It was a flurry of sparkling garments and beautiful people at the recently opened Aje boutique in Westfield Carindale where, during a VIP night hosted by Westfield, they celebrated their debut with a VIP launch party.

There were bloggers, fashion designers and industry insiders assembled to admire the beautiful clothing. The collections have a focus on luxurious fabrics and embellishments, while always finding ways to combine different textures and add an edginess to feminine silhouettes. Their pieces are created using hand-loomed and hand-embellished fabrics.

Aje is a label synonymous with effortless glamour, tough femininity and disheveled elegance.
- Aje Designers

Aicha Robertson from The Fashion Heist working at Aje and wearing a sequin and feather embellished dress inspired by the colours of magpies.

Ashleigh of The Blonde Silhouette wore an Aje dress, embellished with sequins and feathers and inspired by Australian galahs.

Ashleigh with Aje designers Adrian Norris and Edwina Robinson who flew up from Sydney and were happy to chat about the store and their collections.

Claire Goldsworthy who was recently featured on BNE Style, is the designer of local label Harriette Hill with Anna Nolan.

If you have been shopping in Paddington, chances are you will have visited La La Labrobe. After 12 years in the same location, they decided it was time to move (not far, just across the road) to an airy, light filled space in a beautiful Queenslander, decorated with bohemian trimmings. We attended their launch party and were treated to bubbles, Chinese food from Sichuan Bang Bang (the vegetarian fried rice was delicious) and shop-till-you-drop clothing specials.

La La Latrobe’s clothing (which is also available online) focuses on bohemian styles that are light and flowing, perfect for our hot summers. All of the labels available in store are designed in Byron Bay including La La Luxe (which is designed by Moira, La La’s owner). Pieces include lace shorts, long skirts, sheer kimonos and beautiful turquoise jewellery and they even stock baby boho labels BandiKoot and Children of the Tribe.

Oh deer! I may have fallen in love with ring!

Part 2 of the BNE Style collaboration with The Gallery Boutique (read more about Joannah and the boutique in part one) features Australian designed KUKU dresses. Models Kiara Woodward and Aimee Moore look ethereal in peach and white, a perfect addition to your spring wardrobe. Makeup by HH Makeup and shoes from Kylie Ryan.

KUKU has a self confessed dress obsession. “KUKU was born out of the frustration of trying on a million dresses just to find the perfect one.” This enthusiasm for creating the perfect dress has lead them to design these two gorgeous pieces. The dresses feature peach leather shapes, the Star Bright dress (short) reveals a plunging neckline and the Stone Age dress (long) has a high neck and shows just the right amount of leg. The full length, stone age dress moves gracefully in the gentle breeze, conjuring images of a bygone era of hollywood style.

Every girl needs a little sparkle in her life, these beautiful heels were supplied by Kylie Ryan, Brisbane.

Joannah is passionate about fashion, her online store, The Gallery Boutique which is based in Brisbane, stocks labels such as Cameo the Label, Finders Keepers, Bless’ed Are The Meek, Kuku, Casper & Pearl and many more. I had a chat to Joannah to find out what she loves about fashion and how she strives to deliver a special, personalised experience to her customers.

Why did you start The Gallery Boutique?

I started The Gallery Boutique because like most girls I love fashion. However I wanted to bring a new element to the business that filled the gap that myself and a lot of my friends experienced when buying clothes online. I wanted to provide a very special personalised level of service that covered every element of the business from hand selecting every piece based on extensive research on international advanced trends and many other factors to simply responding to enquiries and going above and beyond to accommodate the needs of every customer. Even to the point of including a hand written thank you card with each hand packed garment. This is a very personal business and I wanted to make sure everyone interacting with my business has a special experience.

Who is your favourite designer?

My favourite designer changes quite often! However, I have to say Alexander Wang is always right up there. His creative and slightly dishevelled designs never cease to amaze me!

What do you love about fashion?

I love fashion because it is everywhere, whether we consciously accept it or not. Every garment we put on tells an unspoken story as to who we are as people. It is worldwide and constantly evolving, and every singe person in the world somehow defines themselves through their choice of fashion.

How would you describe your personal style?

My own personal style similarly evolves with each season as new lines come in and I embrace them to gauge the reaction from family and friends as to how successful each piece may be. Before the business and when I’m away from my professional responsibilities I’ve always gravitated towards classic American design houses for a timeless and sometimes preppy look that’s always comfortable and practical.

Thanks to the lovely models Kiara Woodward and Aimee Moore. Makeup by HH Makeup.

Casper and Pearl started as a twinkle in a young Adelaide designer’s eye in 2011, since its handmade inception it has gained an international following and is stocked around the world. The lavender Dahlia Jumpsuit by Casper & Pearl features triangle cut outs and a tie up back, the colour and cut make it a perfect accessory to your spring wardrobe!

“Characterised by its directional, experimental and visionary designs, Cameo sets out to create an innovative way to dress. Heavy but touch-soft fabrics, direction prints and a polished finish encompass the Cameo signature aesthetic.” The Morning Song Romper by Cameo (navy) adheres to their aesthetic with its beautiful geometric embroidered front detail.

