Showing posts with label interview. Show all posts
Showing posts with label interview. Show all posts

label love. caslazur.



There's something about the casual, easygoing vibe of VaVa Voodoo that had me from the very start. My interest in Caslazur began with the loose denim boyfriend short, then the silk bomber tied around the waist styling, to the slouchy pants and then possibly the addition of the Birks (which I am still on the fence about but I couldn't see these looks styled with anything but that). Channelling the effortless style and quintessential cool that is Bondi Beach (I can definitely attest to this), designer Cassie Snelgar has combined elements of her past and present to create a very wearable, diverse collection. You know I'm not a prints kind of girl but I'm totally okay with the supernatural voodoo references (probably had something to do with all the American Horror Story: Coven I've been watching) and the skull and bones detailing of Cassie's hand drawn graphic prints is one to really appreciate. I was lucky enough to speak with the talented Cassie to find out more about her voodoo meets beach/ surf culture inspired collection. 


You started out making scarves and your label eventually evolved to a fashion label. What has it been like transitioning from a sort of one-dimensional medium to a multi-faceted one? 

CAS: CASLAZUR evolved from textiles and scarves into fashion organically. I love exploring mediums for design and creativity, so trying my hand at new things is something which I find really fun and challenging. Sometimes they work out, sometimes they don't, and in those cases it is important to remember that I have a security safe in my garage where I can hide them! Creating a fashion label from scratch definitely takes a lot of energy and sacrifice - but the excitement you feel when you see your clothes on amazing women like Kylie Minogue or Jen Hawkins makes it all worthwhile.

Caslazur has really made a name for itself because of its signature prints. Talk us through the print you've created for this collection. 

CAS: I started as a textile designer for other labels so this is an area where I feel really comfortable and have a lot of fun. With VAVA VOODOO I was wanting to create a fresh interpretation of the voodoo aesthetic, something glamorous and intoxicating. I wanted to use them as a way of adding a slightly macabre, exotic glamour to the collection. The skulls, bones and chains of teeth all come from spells to bring love and good fortune.

Voodoo isn't exactly a practice associated with our culture. Where did the Voodoo inspiration come from?

CAS: I grew up in South Africa and our gardener was a Sangoma. I was terrified and fascinated by his rituals and artefacts when I was little. Now it is something which I love to explore on an aesthetic level. When I moved to Sydney I was really inspired by the beach and nonchalant vibe of Bondi. The lifestyle inspired the shapes and attitude of the collection. Bringing in the Voodoo aesthetic was a way of fusing my roots with my new environment.


VAVA VOODOO is very much global in scope but still tailored to local style sensibilities. Do you identify more with your Australian side or do you see yourself more as a global citizen.

CAS: VAVA VOODOO is very strongly inspired by my Australian side, but I think it is clear to see the influence that my travels and life experiences have had on me, even in this collection. When I am in Sydney I feel very at home and I love to think of myself as an adopted Australian but with the amount of travel I am doing at the moment I would have to say that my citizenship status is very much a global one!

Your collection was inspired and designed on the doorstep of Bondi Beach. What are your favourite hangouts in the area? 

CAS: There are so many but my favourite hangout for breakkie has to be Bondi Picnic! I always order their fresh young coconuts and  poached eggs- it is a weekend ritual! For drinks and some delicious sliders you can't beat Bondi Hardware. It has such a cool, lazy vibe but there is still a really good buzz... many a drunken evening has been spent in that fine establishment! 

What are your style tips for the summer?

CAS: My biggest tip for a hot Australian summer would be to keep your style effortless, your face dewy-fresh, and your bikini close by! If there is a comfy shoe trend I am all over that- think New Balance sneakers in fun colours or Birkenstocks for day time. For easy glamour I love printed silks that go from beach to bar like our CASLAZUR Elula Pants or our Sangoma Kaftan. For any time of year- but especially in the heat of summer- if you can look cool and comfortable you will always stand out in the crowd. 
Shop VAVA Voodoo here 
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eQUIP yourself giveaway.



