Although winter barely touches us in Brisbane, the slight chill in the air does allow for scarves, boots and jackets to be integrated into our regular wardrobe for a few weeks. This was an assignment shot for a client which unfortunately, didn’t get published. Which means I have the opportunity to showcase Brisbane’s cool, laid back, weekend style. Thanks to all the lovely ladies that let me snap their outfits!

Blogger and writer, Aicha Robertson, snapped in Brisbane city on a break from work.

Blogger and stylist, Ally Dunlop, snapped in Brisbane city, identifying trends for this project.

Viann, snapped on Albert Street, Brisbane City meeting friends for lunch.

Jess, snapped on Queen Street, Brisbane City, spending the day shopping.

Edita, snapped on Albert Street, Brisbane City shopping for the races.

Sharon, snapped on Elizabeth Street, Brisbane City, having a pampering day.

Clare, snapped in Gaythorne on the way to breakfast.

Sarah, snapped in Gaythorne on the way to breakfast.

Georgia, snapped on Elizabeth Street, Brisbane, spending the day shopping with friends.

Vanessa, snapped in Brisbane City, spending the day shopping.

Hannah, snapped on Albert Street, Brisbane City, spending the day shopping.

Jess, snapped on Albert Street, Brisbane City, seeing a movie with her family.

Thanks to Emerge Events, Ally Dunlop (stylist and partner in Rendezvous PR) and I, had a front row seat at the Emerging Designers show at the Teneriffe Festival. The Fashion Precinct transformed London alley, which included a fake grass runway with a white picket fence, VIP tables and Alfred and Constance’s pop-up bar.

Local talent was on display as part of the emerging designers showcase. The structured monochrome designs of Hungry Wolf the Label juxtaposed against the feminine, flowing designs of Anna Hulm, Ivy Rose Design Studio and Harriette Hill to the bright, futuristic cuts of Anessa.jai The Label.

We also bumped into Natalie from Interlaced Media.

Anna Hulm

Inspired by dance, Anna Hulm’s colourful designs are a perfect fusion of style and comfort. With soft, flowing silk her dresses are perfect for Brisbane’s warm climate.

Hungry Wolf The Label

Hungry Wolf The Label is dedicated to the elements, strong with a touch of edge to its collections. This collection featured geometric lines and a warm looking, looped cardigan/jacket, perfect for this cooler weather.

Ivy Rose Design Studio

Ivy Rose Designs are conceived on the beautiful Fraser Coast. This collection showcased evening wear with sexy, flattering cuts and a monochromatic palette.

Anessa.jai The Label

This Brisbane based designer, brightened up the runway with light-catching metallics, and geometric colour blocking to showcase their futuristic collection.

Harriette Hill

Harriette Hill is ethically and sustainably manufactured in Australia, minimizing their environmental footprint. Designer, Claire Goldsworthy is also a partner in Emerge Events, who organised the Fashion Precinct and are committed to showcasing Brisbane’s emerging fashion talent.

I found this location six months ago and thought it would be perfect for an early morning shoot, which are more accessible during the winter months as the sun rises later (I’m not really a morning person). It was a small team, only three of us, Ally Dunlop (talented stylist, hair and makeup artist) and gorgeous model, Holly Susan Leong, who I had not met before the shoot, but I had seen her sassy style on the runway at Undress Brisbane.

When we arrived at the location, just before dawn, there was a beautiful fog over the paddock and I was so excited to shoot, I was jumping around trying to hurry the styling of the first look. In those minutes just before the sun rose, the light was very soft and the fog on the paddock painted a magical scene. Then the sun came out in full bloom and bathed Holly in a lovely warm light. This shoot is the reason I love photography because it allows you to explore many different locations, experiencing amazing scenes that take your breath away.

Thanks to Whim Magazine for publishing our shoot in their latest online issue. Make sure you follow them on Facebook for more amazing photography and fashion by talented locals.

Although it was a cold winter morning, Holly embraced it, looking amazing in hand-made bralettes by Mirandalee Intimates and an Evelyn Curtis skirt.

