We don’t often do sale alerts (though our inbox begs to differ) but we just had to mention that Net-A-Porter’s sister site TheOutNet.com is currently holding a fantastic pop up clearance sale to-die. We’ve snapped up 3.1 Phillip Lim and Phi dresses (we’ve justified it by telling ourselves it’s for the upcoming Rosemount Australian Fashion Week in May) but missed out on jeans and shoes because were too slow to hit “purchase”, so get in quick if you want to snap up some amazing bargains.

[click image to enlarge - more images below]

It’s here, the Jean Paul Gaultier for Target look book! He is the legendary designer who designs for the equally legendary house of Hermes and we have the images from Jean Paul Gaultier’s exclusive collection for Target’s Designer Collaborations series.

Rock n’ Roll chic, Hollywood glamour, bold Hip-Hop attitude and Punk alternative are just some of the trends that reportedly inspired Gaultier’s collection, meaning there is something for every girl with graphic leggings, high-waisted pants, shorts, dresses, mini skirts, bold shouldered jackets, trench coats, cropped tanks and swimwear with prices ranging from $17.99 to $199.99.

“My collection with Target pays homage to the wide range of personalities that make up the diverse styles of American women,” said Jean Paul Gaultier. “From ingénue to rock ‘n roll, this collection celebrates women of all ages and a host of distinctive, iconic American styles.”

Our favourite piece? The Karl Lagerfeld-esque fingerless driving gloves. Other than that I think the collection is cute and there is something for everyone who’s under 25. Or maybe that’s just me?

Read the rest of this entry »

How much do we love a rumour started by something someone wrote on Twitter? Marie Claire Australia are musing that Marc Jacobs could be opening a store in Australia after Marc Jacobs president Robert Duffy wrote: “We are talking about doing something in Australia. We shall see. I like the idea.”

A MJ store, as the brand is affectionately known, would be a hit with fashionistas in Australia who’s only access to the brand is through David Jones and Incu or online through retailers like LuisaViaRoma. We wonder whether a Marc Jacobs boutique would open up in Sydney or Melbourne first…

[Image via BryanBoy.com]

Forget bloggers nabbing boutique windows, French fashion artist Item Idem (real name Cyril Duval) has currently transformed Colette in Paris’ shop window into an art display with his tongue-in-cheek Mt Blushmore LED display. Unveiled last year at DYSFASHIONAL, Item Idem brings together Mt Rushmore’s homage to American presidents and four of fashion’s powerhouses – Karl Lagerfeld, Donatella Versace, Anna Wintour and John Galliano – in a fun piece of art. “Pop culture and tourist gimmickry are two of my personal obsessions and have pushed me to explore new mediums like laser crystal engraving,” he told PonyStep. “Mt Bushmore is conceived as a three dimensional postcard, a soubenir blown up to monumental size.”

The Mt Bushmore window display can be seen at the Colette boutique until January 9.

So you didn’t set your alarm for 4am in the morning to get into the post Christmas sales bright and early… but who needs to get out of your pyjamas when you can shop online? Here’s our list of shops to hit for items you want:

The designer gear:

• LuisaViaRoma for discounted Lanvin, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Nicholas Kirkwood, Jean-Paul Gaultier and more.
• Mulberry is offering up to 30% off their luxury leather goods and accessories
• Jimmy Choo is offering up to 50% off selected Jimmy Choo shoes, bags and accessories
• TheOutNet.com for an extra 40% off the likes of Halston, Stella McCartney and Anna Sui

The non-high-end-but equally cool:

• ASOS always offers an amazing range of sale items
• ShopBop has up to 70% off everything from leggings to leather, knits to shoes by a great range of designer brands.
• Ssense is offering an additional 30% for a week with the promo code “HOLIDAY30“. They stock the likes of Alexander Wang, Helmut Lang and Yigal Azrouel.
• TopShop has a lot of their great range on sale.

