All Photos: courtesy of style.comandChanel Only few can afford, many others can dream but all can take influence from the age old tradition of haute couture. Chanel showed this week in Paris a romantic mix of pastels and silver in satin, tweed, lace and tulle. I predict more satin come ready to wear shows next month. Below some of the facts on the exquisite details that go into a couture dress.
Runway Look 37 “grenade” cape: 700 hours of work
Finale look with model Abbey Lee
Wedding Dress and cape: 1300 hours of work in total
I watched this DVD last year about incredible fashion photographer, Helmut Newton, a master in his field, he was also a very witty character. Being in Melbourne today, I was reminded of this DVD and my revelation that at the age of 20, Helmut Newton, spent over 17 years in Melbourne where he married his life long wife June Browne (also a photographer), known under the ironic pseudonym of Alice Springs.
Four of the most stylish and incredibly talented expats where recently in town. We took these portraits, asked them some questions and truely enjoyed their company whilst they were here.
Gabriele Hackworthy, Creative Consultant, London
All Portraits: Patrick Mcgreal for Style Me Romy
Gabriele wears vintage YSL shirt, A.P.C shorts, Marc Jacobs scarf, Azzedine Alaia shoes, Cartier Love Bracelet, Chanel watch and charm bracelet.
When Australian born, Gabriele, flies into Sydney from London she is overcome with pure happiness, and it’s the same for me. I love when Gab arrives it’s non stop amusement, her stamina and excitement far surpasses mine and leaves me shattered by the time she leaves. She’s a chic friend but equally impressive is the killer Pavlova she makes.
Previously Fashion Director for three Vogue titles, Australia, Japan and China she’s a wealth of inspiration. I asked her some questions…
R: Current Occupation?
G: Creative Consultant
R: Most exciting job you’ve ever worked on?
G: Shooting Kate Moss with Mario Sorrenti
R: Who are some of you favourite Australian designers?
Louisa Gent wears her Pink Lou Lou Australia necklace with pride through the streets of Manhattan. Now living in the Chelsea Louie rarely travels without her bikini’s and her mac, preferring to leave the latter behind.
Her favorite Australian designers are Zimmermann, Yeojin Bae, Anna & Boy and Karla Spetic.
Commuting the world for her design work, she’s recently found reward in volunteering time to aid work in different countries.
Pink Lou Lou necklace
Melina Kok, Art Director, NYC
Melina wears: Isabel Marant top, Balenciaga skirt, YSL shoes and trinkelts from all over the place
Photo: Roger Deckker
Melina escapes from a New York winter by coming home to Sydney, she loves the casual laid back beach holiday feeling. Art Directing GAP campaigns with one of my all time favourite photographer Mikael Jansson, Melina loves what she does for a living, even when she hates it. Her favourite Australian designers are Tina Kalivas and Ian Nessick. When flying into Sydney Melina’s first thoughts are “I need a cigarette!”. She always travels with her Comme des garcon perfume, iphone, a good book , black pashmina from her Dad and Dermalogica skin purifying wipes.
Brana Wolf, Stylist and Design Consultant and Contributing Fashion Editor, NYC
Brana Wolf and me
What can I say, Brana is one of the most recognised stylist in the world. As contributing editor for Harper’s Bazaar (US) and Italian Vogue and working on Versace and Dolce & Gabbana campaigns, she has the most impressive career. She travels extensively for work through Europe, however resides in New York. Brana comes home every Christmas to her place in Tamarama and can’t wait to eat a mango and go for a swim, defining a Sydney summer as “good food, the beach and not having to dress up”.
Some of her favorite Australian designers are Ksubi, Willow, Jayson Brundson and Romance was Born. She doesn’t travel without e-lyte (electrolytes you add to water), rosehip oil, iphone, macbook, dvd’s and meditation beads.
Photo courtesy of Italian Vogue
Image courtesy of Harpers Bazaar, US
Photo courtesy of Italian Vogue
Brana Wolf is among today's top stylists, featured in Stylist, The Interpreters of Fashion available from Amazon Books.