I would probably consider myself a professional intern by now. Almost four years and counting in the business (of free labour in exchange for career experience), I’ve been fortunate enough to work across fashion PR, digital, editorial, wardrobe, events and marketing. But the one thing that has always intrigued me is buying. And it’s not just about attending events, showings and appointments – knowing what consumers want even before they know themselves is nothing short of a challenge (and I’m told there’s lots of number crunching too). I always love hearing how people got their start in the industry so who better to pick the brains of than eQUIP’s buying controller, Julie Baker.
 
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Tell us a bit about your background in fashion.
J: After graduating from university with a degree in fashion and textile design I initially worked as a printed textile designer producing artwork for fashion retailers. However after meeting the Buyers who came in to purchase the print work I realised that Buying sounded like a much more interesting a varied job.
I then went on to work as a buyer and buying controller for a number of major UK retailers including Marks and Spencer, River Island and Topshop before moving to Australia to work for Equip. 

What's been the most challenging part of your career so far?
J: There have been so many challenges over the years but the constant challenge is keeping up with the changing trends. With the growth of the internet a new trend or must have can literally spread around the world in less than 24 hours. Then the race is on to make sure that you have that in stores as soon as possible. Not spotting or being late with a trend just isn’t an option.

What's the best part about working for eQUIP?
J: The team are the best. From the Buying office to Marketing and VM onto the warehouse and in stores. Everyone is so enthusiastic about the brand and the products. 

What are some of the trends we can expect eQUIP to explore in the coming months?
J: There is a lot more colour coming through from rich jewel tones in Autumn Winter through to vivid brights and soft pastels in Spring Summer. It's all about colour.

What does a regular day look like for an eQUIP buyer?
The best bit is there isn’t a regular day. Sometimes its spent in the office poring over budget sheets, or signing off new product launches.  Other days we could be travelling the world, looking at emerging trends in NY, London, Paris and Tokyo, or visiting our factories in China and India to review production. Then it might be a store visit anywhere in Australia and New Zealand to get feedback on what customers are loving.

What's your top tip for accessorising?
Always accessorise, even if its just a pair of sunglasses or a pair of earrings! A well chosen accessory can really lift any outfit out of the ordinary and into a statement about you and your style.
 
Most prized possession: All my old photo albums.
Last big splurge: A pair of Karen Walker sunglasses and a holiday.
Favourite holiday destination: It keeps changing but at the moment Bali for total relaxation.
Your current favourite things: Sydney rock oysters, mangoes, the new Best Coast album and the TV series Girls.
Words to live by: Treat people as you wish to be treated yourself. 

I’ve been so caught up with a little something called life that I seem to have missed my blog’s second birthday last month. Luckily eQUIP have me covered – or should I say equipped? They’ve kindly offered one of my fab readers the chance to win an eQUIP gift pack worth $100 including a mixture of sunglasses, jewellery and a bag. Plenty of arm, ear and neck candy to see you through the season!
 
To enter simply:
1. Like eQUIP on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.
2. Like Flourished & Sunkissed on Facebook.
3. Comment below with your name and email address.
 
Giveaway closes Friday 21st June. Open to Australian residents only.
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interview. vera xane.


"When I left school I thought fashion was where I wanted to be," admits Alex Smyth-Kirk, designer of upcoming accessories label Vera Xane. Though career pathways can often be make-or-break decisions, Alex is testament that you don't necessarily have to get it right the first time. "Three years into my degree I realised I didn't want to be a fashion designer." So she left and crossed over to an Arts degree whilst dreaming up her new project that has now been two years in making. About to debut her first collection Dichotomies which takes its inspiration from her long time infatuation with 60's/ 70's rock & roll era, her love of travel and her appreciation of architecture and construction, her designs have already been granted a tick of approval from InStyle, Vogue China and Shop Til You Drop. Late last year I had the chance to chat with the inspiring Alex. Read on to find out more!

