Gear up to meet Australia's hottest new fashion designer . . .

Previous Chambord designer winner, Karl Capp

CHAMBORD® SHINE AWARDS FINAL announced this week . . .

With past winners Carl Kapp and AJE going on to dressing top Australian celebrities and opening their own flagship boutiques, the Chambord® Shine Awards are offering designers even more this year.

As well as having taken the Chambord Shine program national for 2010 with runway showcases in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, the grand prize of Chambord® Shine Awards, this Tuesday evening in the Strand Arcade in Sydney, is big.

"The winning designer will also get to show their design to 2,000
consumers, the next evening, at the Strand Arcade’s “An Evening with Our Designers”. " goes the media release.

"The winning designer will also be worn by a fashion forward celebrity during Spring Racing Carnival and they will also be able to show their own
collection at Australia’s largest consumer fashion festival in 2011, thanks to Chambord.

The Chambord showcases were held at Cloudland, Brisbane; Longroom, Melbourne and The Loft in Sydney with a panel of 'celeb' judges taking part in the judging process.

The ten finalists were given a brief to design an outfit for Spring Racing Carnival and given $1000 each to make their creation. The final, which I will be hosting, will show their creations on Tuesday night.

“It is now nearly two years on from my win at the Chambord Shine Awards and my label has grown from strength to strength. I have been fortunate enough to dress some of Australia’s most glamorous women including Cate Blanchett, Nicole Kidman, Rose Byrne and Rachael Taylor,'' says Chambord 2008 winner, Carl Kapp.

"Being associated with Chambord and their Shine Awards program really
opened doors for me. I look forward to seeing who walks away with the prize this year.” "

Zoe Saldana does Calvin Klein: check out these darn sexy videos . .

CALVIN KLEIN UNDERWEAR INTRODUCES FALL 2010 GLOBAL ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN VIDEOS FEATURING ACTRESS ZOE SALDANA.

You can see Zoe Uncovered at www.nothingtohide.com .

The stills ad campaign was unveiled a while ago, on this blog along with many others, but now . . it's all about the sexy video campaign, out just in time for Monday morning's (AEST) Emmy awards . . .

And the Klein media speil:

"NEW YORK, NY, AUGUST 26, 2010 – Calvin Klein Underwear, a division of The Warnaco Group Inc. [NSYE: WRC] and Calvin Klein, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation [NYSE: PVH], today unveiled a new series of videos on-line, in support of the brand’s Fall 2010 global advertising campaign.
Beginning today, three unique versions – all featuring acclaimed actress Zoe Saldana -- will be available on-line at the brand’s dedicated microsite, www.nothingtohide.com, as well as on the official Calvin Klein Underwear website, http://www.cku.com/.
Ms. Saldana stars in the campaign and was involved in the development of the scripts for the different mini-films.

Each of the three spots feature Ms. Saldana in very conversational moments as she uncovers, reveals and shares little known details about herself.
The new Calvin Klein Underwear commercials will also be seen on cable television in the U.S. in advance of this weekend’s 62nd Primetime Emmy® Awards.

The 30 second spots will air exclusively over the course of E! Network’s two days of Primetime Emmy® Awards programming and will break on television during the “Countdown to the Red Carpet,” airing between 5:00 – 6:00 PM EST on Sunday, August 29th.

The spots will continue to air throughout the evening and into the following day. The commercials will also air on television and in cinema globally in select markets throughout Europe and Asia in September.
As previously announced (and on this blog) the imagery for the global print and video campaign was shot by fashion photographer Mikael Jansson. The print ads will break globally in key October 2010 magazines in the U.S., Europe, Japan, and Asia."

"Calvin Klein Underwear Envy is a new line of lingerie designed to create a more revealing silhouette. The introduction of Calvin Klein Underwear Envy completes Calvin Klein Underwear’s Coverage Level System, a revolutionary new shopping system for bras, designed to help women find the perfect fit.

Calvin Klein Underwear bras are now identified by three distinct levels of coverage, with each level 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. "

Visit http://www.calvinklein.com/ for more info . .

VIDEOS CAN BE VIEWED AT: http://www.nothingtohide.com/ "

Above pic © 2010 Mikael Jansson

Blogged: V Australia, grazia and Austero videos from Rosemount Sydney Fashion Festival . . .

