Scout Blog

Belle/Coco Republic Interior Design Awards 2012

2012-05-18 00:00:00

More than 200 stylish guests including SCOUT'S Tony Bannister attended the Belle/Coco Republic Interior Design awards on Wednesday night at Coco Republic's lavish Sydney showroom. The awards celebrate the creativity, inspiration and innovation of the Australian interior design industry. Guests enjoyed entertainment by Sydney soul singer $arsha $imone, canapés by The Food Society and Blood Orange Cocktails by Campari.

High profile guests included the likes of Sibella Court, Deborah Thomas from Australian Women's weekly, fashion icon Maggie Tabberer, interior designer David Hicks and TV personality Robyn Holt.

Stylish people mingled with stylish judges including Kelly Hoppen, Domenic Alvaro, Margie Attard, Manuscript Editor Mitchell Oakley Smith, Coco Republic Director Anthony Spon Smith and Belle's Neale Whitaker, Steve Cordony and Jean Wright before the winners were announced:

•    Best Residential Interior – Tusculum Street Residence by SMART DESIGN STUDIO
Finalists Whale Beach House by BKH; Toorak Residence by DAVID HICKS

•    Best commercial Interior – Aesop Claremont by RUSSELL & GEORGE
Finalists Paul and Joe by DOHERTY LYNCH; SFXN Coop Manly Corso by BKH

•    Best corporate interior – Paper Stone Scissors by RUSSELL & GEORGE
Finalists Medich Office by SJB INTERIORS; Saatchi & Saatchi by SMART DESIGN STUDIO

•    Best hospitality interior – The Apollo by GEORGE LIVISSIANIS
Finalists The Old Library by HECKER GUTHRIE; Scarlett by SJB INTERIORS

•    Interior Designer of the Year – Iain Halliday for BKH

Finalists Ryan Russell and Byron George for RUSSELL & GEORGE; David Hicks for DAVID HICKS DESIGN

Neale Whitaker said "Belle is a great promoter of both established and emerging Australian interior designers, and these awards have been given to designers, design partnerships and design practices for the most dynamic and sophisticated work.” Interior Designer of the Year- lain Halliday work will be published in Belle.

Out of Vogue

2012-05-17 00:00:00

Australian Vogue editor Kirstie Clements was suddenly axed yesterday, after 12 years at the top. Rupert Murdoch's News Magazines, which owns the licence for Vogue in Australia, announced that she will be be replaced by current Harper's Bazaar editor Edwina McCann.
Clements is not the first Vogue editor to lose her post suddenly - Nancy Pilcher had to endure a teary exit, Marion Hume was fired while out at lunch and Juliet Ashworth lasted less than a year. Vogue may be the bastion of class and elegance, but don't expect the kid glove treatment when your time's up!
After three years building circulation at Harper's Bazaar and coming off a cover coup - Nicole Kidman holding baby daughter Faith Margaret - McCann is on a roll. Also, it doesn't hurt that McCann has ties with the Murdoch family: she goes way back with Sarah and Lachlan Murdoch.It will be a kind of homecoming for McCann, who started as a fashion assistant "in the cupboard" at Vogue.

While we look forward to seeing what changes McCann will bring to the venerable title, let's not forget the huge contribution Clements has made to Vogue and to Australian fashion. Next up: who will edit Harper's Bazaar?

THAT'S ALL…..

Tokyu Plaza

2012-05-16 00:00:00

Shaking off the sadness of last year’s earthquake, new stores are opening across Tokyo this month. After the new Uniqlo and Dover Street Market projects in Ginza, comes an even bigger event in Harajuku.
The new Tokyu Plaza shopping mall opened on April 18th, on the site of the old Gap flagship. Anchored by US brands Tommy Hilfiger and American Eagle Outfitters, it boasts seven floors of fashion, lifestyle and dining brands. Designed to maximize natural light, the crystalline design features a huge skylight with rooftop garden, balconies and large windows. Fans of Aussie chef Bill Grainger will be happy he’s opened a bill’s café on the top floor, with the famous scrambled eggs and ricotta hotcakes available all day.
Cool DIY store Tokyu Hands has “hands be”, a compact version focussed on paper craft and accessories. Also recommended: Tokyo’s Tokyo, a museum-like store featuring cool Japanese design, animation goods and quirky toys. Local brands aimed at 20-something women make up the rest.