On growing up in a rock & roll background:

I was brought up around that [rock & roll] music my whole life. There’s memorabilia all over my parents house. When I go to trivia it’s my job to answer all the questions about music. There’s ridiculous things from the 60’s that I just happen to know. My dad had this magazine called Drift that he started when he was 23 while studying at UNSW - which is where I just finished my degree. It started as a university based newspaper but it eventually became national. He's met members of the Rolling Stones and all kinds of interesting people in the industry. When we were first designing elements of the brand, I pulled out all these archive copies for inspiration.

 On drawing from architecture: 

In the last five years, I’ve travelled a lot since finishing school and I constantly find myself drawn to cage shapes. Sometimes it’s really literal. Like I have an obsession with those electrical towers. I was in Dubai in July and there was thousands of them one after another - I think it’ll come out more in future seasons. Even [Antoni] Gaudi and that non-literal approach to design really influence my aesthetic.

On some of her favourite places to travel:

I absolutely adore Morocco. Everyone goes to Marrakech - though I love Marrakech because it has quite a rock & roll background (the Beatles and the Rolling Stones used to go there all the time) - Fez is still one of my favourite places. We stayed inside the Casbah and it’s this crazy ancient town where you start walking down little alley ways and they get smaller and smaller until you get to a tiny door. It’s like something out of Alice in Wonderland.

These days I’m in Bali all the time [Alex then proceeds to give me suggestions on her Bali hotspots]. If you do Bali the right way it’s so much fun. You can have twice as much fun as you have in Sydney, for way less money.
On the Vera Xane woman:

When I’m designing I definitely have a girl in mind. She is the kind of girl who would dress in Ellery but loves vintage, someone who doesn’t just follow fashion for the sake of it. She’s not a literal fashion girl but is more aware of it. She has a love and appreciation for design. But at the same time she’s edgy, young and smart. Women like Leigh Lezark and Georgia May Jagger are some of my modern muses. I have always had an obsession with the Jagger girls and Ronnie Wood’s daughters. I love the daughters of rock & roll. They're like this cool modern version of everything their parents stood for. 

On accessorising:

I love arm parties but not in the Man Repeller sense. I love mixing high and low. I have no dramas with getting Topshop rings and pairing them with Bvlgari. Vintage and unique travel finds are also a must - there’s nothing more beautiful than having something that no one else can get. I tried to make my collection look like something that not everyone else would have. It’s a mixed metal collection - that’s how I tried to introduced ‘colour’ into my wardrobe.

Dichotomies will be available online next month. 

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basically boutique interview.

Last week I sat down with Dimitra to have a quick chat (that turned into a two hour lengthy conversation, walk around Surry Hills and mini shoot) about her new business venture, Basically Boutique. After sharing her experiences around living in regional Australia, getting awkward stares from the locals while donning her everyday nice clothes to the one decent cafe in the town, I immediately equated her situation with Dr Zoe Hart. While watching Hart of Dixie, my best friend texted me saying 'Net-A-Porter must be Zoe's best friend.' And she's probably right. It just so happens that Net-A-Porter is one of Dimitra's best friends too. Her limited access to labels in stores inspired her to start Basically Boutique, carefully curated with hard-to-find local and international designers.

As promised, my interview with Dimitra (a first for the two of us) and something a little extra for my readers: an exclusive sneak peak of their first campaign shot by fellow blogger bud, Nicole Cooper and featuring the natural stunner, Teresa Oman. The countdown is on. Only two more days until they're open for business. Read on to find out a bit more about what they've got in store (literally). 


M: Basically Boutique is set to launch soon. How are you feeling in the lead up? 

D: We’re launching first of July. I’m nervously excited. I think our fans and our support network are really going to love what they see, but it’s just going to take a while to establish a vibe for the store as we’re still waiting for pieces to come in. 

M: How long has Basically Boutique been in the works? 

D: It’s always been in the works! I studied entrepreneurship at uni and I’ve always wanted my own business but I didn’t know what it was going to be. Because of my husband’s job we’re constantly moving around, and I was on the lookout for new work at each location. I bought an Andéol scarf back in January and I just kept thinking I would love to stock her scarves - they’re beautiful and I’ve never seen them around before. I contacted someone from the team and ask if they would consider supplying to me and from there it just snowballed. 

