styling à la the ‘60s and ‘70s, this season is all about fun.
Above: Tanja wears Alice McCall playsuit, vintage heels.
Pip Edwards and Tanja Gacic wearing sequin at the Parker Palm Springs hotel

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Dancing queens
Bring the swish of the ‘80s and the nightclub scene back with sequins.
Above: Pip wears Dior sunglasses, Alice McCall dress, Chanel sandals; Tanja wears Moschino sunglasses, Rachel Gilbert dress, YSL heels.
This story originally appeared on vogue.com.au here 
With thanks to The Parker Palm Springs xx

Tanja Gacic wearing Michael Lo Sordo and YSL at Palazzo Gritti in Venice

I must say I was so excited to shoot this story on my recent European holiday, as Venice has always been one of my favourite places in the world. Apart from gondolas, bridges and canals, this town is also magic for its culture and architecture, the highlight of which I got to experience while shooting at Palazzo Gritti, a beautiful 14th century palace that has been converted into a hotel brimming with luxury and old-school opulence.

Positioned right on the Grand Canal, the location proved the perfect place to shoot this story on the five trends in footwear you need to familiarise yourself with now. For more, scroll on to browse the season's must-have styles.
Tanja Gacic reclining in Michael lo Sordo and YSL at Palazzo Gritti in Venice

Kitten crazy
No need to tottle around on stilts when kitten heels are having a comeback - choose from a variety of options; mules, slingbacks, pumps or even boots.
Above: Tanja wears YSL sandals, Michael Lo Sordo dress.

Tanja Gacic wearing Art of Day and Alice McCall at Palazzo Gritti in Venice

Slip on
Slippers have become a must-have shoe item in any woman’s wardrobe. Not only are they supremely comfortable, they are also versatile – try rocking yours with anything from jeans and pants to maxi dresses and split skirts.
Above: Tanja wears Art Of Day sustainable slippers, Nique pants, Alice McCall top.

Tanja Gacic observing gondolas from the balcony of Palazzo Gritti in Venice

Thongs are making a comeback
Whether it’s highlighted in a flip flop style sandal or ensconced in 70s leather vibes, this season it’s all about the thong. Mules are also having a moment and strappy styles are a always a hit.
Above: Tanja wears Mara and Mine heels, MLM dress, Tiffany & Co smile necklace, Sarah and Sebastian astrological sign necklace, Jordan Askill diamond heart ring, Ole Lyngaard diamond flower ring, Cartier love bracelet worn throughout.

Tanja Gacic wearing sequin at Palazzo Gritti in Venice

The fancy sandal flat
Celine and Prada have been making incarnations of this style for years but this season, it’s become a go-to for whatever occasion or time of the day it may be. Wear it with anything from jeans to skirts and evening dresses – bonus points for patent, boucle, embroidery or rhinestones.
Above: Tanja wears Christopher Kane sandals, Rebecca Valance dress.

Tanja Gacic wearing Rebecca Valance at Palazzo Gritti in Venice

Disco fever
Gold and silver, platforms and wedges – the fun era of shoes has returned. Whether you want to inject metallics for added wow factor to your outfit or pretend you’re a dancing queen at Studio 54, this season it’s time to go all out.
Above: Tanja wears vintage shoes, Rebecca Valance dress.

This story appears on vogue.com.au here! 


Yeah, I'm a terrible blogger guys, I geddit. Whereas a normal blogger will do at least a self respecting one post a week, I pretty much go awol for weeks. Needing sensible clothes that you can wear to work everyday, preferably black? I can't help you, I haven't done an office job in my life. The only time I truly looked perfectly proper was for select funerals and my Australian citizenship certificate ceremony (cause you don't wanna tell a country they about to let a loonie in right? 🙂 Yes, maybe you won't read this blog every day or even every week but when it's finally up, I try to deliver some insensibly impractical ,yet amazing clothes.