There were fears that the new mall would further damage the unique fashion character of Harajuku, given the mega stores like Forever 21 and H&M have already settled in, but the new development replaces Gap – hardly a fashion leader – and life goes on in the backstreets, undisturbed by the new power brands.

The Kids Have Style

2012-05-15 00:00:00

Year after year kids clothing evolves as new trends emerge and creative collaborations amongst designers blossom. Designers are making some interesting new fashion statements by creating clothes for toddlers and tweens that are just as sophisticated as adult clothing. Modelled off mens’ and womens’ wear, we are seeing children’s fashion that allows for individual personalities to shine through.
One such collaboration is DVF for Gap. Diane von Furstenberg has taken iconic DVF prints and mixed and matched them in downsized silhouettes to create a fun range of kids clothing that range from tiny tots to young girls.This bold, bright spring wardrobe has lots of appeal to the young wearers themselves, and thats got to be a big help for Mum. As this doesn't need to blow the budget, Mum's would love to see more of this type of collaboration.

FASHIONTREND issue 27 GIVEAWAY

2012-05-14 00:00:00

FASHIONTREND Australia has launched it's new Issue showcasing LMFF and the Spring Summer collections direct from Paris and London. ‘EROTICA’ unveils a brave new mood for ‘The Essential Fashion Quarterly’ with a provocative beauty narrative created by Rae Morris for L'Oréal Paris. Dedicated to desire, this highly collectable Issue features 150+ pages of unstoppable fashion.

Watch the behind-the-scenes VIDEO and view some editorials exclusive to SCOUT.

We have 3 Issues to GIVEAWAY! Simply email us at info@scout.com.au with your name, address and tell us your favorite current Fashion trend.

NEW ISSUE OUT NOW!
Available at MAG NATION and leading newsagents nationally.
http://www.fashiontrend.com.au

JPG does COKE

2012-05-11 00:00:00

Since being given the role of creative director at Diet Coke earlier this year, it has become clear that Jean Paul Gaultier’s cheeky side never really disappeared like we once thought. Perhaps it was merely on sabbatical at Hermes.

Combining his unique signature style and his fun light-hearted attitude, JPG’s new bottle designs for the soda brand feature two perfume-esque bottles: one dressed in nautical Breton stripes, a trademark of JPG, and the other suspiciously resembling a Madonna costume circa the cone bra years that see us reminiscing about JPG’s previous risquae work and mischief.

But if the Coke ad campaign for his new designs are any indication, it would appear that we need no longer reminisce, as he promises to bring his quirky humour to the brand through a series of projects in 2012. The collection that is themed ‘Night & Day’ pays homage to his infamous designs and naughty sense of humour.

Once again, Gaultier will be designing Madonna’s stage costumes for her upcoming world tour, and we cant wait to see what fabulous creations Gaultier has dreamed up, possibly an 80’s Déjà Vu that we can, for once all look forward to. We'll keep you postered

Mermaids at the Met

2012-05-10 00:00:00

The Metropolitan Costume Institute Gala is like the Oscars of fashion – but on this red carpet, the stakes are higher. While the main theme is to “look fabulous darling”, we think there must have been a ‘fantasy themed dresscode’ printed on this years highly sort after invitations. Did some invitations say Mermaid, some Treasure Chest, and others Peekaboo Lace? We think so, as there were some definite themes in the gowns on the red carpet climbing those famous Met steps.

