Adam Spencer and me - talking working mums and putting 'babes' on the tennis court on The Morning Show

The Morning Show Videos - Yahoo!7 TV

Robby Ingham says the Paul Smith mens show ended with a tasteful MJ and Thriller moment . .

Designer Paul Smith, at left, after his spring/summer 09-10 show

UPDATE MONDAY AEST .

Sydney designer retailer, Robby Ingham, has been 'doing' the European fashion circuit since 1983, so he is no stranger when it comes to the ebbs and flows of the fashion business. Stocking the likes of Paul Smith, Martin Margiela, Acne jeans, Steven Alan, Neil Barrett, Dries van Noten (spring/summer season shown in this pic, courtesy of bbc.co.uk) and Marc Jacobs (at his Paddington and MLC centre CBD stores), he says there's a whole real new fashion mood out there. And he's sure of this: The Russian's ain't coming.

Robby's current take on the fashion show circuit in Milan and Paris - which have wrapped - is quite interesting. And quiet.

With the real trends from both Milan and Paris documented by Patty Huntington's frockwriter blog so succinctly - it's all about the cropped trouser in Milan and wider-legged variations, verging on harem and dhoti pants in Paris, here is Robby's social commentary on his current buying trip . . .

"Re the cropped pant,'' Robby told me this morning. "I had had a funny conversation with an Italian waiter who had seen the pictures of the cropped pants. He said that all his friends call them the pants for when your house fills with water.

"So now we have pants to catch our pooh and pants for when the floods come.

Put a white sock with them and they are pants for Michael Jackson. Maybe the fashion industry knew something.''

"On that other note is not the Michael Jackson death the biggest death since elvis presley? Why is music the one thing that covers the world, transcending religion and race,'' he added.

"I have seen CNN reporters going into the West Bank to ask Palestinians what they think about his death and they are constantly talking about his finances on CNBC.

There are moonwalking memorials all over the world and at the end of the Paul Smith show it went quite for a second and then on came Thriller and the audience went crazy.

"All the models did the final walk through dancing their heads off. It was really was a big finish and it wasn't done to cash in. It was purely their way of saying thanks for the great music.

"The Italians are still positive and don't seem to care about any downturn. They are still parading around every afternoon and talking like everything is fine.
It is not until you actually ask them about four times that they start to crack and admit that all has changed.
"I wandered around yesterday afternoon and found the actual stores very quiet. Lots of staff hanging around doing very little,'' he added.
"Spoke to one guy in Jil Sander (I bought myself a sale jacket as I could not resist) and he was saying that around December all the Russians, who are a big market in Milan, stopped coming and they have not come back.
"There does not seem to be a massive amount of sale stock around but i think that is more to do with the fact that they ship it of to outlet stores very quickly.
"I also have always gone to Paper Moon for pizza (a fashion institution for the fash-pack) since I first came here in 1983 and they are always busy as you know.
"Went there the other night at about 8pm normally this would mean you got the last table halfway out the door. I was actually in one section with only one other table used. Even when i left about 9pm it was only 3/4 full. That was scary.
"On the fashion front most of the labels I have spoken with are very aware of price points and are trying very hard to reduce prices.
"Paul Smith has been very productive on this and has been able to reduce prices by 15-20% and also making the collection much more appealing to a larger market.
"Gone are the English Dandy and in is the rockers like Nick Cave. It will be interesting to see how the press accept this when they show it tomorrow.
"I am off to shop today and it will be interesting to see how busy it is as Saturdays are normally the busiest by far.''

MICHAEL JACKSON - what was your favorite MJ fashion moment?

Michael Jackson in a Balmain Tee shirt; his favoured hat _ a fedora _ and his penchant for gold military style jackets, the simplicity of black and white (a la Yves Saint Laurent), , slim black 'skinny' pants not forgetting sequins, sequins and even more Swarovski sequins.

Michael Jackson wearing a piece from his fashion collection (at left)

AS the world gears up for the 3am (AEST) mega public memorial for Michael Jackson on Wednesday morning (80 million albums sold and 3 children later) and while hardly any of us knew an iota about the real man, one of his legacies will be certainly come in the form of fashion.

Just after his death I posted a small wrap of the 'trends' he was instrumental in bringing into the mainstream and as the week as moved on, his fashion legacy as had him tagged with terms like 'King of Fashion', "Style King' and "Clothes King Ind'.

No matter your stance on his often questionable personal life, just hat he wore will go down as one very important part of the man he was. So, I've updated a few more of his fashion knock-out's.

Sure, there have already been a zillion fashion autopsies, reviews, obits and analysis, but here are just a few of the 'trends' that spring to mind when I think of the man who I grew up as the "Elvis Presley' of my childhood.

While Mr Jackson can, quite rightly, be heralded as an innovator in the worlds of music and choreography, he kick-started some real fashion trends.

Some lasted just as long as the particular concert tour he was on; others will transcend his 50 years of life and will be remembered well after his death of a heart attack on Friday, June 26.

*White socks - MJ made it cool to actually 'see' white socks worn with black skinny leg pants or stove-pipe pants, both topped off by a pair of loafers.

*Red leather jackets - The Thriller album and subsequent music videos featured the most extra-ordinary quilted red leather jacket (usually edged in black leather) and spawned a huge trend in a "Thriller' red leather jacket. (I still have a variation somewhere in the Hoyer wardrobe.)

*Ray-Ban 'Aviator' sunglasses with usually very, very dark lenses or with a mirrored lenses.

*Military style cropped jackets (epaulets, braiding and the whole military she-bang) were being worn by MJ well before French design house Balmain and even our own Collette Dinnigan (who happened to re-address the trend last season) came out with them. MJ was recently spotted in a recent Balmain t-shirt.

*Leather, Full stop. He adored it and who still doesn't?

*The fedora style hat was one of his favored chateaux styles and continued through most of his life.

