From the latest Joolz collection entitled ‘Third Times the Charm’ comes this stunningly elegant yet quirky necklace - and you could soon be the lucky owner of one and have it adorn your neck. This ‘Butterfly Dawn’ necklace features a single strand of fat, champagne-hued pearls with the feature butterfly cut from a vintage playing card. The lovely piece is valued at $165. You can take a look at the rest of the collection by clicking here.

This is a special thank gift courtesy of Joolz to StyleMelbourne subscribers.

1. Simply sign up for our newsletter StyleSnap to the right if you haven’t already (we check this).

2. Email win@stylemelbourne.com with your full name and subject “Joolz”.

3. Wait to see if you’ve won this gorgeous prize!

The winner will be drawn Tuesday 20th January at 12pm.

Image courtesy Joolz

Happen to be down the coast for the holidays? Live down south and bothered that all the fashion events you crave are closer to the city? Here’s your chance to get a taste of the action - and it’s an all ages show too for you lucky young ones. There’s a little fashion show raising for charity this week called the Mornington Peninsula Fashion Show.

Held at the Grand Hotel, Level 1 in Mornington this Sunday the 11th January from 4pm, the event will be fundraising for the Royal Children’s Hospital. Local labels are involved from, a StyleMelbourne favourite, Cassie Louise to Gazman and the collections of Jac N Jean. Tickets are just $20 (remember it’s for a great cause) available from the venue, at the door or call 0415269969. So head down there for some lovely Sunday fun and take a peek at the runway parade.

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Words - Sarah Willcocks

Photography - Anthony Licuria

Leanne Whitehouse founded the Whitehouse Institute of Design in 1988 so a parade of recent fashion graduates was a fitting way to help celebrate their 20th anniversary. Just before Christmas, Sydney student’s work was shipped in for a colourful and eclectic runway show as the first round of Melbourne graduations is yet to happen this year from their newly opened local campus. Let’s hope we will have the opportunity to take a peek at our home grown talents at the end of 2009.

The Mail Exchange Building has been transformed for the Institute (you would have already had a peek if you were a Project Runway Australia fan) with multiple levels and its own events space. Students work is permanently on show around the halls. Take a look below for a taste of what their students have accomplished in fashion (the Institute also runs courses in Styling and Interior Design) so far.

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Words - Sarah Willcocks

Photography - Patrik Nemes

La Vie En Rose - The be held at Angelucci’s, 500 Chapel Street, South Yarra from 7pm to 3am. Complimentary champagne is provided on arrival and at midnight. Fresh oysters both natural and kilpatrick are to be served along with unlimited caviar, sushi, canapes and tapas until 10pm. The dresscode is cocktail or, as suggested, ‘like a work of art’ and the music will be uplifting house. A roaming photographer will be on hand to take your portraits on the night and these photos will be available for you after the event. Sounds like a little slice of luxury to us. Gold tickets are $55 dollars on the door while Platinum tickets are 110 dollars and include a $100 drink card. Visit here for more.

Shanghai Swing - And from the “wish we could be there” realm…Crown is playing host to 1000 invite-only guests in their massive Palladium Ballroom this evening. Their New Years Eve event is themed “Shanghai Swing” to which they say envision the opening number in Indian Jones and the Temple of Doom where Kate Capshaw does a rendition of ‘Anything Goes’ in her sparkly red cheongsam. So the space is to be decked out with a festive 1930’s Asian influence. The lovely Anne Peacock is hosting with Tottie Goldsmith, David Campbell and band are performing as well as the Ministry of Dance in full Oriental costume. It should be  glorious cabaret evening Art Deco style (add their six-course banquet and I’m in heaven).

Me? After a hectic November/December I’ll be cuddling up at home with my new husband, a few close friends, a wedge or two of brie and several bottles of Moet. Perfection! Happy 2009 New Year StyleMelbournites!

Joolz Designer Airdrie Makim is currently frantically making up 100 pieces for a special event in L.A. However this has just come of the back of the completion of her latest jewellery collection entitled ‘Third Time’s the Charm’. The collection heavily features vintage playing cards cut into perching butterflies and recycled dice. You can even have items sourced from the famous Vegas casinos such as Caesar’s Palace, Casino Royale and the Bellagio (made famous by the Ocean’s 11 films) included in your own commissions. The natural gems that run throughout many of the Joolz collections are still present with pearls, black onyx and obsidian creating the framework to support statement making pieces.

Photographer Lucia Ondrusova and model Halohid (who is also an all-round theatre talent) have helped to create the fitting photo shoot below. It is all about old Hollywood movie star, good-time glamour. Think Greta Garbo, Jean Harlow and numerous 40’s pin up girls. Adore it! You can also watch cinematographer Gunter Bohenzky’s behind the scenes video here;

Photographer - Lucia Ondrusova
Model - Halohid
Makeup - Adele Karmy
Hair - Sayaka Matsuzaki
Stylist - Monica Buch
Photographer’s Assistant - Kuba Nikoracy
Cinematographer - Gunter Bohenzky
Assistant - Teresa Corcoran
Clothing mainly courtesy Amelia from Route 66, Stephanie from BAHAMONDE, and Lisa from Eva Green

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The range will include lipstick, eye shadow, lip gloss, highlighter and nail polish. Purple colours feature heavily as do touches of peach and pink. The names of each item are hilarious. How about adding Coral Polyp, Varicose Violet or Possum Nose Pink to your make up bag? It’s refreshing to see that MAC has a sense of humour and playfulness. In all seriousness I like the look of the pastel purple themed eye trios when used with a light touch and the nail lacquers.