MERMAID

Beyonce was queen of the mermaids in her breathtaking beaded, lace and feathers fishtail Givenchy Couture gown. Karolina Kurkova also channelled her inner-Mermaid in a head-to-toe shimmering golden Rachael Zoe creation. Joining them were Kate Blanchette in a stunning black feather gown by Alexander Mc Queen and Amy Poehler in Fotini. Carey Mulligan’s molten fish-scale Prada dress was a more modern take on the Mermaid theme, while Rhianna look was more reptilian in her figure hugging black snakeskin Tom Ford gown.

TREASURE CHEST

For those who’s invitation dresscode said – Treasure Chest, gold was the treasure of choice. Jessica Alba looked like a golden Greek goddess in metallic Michael Kors, Cameron Diaz was radiant in soft gold by Stella McCartney and Camille Belle in subtle silver Ralph Lauren, all proving that classic lines are enough when you’re carrying this much metal.

PEEKABOO LACE

Peekaboo lace can hint at what might be seen, without giving it all away. Rooney Mara kept her recent gothic style in black lace by Givenchy, flashing just a little leg. Chloe Sevign was uber chic in modern peekaboo Miu Miu, while Christina Ricci kept it clean and sculpted in Thakoon (or was she of the Mermaid set??). Just to prove that men can wear lace too (as long as they’re famous and very fit), Marc Jacobs wore a lace shirt ‘dress’ over manly white shorts. An Interesting take on the theme!

Photos: Getty

Fashion Insider

2012-05-09 00:00:00

You might not know this Japanese brand, but certain New York designers make a point of buying it up big when they visit Barneys New York in Tokyo. Muveil was launched in 2007 by designer Michiko Nakayama, mixing whimsy and reality - think simple shapes with an emphasis on floral and animal prints. She has a huge following amongst that Sofia Coppola-worshipping tribe of downtown Tokyo girls. According to Nakayama, she’s inspired by childhood memories, working “impulsively and instinctively”, but these are “real clothes for adults….and daily life”. This summer, there’s a definite Mexican influence to the vibrant full, cotton skirts, floral print trench coats and mix of tropical brights and sandy neutrals, along with a generous dose of leopard print and cutesy animals. Up next: Nakayama plans to turn her childlike imagination to kids’ wear of course, and lingerie.
Available at Barneys New York Ginza, Isetan, Mitsukoshi and online through Muveil.com

Luciano Carvari Shoe Bar

2012-05-08 00:00:00

Don't say we don't spoil you with the stuff of footwear fantasy. Design firm Blenko conceived a concept showroom for Ukranian footwear and accessories brand Luciano Carvari in the style of an elegant cocktail bar. A long wooden bar display boots in place of bottles, heels are arranged on tables surrounded by inviting ottoman's to take a seat. With fringed lamps hanging from the ceiling and low lighting you can almost smell the smoke of the saloon...
We've seen many of these elegant shoe boudoirs, elevating the products to trophies, and check out Selfridge's beautiful shoe lounges for more inspiration.

Vogue Fashion Festive 2012

2012-05-07 00:00:00

Vogue has slowly but surely been growing from a mega publishing brand to a mega-everything brand. From Vogue's Fashion's Night Out to the Vogue fashion cafes and the Conde Nast College of Fashion and Design opening January 2013 the latest in the brand portfolio is the Vogue Fashion Festival which took place in April.
Surely few other fashion brands in the world would have the gravitas to pull in such stellar (including Stella) names for the two day programme. On the agenda were interviews with major fashion figures and contributing editors including Christopher Bailey, Tom Ford, Dolce & Gabbana, Alexandra Shulman and Lucinda Chambers.
There was also a focus on entrepreneurship with inspiring figures including Alex Brownsell co-owner of Bleach, editor of Testmag.co.uk Jaime Perlman and Hanna Hanra editor of The Beat magazine. Debates and workshops explored diverse subjects such as fashion and age, red carpet style, the models point of view and customisation.
As fashion shows have become more democratic, these sorts of open events where members of the public have access to high calibre celebrities and iconic figures are a natural and exciting next step.

