MADAM AE.
SWAP MY STYLE - SaLeS & StYLe STeaLs!!!
Swap My Style: www.swapmystyle.com.auWhere exactly has 'moi' been.....???.. has anyone checked out the new SWAP MY STYLE webby?.. ( it's new to me.. because I haven't had the opportunity to view its new makeover!). SWAP MY STYLE must be upping the anty!!!, more P.R.O.F.F.E.S.S.I.O.N.A.L????
In the past few months... the Swap My Style entity has been partnering up..., collaborating and sponsoring with the big names and not so big names within the fash. industry.. Sportsgirl, The Social Studio... to drop a few names.
For those who may still be unfamiliar with SWAP MY STYLe.... let madam me.. enlighten you briefly. Think,.... 'old clothes, new clothes.. you don't want???, then take and swap for something you may want!'..... business is booming for Swap My STyle in Sydney, Melbourne etc.. but oddly enough.. it doesn't EXIST in good old BRISSIe ( BRISBANe)????. My theory for it's lack of success in Brisbane = Brisbanites... have an uncanny well ingrained belief that second hands, hand me downs mixed with champagne and trying to glam it up.. is just too 'cras'... .and 'un - fashionable'??xo. (That's my belief).
Brisbane Clothing Exchange is the closest copycat concept of Swap My Style based in Brisbane... but even then when you compare the two.... ..........SWAP MY STYLE... trumps!xoxo.
Getting side tracked... I'm letting everybody know, that Swap My Style will soon be launching a new section in their already very successful concept... called: 'Sales and Style Steals'.... sign up, join their mailing list and be fashionably informed with the latest fashion sales, events and styles!!!!!... think similar to Brisbane's own 'Fashionista Events'... but on a much 'grander' scale.. with a massive budget and sponsorship backing!!!!, this is one mailing list you want to be on!!!xoxoxo.
Check out SWAP MY STYLE @ http://www.swapmystyle.com.au/
Style rating: Swap My Style = Bravo ( loving it, air kisses all around)
Love me or hate me
Madam Alexandra E. (k)
THE SOCIAL STUDIO - CHARITY in the name of fashion.
Fashionable CHARITY, is the new concept sweeping within the fashion industry, and deliberately tugging on our 'heart felt' emotions.... lend a helping hand please.xo.The Social Studio is a very small concept which has grown into a huge success!, all in the name of 'helping' the talents of creatives. The Social Studio is .. ( quoted from their description) a "Dynamic space where clothing is created from the style and skills of the young REFUGEE community" donated from industrial textile industries, garments are reconfigured into original clothing.
I'm not so much really interested in the 're- configuration' of the garments, but more so am all for the fact that it is supporting a cause!, helping the refugee to hone in on their talented skills and give the fashion industry more! xoxo.The Social Studio is a such a fashionable charitable concept... I LOVE IT xxx. The whole of Australia also appears to embrace it whole heartedly... having attracted a huge media frenzy and partnership opportunities with established fashionites.I declare.... dig deep.. pull out your discards, and not wants... and donate whole heartedly in the name of helping a fellow fashion creative...@ http://www.thesocialstudio.org/ Style rating: Standing Ovation! Being charitable is more fashionable than a fashionista's Blahniks or Choo's!!!xoxo.Love me or hate meMadam Alexandra E. (k)
The Social Studio Workroom
A re-configured garment
OPEN UP YOUR PURSE STRINGS FOR AUTUMN/WINTER!!!
I recently attended an event.. and a very fashionably educated ( interpretation: she was dressed fashionably up to the minute) fashionista approached me and posed this question: " Excuse me, what should I invest in for this Autumn/ winter?". Hmmmm the key word would have to be 'invest'.
So to all my fashionable followers, this Autumn/ Winter on this side of the Aussie globe, open up your purse strings and embrace the Autumn/ Winter title and concept.. but don't necessarily have to adhere to it. ( meaning: although it may be classified as Autumn / Winter this season, fashoinista's are more inclined to sacrifice the 'cold & damp', to continue wearing the fashionable)
This Autumn/ Winter, the good old 'leggings / tights' come back..., the blazer type jackets make a heavy showcase.. ( hint: cluster some brooches on the blazer for a modern touch). The little black dress in the form of a 'mini hugger' will still be ever present as it was during the 'summer nights'.
Team the black mini dress with leggings and slip on those ankle bootlegs!!! woo hoo xoxo.
