Late night swims with Nathan Paul

On my never-ending quest to fill my blog with pictures of hot topless guys and girls, I took a quick trip down to Bondi Beach where Nathan Paul Swimwear was launching his new Spring/Summer fashion film. How could I say no to a perfect opportunity to see washboard abs, tanned beautiful skin and sexy swimwear. Swimwear, the perfect excuse to look at half naked people and not feel like a creep. Ok maybe just a little.

Nathan Paul is one of those awesome guys that makes you feel like you've been friends with him your whole life. Charismatic, funny and energetic, people are naturally drawn towards him. And much can be said the same for the brand. People are just drawn towards it too. (maybe its the half naked people, who knows). It's no wonder that his brand has been such a success with this man at the helm of it. A bit tongue in cheek, he let his models make silly poses at the end of the runway during his 2012 fashion show. Let's just say, there was a few crotch grabbing, resulting in some of the older female photographers in the media pit feigning.

But the most magical thing of it all was what we were inspired to do afterwards. At 11pm, on a drizzling, wet day we decided to go swimming in Bondi Beach! Mixing alcohol and late night swims is probably not the wisest idea but at least no one got stuck in a rip. Or eaten by a shark.

Shakking it with Cyber Barbarella

Shakuhachi took us for a wild ride through the galaxy to serve up one mean ass collection at this year’s fashion week. Designer Jessie White decided to merge the old with the new in her ‘Cyber Barbarella’ collection, taking 60s references and modernising it by giving it a cyber spin. The result? A big fun filled girly rave party where all the cool kids where invited and sequins rained from the rooftop.

This party wasn’t just for one type of girl either. It was a mash-up between the 90’s cool space age cadet girls, the badass metallic chicks from the wrong neighbourhood and their older sisters from the 60s channelling fun flirty florals and free love. Clothes were accessorised with sorbet transparent jewellery, floral frames, metallic backpacks and amazing, amazing over the knee gogo boots with a chunky platform. It was bright, colourful and everything you would hope for from this label. 

Phoenix's, Alien's and Clint Eastwood

Phoenix Keating is always one of the biggest highlights in my Fashion Week schedule, injecting a unique and imaginative collection amongst all the floral and digital prints. This year, Keating did not fail to deliver and definitely won the award for most interesting collection by displaying futuristic yet mid-century themed clothing.

Phoenix’s Spring/Summer collection, HUMANOID, recounts the out of this world love story between an alien and her love interest, Clint Eastwood, back in his ‘Dirty Harry’ days. Just like any good alien movie, she tries her best to assimilate into human culture by picking up the old west style she’s watched in countless Hollywood movies.

There were many references to 1940’s silhouettes with sharp lines, structured shoulders and pinched waists. Fitted pencil skirts, aerodynamic wraps and fringing flowed through the collection and were executed in a colour palate of metallic silvers, soft ivory and oatmeal.

Having had style icon Lady Gaga wear his designs during her impromptu performances in Sydney 2011, Phoenix Keating is definitely a label to watch. Phoenix Keating’s collection certainly re-vitalised many if not all attendees and reminded us of why we love this industry so much.

PS. Brownie points to Phoenix for using a model of colour in his collection! We need more black models!

Zambesi's return

<3 FUCK YEAH RUBY JEAN-WILSON

New Zealand label, Zambesi returned to the Australian Fashion Week lineup after a three year hiatus to show a stellar collection that melded unique textiles and textures together. Known for their ability to extend and continue their collections so they flow from one season to another, this S/S collection saw them being inspired by a sense of freedom being tempered with the idea of restraint.

Designers Elisabeth Findlay and Dayne Johnston's really pushed this collection forward with their interesting and diverse choices of fabrics such as taffeta, metallic lurex, lightweight nylon and green plaid. The beauty of the collection however was in the clever detailing in the clothes. There was  deconstructed mandarin collars, collarless blazers and swingy silhouettes that really demonstrated the designers skills in tailoring.

My favorite looks were definitely the first 6 all white outfits which perfectly reflected the fashion houses minimalistic aesthetics. These looks delved into clean lines which offered a cool, confident and modern approach to minimalism.