 

Wearing Zimmermann, vintage escada earring next to Tanya Linney artwork and some of my personal crystal collection

Sometimes , I meet a cutie patootie photographer like Jordann Wood who came to my house and shot this story in one Ovo Sound Radio episode blaring from the speakers. My new place is the weirdest space ever, a 1920s Art Deco place with original ornamental high ceilings, no straight walls, a sloping living room and 3 inbuilts that consist of a large display cabinet, a smaller display cabinet and an actual pull out bar. After having really modern, minimalist apartments in the past, I wasn't sure this was my vibes. My daughter Coco tried to sell it to me by enticing me with ample storage for all my shoes, the separate living and dining, the terrace and garden but the over eager glint in her eye gave away the fact she was desperate for me to take it for the damn pool. Still, I can't deny the fact that all the weird old stuff that I obsessively collected over the years found it's own niche in this place.

In the last 4 months in no particular order a plethora of things happened; a break up with my boyfriend, my cat Tiger getting attacked by massive dogs , a 6 week trip to the homeland of Croatia and Italy for my bestie's wedding, and now, a move to a new apartment.  I wish I was one of those people that use their pain and overexertion as a springboard, but honestly, all I wanted to do in my spare time was wallow in self pity, eat my weight in pasta and make friends with all the red wine. Stay tuned for the nuggets of wisdom I procured during this time spent in a dark vortex.

Wearing Double Rainbuu tracksuit, Matin top, Beghum Khan earrings, Giuseppe Zanotti pumps, Amethyst and Citrine ring. vintage marble table, Eames chairs, Australian Wattle

Wearing Rebecca Valance dress Bulgari bag,earrings, necklace custom rug B&B italia couch

The first thing about being single again that immediately became a positive is that now I could get all my clothes and shoes out of storage and fit them in all the cupboards around the house. I may be single, but with my wasted retirement money spread safely around me at least I am not anxious. In my eager redecorating , I even bought new pieces of furniture like these funky vintage chairs that will make absolutely 0 sense in any other apartment

Michael Lo Sordo suit,Zimmermann top,Brie Leon bag,vintage chairs

In parting, a funny story. Behind me in this photo is a picture of me crying on a floor of a hotel room in the south of france 15 years ago with stuff all around me. My ex boyfriend, a photographer who is a good friend now, gave me this photo last year for my birthday. Immediately, I became upset: "But this is a photo of the day we broke up! Why this photo? And on my birthday?" He replied laughing: " Yes, it was sad then, but look at us now. It was just the beginning of something else special !"

A suit is by definition a set of outer clothes made in the same fabric, designed to be worn together and yet, in the human psyche, it is synonymous with power, masculinity, business and competence.

Clothes do not make the man, yet our perceptions of a person are seized up within mere seconds- it’s pretty hypocritical we preach that it’s the inside that matters yet make lasting judgements on people based on their outerwear.

Whether it was 1920s libertines shaking off the shackles of society, actresses using tailoring to convey power and character throughout the 20thcentury or Madonna expressing herself in the 80s, a woman wearing a suit challenged societies’ perceptions and expectations furthering feminism by asserting our strength and equality. Plus, a bit of good tailoring never hurt anyone, let’s face it! The steadfast trend is back in numerous incarnations.

 Checked and herringboned suits have been on point for a couple of seasons now and the trend is holding fast. This quirky jacket and suit combo comes with unusual details such as ruffles and ruched sleeves ( Maggie Marilyn suit, Gucci tote, Givenchy sunglasses, Bulgari and Cartier bracelets)

Return to 70s power in burgundy cord ( Anna Quan suit, Bec& Bridge bodysuit, YSL bag from Net-a-Porter, Chaumet, necklace and ring worn throughout)

 

 

Double or even triple denim is all the rage right now so why not go all out like this suit and do it the 80s, acid wash way? ( Miu Miu denim suit and booties, Karen Walker sweater)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pinstriped and double breasted navy is a classic choice. Pair it with some furry slip ons for a casual power move ( Camilla and Marc suit, Bally slippers)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sometimes the simplicity of black is all you need. Choose cigarette pants for their elongating effect on legs – just ask Meghan Markle (Nice Martinsuit, Gucci shoes)

 

 

 

 

 

Why not get out of bed and skip the whole getting dressed routine? Pajama suits are stylish, classy and feel incredible to wear ( Bally suit, Givenchy sunglasses, Gucci slippers, Miu Miu bag)
This post originally appeared on vogue.com.au here!