So if you're confused, then sorry you can't be saved. Below is a list:
1.Blazer - short or medium length
2.long sleeved black mini ( instead of last years smocks.. this year the smock has cinched in size and form)
3.leggings
4.ankle boots - with a HEEL please... if you want to wear ankle boots with a flat heel.. then gees you may as well wear your boot slippers!!!! dress it up ladies.
5.always accessorise!!!! ( add colour to the autumn/ winter black palette)
6.Long hair.... if you can grow it!!! ( so just ask for a trim the next time you have maintenance for your 'mane')
7.you can also get away with wearing the black skinny leg jeans! xo.
WARNING: The following 'investments' are not suitable for everyone. Please email me if you have a specific enquiry about what to invest in for a 'specific body size'.. e.g. if you have large legs.. can you wear ankle boots?....
Have fun shopping:...
P.S. I am off on assignment till Friday!xo. chat then lovelies!xoxo.
Love me or hate me
Madam Alexandra E. (k)
LEE ALEXANDER MCQUEEN.
Below are the words you would read if you were to visit Alexander Mcqueen(s) flagship website.Speechless to even air my critic thoughts. xoxo.
"On behalf of Lee McQueen's family, Alexander McQueen today announces the tragic news that Lee McQueen, the founder and designer of the Alexander McQueen brand has been found dead at his home. At this stage it is inappropriate to comment on this tragic news beyond saying that we are devastated and are sharing a sense of shock and grief with Lee's family.Lee's family has asked for privacy in order to come to terms with this terrible news and we hope the media will respect this." - excerpt from www.alexandermcqueen.com
MY THOUGHTS ON: GAIL SORRONDA Black Chalk Aw 2010 collection......
My little favourite Brisbanite - Parisian designer xoxo. I love the creativeness of Gail Reid.. the talent behind the label Gail Sorronda!.I have been clicking back and forth on her latest fashion offerings, admiring and well..., just really appreciating her input towards the fashion industry.
Her latest Aw 2010 collection, titled Black Chalk... displays that same 'simplistic black aura'..she somehow so intelligently manages to portray through her creations. Black being her primary signature choice of colour palette.The feeling this time, is different from the last ( previous collection). Unlike the Parisian morbid -cinematic feel which was channelled in her her last....collection ( which I absolutely adored to death).. her latest, channels more of a wearable and also unwearable impression, ( the possibly unwearable portion could possibly be referring to the 'Space Between the Lines dress' & 'Space between the lines jacket and skirt'). This current collection in my critic tongue opinion.. defines the colour black in a very strong and silhouetted illusion... "I am sharp, strong and independently feminine", this is the first thought rising from the vision before me... the Gail Sorronda - Black Chalk Aw 2010 collection.
This collection appears much more tame???..., nothing too daring or out there, yet it still portrays the distinct style of Gail Reid. At the end of the day... this collection has not deterred me from declaring Gail Sorronda is still one of my fave fashion offerings... xo.Satisfy your fashion hunger @ http://www.gailsorronda.com/More pics below xoxo.Style rating: Bravo ( Loving it, air kisses all around).Love me or hate meMadam Alexandra E. (k)
Space between the lines dress
Space between the lines jacket & skirt
IT HAS ARRIVED!! - YDO ( A new fashion concept)
Ladies and gentleman fashionista's!, it has arrived!, Australia's newest ode to the fashion industry, doing its little bit for the 'fashion culture'!! xoxo.Young Designers Online.. is a fresh concept, catering to all those who want something simply U.N.I.Q.U.E and A.U.S.T.R.A.L.I.A.N. Cleverly tailoring to the needs of the emerged designers.. who simply want to 'give' you 'more'.
YDO.. is bringing together the gung-ho talents of Australia.. the emerging and emerged creatives who make 'big waves' in their own little ways..
The site itself is very simple, and very 'fashion - shopper friendly' ( yay.. the last thing you want is to get lost amongst a bevvy of hundreds of designers and bio's etc...) . YDO.. has exclusively selected a few key designers.. whom they think will give you plenty of 'fashion satisfaction'.xoxo.
I had a breeze of a time... scrolling and clicking through the 'clean' site.. no complications what so ever.
I haven't had the real opportunity to 'divulge' in each of its designers... but will do so randomly in the next coming weeks.. ( just to educate everyone a little a bit about who, what and why of each designer and creation..).
So far.. my critic tongue states: Still very young, I'm not yet about to release any predictions.... but will keep my eye close by...xoxo.