Heya gang . .here are a few videos we shot during the Rosemout Sydney Fashion Festival during the week . . . a nice little diversion from anything to do with Abbott, Gillard . . . of even mr Kater for that matter . . .

*Having a fashion chat to Bianca Spender and Anna Hewitt from Anna & Boy http://tiny.cc/ba4th
*And another to Jayson Brunsdon and Leona Edmiston at Rosemount Sydney fashion festival http://tiny.cc/qafyh
*And some very cute, little Aussie cossies and a chat to Sophie from Sol Belloe ans another with great Dancing with the Stars dancer and cossie designer Alana Patience on her Daughters of the God collection : http://bit.ly/d84y5M

Enjoy . . .

Nicky Hilton, Charlie Brown & the Tony Abbott effect . .

THE BUZZ . . .

Okay, so Nicky Hilton walked the walk for Charlie Brown as part of the Rosemount Sydney Fashion Festival (as you can read in the media release below) but what about the other snippets of stuff. The other globs of goss that seemed to jump into our laps as we twirled around the after show party in the Astral Bar in Star City . . .

*Much partying went on at the post, post party, and I am told the last hell-raisers (no names supplied . . . ) left some of the suites at Star City at 4.30am . . let's call it the stay-up-all-night Tony Abbott effect . . . a new term which kinda suits methinks . . .

*Party-goers in the Astral bar included Shari-Lea Hitchcock, Michael Pell, Katherine Field, Rupert Noffs, Karin Gharbi (who runs The Art Lounge in Darlinghurst), Daniel Garofali, the filmic Joel Christie (shooting for Confidential TV) and gorgeous Laura Dundovic who was getting on a plane at 8am . . and at 10pm, she was still thinking about what she would be packing . . . .
*A rumored $90K was paid to Nicky Hilton to walk the Charlie Brown walk with all expenses including her V Australia flight (for her and her buddy) and accommodation on top of that fee. (Disclosure here: I am the V Australia Style Ambassador . . )
*Charlie Brown fashion boss (and the man who is the designer's husband) Danny Avidan was chuffed that the Astral Bar hosted the party for Nicky in its entirety . . seems Star City are keen to really 'up' their celeb factor, trying to make it more Vegas-casino like . . .
*Nicky told me she was mad about the animal print dress she had on at the after party . . hey, perhaps it got a run for her day at the zoo, as you do.
*Event guests, the businessman and Sky Business channel contributor Iggy Damiani and real estate agent Victoria Morish, both great pals of Charlie, will be marrying in October . . . Great news . .

Anyway, here's the post-show release . .

"Sydney – Nicky Hilton, the American heiress, fashion model and socialite, sister of Paris Hilton, and great granddaughter of Conrad Hilton (founder of Hilton Hotels), walked the runway for acclaimed Australian designer Charlie Brown in Sydney last night.
Nicky paraded in front of a packed crowd of VIPs and fashionistas on the opening day of the Rosemount Sydney Fashion Festival. She wore three outfits including a nude sequined dress with sash, a stretch jersey leopard print dress with matching turban, and a turquoise party dress to close the show.
Front row guests included the current face of Charlie Brown and former Miss Universe Australia, Laura Dundovic, who was still nursing a broken ankle injury. Other celebrity guests included Natalie Gruzlewski, Kylie Gillies, and the winner of last year’s Australia’s Next Top Model series, Tahnee Atkinson.

Charlie Brown showcased her latest Spring Summer collection, ‘Altered States’ and Charlie Brown fans and customers were given an exclusive opportunity to preview the latest collection just as it arrives into stores around the country.
The show kick started the Rosemount Sydney Fashion Festival’s official individual show schedule and provided the public with an exciting opportunity to walk the red carpet, soak up the atmosphere and watch the show in the company of a truly fashionable crowd including celebrity friends and the designer herself, Charlie Brown.

Nicky Hilton brought her celebrity and style to the runway, continuing a tradition for the Charlie Brown brand which has in the past, attracted runway appearances from big international names like Lily Cole, Jade Jagger, Jerry Hall and Sophie Dahl. “I think Nicky is absolutely gorgeous and is internationally renowned as a style icon. She brings with her a youthful attitude coupled with maturity and sophistication,” said Charlie Brown.
“I hope my fans and customers enjoyed some of the celebrity elements we have become famous for, alongside an incredibly sexy, playful, and beautifully constructed collection.