Hit the town dressed to impress with these top tips—they're as easy as one, two, three.

This season is all about embracing individuality, having fun, making an impact and flaunting your own brand of uniqueness. So many trends are happily coexisting at the moment that it’s near impossible to make a fashion misstep.
I am loving the move by brands such as Gucci and Balenciaga in bringing us staple transeasonal items throughout recurrent seasons–it’s now easier than ever to make a big-ticket purchase with the assurance that it won’t quickly become passé.
Embrace your inner wild child, have fun with fashion and dare to take a few risks!
( Above) Make a bold move
Sequin and lamé are on call , so go forth and light up the night. Make waves with a big and bold solo earring–designers are selling them individually. Cut outs are also a sexy new trend, but only for the brave hearted.
(wearing a Michael Lo Sordo dress, a Balenciaga earring from Matches Fashion, Charlotte Tilbury eyeshadow in La Dolce Vita, and Nars lipstick in Schiap)
Embrace boho-chic
Tune into your inner hippy with the help of romantic frills, feathers and pastels–all are trending this season. Pair long dresses with flats or kitten heels as fashion is firmly in favour of the more comfortable spectrum of the shoe department.
(wearing a Romance Was Born dress and feather boa, Hermès clutch and shoes, Karen Walker jewellery, Shu Uemura drawing pencil in Royal Blue and Clinique Chubby Stick Baby Tint in Flowering Freesia)
Opt for a print and a pattern
Patterns and prints are back so have a go at combining clashing styles. Wide legged pants rejoin the fashion fray as firm and comfortable favourites. It also can't hurt to invest in a logo-heavy bag because logomania is here!
(wearing Hermès top, pants and scarf, YSL bag from Farfetch, Affinity earrings and Guerlain Rouge Automatique lipstick in Fleur de Feu)
Florals are a constant
Florals are here to stay and exaggerated shoulders are a hot ticket–accessorise with metallics and throw on your favourite kitten heels.
( wearing Zimmermann dress, Bulgari bag, Reliquia earrings and Balenciaga heels. )

Go big or go home
For the ultimate date-night outfit, choose a backless rose strewn maxi dress then throw on an oversized cardigan and a sparkly low heel, because this season elegance is all about comfort.

(Gucci dress, shoes and cardigan, Begum Khan earrings and Dior Double Rouge lipstick in Poison Purple.)

Beauty note: Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish foundation, Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze and Glow, Shu Uemura Brow Sword and Gigi Hadid for Maybelline Fiber Mascara worn throughout. 

Photographed by Alice Wesley-Smith
Assisted by Eleni George
This post appeared on Vogue.com.au here!

Layers may not be the sexiest clothing option in the world, yet winter is the most imaginative time in the style stakes because we finally get to play with investment coats, beautiful boots and cosy knits.

Each year I invest in a few pieces that will take me through the coldest months, yet I want to make sure that my purchases last me through another winter without looking dated whilst staying reasonable in the cost-per-wear equations. And oh boy, were there some trends across the autumn/winter '17/'18 runways! From silver to folklore and ostrich feather, individuality was celebrated, but here are the ones I think will stand the test of time — or until next year, at least.

Winter may be threatening with its icy fingers but it has nothing on blanketed padded jackets in high tech incarnations. Even if it did, the oversize knitwear trend would stop it dead in it’s tracks. Still not enough? Matrix style patent leather brings out our inner dominatrix, whilst the stunning combination of blue and black will make winter surrender through sheer fashion domination.