MBFWA Day 3: Our Top Picks

2012-05-04 00:00:00

Pippa McManus's has continued to captured the excitement, drama and fashions at MBFWA with her expressive illustrations.

On Day 3 Alice McCall showed a collection inspired by Eastern European costume and architecture. The collection, which features lacy dresses, floral embroidery, daisy chain prints, braided hair and cut-away necklines, all inspired by the stained glass windows of Budapest and the sinuous lines of Art Nouveau. Pippa's illustrations capture the delicate colour and mood of the show beautifully.

Sarah Phillips showed a resort inspired collection. Blues and greens featured strongly, contrasted by sweet mauves and orange combinations. Sarah used peplums to create give her silhouettes volume, balanced by slim legs. Pippa's illustrations have captured this beautifully.

And finally for Day 3 Ellery, one of Pippa's favourite collections. She loved the way Ellery used drape and folds to create asymmetric volume in her collection. She loved drawing the models and capturing the movement in Ellery's designs.

We love todays illustrations and can't wait to see what the final day of MBFWA brings.

MBFWA Day 2: All Drawn Up

2012-05-03 00:00:00

Aurelio Costarella’s collection was an ethereal showcase of feathers, feminine corsetry, intricate embroidery and layer-upon-layer of sheer ruffles. Inspired by the classic artworks of Flemish artist Joos Van Cleve, Costarella used hand dyed raffia, silk-covered crystals and mirrored sequins to add unique texture to his signature gowns and cocktail dresses. Pippa McManus has captured the ethereal mood of the collection in her delicate intricate illustrations. The pom-pom headdresses were a standout.

In their long anticipated Fashion Week debut, up and coming label Songs For The Mute showed a covetable collection with a futuristic edge. The menswear label have progressed from their slouchy unstructured styles to show a more tailored, sporty range of drop-crotch pants, clean cotton jackets and athletic hooded vests.

By Johnny showed a more sophisticated collection than in previous years, with graphic hand-drawn and symmetrical mirrored prints on sporty dresses and skirts with preppy peplums. The soft pastel colour palette created a feminine mood.

Fashion Illustrated

2012-05-02 00:00:00

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Australia is in full swing, and while the fashion editors and bloggers are racing to beat each other to post their reviews and fashions, posted straight from the front row, on to their online sites, and the e-commerce stores are frantically taking orders and delivering the collections hot off the catwalk to your door in less than 3 hours…..there is someone talking a more creative and artistic approach to fashion week. Pippa McManus is taking the time to view the collections, the styling and make-up and then she goes back stage to illustrating her favourite looks, posting them on her uber creative illustration blog page http://pippasworkablefixative.blogspot.com.au/

SCOUT loves the idea of creative collaborations and so rather than overload you with more and more catwalk images we are going to review the week through Pippa’s creative illustrations. The first is the marvellous comic inspired Romance Was Born show where the make up and hair was as amazing as the high voltage clothes. Then on to a ‘70s mood at Gary Bigeni’s show where Bigeni’s favourite colour palette of mustard, canary yellow, tan, tangerine and royal blue were styled by Kelvin Harris in to sporty, sophisticated, refined looks. ASOS Nail Rock collab. created the amazing yellow nails which we're sure had everyone ordering online.

We can’t wait to see what tomorrows show will inspired Pippa to illustrate!

Archivist Magazine

2012-05-01 00:00:00

Conde Nast and V both recently announced they were digitising their entire archives on the internet and frankly we're surprised it's taken them so long to do so! Every fashion magazine printed is a little time capsule of 'that moment in time', from the glossy brand campaigns and ads to the artistic editorials and the curatorial commentary, magazines build their reputation on their ability to capture the zeitgeist and build a stylistic heritage. And how much fun will it be to look back and be inspired all over again? Embracing this spirit is new magazine, Archivist.
In the spirit of 'slow fashion', Archivist magazine opts to shun a monthly showcase of hot-off-the runway latest collections and instead chooses to look back to designers' archival collections, important personal wardrobes and then add a dash of emerging talent where 'season-less' is key, to keep each issue current.
Issue Zero features archives and interviews with designers Shelley Fox, Sunspel, Wendy Dagworthy and Christopher Raeburn. The magazine itself is in a collectible bookazine format, a luxury worth keeping.
Archivist is a comment on consumer culture, encouraging the idea of collecting and saving, not about creating more stuff to 'fill the world with', but looking back at the mass of stuff we have already created, celebrating it and making sure it doesn't get forgotten. We applaud the concept so take a look.

