Back To Black

Happy spring or autumn, Depending on where you are in the world! The sun was shining here yesterday to grace us with a new season. One that doesn’t last long in Sydney. Even though the cold snap has eased off, the mornings and evenings are still quite chilly. All black is a common combination I am all too familiar with, and I even surprise myself with the amount of mix and matching to be had when styling this palette. I am easing into spring wearing more lightweight tailoring with a relaxed fit with a mix of sharp and soft lines. I spent the majority of my late teens wearing River Island and thrilled they deliver to Australia and stock on The Iconic. Fingers crossed they open a flagship store soon! If you aren’t yet familiar with this store, then let me introduce you. Their styles are contemporary, tailoring is sharp and powerful, and their festival wear is basically a mash up of some of the best muses that rock Coachella. Have I sold it yet? It’s basically one of the biggest stores in the UK, and have been renowned for collaborations with the likes of Rihanna. It definitely added to shopping addiction back home, and they always do a great mix of workwear for the female that likes to keep stylish 9-5.

Today I’m wearing a slouchy soft kimono with a sharp layered midi skirt. I quite like the mix of lines and although both items are black, there’s something quite powerful surrounding the look. I decided to style with a suede collar underneath to add a touch of 70’s and classic Clubmaster style sunglasses from Oscar Wylee. Finished off with some marble hardware and suede boots that I seriously have struggled keeping off my feet! I love a good pointy boot, and an added bonus for the square heel. A big fan of that. A little sad that boots won’t be an option as the temperatures warm up, so will spend spring getting my wear out of them before the weekly pedicures begin!

Shop the look:

River Island Kimono: SHOP HERE or SIMILAR HERE

River Island Black Skirt: SHOP HERE or SIMILAR HERE

River Island Suede Collar: SHOP HERE

Jolie and Dean Jewellery: SHOP HERE or SIMILAR HERE

Oscar Wylee Sunglasses: SHOP HERE or SIMILAR HERE

Montana Black Boots: SHOP HERE 

Zara Bag: SIMILAR HERE

Photo credit to Laurie Young from The Rue Collective 

River Island Street Style - London Calling

London Fashion Week takes place in just over seven weeks, and no doubt street style will be at it’s finest. Photographing the looks that have been planned to the last detail would be so amazing to capture! After snapping at Sydney Fashion Week two years in a row, it makes me realise how much I love this kind of photography. It was amazing catching up and shooting Lorna, from Lorna Luxe Blog  when I made the trip back to the UK at Christmas. We have been dying to reconnect since to collaborate on an amazing street style project. September is way more favoured than the February shows, purely because it’s not so bloody freezing! Hence more time to hang about Somerset House to snap stylish ensembles.

This month, River Island and Pedestrian.tv are looking for the best Australian street style look to send one lucky winner to LFW. What a dream to win this prize! It would be amazing to meet up with some of the influencers I’m connected with on Instagram, and report for Pedestrian from the River Island party. It would be mind blowing to plan a girly week of fashion, lunches and chit chat with some of my favourite fashionistas. And we can’t forget the not so wonderful blisters from uncomfortable shoes to take us to the shows!

The look I am featuring today is layered and a mix of textures. The best thing about London is being able to dress for real cold weather, so styling a look in the winter is not something I am unfamiliar with! I love A/W fashion, and I can’t tell you how many scarfs I still have back in the UK! Thankfully, I was lucky enough to get my hands of this cashmere number from a Jenny Von Holtermann’s, New York to keep me stylish, especially with this bitter weather we are experiencing in Sydney right now. My leather midi skirt was a steal at only $10 from Kiribilli markets. I always seem to pick up the best finds there and adore the buttons down the front of the skirt. I have found some great alternatives online, so check out some of the shopping links below to get your leather midi fix! I opted for a dress worn as a top to tuck into the skirt and these beautiful pointy shoes from Zu. They photograph so well and instantly make the look that touch more lady like.

Ever since I was a teenager, trips to London were a past time, and there are some amazing hangouts I would love to revisit if I’m lucky enough to win the prize:

1. Burger and Lobster: One of my favourite quick eateries. The menu consists of 3 things: Burger, Lobster and Lobster brioche. It may sound a little boring, but the food is top knotch!
2. Liberty London: Boutique style department store with the best monochrome exterior. Yes, the designers in store are plush and high end but it’s the decor, old squeaking floorboards and ambience that always win me over! Also the florist at the entrance make it all that more enchanting. 
3. Afternoon Tea at Fortnum and Mason: Established in 1707, it oozes class and tradition. When there's mint green notes throughout, and a grand piano upon entering you know this is going to be Instagram worthy! 
4. Sushi Samba: Japanese cuisine with a twist of Peruvian and Brazilian! Yum! Not only is the food amazing, the view isn’t too shabby either. Located on the 38th and 39th floor of Bishopsgate. 

Fingers crossed for the competition, and can’t wait to see all the other entries! Hope all you Aussies are staying warm this week! 

Shop the look:

Magali Pascal Dress (worn as a top): SHOP HERE or SIMILAR HERE

Vintage Leather Skirt: SHOP SIMILAR HERE or SIMILAR HERE (on sale)

Jenny Von Holtermann Cape: SHOP HERE or SIMILAR HERE

Zu Shoes: SHOP HERE or SIMILAR HERE

Cassandra Tassel Saint Laurent Bag: SHOP HERE

Rayban Sunglasses: SHOP HERE

Photo Credit to my love, Chris Bray

Christmas Eve In Mayfair

Mayfair in London: The most expensive streets on the Monopoly board. And for good reason! Dipstick, Maje, Liberty’s and many more luxurious boutiques standing with class on the streets of W1K. I was thrilled to meet up with Italian blogger Nicky from Nicky Inside Out Blog. I met up with another blogger, Lorna Andrews a few days before (which I’ll be featuring on Boho Behind The Lens next week). Lorna said I have to meet Nicky as she is lovely, so made the trip back to London Christmas Eve to shoot and chat over a coffee. Working in Mayfair, and also a fan of the minimal colour palette, she knew exactly where to shoot! And being the Eve before Christmas the small side street was like a ghost town. Lucky us! May I also add, it’s 5 minute walk from Selfridges and Liberty’s. Only window shopping happened I promise!

Today’s look is quite low key, so thought I’d add a strong red lip and hair up for once! I was lucky enough to get my hands on this gorgeous dress before it drops in store next season, but being London in December it was just too cold to brave on it’s own so teamed with distressed jeans rolled up.  One shop I am happy about being home for is River Island. I really miss that store and bonus for me, a lot of summer styles are so cheap right now. That made a Bondi girl very happy! 

I picked up this wool cape from RI, and figured it can be worn two ways. The first: loose. This style looks really nice draped over most styles - jumpers, t-shirts and dresses. The second: tying the front. I loved how the fit all of sudden changed when bunching it together and very much liked the neckline when worn this way. It’s a great piece to layer and looks cool under a long coat with the fringing peaking through.

I had a really fun day meeting with Nicky, and has made me think more about coming back to the UK for Fashion Week next September. I had better start saving again! Hope you all had a lovely Christmas and picked up some awesome bargains at the sales! Let me know if you found anything good.

Shop The Look:

Dress: Elliatt (not yet available)

Jeans: Boohoo

Cape: River Island

Boots: Senso

Bag: Forever 21 UK (black available here)

Photo credit to Nicky from Nicky Inside Out Bloghttp://nickyinsideout.com.