(Ellery pants and jacket, Jac&Jack sweater and cardigan, Dion Lee sunglasses, Ole Lynegaard pearl earring sold individually)

Choose high-shine accessories with a lot of high power attitude.(Stillettos and bag both Saint Laurent from Farfetch)

(Tome dress, Sarah and Sebastian choker, Jimmy Choo sandals, vintage bracelet)

Gilded saffron spice, mustard, 70s sunflower and all shades of yellow are my colour crush. Mix them in any and all combinations including lime, earthy tones, reds, plums, even turquoise for a colour explosion – or just wear on their own.

Read more on vogue.com.au here!
photographed by Alice Wesley-Smith

The File popped in to my home and made me dish out all my beauty secrets...

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The File is a wonderful beauty destination that takes an insider's view into the homes & beauty cabinets of style influencers around the world while delivering a tight edit of the industry’s best beauty products. It’s a raw, real and personal take on beauty and I love it's extensive take into people's lives and wardrobes in addition to it's terrific beauty coverage. I was honored that my friends at this beautiful website wanted to take a peek into my home and frankly, terrified that they wanted to have a look into my cupboards and draws (cue manic tidying)! So thank you to The File for the wonderful interview below and making me seriously consider if I need that 10 year old mascara!

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"She’s got a social life that’s as hectic as her multiple day jobs, but Croatian-born former model, Tanja Gacic, perpetually looks fresher than a cucumber slice in Hendricks on ice. Explain this sorcery, human!?"

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“I am actually quite low maintenance and very quick with my beauty routine on a regular day,” Tanja insists. “I love natural and organic products because I believe in reducing the toxins in my life. I feel better knowing that these choices are contributing to a better world, supporting far-flung communities and the Earth’s ecology.It can be done in an amazing way - look at Aesop or Grown Alchemist,” she says. “They smell delicious and look amazing! Some things are a little harder to find than others – I am still to find amazing hair products that are completely organic or certain make-up/foundation that really works for me.”

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If those sound like the words of a woman well versed in beauty, it’s because she’s earned her credentials.
Tanja currently lists Blogger, Writer, Stylist, Photographer and Creative Director among her professional posts - all titles that sit pretty comfortably under umbrella title ‘Businesswoman-Brand’. But before taking the reins on her personal career she successfully shimmied her way through a decade being professionally gorgeous for other people.

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Working as a model between New York and her beloved adopted home Sydney (“The lifestyle just cannot be beaten… it has the best mix of natural beauty and cosmopolitan perks”), Tanja scored primo make-up and beauty tricks from the pros (e.g. her step-by-step guide to indelible lipstick application is one you need to bookmark immediately).

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Beauty, she says, is so important because it makes you feel good. “Even on days when I don’t wear any make-up, I have my little rituals that make me feel pampered and soft, which in turn makes me feel amazing.”

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So what are these rituals and how, with a plate stacked like hers, does Tanja find time for them?“I am so time poor!” she says. “I do my routine so quickly – most times it is in the car, while waiting at the lights!”

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“The trick is to have a great foundation – I really love Armani’s Designer Lift. Then a bit of YSL’s Touche Éclat, some Natio bronzer lightly as a contour, a thickening and lengthening mascara and a really good eyebrow pencil plus a great lip balm like Carla Oates – done!”

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Tanja’s got the kind of confident, unpredictable sense of style that’s not at odds with the chameleonic aesthetic demands of any model.“It’s all encompassing and non discriminatory,” she says of her impossible-to-pigeonhole look.“I love playing with trends, colours, decades, characters, vintage, high-end, low-end, glitzy, basic, et cetera. Clothes are so important because they convey your personality. I suppose my Gemini moon gives me lots of personalities!”

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A woman with lots of personality? Darned if it isn’t one of our favourite things.

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See more of this story and pictures ( not to mention shop my beauty products ) on The File here!

 

Photographed by Rudy Zverina
Words by Susannah Tucker

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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

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

 

Photographed by Kasia Werstak

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