Bvlgari’s new space at 123 Collins street (just down the road from their previous residence) has officially opened with a surprisingly jovial soiree. Loyal clients, many adorned in their own Bvlgari pieces, sipped smooth martinis (why is it such a task to find one as deliciously-made as these elsewhere?) while taking in the new surrounds. I expected the design to be far more opulent, in reality the feel is contemporary and restrained which allows their display of diamonds, watches, bags and eye wear to shine (not that that is too difficult a task to accomplish). Read More…

StyleMelbourne was recently invited to take a behind the scenes look at Jakaan’s latest photo shoot and indeed peek at their new threads (see right). We liked what we saw. The guerrilla style shoot (complete with bemused passers by) was a mission through the locale of St Kilda which gets to the heart of the Jaakan ideal – playfulness, individuality and being a little bit cheeky. The designer is Melbournian Pippa Joseph who has been creating for seven years and opened up the Jaakan boutique on Greville Street in Prahran in 2004. A second store named Fanny’z opened up just this past Spring on Chapel Street in Windsor and has quickly become a venue that melds designer retail with fashion events. New stock arrives all the time

The Jaakan range is typically girly without the chance that it will give you a toothache. At the shoot we spotted quirky high-waisted shorts, flirty mini skirts (ink-hued with a flash of fuschia) and basic scoop backed tees (already on our lust list). Read More…

Special guests and loyal clientele were invited to get up close and personal with the Gucci Cruise 2009 collection last week. Held at the temporary Greenhouse space at Federation Square, the event saw a little piece of Rome brought to Melbourne. Indeed the space was transformed, no longer recognisable under its daily guise as a cool urban bar. It was a recreation in miniature of an earlier presentation of the collection in Rome as part of Gucci’s 70th anniversary celebrations. The backdrop a black and white sketched Italian streetscape, smartly positioned as models seemed to emerge from its paved roads. Read More…

The judging of the 9th Annual Sanpellegrino Café Society Exhibition took place in Persimmon restaurant at the National Gallery of Victoria recently. The idea behind the project is for cafes from around Melbourne to work with final year RMIT photography students to, this year, come up with an image that conjures “the art of living in a café society” such as ours. During the celebrations an Italian Pizza bar was set up to accompany cocktails made with the host’s famous beverage and followed by tiny desserts…anyone else for Aranciata granita?

Judges Isobel Crombie, senior photography curator at the NGV, photographer Earl Carter and Sanpellegrino’s pacific director Brett Gibbs deliberated. The winner was Melanie Tanusetiawan who worked with Federal Coffee Palace as her inspiration. Read More…

The National Design Centre presents another round of the Melbourne Design Market…just in time for a stylish Christmas season. This biannual event is held in the undercover carpark at Federation Square and will be running on Sunday 30th November from 10am - 5pm. I recommend arriving early as this is becoming somewhat of a cult event and 16,000 eager shoppers packed the venue out last time around. Stallholders must go through an application process ensuring the ultimate designer wares are available for happy Melbournians. Jewelery, clothing, homewears and art are on sale and, it is Melbourne, so some freshly brewed coffee will get you through this shopping bag-laden day. Below is a peek of what will be on offer from various merchants at the market.

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Fairy floss, chocolate coated strawberries, cupcakes and popcorn decked out the tables as sparkling beverages flowed. Retro music played softly from the speakers and the walls are lined with gorgeous dresses, skirts, shirts, tees and other goodies. Walking into the Side Show Design store it felt as if we were stepping into a charming vintage boutique, yet Side Show Design has just opened this new store tucked away on the third floor of the bustling Melbourne Central.

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“Green” was undoubtedly the trend for 2008 in fashion as well as in everyday life. Sometimes it can be hard to know where the PR spin ends and honest eco-friendly design begins.

However, if you want to talk about people actually walking the walk then talk about designer Joost. He has created a self-sustaining event space called the Greenhouse in Fed Square, out of recycled, reused and well, re-thought goods. Some very talented locals are on board like event magicians bttb and Seamstress supplying the beverages combined with the culinary skills of Shannon Bennett. Read More…

Whatever Myer is paying Carson Kressley they should raise it – the man is a delight to watch and makes the fashions on the field tent fun. He parades around the stage like a gameshow model showcasing luggage and generally adds a level of joviality to proceedings.

Onto more serious business. The surprise winner for the Melbourne Cup round of Fashion on the Field heats was Kirsty MacGillivray. In a black Kirrily Johnston dress and Alex Perry jacket the outfit caused a minor stir among other contestants who expected a more daring outfit to come out on top as per traditions of the day. It also came as a happy surprise to the winner herself. Kirsty, of Brighton, accessorised the outfit with a Patricia Field clutch and black and white flower headpiece by Ward and Wylie.

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Natalie Bloom, local makeup entrepreneur, has released her first book entitled Beauty in Bloom “a collection of beautiful inspirations”. The scrapbook style is filled with fabulous quotes, advice and a wonderful way of showing how to surround yourself with the things you value in life. The pages have been illustrated by the creative artist Rebecca Wetzler and are strewn with florals.

Natalie discusses and shares the things she find inspiration in and you may too. Movies, favourite colours and, naturally, cosmetics are all sources that could make your “heart skip a beat”. A good book to escape into when days are a little dull.

We have a signed copy of the book to give away as a special thank you to StyleMelbourne subscribers.

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Celebrity dj/producer Mark Ronson is set to hit our shores very shortly headlining the Global Gathering music festivals around the country – Australia’s first taste of the worldwide event.  The Melbourne stop on his journey will be held at our famed Sidney Myer Music Bowl on Saturday 22nd November starting at 12pm.

Mark’s career is currently intertwined with fashion – he has played for Gucci and performed at parties in Paris and he pops up at fashion shows in his sharp retro suiting. The guy dresses like one of the cool kids without being over the top crazy just for the sake of it. Tailored and sophisticated with a quirky edge is more Ronson’s style. Wonder what he’ll wear on stage with his 10 piece band, The Version players? The cover of ‘Stop Me’ that he worked on with Daniel Merriweather is still on high rotation on my playlist – the film clip has an interesting aesthetic also. Read More…