M: So how much of your time has the boutique consumed? 

D: It’s become a full time thing. I’m up at 6am emailing and then three days a week I work as a marketing manager. As soon as I’m on break or I’m finished for the day, I’m straight back into it. You’ll find me on computer emailing people until midnight. 

M: What labels can we expect to see at Basically Boutique? 

D: We’ve got 10 amazing labels and I’ve just secured one more officially. So we have Andéol digital print scarves, April, May from Paris, the Parisian chic By Zoe, Ciaté nail polishes, Macgraw (I shouldn't have favourites but it is my favourite), Secret South, Thierry Lasry sunglasses, TEXTILE Elizabeth & James denim, Venessa Arizaga jewellery and Veda leather.

M: These labels look a little like what you’re wearing today. Is the boutique a reflection/ extension of your personal style? 

D: Yes, definitely is! I’ve never bought before, but without being too conservative I’ve gotten pieces that reflect my personal style, are easy to wear and seamlessly integrates into your wardrobe. They are also high quality. I don’t want things falling apart because the business is a reflection of who I am. Macgraw for instance is 100% handmade and designed in Australia which is so rare. The amount of clothing that is imported into Australia is some phenomenal number so I think it’s really important to support Australian design talent. 

M: With so many online stores out there, what do you think will be your point of difference? 

D: Product mix and customer service. I want people to feel like they are shopping in store even though it’s online. I want BB to have this corner shop boutique feel. I want the experience between shopping at a brick-and-mortar store and online to be a bit vague because we’re so personalised - that’s what I’m aiming for anyway! And most of the brands you can only buy from us online. 

Our pieces aren’t exactly cheap, but we want our customers to be rest assured that they are getting quality. The majority of things I’ve chosen for the store are classic and timeless pieces that you’re going to keep forever. You feel more comfortable investing in something you know you’ll be able to wear for season to come. 


M: Are you an online or in store shopper? 

D: 100% online! Living in regional Australia - how was I meant to get anything else? When we drove into Tamworth I thought to myself, are we seriously staying here? There was a Cotton On and a Supre, definitely did not cut it. 

M: Where are some of your favourite places to shop? 

D: Shopbop is number one. I also love following boutiques on Facebook, I find a lot of my inspiration there. There’s an amazing boutique in Brisbane called Calexico who maintain an active Facebook page. I think you just become really involved on Facebook and you feel like a part of store. I also love Net-A-Porter and Australian e-tailers like My Chameleon. I haven’t done a lot of shopping lately because of the site! 

M: If you could stock any label at BB, who would it be?

D: Isabel Marant would be my number one. Mainly for the shoes, just so I can get my hands on the Bobby Sneakers. Rag and Bone would also be perfect. If Mary Katrantzou were to do a basics line with her amazing prints, I’d definitely be the first to call!

M: Who is the BB girl?

D: She's fun, informed, well travelled and knows what she's looking for. She's 19 to 39 and wants unique pieces that are of the highest quality. She reads Russh, Vogue, Grazia and follows all the trends through blogs and other forms of social media. She wears the clothes, the clothes never wear her. And on a side note, she would date either Ryan Gossling, Channing Tatum or James Franco.

M: How hard is to start your own business? 

D: It is extremely risky, but I always think ‘no risk, no reward’. There’s never going to be a right time and for me it was like I’ve just got to do it otherwise I’m never going to do it. I don’t want to look back and regret, regardless of whether it succeeds or fails, and I’m hoping it will succeed. Life’s too short not to give something a go. But it’s tough work and requires lots of money. Sometimes I have to remind myself that I’m not Net-A-Porter or Shopbop and I can’t compete with them. I have to be true to who I am, my personal style and the store’s vibe. It’s been a real learning experience. 

M: Where do you see the store in one year? 

D: Well in one year I would love to have a big birthday bash! But in terms of the store I hope  to bring in new brands every season. So fingers crossed by then we’ll have about 15 brands. I just want to keep bringing on brands that people don’t really know of and expose them to talented designers. I want to try and grow the store organically and I want Basically Boutique to be in everyone’s vocabulary. I hope that people will know us for our customer service, our quality and our advice.

