Uggg-ly or amazing? You be the judge . .

There was much gab-festing during the week concerning the costume designed by Sydney designer Natasha Dwyer, which the Miss Universe Australia entrant, Jesinta Campbell will wear in Las Vegas next month.

And just in case you didn't know, Australia do sheep. And yes, we do them very well. To the point, Ms Dwyer has used shearling on a "shrug" (like a little cape) just to top of the high-heeled "uggs", swimming cossie and flamenco skirt.

Anyway, with the costume having more detractors than supporters (even http://www.ldnfashion.net/ has tagged it "the worst outfit in the universe) the shearling trend is certainly here to stay. This season anyway.

And in light of the high-heeled Ugg-inspired boot, that is part of Jesinta's costume, take a breath. As here are some that look very similar and you can buy. Like. Right now.

Take a look at www.eweaustralia.com.au and you can have your own, kinda, sorta, "Ugg-ish" boots . . . .

Fancy a woolly mammoth fossilized tooth; sculptured walrus tusk or museum-quality human skull? This could be the auction for you . .

picture courtesy of http://www.turtlewill.org/

The estate sale of beloved Potts Point philanthropist, Lillian Hoffman (1924-2010) is up for auction and if you take a read of the release below, she was quite the acquirer of some amazing dust collectors . . . .

"Lillian Hoffman may have lived in Sydney for only a decade yet she managed to create a lasting impression and leave quite a legacy, becoming a well-loved local in her adopted suburb of Potts Point.
A woman who lived a thousand lives, Lillian was raised in the small Michigan town of Three Oaks, which her wealthy parents all but owned. Her family’s money allowed her to indulge her passion for collecting and travelling from an early age, perhaps inspired by her grandfather who set up a museum filled primarily with Native American artifacts.
Lillian recalled combing the shores near the family’s Lake Michigan home
looking for Indian wampum (shell beads used as currency) while the other kids were out swimming.
Lillian achieved some remarkable feats for a woman of her generation including a black belt in jujitsu. She was also an avid scuba diver well into her seventies and pursued her sport in the waters surrounding her own island in Fiji. Her interest in natural history resulted in an extraordinary collection of shells, fossils and mineral specimens which, together with her vast collection of artifacts, filled her Rockwall Apartments residence. Originally intending to bequeath the collection to a museum she planned to establish back in her home town, she ultimately left it to be sold at auction with the proceeds to be divided between two local Australian charities.
Lillian will be remembered as much for her generosity and philanthropy as for her collection. She believed it was the obligation of all travellers to engage with the local people and put money back into the community, conscientiously buying local handicrafts to help them carry on their traditions.
When visiting the nomadic Tuareg in the Sahara she bought virtually everything they make, including a leather camel saddle, saddlebags, tribal
jewellery and even a bed.
An impulsive collector, Lillian once spotted a family of 18th century
Burmese wooden temple elephants for sale in a local Potts Point gallery. Despite the $60,0000 price tag she insisted on having them immediately, causing quite a stir as eight men carried them up busy Macleay Street to her apartment.
The extraordinary array of antique ivory is a highlight of the collection, including several sculpted walrus tusks, a 19th century parasol,
a collection of Japanese netsuke, a large selection of 19th
century American whalebone utensils, and a fossilised woolly
mammoth tooth.
Fond of shocking her visitors, Lillian had a penchant for collecting
human skulls, including several museum-quality ancestor skulls from New Guinea. Other highlights of the collection include early African artifacts, Nok sculptures from antiquity (2000 years before present), early New Guinea artifacts, Inuit art and ivory sculpture, a diverse collection of Australian Aboriginal art and interesting communist propaganda material from Russia and China.
This incredibly diverse collection is a reflection of the life and intrepid adventures of a remarkable lady. It must be sold and presents an excellent opportunity to acquire interesting and unique pieces across a broad price spectrum, with some bargains definitely likely to be picked up.
The collection will be available to view at Galerie Finn, 23 Bay Street, Double Bay, from 15 July. The auction will be held on Sunday 1st August 2010.
All auction enquiries to Guy Earl-Smi th tel. 02 9326 1028 or email guy@guyearlsmith.com.au or Adrienne Carlson at adrienne@carlsons.com.au

Maeve O'Meara hits the safari road . . with girls and Paspaley pearls . .

" ‘Cinderella Safari returns to The Kimberley for Broome Cup day . . '

Gourmet Safaris and Pinctada Cable Beach have announced a second 'Gorgeous Girls & Pearls Safari' to coincide with the biggest day on Broome’s racing calendar, the Broome Cup on August 14.
The second Gorgeous Girls & Pearls Safari will be held from August 12-17 2010 at Pinctada Cable Beach, Broome’s new award-winning five star spa resort.