Designers in a digital space

2012-04-30 00:00:00

In the past consumers, whose invitation to coveted Fashion Week shows mysteriously got lost in the mail, had to wait months before being able to purchase designs showcased on the catwalk. Now, living in a digital society, we have access to anything that our heart desires in an instant, [well maybe in the day or two days it takes to ship, but we know its ours and it's coming!]

Designers Burberry and Proenza Schouler were frontiers in the idea and technology which allows their customers to watch the live stream of their catwalks and pre-order(Proenza Schouler) and buy (Burberry) the coveted runway collections immediately.

This year Mercedes-Benz Fashion week Australia, will see a similar concept with super fast (delivery) online stores The Iconic and Style Thread working together with labels Toi et Moi, An Ode to No One and Bless’ed Are The Meek to create instant fashion for their customers.

Toi et Moi will offer 30 percent off it’s “Frenchie chic” collection immediately post-show via The Iconic, who will stream the show footage on the their Youtube channel. For Toi et Moi Designer Gill Lawrence the idea makes commercial sense, saying “Instant gratification is the next evolutionary step for e-commerce”. Adi Setiadi designer of An Ode to No Ones agrees and along with Bless'ed Are The Meek have collaborated with Nude Footwear and Skin Footwear to create capsule collections, which will be available post-show on Style Thread. Style Thread will be streaming the two shows from a digital platform; customers can directly place their order when the show is over. Both the Iconic and Style Thread have guaranteed that the “Hot off the press” collections will be delivered within 2-3 hours post-show. Now that's instant gratification!! This digital integration is not only good for the designers, and the Australian fashion market, it's fun for the customer.

Best keep an eye out for post-catwalk fashion week junkies parading their new styles the day after, or hours after.

Marni Oh Marni, This is a comfy chair.

2012-04-27 00:00:00

Marni + ex-convicts = Beautiful Chairs

Marni were a hit at this years furniture tradeshow Salone del Mobile in Milan (April 18-22), where Marni’s designers showcased 100 colourful wicker chairs & furniture. This is the third year Marni have been involved with Salone Del Mobile showcasing a charity driven project.

The collection has been made by ex-convicts in Colombia, assisting them re-assimilate into society.
The PVC threads are woven in a variety of glossy colours encompassed the traditionally Colombian wicker chair’s metal frame.

The series of chairs will be sold and all proceeds will go to ICAM Institute of Milan, a project whose aim is to help children of imprisoned women to grow up in a safe family environment.

You Nailed It

2012-04-26 00:00:00

Nail designs have gone from kitsch to cool.

Nail art is an ever evolving trend from the big fashion houses to street style; colourful, playful, textural, nails are the new IT accessory.

Nail wraps, are a new development in nails that you’ll definitely be seeing a lot more of, especially around Mercedes Benz Australian Fashion Week.

Nail wraps are the new polish minus the polish. Made from thin plastic or vinyl, the adhesive designs can be stuck directly onto the nail, allowing you to have seamless graphic prints or textures on the tips of your fingers. Australian designers are teaming up with global trend leader ASOS in collaboration with Nail Rock to create individual nail designs for MBFWA.

Designers Ellery, Gary Bigeni and Romance Was Born are some of the designers who will be creating nail wraps for purchase on ASOS, post fashion week.

Prabal Gurung teamed up with Sally Hansen nails, at New York Fashion Week for their spring ’12 collection, designing two nail wraps featuring their floral and graphic range.

