Hidden gem at Gucci Brisbane

Posted on April 20, 2014 by stylleque

Gucci is definitely my designer store of choice in Brisbane. The boutique not only has a vast array of handbags and wallets as you would expect, but it gets my tick for stocking a selection of clothing and shoes from Gucci’s current collections.

I buy from designers on occasion (Chanel, Balenciaga, YSL, Dior) and I always like to browse in their boutiques so I can see their new collections and touch the fabrics. A recent Gucci purchase ticked all my boxes, for quality as expected and in this case versatility too, but it ticked an added box for the fun I had in making the purchase.

That was because I discovered a little gem at Gucci – the rack in the back! A rack which sported substantial savings. While I was admiring the latest collection I was asked by the sales attendant in a professional yet almost conspiratorial manner if I’d like to see what was on this covert rack. He wasn’t the least bit condescending and even though I knew I would not be offered new season’s designs I still felt as though I was being treated to a special viewing.

Photo courtesy: style.com

And naturally I found a few pieces of interest on this special rack, including a stylish cocktail dress in russet silk from Gucci’s Fall 2013 Ready-to-Wear collection.

The rack savings were so generous that I must have spent a good 40 minutes trying on various items and the salesman, always courteous, was also listening to me, as to what I like to wear and how I like to look.

My final choice was between a black cocktail dress and a stunning silk-wool blend pencil skirt with inverted pleat, complete with sexy slit at the back and large bow detail at the waist.

Image courtesy: farfetch.com

I eventually chose the pencil skirt but not before I teamed it with a matching sleeveless, high-necked blouse. This is where the versatility came in. I bought two new pieces but achieved multiple outfits – I can wear them as separates for different looks or together, giving me the same seamless silhouette as a dress.

Block heels give a fresh boost to foot bling

Posted on November 13, 2013 by stylleque

Do you sometimes want a sexy daytime alternative to stilettos?

Flats are not a favoured option for me, high wedges work okay but most times I’d prefer a heel. The answer is the block heel. The good thing these days is that there is more choice for a thicker heel than the funky disco platforms and heels of the1970s.

Frame 1 for block heels

Miu Miu has shaped a block heel in an open-toed shoe and Erdem has sexied up a pointy-toed pump with a contrast coloured heel. If a thick block heel is a bit too much of a stretch from a stiletto, Chanel has a knotted one but gives it a wider base, as worn by Katy Perry to Chanel’s Spring 2014 show (photo credit: INFphoto.com, style.com).

My favourite pair of walking shoes is Michael Kors denim and cork – they’re comfy, stylish and hold my feet securely.

I love these pointy-toed pumps by Donald J Pliner. These heels are transparent and while they are seemingly fragile they give solid support.

In the US this year I bought a pair of two-toned BCBMAXARIA sandals with a white block heel with silver detail.

(After racing up and down the Las Vegas Strip to find them in my size, I found that both Wittner and Betts at home in Brisbane stock the same sandal!)

The block heel is certainly in fashion this season with RMK, Ginger & Smart, Nude and Scanlan & Theodore all featuring the trend.

Every bag has its day

Posted on July 14, 2013 by stylleque

They think of everything in Las Vegas – one restaurant recognises the value of a lady’s handbag and have ‘bag chairs’ so one doesn’t need to place one’s precious handbag on the floor. How civilised. No need to rummage in one’s bag for a bag hook to dangle on the edge of the table, Tableau restaurant at Wynn Hotel and Casino has the perfect solution.

A chair for your favourite handbag

A bag chair is such a novel idea and I saw it capably accommodate conference satchels, backpacks, gym bags as well as handbags.

So, when I was given my first designer handbag, a Fendi, as a present while in Vegas I knew exactly where I wanted to wear it.

A high bar and mistaken identity in Vegas

Posted on June 18, 2013 by stylleque

Here’s to Vegas 2013 and in my first week of holiday here I have already visited the highest bar in Vegas at the Palms Casino. From dinner at the hotel’s Italian restaurant, Nove, I took a peak at ghostbar located on the 55th floor of the Palm’s Ivory Tower. From what I remember after red wine and a touch of vertigo, the view from the open-air lounge area, a concrete platform suspended from the building, was spectacular. The vertigo wasn’t helped by a section of glass set into the floor which left no illusion as to how far away the ground was.

The Palms ghost bar

A favourite spot to sit and people-watch is the Moderna bar at Aria. While quietly enjoying a cocktail, a couple of women, who were unknown to us and from their accent may have been Spanish, asked my husband and I if they could have their photo taken with us. When we asked why they wanted a photo with complete strangers, they replied that they thought we appeared in a TV show – mistaken identity is as close to fame as I’ll ever get!

Stella McCartney dress with flounced skirt

Maybe it was the new black and white Diane von Furstenberg dress I was wearing that gave an illusion of celebrity. I bought it, well because I liked it, but also because it reflected some of the elements of Stella McCartney’s previous fall collection (pictured here). I like the flounced skirt which kicks out and moves as you walk and the blocked colours, cleverly woven to accentuate the silhouette.

A new breed of muse

Posted on October 31, 2012 by stylleque

Apparently what is fashionable these days is for established fashion houses to collaborate with artists, sculptors and a new breed of muse to generate new perspectives for their brand.

Collaboration between creative minds isn’t new, neither is drawing inspiration from kindred spirits: Yves Saint Laurent favoured Catherine Deneuve, Givenchy iconised Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffanys.

Modern day muses typically derive from photography, music or art and are lending inspiration to both established designers and emerging brands.

At one time, muses added glamour and intrigue, now what they bring is a savvy market of millions of potential customers. When Kanye West chose to collaborate on footwear for Dion Lee’s Fall 2012 show in London, the rapper’s enthusiastic praise of the designer was tweeted to West’s 8 million followers.

