Mary-go-round

Readers will most likely think I'm freakishly obsessed with all things brightly coloured and printed. A while ago I posted about Mary Katrantzou, the London-based designer who is generating bucket-loads of excitement of late for her most recent project - a collaboration with Topshop. It's not the first time Mary has paired with the superstore, she designed two small lines a couple of years back, both incredibly successful. This nine-piece collection follows Katrantzou's trademark hyper-real garden-inspired patterns, vivid colours, and structured shapes. The collection is set to land in store and online on February 17 and I can't wait to try and get my hands on one of the dresses.

DIY neon yellow collar necklaces

I've been pretty obsessed with Sass & Bide's The Life Exotic necklace for the last couple of months. Also having been utterly inspired by the lovely Geneva's DIY version of the necklace over at A Pair & a Spare, I decided to finally jump on the bandwagon with my attempt. 


I bought the two necklaces from Diva accessories at 2 for $30 (bargain!) and bought some Dy-Mark spray paint in white and fluro yellow. The trick with this process is really to build up with lots of light layers slowly rather than one big thick layer, which I learnt the hard way after the paint started flaking off after one big coat. So I started again and followed Geneva's steps and voila! Here is the result and I can't wait to wear them both. 

Mardi 17

A young man who has caught the attention of many bloggers of late is young Australian Dion Lee. Only recently graduated, Lee has made a rep for himself for producing clear-cut, highly structured garments that are tailored to absolute perfection. His SS11/12 collection doesn't stray from it either, with lots of origami-like manipulation and precise tailoring. It has a sterile feel, with the models hair slicked down with black paint, peaked collars and razor-blade-like folds. My picks of the collection are the white pleated dresses at the end, as they are so wearable yet display so much skilled tailoring.

a summer favourite

Preen's SS 2010 collection was apparently inspired by feminist novelist Virginia Woolf. It supposedly embodies the idea of women defying the expectations of society while appearing to obey the rules on the surface. Anyway.. bullshit aside, I think it's a great collection. With just enough nods to the 40s, 50s and 60sto keep you on your toes, plus unusual pairings of gelati colours and textures, this collection is a step away from Preen's usual masculinity.

close to home

Heidi Middleton and Sarah-Jane Clarke have taken their label, and catapulted Sass&Bide into the world spotlight. This video is a teaser for their SS 2012 collection, and by the looks there is a lot of spots, sequins, longer lengths and metallic leathers.. and let's not forget the structured brows! I have a feeling this may be there best yet. Kudos girls!

there's something about mary.

Mary Katranzou really nails opulence. In the current fashion climate whereby designers seem to be constantly striving for reduction, it is refreshing. Mary is a London-based designer and caught my eye a year or two ago, and since then she seems to be excellent at producing really interesting clothes. This collection takes her signature concept of hyper real print and takes it to its most beautiful and extreme. Whether it be an English country garden, photoshopped into seeming borderline virtual, mosaic formations or paradisical floral prints - she layered prints on prints on prints. She gave method to her madness through the highly structured cuts with lampshade-esque skirts and body plates. I can't wait for Spring! Florals and prints here I come.