YDO... is a great source for supporting the designers online and their fashion offerings!
Do your homework lovelies... paint on the nail lacquer.. and click away shopping at www.youngdesignersonline.com.au
Style rating: YDO - Bravo ( stylish effort)
Love me or hate me
Madam Alexandra E. (k)
YOUNG DESIGNERS MARKET:...My Expectation Was Too High.
www.southbankmarket.com.au It has been a few years since I made my way back to YDM.. (Young Designers Market - Southbank). The first time being, when they first launched... my thoughts back then???... it was a dismal receiving from the public...., but I quickly blamed that on the fact that it was new, it was the first day, and people are a little bit hesitant to try out 'new concepts', without any real word of mouth testimonials. Back when Ydm first arrived...the stalls would have only been a small handful.. and there would have been only one impressive stall ( Koji tami) at the time, every other fashion offering was your little knick knack stuff. Fast forward the years.......>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>, and I thought I would make my way back.. and trek through what might be on offer today...xo. So armed with my 'brella' ( yes, the weather was slightly drab), strapped on my flats, and took along a girlfriend to what I had hoped would have been a changed Ydm... market. My verdict???... Ydm.. was exactly the same as it was back in the day. Unfortunately, the stalls were still only a handful. Many of the fashion offerings had potential indeed.. but for some reason.. the lack lustre in the way the market was.. really killed the experience for me. .( unlike it's sister market lively taking place a few yards down - Southbank Lifestyle Market). A few labels caught my eye, to my delight MaryMary was nicely set up as was also Akko. But other than that.. everything appeared very arts and crafts, and not at all what I hoped to be attending to, ( you could possibly blame it on me.. for having 'high expectations') I witnessed the still ever present 'type singlets' ( the ones where the designer has purchased a bonds singlet and whole heartily decorated it) embellished, swirled and painted on... All I have to say.. ..: please.. these singlets are so 'YESTERDAY'... YDM?... maybe just stick with the ever popular lifestyle market... something really needs to save this little concept! xoxo. Style rateing: Young Designers Market - 'Yawning' ( I am utterly bored). Love me or hate me Madam Alexandra E. (k)
EXCUSE ME, BUT WHAT IS JE NE SAIS QUOI? ..
If you are seriously in support of the fashion culture and its industry locally in Brisbane... then this event is one not to be left out in your Louis Vuitton, Gucci & Hermes leather planners.... ( yes..a guilty stationary pleasure to invest in xo.).
Je ne sais quoi...apparently to mean: "A certain something", an "X-factor", (quoted from their webby) is an artistic event, which is staged to recognise that fashion and all concepts to do with fashion .. is really an 'art form' . It puts on display the creative and aritistic genius minds of roaming individuals such as ... stylists, photographers, designers and hair stylists.
Cleverly created from the mind of a Jessica Lambert... I guess her goal/ dream is to showcase the local Australian Fashion Talent in an artistic setting. An opportunity and a much needed excuse to hob knob around each other in a modern and classy soiree.. chinking our champers.. giving accolades to one another for 'following our passion for putting input into the culture of fashion !..xoxo.
Clearly she wants us all to embrace, appreciate and admire the amazing fash. talent amongst the Australian breed of fashion talents. xo. ( raising my glass in agreeance).
Hmmmmm I wonder whether a Fashion Critic would have been permissible?? or admissable?? ... ummm, I'm thinking, maybe a display of one of her cheeky and honest reviews??? and then underneath...: from fashion critic x... with a punch line beginning with:"This is my opinion on the Australian fashion culture"...................................xoxo.
Anyway... fashionistas' of the 'art appreciators' world, strap on your Blahniks (if you don't have Blahniks then anything that is in heel height will suffice) and grab your clutch.. (I saw a beautiful LV clutch tanned leather... xo. next on my list) and start appreciating the talents and work of those who move and make the fashion world possible. xoxo.
Je ne sais quoi : 12th February 2010. more details go to - http://www.jenesaisquoi.com.au/
P.S. interesting little concept indeed.
Love me or hate me
Madam Alexandra E. (k)
METALLIC DREAMER: STATEMENT IN THE MAKING
Another Australian fashion talent!xo. Introducing a little label answering to the name of Metallic Dreamer..............its mother?, Tanya Arlidge.Ever since the immense explosion of the 'statement' pieces and bibs... the fashion accessory world has been inundated with a very edgy option in 'vamping' up your fashion goods.xoxo.