Photographer: Nicole Cooper
Model: Teresa Oman
Make Up: Megan Harrison

Image 1: Macgraw top. Image 2: Andéol scarf. Image 3: Veda jacket, April, May dress.
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basically dimitra.


Powering through my Media Globalisation exam to make the bus, I met the exuberant and extremely lovely Dimitra, the brains (and beauty) behind the soon to be launched Basically Boutique. The e-boutique will stock a number of hard-to-find labels including Australian brands MacGraw and Secret Squirrel and joined by the likes of Veda, Thierry Lasry, Venessa Arizaga, By Zoe and TEXTILE Elizabeth and James (you'll want to be familiar with these names). We spent the afternoon at Kawa bonding over our love for Japan, our lust for Isabel Marant wedge sneakers, sharing our experiences in the fashion industry and venting our online shopping frustrations caused by shipping costs, returns and exchange rates. 

 I was lucky enough to secure Dimitra's first interview which will be coming to the blog early next week! I couldn't resist getting behind the lens and taking a few snaps of her killer outfit featuring the cutest pastel nails, the covetable and soon to be mine Veda Jasper jacket (Dimitra told me about the number of compliments she gets when she wears it and I can testify to this after the girl at the table next to us stopped her to ask where it was from) and the striking Andeol kaleidoscope scarf both of which will be available at Basically once it launches in July. In the mean time, head over to Facebook and Twitter to stay updated with the store's happenings in the lead up to July 1.

Dimitra is wearing Veda Jasper jacket, Andeol scarf (both arriving soon at Basically Boutique), Bassike tee
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fourth crusade.

Ever had a friend who went holidaying in Europe and returned with incredible one off jewellery that you eyed for weeks after? Well never fear, Melbourne based Diana Taranto has got you covered. After spending a year in Rome meandering cobblestone streets, Diana stumbled upon design studios with amazing, handmade jewellery and decided to bring these pieces back to Australia. She found that these hidden gems were simply not available anywhere in Australia and in most cases, anywhere in the world and knew there was a market for this style of jewellery on our shores. 

And that’s how she started Fourth Crusade in 2010, an online boutique that offers handmade, unique, avant garde jewellery. The name came from the idea that these pieces were being brought from Italy to Taranto’s home land, Australia (also a reference to the holy wars for you history buffs). I had the opportunity to chat with the lovely Diana about all things accessories...

What do you love most about Italy? 
I love (almost) everything about Italy. My grandparents migrated to Melbourne from the Aeolian Islands and Ragusa in the 50's. The first aim was to go back there and seek out the original houses where they all lived and from then on, I was in love with the country. The people, the love of life, the intensity and the food. I have travelled there a number of times and think about my next trip everyday. I am always on the lookout for new pieces while there and have a number of talented friends there with their eyes out for me as well when I am back in Melbourne.

What are your top three picks from Fourth Crusade and how would you style them? 


1. Long Gold Zipper Necklace. Hand made by Paola Volpi. It's a statement piece that people literally stop me in the street when I am wearing it to ask where they can buy one as well. Surprisingly, it gets a lot of comments from men as well?! I love wearing gold with green, coral or cobalt blue. This necklace really dresses up a very casual outfit as well.

2. Leone Yellow Bronze Ring. Hand Made by Ashanti Raffaele Cinzio. An all-round winner. I love this ring as it's easy to wear, solid and an organic shaped, statement ring that again, can be worn everyday and goes with everything. The natural features of the handmade qualities really show and each of Ashanti Raffaele Cinzio's rings are signed on the inside of the band.

3. Farfalle Necklace. Designed by me! This is a brand new piece to the Fourth Crusade collection and is a little fun. Italian's love nothing more that spending time with friends around the dinner table and this Farfalle necklace has stunning detail with a small plate featuring the Italian quote "Amicizie é maccheroni, sono meglio caldi" in English, meaning "Friends and maccheroni are both best warm". I wear this a lot. The brushed silver is easy to wear and when people realise it's pasta and ask what the engraved plate says, it always get a conversation started. Good for foodies, chefs and restaurant staff too!