The packaging is quirkily kitsch with mauve (more purple of course) backgrounds placed with the Dame’s famously camp red glasses. Adorable and can’t help but make you smile.

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Words - Sarah Willcocks

Images courtesy MAC

The Mute Group opened the show with an energetic dance to some hip RnB tunes. With makeup like zombies and decked out all in black the audience didn’t quite know what to expect but when the music started this group of five dancers showed they had the moves and had all the crowd tapping their toes along with them.

After some minor technical difficulties and providing the audience with more alcohol, despite the ticket price including only one drink (yay they cheered) it was time for the fashion part of the evening to begin. Fashion Revealed is all about bringing new and young talented fashion designers into the spotlight. The parade showcased the talents of RMIT fashion students and, of course, was Christmas themed. There was the Christmas Angel by Bonnie Parker who was completely covered in glitter and a Baby Jesus which was actually a grown man in swaddling. There were also some beautiful evening gowns in the collection. One that stood out was an ankle length salmon colored dress that ballooned out with tulle. A future wedding dress designer there perhaps?

Then we came to the, ahem, interesting part of the night. Turns out the VIP guest next to me was the Sonic Manipulator. You know that man on the streets of Melbourne who makes whacky noises and appears to be from outer-space? The street performer you generally avoid walking through the streets of the CBD? (*eds. note; I love spotting that guy on big night’s out). Turns out a documentary was made about him. Fashion Revealed is also about showcasing young film-makers so this movie was shown to the audience. Sitting next to me, the Sonic Manipulator was very chuffed by his 15 minutes of fame. But then came another 15. He got to put on his costume and do a show for the Fashion Revealed audience. And while I can’t say it was the most enjoyable 15 minutes of my life, I’m sure many people enjoyed his whacky wooooooo and geeeeee sounds. Much of the crowd (sadly) left during this part of the night but came back in for another fashion show. This one lasted a bit longer and had some quality designs, although some left little to be desired (literally because there was almost nothing to the dress). There were culottes (always popular on the catwalk, not necessarily on your average suburban girl), tulle skirts, silver pants (perhaps influenced by the Sonic Manipulator), tiny black dresses, lots of sequins, crisp black shirts for the males along with striped slouch cardis and army style jackets. Then it was back for the girls and there was some beautiful lingerie on show. And with the economic crisis looming, some fashion commentators are predicting that lingerie sales could increase because they are better value for money since you wear lingerie more often than a silk dress. One to think about.

Fashion Revealed is still a new concept with a few flaws including massive breaks in between shows and repeated technical difficulties but the Christmas party was a good chance for organizers and followers alike to let their hair down and celebrate how far they’ve come and what a great opportunity they are giving to young fashion designers and film-makers.

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Words - Tara McGrath

Photography - Patrik Nemes

The first series tells the fractured fairytale of a fated Melbourne girl being watched over (or is that stalked?) by a guardian-type angel. The subtle inclusion of the photographer himself makes this somewhat of a self portrait. In one Jason Grech drapes model Jessica Judd in a slinky silver number. The final portrait sees Aussie label Antonia Paris (I’m still prepared to kill for their black sequined off-the-shoulder number) appear with a frilled number to die for, literally according to the image.

In the next series model Stephanie is directed into a series of strong shapes. The focus is on the body and the line of the clothing as the setting is the typically unforgiving studio backdrop. The highlight of this series features a canary yellow gown that really pops out from the shadowy background, also by Grech, summoning up visions of Cate Blanchett or Michelle Williams in their sundrenched finest.

Overt female strength is also depicted in the final series. Adorable model Claire Radbourne, almost unrecognisable in the best sense, rocks mini party frocks and a steely expression in an otherwise intimidating setting. Take a closer look at more of the images below.

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Drawing inspiration from international runways and key trends, designs and buying trips have a turnover time of about two to three months, with a strong emphasis on a fashion-first angle. New designs are released about four times a year, with summer looks in stores right now. As expected from such an iconic Australian brand, all the latest styles are to be spied on the shoe racks, at surprisingly affordable prices too.

At a recent Tony Bianco VIP night held at DFO Spencer Street, Ms Marshall and Mr Anthony Bianco were kind enough to have a quick chat with me. And ladies, you heard it here first, grab your patent platforms and gladiator sandals before they fly off the racks! For more classic designs, Tony Bianco has always been known for the use of colour, notably the reds, blues and purples, and their use of suede. A closet must-have is a pair of over-the-knee-boots, which is winter’s most popular item at Tony Bianco.

The VIP night was held for club members and the prices were great! I scored a pair of strappy wedges for a measly 35 dollars, and had change left over for coffee too. The event also saw some celebrities in attendance; I saw singer Ms Paris Wells leave with a very pretty pair of nautical style-inspired pumps.
For me personally, the best thing about Tony Bianco is how versatile it is. With a myriad of designs available, it caters for all generations and tastes. Loafers sit on shelves next to platform pumps. And now with a great online store, (do check out the pre-order section to see what’s in store next!), Tony Bianco looks set to provide great, accessible shoes for the next generation of young Australians and beyond.

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Words - Amanda Phoon

Photography - Chris Moore