The Rachel Zoe Project - Season 4, on Arena

Go bah-nanas!

The Rachel Zoe Project returns tonight, Wednesday, September 14 at 8.30pm on Arena.

With her first baby on the way, a new team (yes, scene-stealer Brad has left - drats), a clothing line and her ah-mazing celebrity clients, Ms Zoe is uber-busy. Not the way you and I are with our comparably mundane lives, but you know, we don't dress Cameron Diaz for a living.

Throw in the mix Rachel's 'long-suffering husband' Rodger (still keeping an eye on her extravagant, "I Die", gotta-have-it purchases) and you have a new series perfect for fashion lovers.

Think it's all a little cuckoo? Don't worry, you're not alone. You'll probably get a good laugh in this Rachel Zoe parody:

Coles Mix clothing range. On-sale tomorrow

Would you like a t-shirt with your tomatoes?



How about a pair of pants with your potato chips?



Tomorrow, Coles supermarket will be the first in Australia to mix fashion with groceries.



Launching an exclusive collection of clothing and accessories to be sold in selected Coles supermarkets, the range will first launch within the freshly refurbed Coles store in Burwood, Victoria.



This will be the first of many Coles stores across the country to sell the collection called 'Mix', touted as fresh, affordable, and stylish.



Surprisingly, supermarket clothing collections have proven a huge success overseas.



Loblaws, a Canadian supermarket chain, has found huge success with their 'Joe Fresh' fashion line, and French supermarket Monoprix has an el cheapo (yet stylish, of course!) clothing line which has been so successful it now has stand-alone stores.



The majority of Mix items are priced under $25, with t-shirts starting from

as little as eight bucks.



The spring Mix collection is a range of block colours, neutral shades, prints

and stripes, and accessories, including beachwear, with the range regularly refreshed every two weeks throughout the season.



Now that's fresh!



The collections will be housed as a ‘store within a store’ concept, complete with displays of apparel and accessories. Choose away, then simply add your Mix pieces to your shopping trolley, and pay for it all along with your groceries.



Fifty two Coles stores across Australia will receive the Mix line from October 6, 2011, with additional stores in 2012.

Megan Gale. Italy. David Jones. Love.

I adore an Italo-Australian TV ad - the moment I hear the language I know and grew up with I am enamoured.



Add an Italian location - I am hooked.



This is possibly my favourite Italian-but-made-for-Australian-TV ad - it's several years old, but it's a standout.



I almost forgot about it - but saw snippets of it during the recent David Jones S/S 2011/12 compile ad.



Watch and tell me if it does something to you too...

Tahnee Atkinson for Review fashion

Tahnee Atkinson - one of the [most voluptuous] winners of Australia's Next Top Model - is stunning and oh-so-ladylike in the 'Dolls House Collection' for Review’s Spring / Summer 2011 collection.



Tahnee goes a little Mad Men in her Review ensembles. I don't know about you but it makes me wanna get all dressed up, right down to the mini-beehive, bright lipstick and equally bright, perfectly-matched heels.



This collection is in store now, but be quick - it's 25% off... run, don't walk.

Kate Moss Wedding Photos: Vogue UK, September 2011

Kate Moss graces the cover of UK Vogue September 2011 issue, on newsstands August 23, in a shoot by celebrated photog Mario Testino.



The 37 year old English uber-model chatted with the mag about her recent wedding to rocker Jamie Hince, which took place on July 1.



On the stress of having everything just right for the big day:

“If I didn’t have my friends... I don’t know how people do it. I’ve had big birthday parties, and I’ve thrown parties for other people, but this is a completely different thing. It’s the Met Ball! Because you have to look at every piece of cutlery; the details are intense. And then you wake up thinking about the ballet shoes for the girls; is the satin ribbon right? I’ve gone mental. Jamie thinks I’m mad, asking, ‘Are you gonna be all right? After the wedding, I’m hoping you’ll get back to normal!’ ”



On her vision for the nuptials:

“I wanted it to be kind of dreamy and 1920s, when everything is soft-focus. The Great Gatsby. The code name was GG for a while. That light and that kind of fun decadence. It’s rock-’n’-roll Great Gatsby!”