My ‘Altered States’ range is full of bold colours and prints and fun pieces for the party season.”Charlie Brown’s ‘Altered States’ collection is being delivered into store from now through to November. For more information please visit http://www.charliebrown.com.au/

Ok, a little bit of Blackberry action . . . Ms Hilton and little me at the after party at Astral in Star City . . .

Selena Gomez fashion collection hits Aussie BIG W . . Hollywood cutie pie defines real girl style . . .

Selena Gomez, the American actress, singer-songwriter and Disney darling has turned her talents to fashion design, collaborating with Big W to create Dream Out Loud, a fashion range for 'tweens'.
Ok. Stop right there. The name may have passed some of you by, but considering she stars in the Emmy Award winning Disney Channel series, Wizards of Waverly Place and it is a favorite of the 8-year-old son, wel . . . . . .
Gomez has also starred in the flicks Another Cinderella Story and Princess Protection Program and recently made her theatrical film debut in Ramona and Beezus.

As for her frocks, the cutie pie's first capsule range features cute prints and feminine detailing, the collection including a printed tee with vintage watches and butterfly designs, cropped denim shorts and a belted black embroidered play suit. Also included are a ruched denim vest, floral mini skirt, white lace blouse, cuffed shorts in khaki and black and pretty belted dresses in cream and baby pink.
Oh, and just to reiterate her online celeb status, Gomez is the 16th most sought after celebrity on Twitter with a mega 7,703,818 followers and a further 7,936,320 fans follow her on Facebook.

The Dream Out Loud tween collection includes skirts, dresses, blouses, cropped denim jeans, scarves and shorts. Prices range from $15.95 and $24.77 and go into Big W mid September with a second collection arriving in November.

As the cooking craze continues, fancy your kid as a designer chef?

Les Petits Chefs at Victor Churchill . .

It's been tagged the Balenciaga of the butcheries; the Chanel of charcuteries; the Missoni of meat . . .

So now, the most stylish and award-winning butcher shops is hosting cooking classes . . . for adults and for culinary-minded kids.

And the timing couldn't be better. With Junior Masterchef in production; the runway success of Masterchef still on many minds and the appearance of other kitchen shows like My Kitchen Rules and the upcoming Iron Chef, the Woollahra-based Victor Churchill butchery is catering for the cute crew.

The school is the first of its kind in Australia and classes have already booked out in the short term (with ‘students’ flying in from across the country to attend).

Tourism Australia now makes monthly visits to the undeniably state-of-the-art store with international visitors, and recommends it as an Australian ‘destination’.

At the school, kids have the opportunity to learn basic cooking skills with Victor Churchill French chef in residence Romeo Baudouin, with classes held in Victor Churchill’s special private dining room on Sunday mornings.

"These small classes with a maximum of 6 students are held in our special private dining room on Sunday mornings where kids are taught basic food preparation skills as they create both dinner and a dessert,'' goes the media speil.

"The meals are cooked in our kitchens for your children to bring home for dinner with easy reheat instructions provided.
Ages: 8-11 year olds
Time: 10:00am -12:00pm
Cost: $150 per child (15% discount for siblings or book the whole class and receive a 20% discount)
When: Sundays."

I reckon it is an inspired idea and my son even wants to do it!

Give the store a call for more details . . .

'Our' Jennifer Hawkins gets the Melbourne Cup to Sydney . . .

Mr Bob Brown and the Emirates gals . .

Nick and Rachel Holland

Jennifer Hawkins and "The Cup" . . .

Guests: glam girl Katherine Field and the ever sharp Joel Christie

The red carpet launch celebrations of this year's 150th Melbourne Cup saw Myer Ambassador, Jennifer Hawkins, share the spotlight with another golden beauty (um, the Cup) as she accompanied the 2010 Emirates Melbourne Cup trophy to celebrate the upcoming 'race that stops a nation'.

The Sydney city hot spot, The Ivy, went all equine as MC, Mark Beretta, from Channel Seven's Sunrise joined a swag of fashion, entertainment and sporty types.