Heels by Kylie Ryan, who’s store in Coorparoo, Brisbane features the Kylie Ryan label manufactured in Italy, as well as many other labels imported exclusively to the store from Italy and Spain.

Leaving the store smiling with bags in hands, these ladies just finished perusing the new and vintage clothing and accessories available at Winn Lane store, Sunday Social.

Jess, the owner of Sunday Social (pictured below), is an enthusiastic lady who loves to stock one of a kind pieces that have a unique twist. After initially being part of the Winn Lane markets before the Lane was developed, Jess knew she had to jump on the change to become a tenant when retail spaces became available.

Like Winn Lane itself, the store has a warm cozy feeling, making it great for browsing and enjoying some good music (Elliot Smith and Rodriguez came on while I was visiting) and although the space is compact, there is plenty to see!

Jess, the bubbly and friendly owner of Sunday Social.

I really wanted to take these adorable baby animals home with me!

What is there to do on a rainy weekend you ask? Ladies bring your boyfriend’s to visit The Happy Cabin at West End where the fun, summer camp cabin style interior will make you wish your house was as cool as this.

When I asked Leah, the owner of The Happy Cabin, about her personal style, I got the best answer I have received so far: “My style is a little bit Disney, a little dorky, I love 90′s ironic sports wear. I dress for comfort and humour, and wear clothing that could start a conversation with a stranger”.

The guy’s section features these awesome Herschel backpacks and ASC. shoes!

Store owner, Leah, says she loves anything that is homely, cosy and wants people to feel comfortable enough to take their time browsing. When she isn’t at home with a warm cup of tea she is scouring the globe for unique items that fit with the store’s quirky aesthetic. The products she stocks including: Saltwater Sandals, Evil Twin, Mr Simple (for men), Herschel backpacks and Something Else come from all corners of the world including New York, Iceland, Mexico and here in Brisbane.

The Happy Cabin has been in business for almost 1 year, a feat Leah is very proud of as she tells me that 90% of small businesses fail in their first year. That makes her store in the elite 10% of survivors and is the reason she has been planning a ‘beat the odds’ party, pretty much since she opened the store. Stay tuned to The Happy Cabin’s Facebook and Instagram to find out details!

My new Saltwater Sandals which I purchased from The Happy Cabin, so cute and comfy!

Aztec inspired Shakah dress.

Brightly coloured Status Anxiety leather purses.

Deliciously edible looking necklaces by Emily Green.

Brightly coloured window display with Zara Mckenna dress.

Walking into We Live Like This boutique in Paddington, feels a little like Frankie would feel if it were a store instead of a magazine, with sweet little deer ornaments, vintage books and warm wooden display cabinets. Store owner, Mekalie’s love for Frankie’s quirky style coupled with Scandinavian design aesthetics (which is all about minimalism, simplicity and functionality) is evident in the interior of the boutique. She has really utilised the small space making it feel warm and welcoming yet uncluttered.

Mekalie hand picks every item in her boutique, only showcasing clothing by Australian and New Zealand designers because she feels that their designs are perfect for our lifestyle and climate. I love the fact that she is providing a platform for these brands and showcasing the amazing potential we have as designers. Some of the brands she stocks in her boutique include: Zara McKenna (sarah wears her frilled singlet), Shakah, Baumbach (a fashion / art collaboration including printed peter pan collars), Secret South, Emily Green accessories, Status Anxiety leather purses and many more.

Keep your eye on this boutique as coming soon to We Live Like This are more homewares, with industrial / functional designs perfect for small spaces, and an in-house clothing label!

Walking into Can You Keep A Secret at Greenslopes you immediately feel at home. With a warm smile from the staff, funky music and the cool breeze blowing through the gorgeous 1920′s Queenslander house you are instantly transported back to a bygone era.

The selection of good quality vintage clothing is hand picked and sourced from in and around Brisbane, often with only one owner per garment, making this store a must visit for vintage lovers. Each room is themed and includes a 1950′s style kitchen (where I spotted the Sunbeam mixmaster my mother used when we were children) and a room for daper gentleman to recline on the leather couch.

Ajanta and Emily Jane, the lovely store owners, enjoy dressing up and having fun so every three months they host the Vintage On The Greens event at Greenslopes Bowls Club, the next one being on the 9th of March, where there will be a live funk band, live bossa, lounge and DJ’s spinning only rare vinyl of funk and soul.

It was impossible to visit this store without my friend’s and I trying on some of the lovely clothes, see the pictures below where Jo and Alisha are modelling 2 of the dresses they fell in love with!

You can’t go shopping in Fortitude Valley without visiting Principessa whether you are a man or a woman, they’ve got you covered. With brands like Zara McKenna, Fate, Living Doll, Sass and more, you will be spoilt for choice!

Chatting to the lovely guys in the store, Rocco and Greg, they told me that the decor is mainly put together from pieces they found at Recycled Garbage. Adorning the walls you will find vibrant flowers, lightbulbs made into a work of art and pink origami cranes giving the store a cool eclectic vibe that makes you equal parts want to shop and reconsider your own interior furnishings.

My lovely friend Sandy couldn’t resist this Fate studded shoulder blazer, and who can blame her?