As the Aussie summer sun starts to fade . . . Phuket sounds nice . . .

A while ago I was invited by the owners of Sri Panwa to test out their resort on the island of Phuket over a long weekend. And there was nothing not to love . .

'Perched high on the tip of the exquisitely picturesque Cape Panwa on the delicious Thai Island of Phuket, there is nothing not to adore about this place. And let's face it, there is hardly ever a dull-weather day.
Comprised of a series of totally private, infinity pool villas that are wrapped around glass-encased bedrooms (the best I've ever seen) it's already being touted as one of the top resorts in Thailand. And so it should. It is simply jaw-droppingly beautiful with sea views stretching out from my pool and everything you need for a full on resort holiday firmly in place.

And with direct flights to Phuket from Australia, even a long weekend from Oz is realrtively simple.
Lots of cool-school locals have discovered Sri Panwa too. Guess the fact it is run by the charming 'It' boy, Vorasit 'Wan' Issara, who is the part of the Thai family who run the mega property group Charn Issara, may just have something to do with that.
A trip into Phuket's rustic old town and night market shows how chicly Sino-colonial the town is (the architecture is superb with a real boho feel about it) before we motor back to our spiritual, holiday home.

To the signature restaurant of Sri Panwa, Baba; a secret beach; tennis court; private yacht; some snorkelling; a killer gym; the 'Sai' spa; international guests DJs and in-room treatments whenever you want. It all makes for the ultimate way to spend a few days . . . or a even a few weeks.

Check out http://www.sripanwa.com/

Lucky, lucky me travelled to Phuket courtesy of Sri Panwa. This piece appears in an edited form in the travel pages of this weeks Grazia magazine . . .

The triumphant return of the drive-in . . Randwick Racecourse gears up for some panel van action . . .

This year will see the revival of a near-extinct pastime for everyone to enjoy with the launch of ‘Racecourse Drive In’ - the first drive-in cinema, in Sydney’s eastern suburbs - in 30 years.

And so the media release spiel goes: "Racecourse Drive In Cinema is giving modern movie lovers a classic cinematic experience. It’s a time-honoured spectacle under the stars offering an evening like no other, and just like the golden days, families with kids will love it as much as couples and friends. It’s the perfect way to spend weekends after sunset.

“I think this is the right time to launch a new drive-in, especially as the eastern suburbs haven’t seen one since the 80s. The popularity of outdoor entertainment is growing, and I really wanted to create something the whole family could experience,” says Paul Rosenberg, founder of Racecourse Drive In Cinema.

"The movie magic of the 50s and 60s will come alive this year at the Racecourse Drive In. It’s the new scene for all ages to re-live or experience for the first time the unique culture of the original drive in movie theatre. Nostalgic old classics and the latest releases will be shown on the big screen while you simply roll up in your car and enjoy. Relax and kick back with your own selection of snacks, control the volume just how you like it and let the kids fall asleep as the credits roll.

The joy of the drive in, just like back in its peak, is that you don’t have to dress up or find parking and kids will love going out in their pyjamas with a stash of pillows.

The Oncology Children’s Foundation is proudly supported throughout the entire season, with $1 from every ticket sold committed to assisting their valuable funding of childhood cancer research."

Opening night is Friday, July 2 with a charity night screening of classic, ‘Grease’ at 6.30pm. The season will be every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night from July to September.

Tickets are $49.00 + $4.50 booking fee per vehicle with "A Reserve" positions, $69.00 with $4.50 booking fee per vehicle. More information at http://www.racecoursedrivein.com.au/

J-Lo falls for dog collars from Southern Highlands doggie designer, Sniffany's . . .

I like this story 'cos it's just so, well, unashamadly cute. It's not about volcanic ash, health reform, Masterchef or Underbelly.

It's about dogs . . and I don't even have one.

A local NSW doggy accessory designer has been showcased in J-Lo's latest upcoming flick, The Back Up Plan.

Demand for luxury dog collars, created by the doggy design house 'Sniffanys', are hoping to sky rocket with the release of the flick on April 23 in the US and on May 20 in Australia.