Maeve O’Meara, Founder and Director of Gourmet Safaris, says The Gorgeous Girls & Pearls Safari, a travel experience created for women by women, reflects a worldwide trend in the growth of exclusive women’s travel experiences.
“Women’s exclusive travel is a phenomenon in other parts of the world, it’s growing in Australia and our first Broome safari ticked all the boxes,” she said.

“Last month’s Gorgeous Girls & Pearls Safari was a sell-out and
met all expectations. We hosted women of varying ages from a mix of rural and city backgrounds and something very special happens when women come together to share and enjoy experiences.”
The Gorgeous Girls & Pearls Safari includes several customised and ‘money can’t buy’ experiences including the opportunity to be dressed by Paspaley in their finest pearls for the safari’s final night gala dinner at Pinctada’s
award-winning SELENE Brasserie. Maeve regards this experience as a highlight of the inaugural Broome safari and also an example of the fun and special moments that exclusive women’s travel offers.
“It was a Cinderella ending to our fairytale Broome safari,” Maeve said. “We truly were ‘gorgeous’ girls that night - between us we were wearing $1 million worth of Paspaley Pearls. We all really enjoyed preparing for
the evening – it was like an adult version of playing ‘dress ups’ - and I think the experience brought out the young girl in all of us.”
Marilynne Paspaley AM, Founder and Managing Director of Pinctada Hotels & Resorts, believes such experiences reflect Pinctada’s tagline - personal moments, endless horizons.
“Maeve shares my belief that travel is not just about the destination, but also the shared experiences as you come to know that destination and develop a connection with it,” she said.

“Our horizons truly are endless as we look to introduce our guests to Broome with experiences that create special personal moments. I am
delighted that the guests from our first safari talk about memories of their childhood because I believe that is the greatest ‘money can’t buy’ experience. To me, this is the essence of a meaningful travel experience – being in an environment where you can truly relax, reconnect and feel again the sense of wonder and surprise that we all experienced as kids. These are the memories that will last a lifetime”
The customised and ‘money can’t buy’ experiences that Marilynne and Maeve have created for the 5-night August safari include:
• a day at the Broome Cup watching the thoroughbreds race on the Kimberley’s red pindan earth - Pinctada-style with butler service, lunch and champagne
• a private pearl appreciation function at the Paspaley Boutique in Broome with champagne and sautéed Paspaley pearl meat prepared by Pinctada’s award-winning SELENE Brasserie
• the opportunity to be dressed by Paspaley in their finest pearls for the safari’s final night gala dinner at Selene Brasserie
• canapés and champagne on Cable Beach after a sunset camel ride
• a special screening of Bran Nue Dae at Sun Pictures, the world’s oldest picture garden
• a bush-tucker and discovery walk through the surrounding natural landscape with award-winning indigenous guide, Neville Poelina
• a banquet dinner in the lush tropical gardens of Pinctada McAlpine House, a century-old former Master Pearler’s home and award-winning boutique lodge
• optional tours of Broome including art galleries and the Broome markets
Two treatments at award-winning Pinctada Spa are also included.
The full itinerary and booking details for the Broome Gorgeous Girls & Pearls Safari can be found at http://www.gourmetsafaris.com.au/ or by phoning +61 (0)2 9960 5675. Prices start from $3762.00 plus airfares.' "

Persons of Interest . . . Vanishing Elephant mens threads proving interesting . . .

There is something quite magnetic about the clothes coming out of the still relatively fresh menswear team at Vanishing Elephant.

Menswear has never been a huge blip on the this commentators style radar (keeping up with female trends seems to be tricky enough) but the one thing I often hear goes something along the lines of 'wish there was some really cool stuff for us to wear' etc etc etc. Well, the Sydney based menswear label, designed by Felix Chan, Huw Bennett and Arran Russell are 'committed to creating clothing of quality, purpose and elegance the collective work with a classic aesthetic, marking a return to gentlemanly style.'

'Producing four collections a year, Vanishing Elephant is a full ready to wear collection comprised of shirting, suiting, denim, knitwear, jersey basics and shoes. Vanishing Elephant can be found in stores worldwide.'

The collection is aptly titled ‘Persons of Interest’ and if the following media release is any indication, they are thoughtful young men too: "We observe with intrigue the uncanny faces that pass us by. They work the infamous horseshoe; not knowing that we watch and take note, these often volatile and tenacious characters – sometimes desperate, addicted — their foolishness is masked with an unknown beauty. These are persons of interest. Vanishing Elephant’s Fall 2010 collection takes inspiration from the sartorial style of Sydney’s underworld, in the first half of the 20th century. Textured cotton three-piece suits and brushed wool jackets are a feature, as are fine angora knits, classic waffle tee shirting and the signature woven shirting. Working towards top-to-toe dressing, garments are designed to wear back with one another staying true to the timeless Vanishing Elephant man."