Credits

Photographer: Yolanda van Kimmenade

Hair, makeup and stylist: Ally Dunlop

Model: Holly Susan Leong

Clothing

White skirt & bralette
Mirandalee Intimates bralette
Asos sheer maxi skirt
Dotti Faux Fur Vest

Black skirt & bralette
Mirandalee Intimates Bralette
Evelyn Curtis maxi skirt
Sportsgirl Faux Fur Coat

I have blogged several times about Claire Goldsworthy and her contribution to promoting up-and-coming designers on the Brisbane fashion scene. Once again her organisation, Emerge Events, is taking on this challenge by setting up a Fashion Precinct at the Teneriffe Festival.

Over one day there will be seven runway events scheduled encompassing accessories, shoes and bags, emerging designers, swim and resort wear, Woolmark and winter collections, established designers and boutique, sustainable styling and avant-garde hairstyling and make-up.

Ethel Street will be transformed into a fashion wonderland with a pamper station, pop-up shops, styling workshops and much more!

Where?

Teneriffe Festival, Vernon Terrace, Teneriffe, Brisbane

When?

Saturday 5 July 2014, 10am – 9pm
For the full day schedule and more information please head to www.emergeaustralia.com or www.teneriffefestival.org/fashion

How much?

Entry to the festival is free but if you want access to the front row then VIP seats and table packages are available at: Brisbane Tickets.

All tickets include a complimentary gift bag with Red Bull, free Grill’d vouchers, fashion magazines, designer discounts and goodies, product samples and more!

* images courtesy of Emerge Events and Teneriffe Festival.

A little bit Clueless, a little big Gossip Girl and a whole lot of fun! A preppy style fashion editorial which was a creative playground for me to explore a different style. This shoot, with the fabulous Ally Dunlop stylist, was a chance to poke fun at the girls who would be likely to say “you can’t sit with us”.

So drink your juice box and enjoy our sweet little editorial.

Miss Stoeger, I would just like to say that physical education in this school is a disgrace. I mean, standing in line for forty minutes is hardly aerobically effective. I doubt I’ve worked off the calories in a stick of Carefree gum.
- Cher Horowitz, Clueless

Mel Hamilton: I’d like to see you have a little direction.
Cher Horowitz: I have direction!
Josh: Yeah, towards the mall.
- Clueless

Cher: Would you call me selfish?
Dionne: No. Not to your face.
- Clueless

This shoot was also published by the awesome Whim Magazine, a digital magazine and blog, who’s aesthetic can best be described as ethereal, feminine and dreamy. They have been lovely enough to support my photography habit and watch out for their next digital issue where one of my editorials will be featured!

Photographer: Yolanda van Kimmenade
Models: Tayla Richards and Yelena Stear @ Que Models
Fashion, hair and makeup stylist: Ally Dunlop
Photography and props assistant: Alisha van Bone

Clothing: All clothing was sourced from vintage stores and stylist’s own wardrobe except:
Look 1
Orange skirt – Sportsgirl
Purple shorts – Valley Girl
Look 2
Red tartan top and bottom – Supre
Look 2 & 3
White shoes – Rubi

This is my second collaboration with Amber of Fashion Avenue, the last was shot in October 2013, when the beautiful spring flowers were in bloom.

I love the simplicity of Amber’s outfit, just 2 colours. This made it easy to find red and white flowers to match her outfit and add an extra pop of colour.

Don’t take life too seriously, laugh A LOT.
- Amber

Catching up with Amber

What are your must-have items for autumn?

Knee-high boots and anything grey!

What are you wearing today?

I’m wearing a top from Pemba Boutique, my shorts are from Forever New and my shoes are Windsor Smith.

Who is another blogger you admire and why?

Maiden Sydney. I love her style and love that she posts regularly. We’re actually related which is pretty cool!

Top 3 goals you are looking to achieve this year?