*The simple, v-neck white cotton t-shirt - whether you go for Bonds, American Apparal or Comme des Garcons - a white Tee, black skinny jeans and a flowing white shirt is SO Billie Jean.

*The Tux or his 'Smooth Criminal Look' was MJ's 'classic' fashion moment and a highlight on the cover of his Off The Wall album cover. Simple, chic and a look that can be easily re-interpreted.

*The Glove: While this trend didn't exactly move into the real mainstream (a singular glove on a mere mortal gave an appearance of a medical type having just come from a visit to the surgery) but the MJ glove scenario has since been re-interpreted by fellow celebs and entertainers

*Sequins? Well, I will leave that trend to examiner.com's Laurie Brucker to explain in her tribute a bit further below.

Anyway, later in his life, Mr Jackson's 'fashion' sense took on a slightly kookier vibe, simply because he was always trying so hard to hide every part of his body, even giving us interpretation of a Muslim bhurka, a series of embellished and non-embellished face masks and various other forms of camouflage clothing, worn by both himself and his three children.

Here's Laurie Brucker, from examiner.com, and her fashion words on MJ's style:

'

Michael Jackson had a fashion gift. The gift of originality, consistency and his own stylistic perspective. The King of Pop has left us with fashion and style ingrained in our minds. Forever will we all look back and remember every single look, outfit and detail so clearly and forever will we can say that his look defined the music and fashion at the time.
Over the years we have seen Michael Jackson’s transformations and I am talking about from a clothing perspective.

And in doing some research I have found something relatively consistent with all of his fashion styles. Sequins jackets! Which at first makes you chuckle, but then makes you think.

Wow, he really did love wearing sequins. Call it the true entertainer in him. But, yes! Throughout his career the sequin jacket has made its fashion mark and can absolutely be considered Michael Jackson’s true style staple.
From a fashion designers standpoint, there is a fine appreciation, not only for the wearing of such stunning jackets but also the intricacy of each design. Being encrusted in sequins in not an easy thing to pull off, and it most definitely is not an easy thing to sew.

But when you look closer, Michael’s jackets have so much detail and character, yet consistency which gave him his signature look. Whether it was a tuxedo jacket or a military jacket, Michael always kept it flashy. Depending on the look that day, he tops it off with sequin armbands, sequin sashes, gold epaulets, his single sequin glove and in contrast, his tapered cropped tuxedo pants and glowing white ankles. These are all beyond the trend concepts that will resonate with us in our fashion membranes forever. Therefore they become timeless.

But it is pretty amazing when you look back and see everything complied in one setting. This man, this legend, this style icon has a fashion all of his own and for that he is truly what makes me just love fashion. For me. it is all about the people to beat to their own drum, who do what they want, do what they feel and do what makes them feel like a super star. Maybe wearing a sequin jacket can do that for all of us?'

So, as my personal fashion tribute, I'll be getting out all those sequinned jackets tucked away in the cupboard . . . . Here's to Michael Jackson . . . and his fantastic fashion legacy.

So, have you a favorite MJ fashion moment? Let men know and then we can let the man finally rest in peace . . . .

UPDATE FARRAH'S DEATH. Original story posted: Farrah near death - we'll never forget these pop culture images - they're etched into our minds . . .

UPDATE: MS FAWCETT DIED AT 2.30 (AEST) THIS MORNING . . . . . . .

With the actress Farrah Fawcett and style icon reportedly close to death, just days after longtime love Ryan O'Neal revealed the couple were getting married, it's had me thinking about life, celebrity, perception and most importantly, the legacies that all of us _ celebrity or not _ will end up leaving.


I've been reading up a bit about Ms Fawcett of late and caught a great special about her and her life on Foxtel a few weeks ago. The former Charlie's Angels star, who was never really comfortable playing the token, delicious blond bombshell in the kinda silly TV series had a tough time trying to be taken seriously, when all anyone spoke about was how to achieve her long, blonde, layered mane of hair _ The Farrah. (And haven't you noticed a few of those around the place: case in point was the former girlfriend of designer Wayne Cooper, the model Heidi Houghting, who was channeling a 'Farrah' look at his recent spring/summer fashion week show.)


Anyway, back to Farrah and it is only hours ago (AEST) she was apparently given the last rites by a priest in hospital. "It was just related to me, that our Farrah just given last rites. She is not in any pain. For those who believe make contact with god now," her PR agency tweeted.

Diagnosed with anal cancer in 2006, the one man who has, so nobly stood by her is fellow actor and great love, Ryan O'Neal: "I've asked her to marry me, again, and she's agreed," 68-year-old O'Neal told Barbara Walters, in a 20/20 interview which will air Friday, US time.

While the pair began dating in 1980 and had on-and-off-again relationships throughout the years, they have a son, 24-year-old Redmond (or Red) who has had his own battles with drug convictions.

Apparently O'Neal told NBC News in May that he has fallen even more in love with Fawcett since she began her battle with cancer: "I know this, that in the last two years I loved her more than I've ever loved her," he told Meredith Vieira.

"She's so much more of a woman ... powerful, courageous, fearless and all those adjectives. And I look at her with awe."

So here we have a woman whose darn sexy and fresh 70s/80s look made her a household name but had the balls and commitment to brush off all that transparency, turning to some 'serious' acting, getting great reviews playing a would-be rape victim in the Off-Broadway production and consequent film of Extremities; another strong role in The Burning Bed, when she played a victim of domestic abuse and others like The Apostle, Poor Little Rich Girl: the Barbara Hutton Story and another called Small Sacrifices.


While she, at least, washed the 'blond bimbo' tag out of her hair (excuse the pun) the one thing that she couldn't get rid of, celebrity or not, was the insidious nature of cancer. Proving, yet again, cancer doesn't discriminate.


