Bold and eclectic. Proenza Schouler AW11

Prints, mixed with colour blocking in hues which remind me of an Indian Autumn are one of my picks for what we're going to be seeing on the high street this coming season. In Australia it's already cropping up in Cue and  Gorman for example. Proenza Schouler has done a great job at making their collection edgy but also feminine. Please let me get my hands on one of those shift dresses! Another big item of the season ahead. I like to think I was channelling this collection when in India, as I am in the last image, sari fabric shopping in Varkala. 

 images courtesy of style.com

Mulberry AW11 story book moments

Everyone gather around Miss Olivier Palermo but no she's not about to read you a bedtime story, she's having another fashion *snap*. Personally not a fan of rocking everything 'on trend' head to toe, Olivier is in the season's most copied trends but is a pretty little thing so she pulls off her desert boot-esque heels, tweed skirt, aviator shearling jacket, military undercoat and mulberry animal print tote with a great smile and killer legs. A fashion zzzzzz moment but easy to demonstrate more of what's to come on the high street.

Givenchy for an Oscar, Elie Saab Runner Up

It's hard to get excited about many red carpet gowns, but this is simply irresistible. Cate Blanchett you do this collection by Riccardo Tisci for Givenchy Couture Spring Summer 2011 justice. In fact, I can't imagine many more as perfect for it.

And thank you Elie Saab for being consistent with your red carpet offerings, particularly coming through this year for Mila Kunis. Let's say, there was lace detailing in all the right spots.

The cute monochromatic girls of NYFW A/W11

Two of fashions favourite girls were as cute as a button in black and white at New York Autumn Winter 2011 Fashion Week. Alexa Chung in Carven and Kirsten Dunst at Band of Outsiders show. One can never go wrong with a sharp tailoring but my pick of these outfits are the blouses. I've spied a peter pan collared flimsy short sleeved top in white, tan and coral at American Apparel available both on London's high streets and in Australia which is definitely my pick.

Thankyou India

Spending the last 1.5 years in London searching for a dream Fashion Buying position but proving unsuccessful (for now) after interviews with Yasmin Sewell, Topshop (Arcadia Group), Acne and Jaeger to name but a few I was at a loss for where to search next, nursing a broken spirit and a demotivated soul.

Cue: unintential spiritual journey. And I found everything I needed and more in India.

Ashrams, yoga, meditation, ridiculously inspiring people, a Reiki course, detox, hug from Amma and forced reflection has made me the most content I've ever been in my life. Please remind me of this in the future if I become less 'zen'!

While finding my inner peace I also managed to scope out some fashion finds. Definately will be popping back for more in the near future hopefully. Being taught that ultimate bliss and consciousness is loss of ego and becoming unattached from anything in life, fashion can feel like it's at the opposite end of the spectrum. But I have always believed the positive effect you have from feeling confident about what you're wearing goes beyond ego. It is your soul reflecting who you really are. And that's absolute inner truth. So I encourage you to look in the mirror every morning and really see yourself, be content that you are in the right place in that very moment and love the soul reflected in the image that stares back at you.

Ommmm shanti.

Credit to Jonathan Clifford for his amazing photos, top three, taken in North India on a separate journey but at the same time in November 2010.

 

THE dress of the season: London A/W10

The lust I had for this dress from MiuMiu's catwalk collection was intense and then as it started appearing on magazine covers, literally everywhere, showed I wasn't the only one. This is old news now but I felt the need to reflect on the season that was and still post this dress of beauty. I love the hardwear, colour palette, line and shape plus quirky, sexy edge which this girly dress still has. Start emulating this look with a belt from Zimmerman I recently picked up (although not at this price...grr!) now on sale for AUS$75.

Flower Power

Make Believe have conjured up this dreamy collection of necklaces, created by dipping silk into resin, titled Petal to the Metal. They are absolutely to die for! Available at Blonde Venus, Brisbane for AUD$259. It reminds me of Rihanna's Only Girl (in the world) film clilp at 2.10mins http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pa14VNsdSYM . And I love this connection because the necklace and this film clip are both such sexy, powerful statements. Rhianna's styling, by Mariel Haenn, has been brought to the next level and the empowered, strong body language of Rhianna shows how far she's come since Umbrella. I'm not ashamed to enjoy a bit of cheesey pop music occasionally but I love everything else about this song, more than the song itself.