Looks like Kate got exactly that. The wedding pics are breathtaking.



For more, see: http://www.vogue.com/magazine/article/kate-moss-kiss-me-kate/



And watch this beautiful, behind the scenes vid of the shoot:

Ultimate Wedding Planning Party - August 25. Plus, WIN tickets!

The Ultimate Wedding Planning Party - now in its fourth year - is just that: the ultimate partner in planning your dream day. Having attended last year, I can vouch that this is one truly breathtaking do. It's not your standard, expo-y bridal fare here.



If you are planning on getting married, and would like to inject some class and style into your wedding day, you simply must attend.



To be held on Thursday August 25, at the iconic Sydney Opera House (just wait until you see the Opera marquee set up that night - spectacular!), the night promises champers and canapes, runway bridal shows and designer tips, wedding planner know-how - even a celebrity dancer couple on hand for bridal dance demos (Dancing With The Stars dancers, Carmelo Pizzino and Alana Patience... take a bow).







Magazine editors and floral designers, cake experts... even the woman who gave Oprah Winfrey her most photographed caftan - it's all here.



For more about the event, go here: http://www.ultimateweddingplanningparty.com/



And if you'd like the chance to win one double pass, simply tell us in a few sentences why you absolutely need to come along to the bridal event of the year. Send your answer to the email in the 'contacts' tab on this blog.



The tickets (a double pass , valued at $160) will be highly sought so snap to it!

MINKPINK new season Romance & Rebellion collection

The new collection of MINKPINK fashion loveliness is about to hit the shops, and it's a beauty...

It's kinda 'wild child' meets 'flower child' and the folks at MINKPINK have dubbed it the Romance & Rebellion collection. Love.

For the romantic, think: a mixed-up mess of animal print (adore), 90210 florals (oh my!) and polka dots. It's all skater skirts and sweetheart necklines, daisies and a mop of curls, topped with lace trimmed socks on dirty Connie-clad feet.

The rebel is all bohemian spirit-style: flowing maxis and flared sleeves. A vibrant clash of ethnic prints, oriental florals and paisleys, layered up with junk-store jewellery (be still my heart!).

For more, see: http://www.minkpink.com/

And you can 'like' MINKPINK here:
http://www.facebook.com/minkpink#!/pages/MINK-PINK/74794950784

To watch the very fab MINKPINK new collection vid, go here:

MINKPINK Spring 2011 Vibe Clip from youeni on Vimeo.

Westfield Bondi Junction and Westfield Doncaster launch the Giveability Store

Westfield Bondi Junction and Westfield Doncaster are launching the Giveability Store Designer Charity Store this July to help children with cerebral palsy.

The giveability store concept is a fashion charity store stocked with second hand designer items donated by celebrities and designers to raise much needed funds for children with cerebral palsy.

And some notable fashion brands and celebrities have pledged to join the program to support children and their families: confirmed participating designer brands and celebrities include Kylie Minogue, Rose Byrne, Anthony La Paglia, Melissa George, Naomi Watts, Liev Schrieber, Bambi Northwood-Blythe, Harry Kewell, Sami Lukis, Tom Williams, Erin McNaught, Mitchell Johnson, Rachel Taylor, Alex Perry, Fernando Frisoni, Marnie Skillings, Ada Nicodemou, Garance Dore, Charlotte Dawson, Samantha Wills, Sass & Bide, Ksubi, Bettina Liano, Wayne Cooper and Cheyenne Tozzi - and more.

Funds raised will go towards therapy and equipment, respite, early intervention and education programs for children with cerebral palsy and their families.