It was in the mid nineties when some of her behaviour was a tad questionable - posing nude for Playboy in 1995 and 1997 and making a talk show appearance when she appeared, quite frankly, off the air. But you know what, you have to give it to a strong woman who then allowed her entire, arduous and tragic cancer treatment be filmed for a doco.


I have this extra-ordinary memory of sitting next to Roman Polanski and Farrah (they were at the table next to us) in Paris at the Hotel Costes, when I was covering the Paris fashion shows. I was mesmerised. Sure, there looked to have been a few too many trips to the cosmetic surgeon, but just to see the woman whose poster I had in my bedroom in late 70s - hoping I could mimic her hair (fat chance!) _ was the highlight of my entire working trip away.


So, her legacy? That predictable 'blond bimbos' CAN outlive that kind of typecasting and let's face it, who will ever forget that hair, those teeth and that all-American look.


So, when your time comes Ms Fawcett, may you rest in peace and leave us with lots of great memories.

The Morning Show jury with Joe Hildebrand and Me - Telstra, kids still taking advice from parents and Joes birthday!

Jury with Joe Hildebrand and Melissa Hoyer on Yahoo!7 Video

Aussie PJ king, Peter Alexander, shuts up LA shop . .

Just when I was saying how well some Aussies were doing the US the other day - with names like jeweller Stefano Canturi (who is opening a store in NYC next month) and make-up maestro, Napoleon Perdis whose make-up collections are at full gear.
The news isn't so good for pyjama man, Peter Alexander who is closing his LA store, but keeping his local operations going full steam ahead.
Take a read of the piece in today's Sydney Daily Telegraph below . . .

Sleepwear king Peter Alexander&squo;s US flop The Daily Telegraph

Gisele Bundchen is baby bound . . . ?

And now just for a completely happy story about two pretty people having a baby . . .

According to that renowned London-based tweeter and hugely successful pap, Mr Paparazzi (he's the wildly eccentric and multi-colored hair Aussie ex-pat Darren Lyons) the simply beautiful Brazilian-born model, Gisele Bundchen, is definitely pregnant to her American footballer hubby, Tom Brady.

While the rumors of her possible pregnancy had been circulating around credible fashion mag sites around the world, an upcoming Brady-Bundchen baby has been confirmed by Mr Pap and good old 'sources'.

Reported to be one of the highest paid models - ever - when I interviewed her a few years ago when she was promoting her own shoe collection _ she was also one of the most natural (and I mean hardly a smidgen of make-up for the TV interview) and genuinely pleasant and un-star like models I'd ever encountered.

Even back then she raved about the importance of family . . . . Can you just imagine how every sighting of their baby bump will be documented every inch of the way.

Are you glad you bought that 50 buck Louis Vuitton wallet the other day? Or not? Let me know . . .

Boy, the '$500,000 worth of fake designer products seized n Sydney (outlined in the news story below) is nuthin' to what we can all find on nearly any street in Bali or Bangkok.

Counterfeiting is its own ridiculously huge, multi-million dollar business, right around the world, with thousands of jobs because of it. It's a bitter industry for some; a sweet one for others.

So, what are your thoughts on fakes and do they take the lustre away from the 'real' thing, or do fakes give the real McCoy even more cache? Tell me your thoughts . . .

Sydney fake designer label bust

Nicole Richie - just for fun, a few of her favorite things have landed in Australia . . .

Providing the most unique accessory
must-haves from around the globe, Trilby Phoenix is a one-stop shop for accessories.

Newly launched this year, Trilby Phoenix offers customers the most desirable international accessories with a guaranteed next-day-delivery.

From Nicole Richie’s (at left) highly coveted jewellery line House of Harlow 1960, the show stopping glam rock designs of CC Skye and the handmade textile-inspired necklaces of British jewellery queen Fiona Paxton to Lindsay Lohan’s line of 6126 leggings, Eugenie Kim’s style statement hats and the cutting edge colour patterns of Tolani scarves.

Trilby Phoenix is the brainchild of Holly Baxter, a born fashionista with a love of unique design and an obsession with accessories.

Travelling the world from a young age and immersing herself in diverse fashions and cultures, Holly developed a deep appreciation for international style that expressed personality.

At the age of 22, Holly set her heart and mind on establishing an online accessories store that would deliver cult international trends and distinctive jewellery to Australia.

Holly says “like many women, I love following celebrity and international accessory trends. My dream was to bring the most unique celebrity must-haves and cult new designers from around the world exclusively to Australia in a retail environment that would fill the gap between mass-produced chain stores and household designer names.”

Indeed, exclusivity is key to Trilby Phoenix. Many pieces can be bought to order, and only a few items per style are available.

Always on top of emerging fashion trends, Holly scours the globe to constantly bring new labels to the already stellar Trilby Phoenix line-up. Customers can now pre-order for Jezebel by Jade Jagger, Luc Kiefer Paris, Mercedes Salazar, Botkier, Energy Muse, Giles & Brother, Linea Pelle, Gerard Yosca, Orka Messica, Alex & Chloe, Lena Wald, Toy Me Milano and Leila.

Another key element of the Trilby Phoenix shopping experience is the chic new showroom located in the heart of Sydney’s Paddington. Open by appointment only, the showroom allows customers to try on all ranges available on Trilby Phoenix, helping them find
that unique piece they simply must have. To purchase the latest must-have labels from around the world, head to http://www.trilbyphoenix.com.au/

Aussie jeweller, Stefano Canturi bites the biggest style apple and in this market, deserves a medal . . . .

Stefano Canturi's pearl and diamond earrings (above); the man himself (above left) and Nicole Kidman (above right) as 'Satine' in Moulin Rouge.

Of all the industries within the fashion world, you would think the higher end of the jewellery market would be really badly hit.

Sure, I'm sure Van Cleef & Arpels, Harry Winston, Fred Leighton, et al, are feeling the credit crunch so it was refreshing to find out that 'Our Own' high-end jeweller, Stefano Canturi is expanding his global empire, as opposed to closing parts of it.