Guests at the exclusive Victoria Racing Club (VRC) event received a red carpet welcome from 1992 Melbourne Cup-winning thoroughbred, Subzero, before being treated to an exclusive look at the legacy of the Melbourne Cup and its impact on Australian culture and our national identity.

In recognition of the glamour, high-fashion and track side extravagance that have become as much a part of the annual Melbourne Cup Carnival as the Cup itself, the party also feature a preview of Spring's key race wear trends. The 2010 Myer Fashions on the Field ambassadors, Nick and Rachel Holland made their first public appearance at the event and offered an insider's guide to looking good track side.

Bob Brown, Emirates Vice President, Australasia addressed guests to highlight the significant role of Emirates in the 150th running of the Emirates Melbourne Cup.

“The Melbourne Cup has experienced a colourful 150-year history and is now intrinsically linked in the social and cultural fabric of not just Melbourne, but of the entire country,” said VRC Chairman Rod Fitzroy.

"The VIP launch event in Sydney is a chance to embrace all the aspects that are truly reflective of Emirates Melbourne Cup Day, from world-class racing to the best fashion, entertainment, food and wine, business and lifestyle Australia has to offer.''

So, there you go . . .

Coffee couture: Mega-stylish Manfredi's fusing food with uber fashionable Beat Poet crew . . .

Loving this idea of a coffee and fashion fusion for the 10th year anniversary of Espresso di Manfredi by Piazza D’Oro. Espresso di Manfredi was created by star Italian chef Stefano Manfredi and Piazza D'Oro master roaster Wayne Archer (after tastings of the world's finest single origin coffee beans) and ten years on, it's still going strong.

With the Manfredi Italian style cap on, Beat Poët (one of Australia’s most promising design duos) have created a really great concept for the anniversary celebrations. Beat Poët, Edward Bertouch and James Johnson (pictured above) are transforming Blanco Restaurant and Bar, Kings Cross, into a celebration of modernism for the coffee label's anniversary party next Wednesday, August 18, the design team creating a limited edition series of waistcoats to celebrate the Manfredi coffee decade.

Fashion and design have always been an important factor for Stefano Manfredi and Julie Manfredi Hughes, the pair long known for their culinary expertise (belmondo, Restaurant Manfredi and Bells at Killcare).

As for the waistcoat idea, Ed and James used baristas as the initial inspiration to define the design of the waistcoats, and reckon cool males will be able to wear them anytime – whether behind a coffee machine or over a crisp white shirt for after work drinks.
“Design is important in everything we do,” says Julie Manfredi Hughes, a key design force behind Espresso di Manfredi by Piazza D’Oro. “When working with a designer, whether it be in creating a restaurant, a waistcoat or indeed a coffee cup, the design brief must always ask that the result have a long life, to look like it has always been part of the landscape and will not look dated or faddish in 10 years time.
“I look for innovation in design however, any innovation must also have functionality and I really believe what James and Ed have delivered is perfect.”
On the Espresso di Manfredi design and concept, the design duo says: “Before the clichéd target signs and army parkas, the 60's mod movement was all about British youth looking to continental Europe, especially Italy and France for style inspiration.
“Driving between Italian-style cafes and jazz clubs on the latest Lambretta and Vespa scooters, the first wave of mods would go to see black and white foreign films to sketch the details of the clothes so that they could get their tailors to create the sharpest suits.
“For the Espresso di Manfredi 10th celebrations, we wanted to highlight the European heritage of the brand and quality of the coffee, as a mod’s pride was based on only engaging in the finer things in life.”
Beat Poët menswear was formed in Sydney in 2005, with a humble accessories line. After a year of concept development in Melbourne, Ed and James returned to Sydney to launch their Spring Summer installment of their first collection and went on to win the designer of the year at the GQ Men of The Year awards. So, there you go . .

Kardashian names cuts into clobber . . .

If you wondered what those lavish-looking Kardashian sisters actually did, well, this may explain . . .