My most prized accessory is… 
A silver ring I bought in Greece years ago that had gold leafing set in a clear resin and sterling silver band. It gets comments all the time and inspired me to start importing really unique pieces to Australia. I am still trying to search for the original artist so I can bring them into Fourth Crusade!

My number one style tip when it comes to accessorising is... 
One statement necklace, one statement bracelet or ring and keep the rest minimal. If you want to wear big earrings, lose the necklace. No one wants to look like a walking Christmas tree.

The one summer trend I can't wait to try... 
Wearing my gold zipper necklace over a casual tee and coloured denim shorts!

Gold zipper necklace from Fourth Crusade
...with T by Alexander Wang tee, J Brand shorts, Karen Walker sunglasses, Proenza Schouler pochette, 3.1 Phillip Lim sandals.

What are you currently working on with Fourth Crusade? 
We've just launched our ASOS store which is a huge privilege to have been selected for the ASOS Marketplace. In addition to that, the Silver collection I have recently launched that I designed myself hit the site two weeks ago and given the success of it, am going to launch a new shaped pasta with another Italian pasta saying. You're the first one to know this! (It’s out now here)

What can we expect from Fourth Crusade in the future? 
More designs, different materials from wood, rubber, sterling silver and bronze and a great range of price points. Lots of beautiful pieces suitable for casual wear to special one-off pieces for special occasions and unique gifts. 


If you're in need of something special this Christmas for your mother, sister, best friend or even to spoil yourself, be sure to check out the beautiful pieces over at Fourth Crusade. You won't be disappointed!
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dallasandcarlos.


I would be lying if I told you Tato & Memi were the only label I fell in love with that night at the showings a few weeks ago. Pictured is Ashleigh from Tailormaid sporting some serious bling from DALLASANDCARLOS (as was chief maid Sally). I was so in love by the following day I had emailed Sally for all the details and within a week I had nabbed an alphabet letter necklace. 

DALLASANDCARLOS are an Australian label fronted by Katherine Etheridge and Jesssica Constance. Known best for their signature alphabet necklace (which now also comes in rings and bracelets), the girls' latest collection, S/S 2012 DEATH VALLEY, is a unique take on costume jewellery. The collection is a cross between fine jewellery and DIY elements with hand-died Brazillian stone skull and rat pendants on delicate chains, Italian nappa leather cuffs and cotton plaited bracelets. The skulls and rats give it a 'Day of the Dead' feel, but in wearable jewellery form. Sounds cool? The inspiration comes from the design duo's journey from northern Brazil to sunny southern California which you get immediately after seeing the Americana vibe of their campaign. 

I was lucky enough to have a quick q&a session with the designers, Katherine and Jessica...

How did DALLASANDCARLOS come about?
We (Jessica and Katherine) are old friends from school. We met up a few years ago when we were both living in Brazil. We found some amazing materials that inspired us to start creating samples for our first collection.

 Where did the name come from?
When we first started the label, we were both living in apartments in an island in the South of Brazil called Florianopolis. Katherine was living in an apartment named “dallas” and Jessica was in an apartment called “carlos”. Each day we would call each other & say “whats’s up in dallas?” and “what’s up in carlos?”- that’s how the name came about. 
What has been the highlight of your design careers so far?
Being able to travel to the places we’ve been and experience what we have while always being on the job.

What is your favourite piece from S/S collection and what do you love to style it with?
Jessica: django rat ring in silver & pedro skull wish bracelet in black & gold. I love layering them with everything depending on the outfit.
Katherine: django skull ring, django bracelet, & hugo rat necklace - layering lots of them together with basics and jeans or wearing a more statement piece on its own at night.
What’s your top accessorising tip?
Don’t be afraid to wear gold & silver together, layering, wearing all bracelets on one hand and flashes of colour.

 What’s in store for Dallas and Carlos in the future?
... Russia, Bulgaria,  Bolivia & beyond.... Stay tuned... xx

Check DALLASANDCARLOS out here. 
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