The Canturi name really made its high-profile mark when the designer and company boss, Stefano, created that mighty fine diamond necklace worn by Nicole Kidman in Moulin Rogue (the exotic piece pictured above was, like her, called 'Satine').

Stefano's cinematic foray continued in Buz Luhrmann's Australia, where he created diamond jewellery for Ms Kidman's character, 'Sarah', in the shape of a diamond brooch, engagement and wedding rings, and diamond and coral earrings.

So, a few Baz/Nic/CM films up his sleeve and Stefano is continuing his expansion, opening a fifth Canturi salon, this one in Manhattan, his second salon in the US, after the Palazzo Las Vegas.

Opening on July 6, the Canturi jewels salon is at 66th and Madison Ave _ an impressice NYC uptown address _ and will be a haven where Stefano will be focusing on exclusive designs set amidst the background of geometric shapes of tables and, of course, the use of a lounge styled from the modern classic 1928 design, le Corbusier.

The jewellery cabinets and the black reflective feature wall represent the trademark Canturi Cubism style. So, if a trip to NYC is on the cards . . . . so might be a trip to 66th and Madison.

Interstingly, I'm kind of likening Stefano's US expansion to Peter Alexander (the Melbourne-based pyjama king) who has a store in Los Angeles and of course ditto, that make-up maestro, Napoleon Perdis, whose 'Set' make-up collection is in Target stores throughout the US.

Seems the Aussie boys are making their own kinds of mark in the US. And Bravo! to all of them.

Visit http://www.canturi.com/ to get the Stefano vibe.

Time for the Shire and Sharks to shine . . . with a chick the helm.

Good on Madeline Tynan, (left, pic courtesy of smh.com.au) who is determined to become the first woman president of an NRL club.

And of all clubs, the good old Sharks, who behavioural track record is as rosy as Gordon Ramsay's rants, may just get the tonic it needs.

Determined the win back female fans - aren't all NRL clubs? - this strong, no-nonsense woman will have a big job in front of her.

With the recent group-sex revelations, allegations of sex toys being handed out at training (some of the vaguer boys may have mistaken them for relay batons) and of course, Tony Zappia's recent standing down as the Sharks chief executive just a few minor blokey issues she'll need to address.

Ms Tynan, who some may say is used to dealing with sharks, well, her family is in the car business (a hugely successful one at that) has officially unveiled her intent to contest the Sharks presidency when the incumbent, Barry Pierce, steps down next week.

"I just want to help them get to the next phase of where they should be," she said of the Sharks to the SMH.

"This is the one chance they have. They've been disconnected from their local market in various ways. Recent publicity about the Sharks has taken the club national all for the wrong reasons and that [the image] needs to be reinvented. We've seen that the Bulldogs have been able to do it and there's no reason why the Sharks can't do it. I believe there are various commercial ways we can do that, too, but we need a strong board to achieve that.

"I think if we can show them we want to produce a clean and mean corporate board they will come back, and if we realign ourselves with women, children, our sponsors and the community we can do it.
"It's not a hard thing to do. We've done it before and we can do it again. We have to get back into the schools and start to market to our target [supporter] from when they are aged three or four. That is when you have a real Sharks supporter, you have to build that back into the schools and the community so they have something to believe in and to follow."

I have known NRL boss David Gallop for many years - and a thorough gentlemen he is when it comes to business and the equality of women in the workplace - realises the importance of the female footy fan and we've often had chats about exactly that.

Well David, if getting someone like Ms Tynan to flex her female business muscle is one way to do it, I'm all for it and will be right behind it.

"When Cronulla made the semis last year there was a stream of Sharks supporters who came out of the Shire,'' added Ms Tynan to the Sydney Morning Herald.

"I've never seen anything like it in my life. There were buses, there were cars … it was just a stream. They believed in it. This year hasn't only been tough for the supporters but it has for the club as well … for the marketing manager, the whole board. It has been extremely very tough.
"We have to get behind the players and the coach. We have to give them the right environment to take the club forward."

Well Madeline, i just want to wish you well . . .

Global Fashion Crisis? Perhaps, but cashmere is still king . . .

There are a few knitwear names who pass their creations off as 'cashmere', but the real McCoy is harder to come across than you may think. So, as a totally happy way to the see the weekened out, I went in search of a new black, polo neck sweater that should see me through winter.

Expensive? yes, it can be. But when you put that cost-per-wear ratio into the mix, a simple, black turtle neck or v-neck cashmere sweater will prove its worth.

Derek and Kerry Marrable, who run Australia's leading cashmere house _ The House of Cashmere http://www.house-of-cashmere.com/ in Sydney in Melbourne have been in the cashmere biz for years, producing, trading and processing cashmere _ and let's get one thing right. Cashmere used by HoC comes from only goats white alp goats from Inner Mongolia.

From the HoC's joint venture cashmere studs in Inner Mongolia and Liaoning Provinces, then via Italian mills, their fine cashmere fibre is spun, woven and knitted into their own Australian-sold collections.

I had a chat to Derek the other day _ that ridiculously freezing Sydney day when wearing even three layers of cashmere wouldn't have seemed enough _ (although Derek seemed thrilled that at last, the chill was kicking in some great sales) who told me the HoC also supports the local cashmere industry by stocking a small range of Australian cashmere products.

With the luxury end of the market not as ostentatious or pretentious as it was, say, just a few years ago, what people are buying are timeless pieces of clothing that don't shout 'fashion-now' but more 'fashion-forever'.

Mr Marrable says you can can shop directly at HoC or select by mail order from a large range of cashmere knitwear, jackets, coats, blankets, pashminas, opera Wraps and scarves as well as blankets, leggings, cashmere babies booties and the most classic of twin-sets that feature crew next cardigans and crew neck short sleeve jumpers.