Straight off the fashion media release sushi train comes the following morsel . . .
"THE KARDASHIAN SISTERS PARTNER WITH BRUNO SCHIAVI IN GLOBAL FASHION COLLECTION
SYDNEY, August 5th, 2010 – Today the Kardashian sisters announced their global partnership with leading international designer Bruno Schiavi and his apparel company, Jupi Corporation.
Kim, Khloe and Kourtney will collaborate with Schiavi on a complete brand launch encompassing apparel, home and accessories. The initial range to include a women’s RTW collection, handbags, belts, wallets and lingerie expected to be in-stores in 2011 in the US, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and Germany.
“The Kardashian sisters are an inspiration to women of all ages and loved for their sense of fashion and style. I am extremely excited to be working with Kim, Khloe and Kourtney across so many fashion categories – taking their brand to women in key markets around the world.” says Bruno Schiavi. ''

The release goes on to say that "the Kardashians celebrate healthy and curvaceous body image, the importance of high self esteem and family values whilst still being fun, theatrical and sexy.
“We are excited to work with Bruno Schiavi in developing our first brand together,” stated Kim, Khloe and Kourtney Kardashian.'' ''(They even speak as a trio.)

“His expert design sensibilities, his amazing creativity, and his genuine understanding of female consumers everywhere make him the ideal partner.” "

And there are plans underway, after the first collection, to extend the brand into luggage, swimwear, shoes and kids fashion.

Ok, so if the surname doesn't ring a bell, click into Google and then you'll get the picture . . .

They're incredibly big. In reality tv land . . .

David Jones: The Verdict . . and the odd bedfellows of fashion and a sexual harassment claim . .

Save the elephant in the room - that $37 million pending lawsuit against David Jones and its former CEO Mark McInnes - there was a real show-must-go-on mentality and surprise buoyancy about today's spring season fashion launch in the Sydney retail HQ.
With a spring in their step and mega-watt smiles on a collective of corporate faces, it was lights, camera, well, you get the picture.
Fashion is usually dismissed by many as totally frivolous simply because people don't understand it. And I don't mean 'understand it' by knowing about trends (fashion was deemed so unworthy that every few months it has to be changed: a train of thought once so eloquently put by Oscar Wilde).
Sure, most people won't 'get' much about what American Vogue editor Anna Wintour often says, but I still think her most poignant lines in 2009 doco, The September Issue, says it all about our love/hate of fashion.
"I think what I often see is that people are frightened about fashion. Because it scares them or makes them feel insecure they just put it down. On the whole people that may say, the many things about our world I think that's usually because they feel, in some ways, excluded or, you know, not a part of 'the cool group' so as a result they just mock it.

"Just because you like to put on a beautiful Carolina Herrera dress or a pair of J Brand blue jeans instead of something basic from K-Mart it doesn't mean that you're a dumb person.

"There is something about fashion that can make people really nervous.''

There is a tribalism that surrounds what we all chose to wear. Whether it's you in a comfy Katies trackie; her in an Armani suit; him in that silk tie or me in an op shop favorite. Fashion defines our days thought process. Whether we do it consciously or not, what we chuck on our bodies has been momentarily thought about and reflects our brain wave.
But hang on, better not get too fancy-schmancy. Fashion is silly. It's frills. And mad frocks. And divine hair, And lippie. And wedges. And platforms. And models. And air-brushing.
Well it is, until something like a sexual harassment claim comes into the equation.
Snowballed by an eager media (with a potent mix of pretty people and frocks, who could ask for anything more in a story?) you could tell the hardest part of today's frock show was watching how mainstream media decided to play it.
Did they pretend nothing had happened (only 20 hours earlier the $37 million law suit was announced via a press conference outside the plaintiffs home) or do they do an up-beat news story and placate a mighty big retail advertiser?
I spoke to Bob Savage, DJs perfectly amiable chairman, who said there are many years ahead for this one, implying his store will fight to the end of the allegations. And let me tell you, there was a real defiance about him.
But see, this is the conundrum of the fashion biz. It doesn't do serious very well.
Posting a "what you'll be wearing from DJs" story just 24 hours after the lawsuit hit the headlines seems quite trivial compared to the many layers of this legal story.
So, on that note, think I'll leave my real fashion verdict: the roll call of simply sensational models and the fashion pieces (that Oscar Wilde coud quite possibly have wanted to discard) until another post . . .
(above pic courtesy of news.com.au)