NICHOLAS X MORLEY FOR SPORTSGIRL

Thank you, Sportsgirl, for giving us affordable designer capsules from Romance Was Born, Elke Kramer, and now Nicholas Morley.

The brain behind the celeb-fave Buddhist Punk label, Morley has also dabbled in merchandise for Rolling Stones, ACDC and Blondie, and developed his edgy namesake label Nicholas X Morley.

Morley is inspired by his surrounds in Bali, where he resides with his partner - none other than fellow Australian designer, Alice McCall.

So what do you get when you cross a rocker-at-heart with a relaxed balinese lifestyle?

The surfer-girl-with-an-edge range of tanks, dresses and accessories, available now at Sportsgirl.

For more info visit http://www.sportsgirl.com.au/blog/post/2009/7/sportsgirls-like-nicholas-morley/blog

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SWF: JESS HART AND MIRANDA KERR

Jess in new Seafolly campaign

Miranda in Seafolly circa 2007

Australian swimwear stalwart Seafolly has appointed gorgeous Australian model Jess Hart as the face of their latest campaign. Hart follows in the well-heeled footsteps of Seafolly alumni Kristy Hinze, Catherine McNeill and possibly our most famous model export of the moment, Miranda Kerr. Seafolly obviously has excellent taste in women, but that's not the point.

I am noticing more than a few spooky similarities between Jess and Miranda that I feel need to be acknowledged:

1. They are both Aussie expats, now based in New York.
2. Miranda modelled for Seafolly in 2007, Jess picked up the campaign two years later.
3. Miranda is our most famous Victoria's Secret glamazon, and Jess earnt her Angel wings in May this year.
4. Miranda once dated 'The City' star and Tamarama band member Jay and appeared in their filmclip. Jess is now dating Tamarama's Nick, and she also appeared in their filmclip.
5. They both wear a bikini extremely well

Miranda & Jay ; Jess and Nick

Okay, I was reaching a bit with number five, but come on, single white female much?

Just sayin'.

NEW LABEL ALERT: HATSUMI'S LAUNDRY

Hatsumi's Laundry is a new range of handmade lingerie from melbourne seamstress Jemma Aickin. Inspired by childhood memories, Jemma's range of wearable objets d'art blur the line between craft and fashion.

Adorned with whimsical bows, frills, buttons and beads, each unabashedly feminine pair is lovingly handsewn in her home studio. Delicate and soft, these knickers are made from gently elasticised sheer cotton-voile and baby muslin designed to caress skin and sit feather-light against hips.

Jemma's creative direction and collaboration with talented photographer Paul Barbera has resulted in a lookbook of images which are almost too special to be used for commercial purposes. The photographs showcase a 'girl next door' muse lazing around her apartment in a series of langurous poses, and pairs the knickers with lacy socks and knotted T-shirts in a touch of styling ingenuity.

For truly sublime intimates visit www.hatsumislaundry.com or www.madeitstore.com.au/hatsumislaundry

TREND REPORT: COLOURFUL KICKS

Confession: I have colour-phobia. I regard colour with a mixture of fear and fascination. Sure, I appreciate the kaleidoscopic kookiness of an Easton Pearson frock, the retro-chic of a Pucci kaftan and the beauty of a Bollywood sari- on someone else, thanks. Behind my closet doors is a a soothing sea of black, white and grey marle. My wardrobe is a sad representation of one of the most common symptoms of this debilitating phobia: monochrome-itis. 

Am I 'playing if safe'? Have I bypassed minimalist chic altogether and become simply boring? Is that guy yawning at my outfit? These are my concerns.

So, to cure my phobia, lately I've been injecting a single shot of colour into my monochromatic outfit, in the form of footwear. Like every immunisation, it hurts at first. But if the alternative is being bland, you're better off in the long run.

So if, like me, the words 'Ken' and 'Done' prompt a spine-tingling technicolour nightmare- take baby steps in a pair like these Nicholas Kirkwoods. Then, like me, justify your purchase on account of 'dealing with your fears'. Respect the process.

MERCEDES BENZ BRISBANE FASHION FESTIVAL IS BACK

The Mercedes Benz Brisbane Fashion Festival is back from the 23 - 28 August....and its all grown up! Last year, the fledgling event was hidden away in a plush pocket of the Hilton Hotel - but this year Lindsay Bennett and the MBFF team have kicked things up a notch, securing the historic City Hall as host. This stately icon will see the best of Spring/Summer 09-10 from Easton Pearson, Kirrilly Johnston, Lisa Ho and co, sashaying down the runway to an audience of national fashion media, buyers, and VIP celebrity guests.

Appropriately, the swimwear/resort component is being held by the water at Portside, Hamilton, where Flamingo Sands, Whitesands and print-maestro Colin Heaney will follow up their sensational shows from February's Swim Fashion Week.

Industry types will enjoy the fashion forums (last year's breakfast on creativity vs commercial viability with panellists Easton Pearson was fantastic!) at which speakers like Vogue Australia's Kristie Clements and Project Runway goddess Kristy Hinze will wax lyrical on the issues that affect the fashion world.

And with the return of popular Queen St Mall Snap Shows, even mere mallrats can catch a glimpse of the fashion pack. There is truly something for everyone!

Check out www.mbff.com.au for more information, including ticket pricing and the complete program of events.

NEW AUSTRALIAN FASHION BLOG

NEW AUSTRALIAN FASHION BLOG. ENJOY.