At 74 Castlereagh Street or 247 Collins Street Melbourne, it's just an experience to go in and touch and feel the absolute warmth and softness of cashmere. It was a great way to spend an hour on a freezing cold day . . .

Sobbing, Sarah and the Senate - what a completely silly story

Isn't this whole crying kid in the senate 'furore' just a big joke?

Greens senator (at left) Sarah Hanson-Young (she would have to be a greenie) tries to get us all feeling sorry for her and says she will attempt to get parliament to change their kiddie-friendly rulings. It's all just too ridiculous.

The senate, like a dangerous building site, a budget meeting, running a mr Whippy van or standing behind a bank teller's desk (do they still exist?) is NO place for a two-year-old.

The senate is where major decisions are made _ ones that can affect all of us _ so who wants a senator helping form those decisions when 50% of her mind is placating a sobbing and not concentrating on the senate situation at hand.

And as a working mum who juggled working in an office environment, while my son was in some of his most formative years _ like from 6 months until 6 _ it's Ms Hanson-Young who needs to work out whats she wants.

Does she want to be a mother 24/7, but how can you bringing in a child everyday, or has she yet to differentiate the working mum and non-paying mum equation? Seems she wants the best of both worlds but the Senate is not a socal experiment for childcare issues.

Sure, as my former newspaper work buddies will attest, there were times I did take my son into the office - certainly not when the newspaper was in meltdown or when an editor was on the warpath - but at times when the mood was subdued and there was no such thing as a major deadline looming which is always fraught, even if everything is going swimmingly on the news front.

Due to the often unusual nature of working hours in the media, yes, more recently I have taken him into TV studios, online and magazine offices, but at seven-years-of age, he is (unlike a 2-year-old) quite capable of understanding when I say 'Darling, can you sit just over there and either read your book . . .or play with your PlayStation'. He doesn't burst out into tears. Anymore.

What point the Greens Senator, Sarah Hanson-Young, was trying to make is still unclear. Had she promised toddler Kora an excursion to mummy's workplace? Or was it unfortunate case of 'dad' just not being able to get her back home in time to be relieved by a nanny or some other form of Kora childcare?

Whatever the logistics surrounding Kora's care on that late afternoon is none of our business, but surely what if 'older' members of parliament start bringing in their grand kids to a Symphony of Sobs which will start drowning out the result of an innovative tax initiative. I don't think so . . .

NSW opposition spokeswoman Pru Goward has weighed in on the debate and While Ms Sarah Hanson-Young said she felt humiliated after Labor Senate President John Hogg ordered the removal of her daughter from the Senate chamber Ms Goward, in her ever sensible way said that children in workplaces can be "very distracting". And I agree whole-heartedly.

"I think if you promise a little girl that she can come in with you and you run down there with her in your arms and then at the last minute because you actually didn't check, the child is taken away from you and she cries, nobody can really be surprised," she told ABC radio.
"This really says to me that there should be some laws about this so there are no unexpected situations that arise, so that the senators and the staff all know what's expected."
"I think children in workplaces can be very distracting and I would have thought on this occasion it would have been just as easy to have left the child with the staffer. When you put people into dramatic situations don't be surprised when they cry."

All up, much ado about nothing . . . . and working mums, don't expect to have your kiddy cake and eat it to, especially when it comes to dealing in serious, not flippant business decisions.

I just had a chat to Nine's Ali Langdon for the Nine News tonight about it all. Ali tells me Natasha Stott-Despoja has her take on it,as well as a whole swag of full time mums in Sydney's west, in Parramatta, who have their say on the suject.

So, what are you thoughts? You know mine.

Rockpool IS the new Otto. You go to meet. And even to eat . .

With the transient nature of the Sydney culinary scene, the relatively fresh and new Rockpool Bar & Grill IS the new Otto.
No, no, not on the food stakes (both cook totally different beasts in their respective kitchens) but for those who perceive that 'power' resides in a restaurant seat and the people that surround you, this is it.

The 'bar' part (a more workers-in. workers-out kind of vibe) is just next to the 'grill' (more upmarket and under the expanse of the most exquisite and grand polished granite, Hawkesbury sandstone and terrazzo floors, all mixed together by Balmain architect, Emil Sodersten.

The art deco building was opened in 1936 and while some of the clients may look like they were born around that time too, it's a mater of wherever you look, there is some kind of self-anointed (or serious) Sydney 'player' chowing down on Neil Perry's marvellous meats, seafood and a pot pourri of simply great food.
Go the Steak Tartare if you care for that kind of thing. Amazing.

It used to be the City Mutual Life Assurance Society morphed into, basically, a luxe steakhouse.
where grilling a piece of meat is dome with the precision that one would perform a double back flip with pike on a diving board.

There are shucked oysters on one table; celebrity accountant Anthony Bell on one banquette; property guy Gary Baker at another table; John 'Boydy' Boyd on another and Patti Mostyn and Skye Leckie on others. And they all keep coming back for more and more and more.

There's quite the scent of woody smoke of you score a table near the exposed kitchen (as we did) rendering my hair smelling like it had been out clubbing all night, but the food and company made up for any momentary lapse of smokiness.

I love it . . . and knowing the nature of the Sydney dining scene too well, it is fast proving itself as the restaurant du jour but has certainly much more longevity in it than becoming a one-hit wonder.

Oh, and there's pasta with peas, broccolini, chilli, anchovy and ricotta; semolina noodles with cherry tomatoes and chilli, whole roast Dory or flounder and just a bit of everything.
Give it a whirl if you are in the city.

There is a wine list to-die-for an Catherine Adams desserts will have you floating out of Rockpool Grill like you are in rehearsal for the next Sumo intake. Very impressed indeed.

