LONG, LEAN & STRANGELY SIDEWAYS

LOVING the hair and the the general silhouette at the Rodarte A/W '11 show.
The work of Odilie Gilbert, who is too fabulous. I knew there was a reason
I grew my kooky hair so long. Off to experiment with a can of Ellnet
and a big soft brush...

Calling All Wedding Planners!

The new issue of Instyle is out, complete with a fab wedding special. (And doesn't Gwyneth look INCREDIBLE?)

My column is wedding themed this month - I'm talking what gifts to take to out of town weddings; does a bridesmaid have to pay for her frock and can you exclude kids elegantly from your big day...? What do you think, ladies? I love to hear your feedback.

Got a style conundrum? Email your questions to me at clare@mrspress.com

xxx

MUSE OF THE MOMENT - MARCHESA

Goodness, Georgia Chapman is clever! I absolutely adore the Marchesa designer's
A/W 11 collection. Must get rich so can buy me that red coat.

INSPIRATION FILES # 23

I'M IN THE FASHION MOOD FOR...all of the above. Been designing for next summer. Thought I'd share my mood board. What do you think? xxx

DREAM LAND

They say there are less than 60 haute couture customers worldwide - and since Nan Kempner passed away, that number is likely less robust. Nan was the queen of it all, a couturaholic who bought up a storm each season at Chanel and Dior and Christian Lacroix.

Lacroix shut up shop last year which is very sad because he, like his peers who keep that art of the Paris ateliers alive, was a genius. And yet the couture is alive and well - if only for the spectacle and the boost it brings to a brand's perfume sales. But you know what I say to the lip-pursers who disapprove of the idea of blowing the price of a house on a hand-beaded gown ("Immoral! There are people starving!")?

I say this: If I had a spare hundred grand I would totally spend in on Dior's Rene Grau-inspired creations. I just would.
Oh the glamour! Oh the beauty! Mr. Galliano, we SWOON

Young Sophisticates: Mrs. Press Giveaway

Young Sophisticates: Mrs. Press Giveaway:

Time for another giveaway~ This time 3 lucky winners will be selected! Winners will receive treats galore. Hurrah!!!

J'ADORE THIS BLOG. Follow it to win treats, ladies. C'mon, what are you waiting for??

Girl Crush!

Samantha Harris is exquisite isn't she? She's a bit of a chameleon. Our fave photographer Cara Stricker shot her for the new Karen Magazine in a black & white ode to Helmut Newton raunch, while Sam is warrior woman for Kirrily Johnston's new winter lookbook. I am still obsessed with Nicole Bentley's pic of her in nude silk drapped Willow for Aus Vogue last year, and I just found this vibrant tribal vibe here - she's dolled for Melbourne Fashion Festival. Please, Sam, can we have some more?

TODAY I AM FEELING....

...like buying myself a Valentine's present! Forget waiting by the post box for that card from a secret admirer. Hello! 'Tis the 21st Century. We can be our own admirers. Empowering, no?

To order your treat of posh gold pure silk camisole
and bow knickers, as seen in this delicious lurrrve-themed
Sun Herald page last week,
call us on (02) 9331 7732 or email shop@mrspress.com.

Knickers are on sale now, only $35 buckaroonies. Woo hoo.

Also available in sophisticated navy or cool cream.

RAINBOW BRITE

Rainbow Brite was a toy from my childhood, although it was her horse Starlite I liked the most (this was before I was turned off by awful spelling). These days, poor Rainbow looks kinda lurid, and way more nu rave than I remember her. Anyway, she did make my small self smile.

Fashion's new colourful mood brings me similar joy. Meg Gray's cover of the new Aus Vogue is utterly delightful - isn't she clever? Do you suppose Miss Meg has a magic rainbow steed?
Anyway, calling all bright sparks to banish black!! In your dreams at least.

STONE COLD FOX

Now I do hope you'll forgive me for being sickeningly lucky, but I just have to share my new rose gold and emerald cut green amethyst cocktail ring by Claire Aristides. One word: HEAVEN.

I swore I'd save it for special occasions, like the Sydney launch of Claire's collection, which was held at our store on Wednesday night. The lovely Fiona Hay and team did guests' nails and doled out hand massages using Mrs. Press almond oil hand creams, while I splashed out the champers surrounded by cupcakes iced with little jewels (stick to what you know, eh?).

Anyway, turns out I couldn't bear to keep my new BFF for best because here I am typing in it on my lonesome this humid Friday afternoon. Still, I don't need an audience to tell me this sparkler is a stunner...Or do I? Okay, maybe just a small one. Hello! Check it out!!!

Order yours from Claire on line (www.aristidesfinejewels.com) or drop her a line and get her to tell you all about her super chic creations. Clearly they rock, these rocks. And the double best thing about them as you get to design them yourself - choosing your stone (from a vast array of semiprecious pretties), its cut and your gold. Sold!