Guess by Marciano chose Swedish blogger Elin Kling for their first-ever collaboration. Renowned for her award winning fashion blog (stylebykling), on-trend commentaries and street-nous style, Kling has added a new wave of street-cred to the brand. CEO Paul Marciano knows that bloggers have a serious amount of influence and Kling’s panache for restyling looks and redefining what is wearable and stylish reflects the brand’s direction to push their boundaries and branch out.

The most colourful in recent months has been Marc Jacobs’ collaboration with artist, Yayoi Kusama, who infused dotty havoc for Louis Vuitton Collection.

Steptoe on the runway

Posted on October 21, 2012 by stylleque

On a whim I booked a ticket to a shoe parade showcasing the Steptoe brand which has a store in Brisbane’s James Street.

So often shoes are paraded as accessories on the catwalk and it was refreshing to see the tables being turned on fashion. Mini spotlights positioned at ankle height along the edges of the catwalk showed off each pair as singular works of beauty. Each worn with the simplest of black dresses, this show was all about the shoes.

The range included platform heels, strappy flats and wedges; patent, suede and pop colours; glitter and bows – something for every social occasion a girl might attend.

MC for the evening, media personality Damien Anthony Rossi added colour and panache to the evening – ending in stylish humour as he stepped out wearing a gorgeous pair of orange Steptoe heels, and looked absolutely fabulous!

It’s all about the shoe at The Cosmopolitan Hotel (below) in Vegas too!

Vogue Emporium – a very stylish affair

Posted on September 11, 2012 by stylleque

It may not be Paris or Milan or New York but I got a buzz from being (almost) front row at the Vogue Emporium Spring@Emporium fashion parade. It was a fabulously fashionable excuse to dress up and leave the office early!

While fashions from the Emporium precinct retailers showed off a new season’s wardrobe of tribal prints, romantic pastels in lace and ankle-skimming silk, I was more impressed with the timeless style agenda of other guests.

The polished elegance of a professional businesswoman in a mauve pleated skirt blended easily with an equally confident young woman wearing a softly draped, low-backed cream cocktail dress, in amongst others whose fashions of choice included loose folds or body-con sheaths.

This proved to me that you don’t need to prescribe to the latest catwalk trends to look stylish – fashion is what you decide it’s going to be!

Top picks for chic silhouettes

Posted on August 17, 2012 by stylleque

I recently read a quote from photographer and blogger, Tamu McPherson, that when choosing clothes she looks firstly at the silhouette, and after that fabric, print and colour. I admit I’m probably more of a colour person first, after all isn’t that what usually grabs our attention?

So, what is it about a silhouette that’s more alluring than colour? Well, for one thing the silhouette accentuates the shape of your body. The silhouette will either make a look appear flattering, or flat. No matter what the colour is, if the silhouette isn’t right you won’t look as good as you could.

Top picks for chic silhouettes –

– buy the right size. You want fitted, but you don’t want to look like you’ve been cling-wrapped or have worn a size too small;

– check the dress length. Short skirts are fine on longer legs; a little extra dress length will help give the illusion of height. A higher heel, a pump rather than an ankle strap or ankle boots, will also help deliver a longer silhouette;

– wear a belt. It will help to emphasise the waist. A wide belt will help connect a colour blocked top/bottom combo or meld together body-con separates;

– let the design do the work for you. Clever designs and use of colour will create an effortless silhouette that can help to sculpt your body shape. I’m loving Stella McCartney’s white and black colourblock jersey dress;

– another clever design is the peplum which is getting plenty of press lately. It may take a bit of convincing but the peplum accentuates the waist while showing off a shapely curve from the waist through to hip. I think a peplum top, dress or jacket will be more versatile than a peplum skirt (best worn knee length or just below the knee). Peplum tops will also work well with trousers.

I think the challenge is not to get carried away with what styles are fashionable when it really doesn’t flatter you – stylish is always in!

Silhouettes suited to spring

Posted on August 13, 2012 by stylleque

I’m really excited that some designers are reinventing the classic business suit. This coming season there is a move towards more tailored lines, slimmer silhouettes and more figure-conscious co-ordinates.

Turtlenecks and tunic tops are fitted, blouses are buttoned to the neck and tucked in to pencil skirts and cropped pants – creating a streamlined silhouette. Gone are slouchy tops and bulky, pleated trousers, although Chloe and Celine still style voluminous wide-legged pants.

I loved Paul Smith’s take on the suit (top left) – I saw this in a cobalt-blue colour in Las Vegas recently. I’m loving the shorter length pant which is tapered in towards the ankle – a great style to finish with smart heels. The feel with this is that it’s crisp yet relaxed, ready for business but not intimidating.

Don’t these blue Vince Camuto slimline pants (bottom left) work well to show off super heels! Here, the jacket is cropped at the waist.

Calvin Klein (right) updates the suit with a pop of colour and a loosely structured jacket –

Stepping out in Vegas

Posted on July 28, 2012 by stylleque

I’m on a work team as part of the global corporate challenge, gettheworldmoving.com. For the past month I have been wearing a pedometer and recording the number of steps I do each day.

I promised the team that I would continue to do this while on holiday in Vegas. The challenge in Vegas is how many steps can you do in heels – on rough pavement, slick marble floors and hot asphalt paths! So, in an attempt not to let the team down I had to be a bit creative in the footwear department.

Enter the sneaker wedge! Isn’t this a fabulous concept? Here’s Chloe’s version –

But I loved the black lace version by Dolce & Gabbana – a bit of fashion frivolity to match with a LBD. This is the only fashionable reason I can think of to wear rubber soles!

Stylleque

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