Jennifer Lopez plays a pet shop owner who's pampered pooch, Nuts, sports the luxury 'Sniffanys' collar in all his scenes and promotional shoots. Southern Highlands based Trudy Heathwood has been making the collars for her poochy friends for five years and what started as a token of affection for each of her eight Great Danes, turned into a business when friends and strangers spotted the collars and requested commissions.

Studded with silver, gold, platinum as well as semi precious and precious gemstones, pearls and Swarovski crystals, the collars are personalised works of art worn with pride by both dog and owner.
Sniffanys was discovered online by movie researchers who called Trudy to ask her to make a collar for the film.

Trudy, of course, jumped at the opp to showcase her designs to a movie audience and already Trudy has received requests from specialty boutiques in the US to stock her collars - including http://www.seenon.com/ , a site that sources all things movie related for fans and admirers.
Visit http://www.sniffanys.com.au/ or call Sniffanys on 0412 320 406.

A nice story. . .

Fashion ratbags, ksubi, return to the fold for upcoming Fashion Week . . .

George Gorrow & Dan Single with model Erin Wasson (pic courtesy: SMH)

Ksubi's Rosemount Australian fashion week comeback, according to their media release . . . .


'KSUBI TURNS TEN AT “ONE VIA ZERO” RAFW SHOW
This May ksubi returns to Rosemount Australian Fashion Week. ksubi’s first show in three years will be offsite at the Royal Hall of Industries in Moore Park and celebrates its 10th birthday with their new collection titled “One Via Zero”.
For ten years, ideas, individuality and authenticity has developed the Australian brand into an underground subculture, a lifestyle—an international presence with a cult following. Dan Single and George Gorrow, co-founders and directors of the brand, created ksubi as a culture of fashion, music and art, and are now thrilled to celebrate ten years of the collective with the finale show at RAFW, to be styled by Australia’s international fashion icon, Brana Wolf.
Wolf has lent a strong and defining vision to the fashion industry for over 20 years. A top-tier freelance stylist & design
consultant, Brana was named one of Forbes Magazines’ eight most powerful fashion editors in America, sitting alongside the likes of Ana (sic)Wintour & Grace Coddington from Vogue. Her repertoire features an impressive selection of titles such as Editor at Large to Harper’s Bazaar USA & contributing editor to Italian Vogue— regularly collaborating with
photographers such as Craig McDean, Steven Meisel and Patrick Demarchelier.
Wolf also acts as Chief Fashion Consultant to the Versace Women’s Collection & more recently style directed Brazilian fashion prodigy, Pedro Lourenco’s debut catwalk show at Paris Fashion Week, where her contribution led to rave reviews for the young designer.
George and Dan first met Brana in New York three years ago, and as Australians with mutual admiration, they discussed working together. Three years later, the relationship has finally come to fruition as Brana mentors a collaboration with ksubi’s design team.
Her years of experience will bring a confident and concise editing style, realising a collection that celebrates ksubi’s signature aesthetic along with brand new designs.
“The opportunity to work with Brana is an honour as she has been somewhat of an idol of ours for many years. As a person she is humble and grounded and as one of the most powerful women in fashion, you know her business aesthetic is unsurpassed. We are really pushing ourselves to a new level to impress her, and relishing the challenges this brings.
We have certainly had some challenges recently, its been an emotional and physical roller coaster of late, but with all the set backs we have been able to regroup & are excited to celebrate our 10th anniversary back on the stage where it all started, the closing show of Sydney Fashion Week.”— George Gorrow.
Also joining the team is internationally reputed Australian casting agent, Kannon Rajah. Kannon works with some of the biggest names in the fashion business, casting for Victoria’s Secret, Fendi, Donna Karan, Michael Kors & Miu Miu as well as producing Chanel, Lanvin, YSL, Dior & Margiela shows. He comes on board as casting director and show caller for
ksubi’s RAFW finale show.'

By the way, the ksubi “One Via Zero” RAFW show will be on Friday, May 7 at 8pm at the Royal Hall of Industries, Driver Ave, Moore Park.