The store will be open for two weeks leading into National Cerebral palsy Awareness Week. 100% of the proceeds from all sales will go to Cerebral Palsy Alliance in NSW and Scope in VIC, which provide vital services to people living with cerebral palsy and their families.

“This giveability program is one of Westfield’s important commitments to raise awareness and help children with disabilities in our local communities,” said John Batistich, General Manager Marketing, Westfield.

“By having Australia’s leading fashion designers and celebrities participating in the giveability store, we feel it sends a strong message that the fashion community is prepared to mobilise and raise awareness and funds to support an often overlooked cause.”

The initiative will also see designers and celebrities working at the store, and exclusive pieces will be sold on online at http://www.westfield.com.au/ making it available those who can't get to the store, taking the initiative national.

Expect to see Australia’s top fashion collectors, celebrities, philanthropists, and designers convene at Westfield Bondi Junction on Tuesday 19 July (until Sunday 24 July) and Westfield Doncaster on Tuesday 26 July (until Sunday 31 July) for a pre-loved luxury shopping extravaganza.

Visit http://www.westfield.com.au/ for information on opening hours.

2011 DHL Fashion Export Scholarship finalists announced

The 2011 DHL Fashion Export Scholarship finalists have been announced

DHL - the world's leading logistics company - is behind this exciting comp, and has just announced the three talented finalists of the annual DHL Express Fashion Export Scholarship.

In its second year, the Scholarship aims to identify Australia’s emerging fashion talent and assist them in achieving international business growth.

The 2011 DHL Express Fashion Export Scholarship finalists are:

Evening wear fave, Rachel Gilbert:

“Rachel has shown a strong brand presence within just a few years. This bright young talent is the one to watch and has a huge future ahead of her,” said Lucia Labbate from IMG Fashion.

We Are Handsome, by designers Indrha Chagoury and Jeremy Somers:

“Indrha and Jeremy have an impressive export strategy backed up by unique prints and designs,” said Jamila Dlala, Global Multi-National Customer Manager from DHL Express Australia.

And Ellery designer, Kym Ellery:

“Ellery’s designs are absolutely impeccable and beautifully crafted. She has the persistence and attitude to last in this competitive industry,” said Nicola Finetti, one of Australia’s brilliant fashion designers.

The comp is judged by the three identies above - Jamila, Lucia, and Nicola - and the Scholarship received a number of high calibre entries proving there is an emerging talent pool of Australian designers that have the business acumen to succeed overseas.

“We looked at the key categories of design, marketing, business and export and were incredibly impressed by these three talented designers. Not only do they have a unique and creative flair for design, they have a strong business sense and direction to cement themselves in both the domestic and international markets,” said Jamila.

The 2011 DHL Fashion Export Scholarship is open to Australian fashion exporters who have been exporting for less than four years. The winner will receive a tailored export mentoring program and international freight to the value of $10,000 from DHL Express.

DHL is also the official logistics partner of Rosemount Australian Fashion Week, and has been committed to Australia’s fashion industry and helping designers achieve international success for eons.

Today, DHL's international network links more than 220 countries and territories worldwide, and offers exceptional expertise in express, air and ocean freight, overland transport, contract logistics solutions as well as international mail services.

Last year's DHL Fashion Export Scholarship winners, Australian fashion label Bec & Bridge, has already captured the attention of global buyers including international online store Shopbop. Their current Autumn/Winter collection has been worn by Hilary Duff, Nicky Hilton and Hellcats star Heather Hemmens.

The winner of the 2011 DHL Express Fashion Export Scholarship will be announced late July.

Baku swimwear - your go-to brand for swimwear separates

Now in its twelfth year, Baku Australia and sister range, Ginja heralding a whole new generation of swimwear with their directional Spring/Summer 2012 collection.

Digital prints with tropical and retro influences spearhead the way for the modern revolution this season, whilst lingerie-inspired silhouettes, retro glam frills and femininity are also paramount to this Baku collection.