Love it. Visit http://www.vanishingelephant.com/

Avatar star Zoe Saldana pops on some Calvin Klein undies . . .

Continuing their penchant for celebrity associations, Calvin Klein Underwear announced today that the actress, Zoe Saldana, will be featured in the women’s Fall 2010 Calvin Klein Underwear global advertising campaign.
The campaign was shot by fashion photographer Mikael Jansson in New York and will be comprised of a mix of print, digital and outdoor advertising timed to coincide with October 2010 magazine issues.
“We are excited to have Zoe Saldana as the face of Calvin Klein Underwear, and Calvin Klein Envy, our new product launch,” said Bob Mazzoli, Chief Creative Officer of Calvin Klein Underwear. “Zoe brings the campaign to life, and her universal appeal will enable us to continue to expand our dialogue with our consumers worldwide.”
“Calvin Klein has always put forth such beautifully executed campaigns,” said Ms. Saldana. “It’s very exciting for me to be associated with such an iconic, globally recognized brand like Calvin Klein Underwear.”
The Fall 2010 global advertising will feature Calvin Klein Underwear’s 'Envy' range, the latest collection from Calvin Klein Underwear. Calvin Klein 'Underwear Envy' is a new line of lingerie designed to create a more revealing silhouette.

In this 'new' shopping system, Calvin Klein Underwear bras are now identified by three distinct levels of coverage. Each level is differentiated by cup coverage, as well as strap and band width.

Envy is Coverage Level 1, with the most minimal level of coverage for a sleek, sexy look. Perfectly Fit is Coverage Level 2 and provides mid-level coverage for classic comfort. Seductive Comfort, positioned at Coverage Level 3, offers the most coverage and support.
Ms. Saldana has a long-standing relationship with the house of Calvin Klein and is frequently wardrobed by Calvin Klein Collection and most recently was (blue) Neytiri in 'Avatar'.

Ms. Saldana also starred in the blockbuster action-sci-fi film 'Star Trek' and was most recently seen in the films 'Death at A Funeral' and 'The Losers.'
Photo © 2010 Mikael Jansson

Moet, InStyle and a whole lot of Aussie thesps clink a gold goblet . .

Miranda Otto and Peter O'Brien

Jess McNamee and Victoria Thaine

Barry Otto and delicious daughter Miranda

Alex Dimitriades Alyssa McClelland (a former babysitter - mine - and now mega actress) and Gyton Grantley

James Paton and InStyle editor Kerrie McCallum

Something much less glamorous kept me away, but from all reports, a perfectly stylishly night as InStyle mag editor Kerrie McCallum (pictured above) and Moet et Chandon celebrated all that is great in the world of Aussie thesps.

In one of those on-going discussions as to how exactly we pronounce the bubbles (is it Mo-ee, Mo-et or even Mo-wett?) for those who care about such things, it is actually the latter . . .

Anyway, back to the soiree, and it was a chance for Moët & InStyle to celebrate 'Stars of Australian Film and pay tribute to talent on the rise and filmic industry leaders at the glam new hotspot, The Diamant Hotel Penthouse in Darlinghurst.

Moët says it has been the champion champagne of cinema since the early days of the movies, supporting actors in more than 100 Hollywood and international productions to date.

Touted as the world’s 'most loved' champagne, it has created celebratory scenes onscreen from small productions to international blockbusters, including Love in the Afternoon, Pretty Woman, Titanic, Muriel’s Wedding, The Devil Wears Prada, Nine, The DaVinci Code, Ocean’s 12, and Sex and the City 2.

So it seemed only appropriate for the cinematic celebrations to continue.

The Moët flowed from magnums, and the Moët 'Gold Goblets' were quite a hit as star caterers, John & Peter, created the canapés and and DJ Graz set the music mood.

Guests included Barry Otto (how cool a 'dad' is he?) and his daughter Miranda Otto with Peter O’Brien; Sophie Lowe (Road Train, 2010; Blessed, 2009; Beautiful Kate; 2009 – AGF nominee for Best Actress); Damian de Montemas (Blame, Underbelly, Secret Life Of Us)Alyssa McClelland (A Man’s Gotta Do, 2004; The Bet, 2007; Rescue: Special Ops, TV, 2010); Jessica McNamee (The Loved Ones, 2009; Packed to the Rafters); Krew Boylan (Dream the Life, 2009; Primal, 2009); Cassandra MaGrath (Wolf Creek, 2005; SeaChange); Victoria Thaine (The Loved Ones, 2009; 48 Shades, 2006); Gyton Grantley (Balibo, 2009; Beneath Hill 60, 2010; Underbelly, 2008) and Michael Dorman (Suburban Mayhem, 2006; Prime Mover, 2009; Daybreakers, 2010).

Phew, quite a roll up indeed . . and stay tuned for more Moet action as it does Melboure for the upcoming Spring Racing Carnival . . .