ASOS, Topshop, Sally Hanson have created playful Nail designs for you to try at home, before you fight till death for the post MBFWA designer nail wraps.

Fiat and the Gucci Factory

2012-04-24 00:00:00

What’s more iconic to the Italians, cars or designers? Well now you don't have to choose as Gucci’s Creative director Frida Giannini has come together with Fiat to customize the Italian classic Fiat 500 car. The collaboration has transformed the1950s model, into a lavish ride, with the 'Guccissima’ leather print throughout it’s interiors, the iconic red and green stripe on the cars exterior, Gucci emblems on the bumpers and the convertibles 500c’s striped soft-top. To celebrate this collaboration Gucci, invited Italian Vogue’s Franco Sozzani, purple’s Olivier Zahm and London based music video director Chris Sweeney, to create a campaign that would epitomize this Italian partnership. The ingenious result is the short film seen here. In his short, Sweeney explores the mechanics of the car with iconic Gucci products and designs, and he describes the short as an extreme, austere fashion version of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory or Wallace and Gromit, which are very playful, silly, colourful and magic” The 2 minute video is as mechanical and elegant, as you would hope for from a collaboration of Gucci and Fiat.

Selfridges Women's Galleries

2012-04-23 00:00:00

Selfridge's has unveiled phase one of three of its beautifully transformed Women's Designer Galleries offering a combination of the classical and the technical. The store's neo-classical architecture along with a grand marble floor designed by Jamie Fobert Architects provides an elegant back drop to a series of digital features. A highlight of the space is the interactive digital art screen from British interactive artist Daniel Brown. The central fitting mirror features three screens mounted together and is a key feature looking toward the future of retail. The in-built camera invites customers to capture a short video or image of themselves allowing them to compare outfits simultaneously, contemplate colour and accessory options and even email images to friends for the all-important feedback!
As for the clothes, the designer galleries will feature UK exclusive looks cherry-picked by Selfridges buyers from International design houses. An exemplary customer experience is at the heart of the store – bespoke texts and emails can be sent to customers based on their tastes and purchasing habits when new lines arrive in store! An on-site tailor will be ready for tweaks and alterations to ensure customers leave with the perfect purchase.
The Women's Designer Galleries at Selfridges will showcase some of fashion’s most exciting designers in a creative setting that embraces the expectations of today’s modern woman,” says Alannah Weston, Selfridges Creative Director. “We know that our customers are sophisticated, global trend-makers and we look forward to presenting beautiful designer pieces including exclusive looks in a serene and elegant environment.”

Two further phases of the Women's Designer Galleries will launch in 2012 and 2013.

FurReal

2012-04-20 00:00:00

In our blog Second Skin we reviewed the trend on the Milan and Paris catwalks for furs and leathers. The furs were true to the Milanese tradition, rich and textural and the luxury leathers detailed and colourful. But the question is what was real and what was Faux?

Karl Lagerfeld said : “You cannot fake chic, but you can be chic and fake fur”. In recent years the trend for furs and leathers has been carried through most seasons, with the common consensus To Faux Fur It.

Animal activists PETA released a series of campaigns last year that re-opened the topic of the inhuman way that animals were being slaughtered for their skins.
With the influence of top designers such as Stella McCartney and celebrity campaigns through PETA, the idea of real fur is a modern day taboo.

Australian company Unreal Fur, has been challenging this trend in the Australian market for the last decade, promoting the switch to Faux fur by creating the feeling of animal fur, but with a clean conscience.

Unreal Fur have launched their newest season, the Northern Aurora. Referencing a Norwegian Winter, through the use of warm, natural colours and traditional fur coat cuts. The season also has a few sophisticated coloured pieces not to dissimilar to those of the Paris and Milan catwalks.
Unreal Fur’s slogan is Wear Your Own Skin, but why not buy one of these Faux fur’s to keep your self warm – they ship free in Australia!

To find out more about Unreal Furs visit : http://unrealfur.com.au/