Suit Yourself!

Lately, I have been obsessing about suits! I am loving the simple classic suits on the ladies, and in contrast, bold patterns and coloured suits on the guys!

My favourite is Miranda Kerr at the Autumn Winter fashion launch, as she wears Josh Goot's Navy Wool Tuxedo Jacket, Slim Shirt, and Navy Wool Tuxedo Pants

All Photo Rights belong to David Jones
.

 Another look I am in love with is Camilla Belle in Tom Ford White Jacket and Pants with a dashing polka-dotted necktie.

Camilla Belle suits up in  Tom Ford

As for the gentlemen, I love the fun patterned suit by Gucci and best of all these are my favourites of Mboko Ndimba Mobutu suits!

Gucci S/S 12

Love Sophia x

We miss you magic land!

Recently, I went with my friend to the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA). There were a few exhibitions on at  the time. The first exhibition we went to was called "We miss you magic land" featuring the artist "Pip & Pop". The delicate details in the 'magic land' are made from sugar and sand. It was very detailed and rather breathtaking.  

Mark Sherwood | © QAG|GoMA 2012

At the gallery, there was also an exhibition by the Japanese artist 'Yoyoi Kusama'. She is one of the most significant and influential artists working today. The exhibition was all about colour and poka dots!

Mark Sherwood | © QAG|GoMA 2012

This was a room pure white to begin with, all the furniture in this room was white as well. As people came in they were given colourful stickers to stick everywhere!

My lovely friend sticking colourful stickers on the wall!

Mark Sherwood | © QAG|GoMA 2012

Outfit on the day:

Black Jumpsuit - Forever New (Australian Brand)

Gold Chain Red Leather Belt - SSFW 

Gold Chain Brown Leather Bracelet - SSFW

Gold Crystal Ring- Swarovski

Sunglasses - Dotti (Australian Brand)

Black High Heels- Barkins (Australian Brand)

I hope everyone will have a happy and colourful day, every day!

Love Sophia x

A Shoe Revolution

Girls for centuries had always loved their heels and why not? It is a legendary invention - It makes you look taller, slimmer, curvier, brings your figure to an up-right carriage position, legs look longer and toned. Many wear heels on a daily basis, but when it comes to a night out or glamming up it is all about who has the biggest and best heals. With so many choices and variety from stilettos, wedges, boots, to (and the most popular) pumps. With girls competing over who has the most unique, amazing and astounding designs, we have seen a competition of highest heels, especially the Alexander McQueen's high heals from his 2010 Spring collection with the unforgettable and astonishing 12 inch heels, heels made of glass (it's like a fairy tale!), heel boots made of lace, real diamonds on heels, studs, and  (currently what is new exclusively to Harrods) plumps with Swarovski crystals.

Noritaka Tatehana

With so many ideas it is really getting hard to be creative and win this endless competition of who has the craziest, biggest and best heels. Well, lucky for us all, there is an overwhelmingly brilliant pair of heels called 'Noritaka Tatehana'. A pair of heels with out the heels! This is not a metaphor, these heels are shoes that are high but with out the heels. They are so breathtaking and extremely unique! Perhaps even a heel revolution.    

They are designed by a Japanese designer called Noritaka Tatehana. He is based in Tokyo, and you can order his extraordinary shoes online or through Dover St. Market in London, TRADE MUSEUM COMME des GARÇONS in Tokyo and Paris. If you want to have designs made to order that is also possible and will make the heels more unique. It is also great for collectors, as it is not only a fashion icon item, but a moment in history.

Love Sophia x

Happy Chinese New Year!!

Since it is Chinese New Year, I thought I would talk about some Asian inspired fashion!

Gucci’s stylish Asian inspired new bamboo bag is a 21^st century reinterpretation of one of Gucci’s most iconic handbags. The original Gucci bamboo bag was a small constructed handbag delicately crafted in pig skin with curved bamboo handle. Throughout the 1950s and 60s, the bag was worn by many celebrities making it one of Gucci’s most famous and loved handbag designs.

The new bamboo bag comes slightly bigger and for the first time, nickel is introduced to the hardware of the bag, giving it a cooler touch.  The original had a leather strap to complement the bamboo handle, but the new bamboo bag has a draped metal chain with braided base instead to add a sexier and modern touch.

New Bamboo (Photo coutesy of Gucci/Getty Images)

Liz Taylor and Paul Newman  on the set of the film "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" in 1958
(photo courtesy of Rue Des Archives)

Asian influence has also been made to Louis Vuitton as Marc Jacobs presented his Spring/Summer 2011 collection in Paris.