Fashion – I have some really amazing collaborations planned with my blog and am really excited to see how it grows this year, as I hit my 3 year mark in April!
Travel – I’m travelling to the Greek Islands mid-year and am also hitting up Barcelona, Paris and Amsterdam.

Fitness – My best friends and I bought Nike’s to motivate us to work out (haha), so I would love to get a bit stronger this year.

Life – With life, I’m really understanding a lot of things that I couldn’t wrap my head around a year ago. I’m learning patience and I know what I want in all aspects of my life. Also, I am loving uni. I’m just really happy! It’s important to always be yourself and be a good person.

Some people are naturally so upbeat, they make you feel happy just by being in their presence. One of those people is Brisbane fashion blogger, TopShop personal stylist and all around lovely lady, Aicha.

We had fun frolicking in West End and Aicha even attracted attention from early start council workers!

To see the full post check out Aicha’s blog, The Fashion Heist, and follow her adventures on Facebook,  Instagram and Twitter.

Look at that smile!

Aicha wears a Christopher Esber dress.

It has been a while since I collaborated with Ashleigh, aka The Blonde Silhouette. So it was fun to have a catchup and explore the industrial area of West End! We found this beautiful graffiti alley and knew it would be a perfect setting for her monochromatic look. With plenty of smiles and silly faces to capture there is never a dull moment shooting with Ashleigh!

I love Ashleigh’s styling of this St Frock Outfielder Dress with Jo Mercer platforms and Seed Heritage wide brim hat. See more on Ashleigh’s Blog, Facebook and Instagram.

Aicha knows how to style ripped denim. Add a sheer black top, mirror-like reflective blue sunglasses and don’t forget a big smile! Shot in West End on a cloudy morning this outfit is chilled out urban chic.

To see the full post check out Aicha’s blog, The Fashion Heist, and follow her adventures on Facebook,  Instagram and Twitter.

Ally Dunlop of Wanderlusting Blog is a talented freelance stylist who is super fun to work with. If you don’t believe me, check out her portfolio. She puts together amazing outfits from local and national designers, creates beautiful hair and makeup and even blogs about her adventures. I have been lucky enough to work with her on several shoots recently including the Harriette Hill editorial and an edgy / grunge collaboration that will be published very soon.

She can style any look to transform the wearer from drab to fab! I recently snapped two of her outfit posts so check them out for full details: Wonderland and Pretty Woman. Follow her on Facebook and Instagram to see more!

5 Minutes with Ally Dunlop

What do you love about being a stylist / makeup artist / hair stylist?

I love the opportunity to create a whole concept and/or storyline from complete scratch, and fashion is a huge part of who I am; so I love having the ability to express things through fashion. Of course there’s also being able to touch really fancy clothes sometimes!

What inspires you creatively?

Absolutely everything, from seeing someone’s outfit on the street, to certain colours, to even whatever’s on my Tumblr dashboard! Life is one big inspiration.

Who are your favourite designers?

Locally: Hungry Wolf the label, Rochelle designs so many beautiful and edgy things, I love them all! Globally: Alice McCall! Her designs are absolutely breathtaking 100% of the time!

What does 2014 hold for you?

Collaborations galore! I’m keen to just expand my contacts and work with as many fabulous and talented people as possible!

What were you wearing and how would you describe your personal style?

In the first outfit I was wearing my new Bardot crop top and wrap skirt, with my Wittner exposed heel boots, TopShop hat and Lovisa ear cuff! In the second outfit I was wearing an ASOS top with a Portmans skirt and my Sportsgirl Heels. I never quite know how to explain my style and as you can see, it has the ability to change dramatically! I dress using bold colours a lot of the time, and love a good statement piece, but also feel at home in a nice pair of casual shorts and t-shirt! I’m definitely a leg-showing kind of person!

What has been your favourite job / project so far?

Probably my first published work, soon to be released in Like a Lion Magazine! I won’t disclose much, so you’ll have to keep an eye out for it! But it was so much fun styling something totally out there and weird, and also stylishly grunge!