If you can't quite do 'the grill' there is always the 'bar', separated from the grill with smart cocktails and even smarter Wagyu burgers. In fact the whole venue reeks of a new world chic in the culinary world. And don't get me started on The Spice temple downstairs . . .Wow. I'll give you that rundown soon.

Have you had an experience at the new Rockpool Bar & Grill? Let me know . . .

To think Burberry used to be just about a trenchcoat with embarrassing checked lining . . It's just getting cooler than cool

In our current universal quest to buy quality over quantity, the Burberry label seems even more desirable, ever since making its 'come-back' (to the cool gang anyway) a number of years ago.

This new autumn/winter 09-10 video, which as just been released (the images were unleashed last week) has some interviews with Burberry designer, Christopher Bailey and the season's model, Emma Watson.

There's also footage of the entire British cast being shot on location in Westminster by Mario Testino.

The video features the cast in outerwear, the trench coat and more importantly the Burberry 'Snood', hitting Burberry stores from August.

Mmmm, wonder if the snood is anything like a snuggle?

Check out the video at

YouTube - Burberry Christopher Bailey & Emma Watson interviews at Ad Campaign

Is it the end of the mega runway fashion show? Has the GFC turned fashion into another GFC _ the Glamor Free Catwalk?

The International Herald Tribune's highly regarded fashion editor Suzy Menkes (pictured left) had some interesting words of wisdom in the New York Times, June 15.

In a nutshell, Ms Menkes (who I had the pleasure to sit with at a few Milan shows when I was able to weasel my way from row P and whoosh into a surprisingly vacant Row A runway seat) takes her fashion as seriously as a surfer does his/her big break.

Ms Menkes wonders whether 'this generalized move toward practicality (is) a new attitude in the industry toward serving customers — or a last resort in a tumbling market?

While serious fashion aficionados marvel at models, the new design names, the 'next hot' shapes and colors, Ms Menkes wonders whether all this brand building and image making is being challenged with fashion houses concentrating on clothes THAT. WILL SELL.

Take at read of her view below . . .



Reality Check — or Last Resort? - NYTimes.com

Karl v. Bruno in Twitterville. A cute story . . .

Spot the difference: the tweets of Bruno and Karl - Technology - smh.com.au

Look rich . . without having to hock the home

And now for something completely different (and that's what I've always said this blog will be about) happens to comes from an innovative businesswoman by the name of Vicki Jones. And it's a pure and simple value-for-money style scenario.

A former and well renowned TV exec, Vicki has added the ever-affordable St Tropez collection of jewels to her style portfolio. And what perfect timing.

Vicki already has the ‘Hotel Luxury Collection' ('hotel' begging and linen you can buy online) and now she's swept up ‘St Tropez Jewels', which she says is 'designer jewellery without the designer price!'.

I had a look at the website and yep, there are seriously fantastic earrings, brooches, rings, bracelets and 'pearls' that will make us look like a Rockefeller, even if we are more Rhonda from Rockdale.

Vicki says St Tropez has assembled an exclusive range of beautiful fashion jewellery from leading Australian and International jewellery designers with style and price setting it apart from so many 'fake' jools we see around the place.

There's bridal, red carpet, everyday and exec-style pieces too.

And the best part is they'll ship it around Australia for a flat rate of $12.00.

Vicki says many of their clients purchase pearl and cubic zirconia pieces as `travelling jewellery' so that they don't need to worry about the potential loss of hundreds of thousands of dollars (we wish) if their 'real' gems were lost or stolen when they are travelling.

Take a look at http://www.sttropezjewels.com.au/

Zeta-Jones frocks up in Collette Dinnigan

Catherine Zeta Jones joined some of Hollywood's well-seasoned stars (read: older) to celebrate to honor one of their own brood. Who just happened to be her husband, Michael Doulgas.
The award _ the American Film Institute’s Life Achievement Awards _ honored Mr Douglas with various reports telling us that his Welsh-born wife had a number of costume changes.
Including one into Sydney-based designer Collette Dinnigan when she got up on stage to do a number or two.
Nice to Ms Dinnigan's international following is still a happening thing considering the GFC and an increasing Aussie dollar, making exports a tad more expensive than twelve months ago.
Other celebs in the throng were Kathleen Turner (who co-starred with Douglas twice); Melanie Griffith, Annette Bening, Sharon Stone and Jack Nicholson.

Exit, stage left, skinny models . . . as if !!!!

EVERY so often the issue of using 'real' bodies rears it's figure-hugging head in the fashion world.
The latest protagonist is UK Vogue's revered and credible Alexandra Shulman (left) whose weighed in on the debate, saying that couturiers should be making their 'sample' size clothing bigger, basically to fit in with the ever-changing shape of women.
And more importantly, so young girls aren't encouraged to look like malnourished heads-on-sticks (you know the type) when they would be much better looking like Pink.

So yes, the weight debate is a given in the modelling world - even Anna Wintour instructed Oprah to lose weight before she would put her on a US Vogue cover.

But what is said and then what is done are two different beasts.

Interestingly, Country Road launched a new collection of clothes for over 40 year-olds called Trenery, last week. And the one thing that kind of stuck out as 'odd' with many of the day's guests was why organisers used young (definitely well below 40) models?
While they are selling a very slick, fashion-now and wearable collection to 'real' women (who are north of 35) the CR crew felt the need to showcase them on gorgeous young things . . .

Wouldn't it have fared better if there had been a swag of gorgeous over 4o year-old 'real' women doing the runway strut?
For godsake, I can think of a hundred over 40-year-olds who could have played 'clotheshorse' for a day to what would have been a very successful, 1/ PR exercise and 2/ a more believable presentation of the new threads.
But as those in the know now, much of fashion is about unreality - has been, will be.

It's why designers and even many of us, mere commentators, fashion lovers and just plain magazine, on-line and TV watchers - adore seeing new clothes on shapeless, clothes-hanger like bodies who make clothes hang like they are draped over a skinny Scarecrow.