For Summer 2012, Baku Australia is by offering more separates than any other Australian swimwear company in a striking, sexy range of great fitting, fashionable swimwear that women want to wear.

The new S/S 12 campaign, shot on Plantation Island, Fiji, uses international model Clara Alonso who exquisitely conveys the global appeal of this burgeoning brand.

Owner and director, Tamara Bykerk says of her inspiration: “Baku Australia is designed to fit every woman. It’s about swimwear that makes you look and feel beautiful.”

Featured here are the 'Moulin Rouge' style and the 'St Tropez' style.

The range's designs are beautifully romantic, with soft vertical stripes, piping detail, pretty roses and soft pinks.

There is also a denim effect fabric, and contrasting white lace to create a sophisticated finish for the 'Denim and Lace' collection.

Sister brand, Ginja - the younger but equally as playful range - displays a youthful appeal; think pastels and frills and vintage inspired prints.

For more info, go here: http://www.bakuaustralia.com.au/

And for a sexy preview clip, watch this:

Zara 101: a lesson from Hungry Beast (and Things Bogans Like)

Hungry Beast is THE TV show you should be watching if you need cheat sheets on just about anything, broken down into small, digestible chunks. It features a segment called 'joining the dots' and I love this for its ability to deconstruct any subject matter; you can then pass the nuggets of knowledge off as your own at the next dinner party (are we still having those?)

The latest ep featured an overview on clothing chainstore Zara.

Explained in the usual, inimitable Hungry Beast way, with graphics and illos, it provided a run-down on how this retailing giant works.

Some gobsmacking facts:

- Zara now has almost 2000 stores in 77 countries.

- Its parent company, Inditex, turned over $17 billion last year.

- Staff churn out 30,000 designs a year.

- Garments hit shop floors within three weeks of design, as opposed to the industry average of six months.

- The brand’s global distribution centre in Spain moves 2.5 million items per week. Nothing remains warehoused longer than 72 hours.

- When the Sydney Zara stores opened in April - the first in Australia - 80% of the stock was snapped up within three minutes. Three minutes!

Watch the full Hungry Beast video here:



Want a completely different take on the brand? Go here: http://thingsboganslike.com/2011/04/27/224-zara/

Project Runway Australia - Season 3: premieres Monday July 4

The new season of Project Runway Australia will air from Monday, July 4 at 8.30pm, as announced by Foxtel today.

The highly anticipated third season of Project Runway Australia - this time hosted by Megan Gale and mentored by fashion designer Alex Perry - will hit the small screens again, and the search for the 'next big thing' in fashion begins in earnest, helped along by fashion designer Kirrily Johnston and Jarrad Clark, producer of fashion events for IMG Fashion.

This season's up and coming fashion designers are:

- five designers from New South Wales: Anthony Allars, Dylan Cooper, Johnny Schembri, Nerida Bourne and Rachael Perks

- four designers from Victoria: Claire Hocking, Craig Braybrook, Gabrielle Stephens and Matcho Suba

- and three designers from Western Australia: Anna McEachran, Amanda McKenna and Timothy Godbold

Leading fashion identities including Collette Dinnigan, Camilla Franks, Dannii Minogue and Carla Zampatti will also appear as guest judges.

My favourite part of the series are undoubtedly the complicated challenges (remember the outfits they made out of Alfa Romeos?!) and most definitely the stress-induced meltdowns. I want to see flying mannequins and dramatic hissy fits.

To see a preview of the show, go here:



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Collection photos of Kate Upton in swimsuit

Kate Upton:

>> Kate Upton
Kate Upton was born June 10, 1992 in St. Joseph, Michigan and raised in Melbourne, Florida. She is an American model known for her appearance in the 2011 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, for which she was named “Rookie of the Year.”Check out Kate Upton’s photos in swimsuit, by Sports Illustrated Swimsuit:

Source: beautycontestupdate.com