These days.. every fashionista can look left, right and centre.. and you'll find the most outlandish out stylish and outing everywhere neck, shoulder, wrist, ankle, waist and head glamorizing adornments!!!!! "freaking out".... statement piece invasion!xo.
No, but honestly, from the critic tongue of Madam Me... I am a great fan of the statement piece phenomenon. What a clever and great montage to the 'tribal' worlds who have adorned their decolletage with statement pieces since the time of 'way back when'!.Today we see the new breed and new offering of a statement piece... studded, embellished and feathered down and allover.
My attention was drawn to the Metallic Dreamer collection... through a polite whisper thrown my way at a recent event. Very diligent am I... I immediately went into critic investigation mode.......................
I love the portrayal of the Metallic Dreamer pieces... the story is definately not one to be toyed with. Her interpretation is to be bold, serious and stylish all in a very 'strong feminine tone'.
My vision : Metallic Dreamer can either style a simple outfit 'up'.... or add to the 'up' of an already styled up outfit! ( get it????.. I think you do!).xo.
Ms Tanya's style reminds me very much of a certain Gail Reid type style... very raw and bold, except of course Gail Reid is the creative behind Gail Sorronda.. and of course specialises in garments plus the odd accessory.... but without side tracking myself, back to Metallic Dreamer.
Yes, yes, yes...my critic tongue has a prediction ( peering directly into my beautiful vintage parfum crystal bottle of course!!!xo) that Metallic Dreamer will be bursting onto the fashion scene in full force this year!!!, already it has a fan following and stocked nationally... however... it's not yet 'big' if you know what I mean..........Metallic Dreamer will only be recognised as being fashionable and not exactly your classy offering,.. classy is the stuff Chelsea De Luca produces.
There is nothing wrong with being categorised as being 'fashionable'... it simply means.. it will be in the moment, for the moment. Hopefully once the statement piece phenomenon fades..... Metallic Dreamer will continue to produce other accessory offerings and evolve quite eloquently in it's own style.......xoxoxo.
Do your homework, you can purchase metallic dreamer @: http://www.metallicdreamer.blogspot.com/ via her email addy lovelies.xo.
P.S. It would have been lovely to witness a webby for Metallic Dreamer....whispers tell me it's coming.... very soon!
Style rating: Metallic Dreamer Aw campaign collection - polite clap ( very fashionably unique).
Love me or hate me
Madam Alexandra E. (k)
My fave piece........
Team this with your denim and whites....xo
MARY MARY.................AN EMERGING CREATIVE LABEL!
Mary Mary who are you?. This, my fashion followers was the first thought I had when I came across this little 'starting up' label. The creations are simple, wearable and yet something was making it very appealing and effectively, 'fashionably accepting' to the creative eye. xo.Mind you,on first impression, you are pulled into the illusion of assuming that there is nothing really 'stand outish' about this label and its designs.... but that is the hidden talent behind it!, the fact that it appears ordinarily.... extraordinarily!!!!xoxo
The creative hands behind the Mary Mary label is a feminine fashionable talent, by the name of Sandra Mary Robinson. Her self proclamation on the label is based on 'putting together an intuitive and stylish fashion label". Her creations have definately reflected both.
My critic tongue can't help but come to the conclusion that MaryMary will be a promising label serving to the fashion conscious fashionista. I adore her ability to create simplistic cami's and team them with same simplistic shorts. The end result: a very classy version of stylishly showing off a bit of skin!xo.Although the combination is not a 'difficult' concept to achieve.... however, every now and again the fashion industry requires a simple change in it's creative offerings'....... we can't all possibly be served with bauble, embellishments, shoulder pads, rougings, and over the top unwearables??!!. Mary Mary is a label which serves to maintain that 'bringing' it all back to simple stylish wearable reality. xoxo.
My prediction?..... before fashion lovers are able to gather and sip on cocktails to discuss the emergence of Mary Mary.... this little creative label will be popping up in your fave glossies... very soon!.
My only gripe with Mary Mary... is.............I would have loved to witness more of a larger collection offering..... give me more designs please. Fingers crossed the next collection will do so.
Style rating: Bravo ( Loving it, air kisses all around!, this is an emerging label.. one to definately watch out for!!!!!!!!!!!!)
Check out the images below for more of MaryMary or head to http://www.marymary.com.au/ to do your homework.
Love me or hate me
Madam Alexandra E. (k)
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