So, in many minds there are not many signs that slim, gangly, long and lithe bodies are abating. It is as simple as that. That is, historically the shape of a mannequin.

I was equally as intrigued by the bodies of sumo wrestlers that featured on the ABC's Foreign Correspondent series the other night.

But do we read about the health/eating/psychological disorders that those usually obese men supposedly go through, as much as we do with 'skinny' models?

No, I didn't think so . . .

We know we will NOT look like Kate Moss or Agness or Miranda or Megan but that is the fantasy of fashion.
As you get older and much more assured of your own style, you don't tend to buy into the whole trend thing every season (by now, it's all about investment dressing . . . or a snuggle)
So while I understand the worthiness of Ms Shulman's comments, the day when every fashion designer, news telecast, newspaper, online story, fashion magazine join forces and use models who are 'over' the 'usual' dimensions, well, I'll eat (one of) my hats as I whistle Dixie.

Anyway, the below is taken in its entirety from an online UK SKY News story . . .

"The editor of one of the world's most influential fashion magazines has lashed out at haute couture companies for forcing the use of super-skinny models. The fashion industry has been accused of pressuring women to conform. In an unprecedented move, veteran Vogue UK editor Alexandra Shulman sent a letter to luxury fashion firms complaining about the clothes sent for models to use in photo shoots in her magazine. The Times has now published parts of the lambasting letter, which was not intended for publication, from Ms Shulman about so-called size-zero models. "During the time I have been at Vogue the sample sizes that models are required to wear have become substantially smaller," she wrote in the missive. As a result, the editor accused designers of making her hire models with "jutting bones and no breasts or hips". She added: "Nowadays, I often ask the photographers to retouch to make the models appear larger. "I am finding that the feedback from my readers and the general feeling in the UK is that people really don't want to see such thin girls either in editorial or advertising." Ms Shulman told the newspaper: "I don't want to be too specific about it, but it was very recently. I found myself saying to the photographers, 'Can you not make them look too thin?'" Art staff have resorted to using software programmes to smooth away protruding features and flesh out the models to make them appear more palatable. Ironically, the highly respected fashion editor also revealed that some cover images only show faces - not the clothes - because readers are "uncomfortable". The Vogue action comes after the fashion world has been accused repeatedly of pressuring young girls and women into unhealthy dietary lifestyles to maintain slim figures. According to the paper, although Ms Shulman does not believe all firms are to blame the letter was sent to the world's major designers including Stella McCartney, Alexander McQueen, John Galliano and Donatella Versace. Ms Versace's own daughter has battled with an eating disorder for several years. Emma Healey, director of operations of Beat, a UK charity which supports people affected by eating disorders, applauded the move by the magazine. Ms Healey said: "This is very welcome. The whole controversy over size-zero models has been a wake up call. "British fashion is leading the way on this, and it is very encouraging to see Vogue, which is the fashion magazine, taking a stance like this."

All Stars on Weekend Sunrise - Ramsay wanking . . .

Yahoo!7 Sunrise - Weekend Sunrise

Bet you didn't know I used to be a showgirl: read about it in Australian Traveller magazine

Australian Traveller

Australian Traveller magazine is totally objective (read it's not a freebie-fest) so here's a taste of my latest regular column . . .

It’s not that she doesn’t want to, it’s just AT’s style-meister Melissa Hoyer doesn’t know whether her version of Aussie outback . . . is quite the same as yours.


I have nothing against the outback. Really. I just need to know how to add just a few of the more civilised part of vacation-living into it.
Don’t get me wrong and assume I’m some city-slicking wanker whose never gone 20 kms within a CBD (hey, I grew up in government housing in Sydney’s southern ‘burbs and yes, while it’s wasn’t quite the outback . . . it nearly was) and I do admit that yes, one of my ultimate dreams really is to drive around our fare isle.
Sure, it may be in a top-of-the-line Winnebago. The four-seater, Spartan Summit 252, worth around $600K (that I recently spied at one of those caravan and camping shows) looks darn good with its compact, petite and dynamic proportions (it would fit in a small tribe of folk very comfortably) but so far, my outback experience has been embarrassingly limited.
The one time I went to Uluru/Ayers Rock was for the red carpet premiere of the Cats musical, where we stayed at the Ayers Rock Resort, where we did ‘dine under the stars’ and where I made friends with some of the most genuine and heat-warming indigenous locals I’d had ever met.
Problem is, us city folk get so used to the brashness and brazen attitudes of fellow city-dwellers that we forget the fantastic stories they have to tell, which are usually a helluva lot more interesting than me talking about my latest celebrity interview or giving fashion week critique. But come to think of it, I’m maybe not as outback-challenged as I think. I did do a three day walk through Tasmania’s Freycinet Peninsula, entering the exquisite beauty of Wine Glass Bay and, quite genuinely, was left gasping for breath on seeing the pristine bay in all its glory. Hey, I was so intoxicated by it I even threw off the backpack, ripped my clothes off and jumped straight in.
I’ve done the Daintree Forest. Well, when I was in Port Douglas, and we drove to the Daintree, walked across a very shaky, rope-bridge with my then 2-year old son, but made sure we and came back to PD via the Silky Oaks Lodge . . . just for a few cleansing ales.
I’ve been to Wilson Island. I’ve done Western Australia. Well, to a degree. I was part of the small travelling PR road show, on tour with Elle Macpherson when she was a WA ‘ambassador’. We ‘did’ the whale-watching town of Albany as well as Geraldton, Exmouth, Broome, and flew over the mind-boggling Bungle Bungle ranges. Yes, it was in the comfort of a light aircraft and even an old-school butler, but it was still ‘outback’. I also ‘did’ the outback when I was a back-up cabaret dancer (prior to finding my career in journalism, I might add) to a singing, piano accordionist by the name of Joseph Fimmano.
Another dancer and I would traipse to the likes of Wagga Wagga, Albury-Wodonga and Griffith, where we would pop on our feathered costumes to do our renditions of Peter’s Allen’s Copacabana, Donna Summer’s Macarthur Park and that all-time fave, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s Flight of the Bumble Bee. True story.
I think one problem I have is that I tend to labour over the ‘outback wardrobe’ scenario. In fact, even more so than I did when I attended this year’s nuptials of uber-Queensland-born model, Kristy Hinze, when she married the Netscape founder, Jim Clark, in the Caribbean. Alright, I admit to verging on tragic. I picked island kaftans, slinky Dinnigan frocks and strappy pairs of Sergio Rossi heels quite easily for that wedding, but get me working on an outback ‘look’ and I turn to diesel. And dust.
I have the RM Williams walking boots; the brand’s signature belt buckle (although mine happens to be studded with diamantes); the thermals; a few trusty, padded jackets and a couple of fetching ‘outback’ hats, but when it comes to pure outback travel professionalism and expertise, I have always left that to my big brother, Shane.
Basically, he is everything, in the outback travel sense, that I am not. He has done 7 solo rafting trips down the Franklin River (during one trip, he lost the raft after being sucked under a log, so he took a few days to walk out); he has scaled waterfalls on the Herbert River in Queensland; has been confronted by feral pigs on the North Johnstone River; has done around, well, about 40 river trips on the likes of the Nymboida, Murray Gates and Colo; paddled the length of the Katherine River Gorge and was stuck in a tent for 7 days during a white out while he walked the Western Arthurs Range in Tasmania’s South West Wilderness. Oh, and that’s just the start. But my wish-list? Apart from my Winnebago fixation? I want to go the the eco-minded Longitude 131; I would adore to go to El Questro in the Kimberley region; would kill to get my body into shape at Gwinganna in Queensland and can’t wait for the Emirates-owned Wolgan Valley Resort, near the Blue Mountains, which is a conversation-based resort boarded by two national parks, to open.
But perhaps, to many of you, none of these constitute real ‘outback’. Well, they do for me. They’re all at least 100km from a serious city, so anything that takes you out of the freneticism of city life and into the real heart and soul of this country would have to have to meditative, if not cathartic. So if you have some great ideas as to how someone like me can discover the outback – with just a few creature comforts still intact _ please let me know on . . . . . asap.