Louis Vuitton  Spring/Summer Collection 2011

Louis Vuitton  Spring/Summer Collection 2011

Louis Vuitton  Spring/Summer Collection 2011

Louis Vuitton  Spring/Summer Collection 2011

Louis Vuitton  Spring/Summer Collection 2011

Louis Vuitton  Spring/Summer Advertisement Campaign 2011

Louis Vuitton  Spring/Summer Advertisement Campaign 2011

Sophia x

Memorable dresses by Anna Campbell

I have an absolute insatiable appetite for the talented Australian designer, Anna Campbell! She is a young designer based in Melbourne. Inspired by her grandmother’s style and her personal taste and love for soft, dreamy, elegant and feminine designs, Anna started her own label in 2007. She specialises in bridal gowns, cocktail and maxi dresses, exclusive one-off garments and handmade fascinators. All her designs are made of luxurious and high quality materials and hand finished with her signature touch. If you are familiar with her designs, it is extremely easy to spot her dresses without anyone telling you! Her designs are unique, goddess-like, feminine and classy. Depending on the dress, some designs can be detailed to the core with fine lace and intricate embellishments.

It was a few years ago now, that I discovered her beautiful and unique dresses.  I have a number of Anna Campbell dresses, but there are two of them that are my absolute favourite and come with so many lovely memories. The two dresses are my first Anna Campbell dress and the dress I wore to when I was in high school to my formal.  Due to new seasonal collections and series being designed and made in limited numbers and stocked only in selected boutiques, my dresses will not be available from boutiques anymore. However, I fully recommend similar but improved dresses that are available now!

The new range incorporates the same romantic theme as past collections, but adopts a standout (or losing the classy feminine feel) slightly sexier feel, featuring exposed backs and plunging/open necklines to accentuate and, best of all, flatter the female form.

I first discovered her gorgeous dresses when I was dress shopping in Brisbane for a formal party. Before I encountered the Anna Campbell’s boutique, I had looked at many dresses and was rather happy with them. However, none of the dresses made me feel excited and the designs didn’t intrigue me. Luckily for me, there was light at the end of the tunnel as I stepped into the Anna Campbell's boutique.  I was in love with ALL the dresses! I tried many dresses on, and on that day I bought my first Anna Campbell dress. The dress was in a delicate shade of pale and grey lavender and the material was made with high quality silk.

(Sophia) Myself in my first Anna Campbell dress

 A similar design from this season is the “Chloe Dress” in Lavender or Steel. It has the same features such as the beautiful flowing silk fabrics and gentle splits at the front of the dress. However, this dress is more flattering for the female figure and features elegant hand embellishments.

Chloe Dress (Ivory)
ANNA CAMPBELL SPR I NG / SUM M E R 2 0 1 1 / 2 0 1 2 COL L E C T ION

Chloe Dress (Steel)
ANNA CAMPBELL SPR I NG / SUM M E R 2 0 1 1 / 2 0 1 2 COL L E C T ION

    

Front of my dress

The second dress was the one I wore to my school formal. I saw this dress unintentionally as I was going for a walk in Sydney. I saw a dress through the windows of La Luna boutique and was in complete awe of the dress. This ivory dress was Grecian in style, like a goddess’s gown! It had beautiful plaits to tie over the neck. This season, the “Camilla Dress” is very similar. However, instead of having the plaits over the shoulders, the plaits are gracefully featured as a silk belt.

Back of my dress

Camilla Dress (Ivory)
ANNA CAMPBELL SPR I NG / SUM M E R 2 0 1 1 / 2 0 1 2 COL L E C T ION

If you have a favourite dress from Anna Campbell, please share it with me! It is always lovely to know others’ tastes (:

For more information about Anna Campbell (including her collections, and boutique locations) you can visit her website at http://annacampbell.com.au 

Love, Sophia x

Welcome to Australian Couture

I am an Australian city girl who has travelled the world, gradually discovering her own style and inspiration.  I am currently a student at University of Queensland and previously studied at London College of Fashion (University of the Arts London).

Australian Couture is my personal blog, used to share ideas on Australian design, fashion and beauty. I’d love to discuss coming events, new trends and latest offerings from designers.

So let’s talk Australian Couture…

Sophia x

Photo: Fu Creations

Model: Sophia (Myself)

Shoes: Barkins (Australian Brand)

Dress: Un Dei Due (Australian Designers)