Turnbull, Gillard and Rudd sell their culinary souls . . for (the) Press (Gallery)

The following media release is just through from the eBay folk . . . kinda cute, I thought. Wonder what are the better Canberra eateries though?



'POLITICAL HEAVYWEIGHTS LINE UP FOR CHARITY AUCTION
It is the political heavyweight contest of the year – a three-way tussle involving
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, Opposition leader Malcolm Turnbull and Australia’s
most influential woman Julia Gillard.
Casting aside political rivalries, the Prime Minister and Opposition leader have
agreed to be auctioned off on eBay – to help celebrate the 10th Federal
Parliamentary Press Gallery Mid Winter Ball.
From this Sunday, the three MPs will go “live” on eBay as part of the Press
Gallery’s efforts to raise needy funds for charity. Now in its 10th year, the Ball
has raised more than $1 million for charity – and the Gallery is determined to
achieve another big result in the midst of the recession.
Press Gallery President Phillip Hudson said: “We owe a big thanks to the PM
Kevin Rudd, Leader of the Opposition Malcolm Turnbull and Deputy PM Julia
Gillard – along with eBay and Qantas – for contributing so generously in the
name of charity. When so many people are doing it tough, we hope this year’s
Ball will be able to contribute much needed funds for seven deserving
charities.”
All three political figures are offering to host fabulous dinners – Mr Rudd is
offering a rare chance for up to four people to join him for dinner at either of
his two official residences, Kirribilli on the shores of Sydney Harbour or the
Lodge in Canberra. The PM will host this fabulous event – which is sure to
attract strong support.
Mr Turnbull will host a dinner for up to 6 people at one of Canberra’s best
restaurants. This is a chance to get in the ear of the Opposition leader while
enjoying an evening of fine dining.
Ms Gillard will also host dinner for up to six people at one of the national
capital’s best restaurants.
Qantas, the Spirit of Australia, is also generously offering a range of fantastic
overseas travel options for the successful bidder. Those keen on flying can
choose from a range of travel hot spots return business class tickets to either
London or Frankfurt, Shanghai or Hong Kong or to either destination in the USA
- Los Angeles or San Francisco.
The eBay auction opens at 5pm on Sunday June 7 and closes Wednesday 5pm
June 17. To bid in the auction, go to www.ebay.com.au/charity and then click
on the MIDWINTERBALL.
For interviews or further information, contact:
Phillip Hudson: Sydney Morning Herald 0419 291 240
Malcolm Farr: Daily Telegraph 0413 080 869
Steve Lewis: News Limited 0419 29 22 45 '

YUM. The Triumph Lingerie student final at Ivy . . .

Video - The Daily Telegraph


After I hosted and explained what the 'Triumph Inspiration' event was all about (final year fashion students from Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney) took their favorite icons and did whatever they wanted with them, but still made them look like their own (often whimsical) interpretations of lingerie.
After all the intros, I joined Madison mag's Fiona Lane and Triumph's Shirley Hopkins at Ivy on the panel for the final judging.
From pop art to Barbie, Tamara Lempicka, Dame Edna Everidge, Howard Hughes and even a lotus flower were all diverse finalists and gave us food for fashion thought - that creativity thrives when resources are limited.
The Australian winner was Katinka Poole, whose fusion of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge (and even a Centrepoint Tour chapeaux) could have reeked of complete kitsch, but the detail, execution, underwear expertise,fabric use and 'icon' status of her creation took home the big gong.
Katinka heads off to Milan in September for the international final where she will be in the running for a first prize of many, many euros. Go Katink!