Read the rest of this entry »

Bright colours is not a major standout in the wardrobe, because one needs a bigger budget than me to venture into the realm of prints and bold colours if you don’t want to be caught wearing the same look twice at fashion functions with the fashion crowd. Which is why I am personally loving the Sonia Rykiel for H&M knitwear collection set to hit stores in February 20, 2010. The lookbook images show off bright and bold colours and prints in very wearable shapes. Now… how to get my hands on some of the pieces all the way from Australia… [CatwalkQueen]

Daisy Lowe may not have won the Model of the Year award and Julia Restoin Roitfeld may no longer be the face of Tom Ford’s Black Orchid, but both have been tapped by Esprit to spearhead their campaign to launch into the US market. Known throughout Europe and Asia as a Banana Republic/Gap style chain, Esprit has Restoin Roitfeld fronting the Esprit women’s casual range while Lowe is the face of their younger EDC line.

Though the brand is known for not advertising, Ronald Van der Vis, executive director and group chief executive officer, said the campaign will show customers “that Esprit has grown into an international lifestyle brand” and will instead use the images for promotional materials and online.

It’s not the edgiest campaign, but it’s fresh and fun. Not to mention enlisting help from Restoin Roitfeld and Lowe is definitely a step forward for the fashion brand and should help as they plan to launch more stores in America. Check out more of Barnaby Roper’s campaign for Esprit below.

Read the rest of this entry »

Before you get too excited for the launch of Zac Posen for Target’s Go International, Rodarte for Target is set to hit stores in just 17 days. The edgy line makes it easy to mix and match to create your own individual stye. Featuring lace and tulle dresses and skirts, leopard-print sequin frocks, netted legwear, silk camis and bow belts, Rodarte for Target will range from $9.99 to $79.99. It hits Target stores and Target.com on December 20 so start planning what you want to pick up.

We’ve been given a sneak peek at 6 looks and their prices:

Look 1: Lace Cardigan in Mustard, $29.99; Lace Cami in Black, $19.99; Lace and Tulle Skirt in Mustard, $29.99; Bow Belt in Black, $12.99; Lace Tights in Black, $12.99

Look 2: Swiss Dot Lace Dress in Blue, $39.99; Bow Belt in Yellow Leopard, $12.99; Cut-Out Knee Highs in Tan/Peach

Look 3: Lace Bow Dress in Yellow Leopard; $44.99, Lace Tights in Black, $12.99

Read the rest of this entry »

Just a few weeks ago Zac Posen announced plans to design a ‘moderately priced’ line for Saks Fifth Avenue called Z-Spoke, but now the popular red carpet designer is going even more mainstream with a collection for Target’s Go International collections. There is no word on the pricing or influences of Posen’s Spring 2010 collection for Go International but WWD guessimates that it will range from $14.99 to $149.99.

The Zac Posen for Target Go International will launch in April 25, 2010 – two years after his first collection for Target. Posen has previously designed a collection for Target Australia last year complete with a perfect lower priced version of a red carpet gown Katherine Heigl wore to the 2007 Emmy Awards.

He follows the likes of Rodarte, Jovovich-Hawke and Luella to have designed a GO International collection.

UPDATE: A look book has been release, check out the images here.

This December, Australian fashion label Gorman have collaborated with Green & Black’s chocolate to bring you style and chocolate treats when you do your Christmas shopping. Everyone who makes a purchase at Gorman boutiques in December will be presented with a bar of Green & Black’s organic chocolate – which are no ordinary chocolates.

Much like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, hidden among the chocolate bars are five lucky tickets which will give you the chance to win $1500 of Gorman vouchers and a gourmet hamper chocked full of Green & Black’s chocolates.

To celebrate the collaboration, bespoke Christmas tree installations decorated with handcrafted ornaments from recycled Green & Black’s wrapping will appear in Gorman boutique windows across Australia this Christmas (pictured above). The sustainable concept for a contemporary eco-Christmas tree is the idea of Australian organic fashion designer Lisa Gorman herself.

Read the rest of this entry »

Forget Jimmy Choo for H&M, the people behind Hennes and Mauritz are heralding the upcoming Sonia Rykiel for H&M as the event of the year. On December 1, 2009, Paris’ Grand Palais will be transformed into a “fantasy Paris” says the event producer Etienne Russo as he talks us through the set model in the video.

It seems like Sonia Rykiel wants you to be Alice in Wonderland and step into a rabbit hole and pop out into her fantasy world where trees are made out of big balloons, 2.5 metre high rabbits roam and 25 metres of wire will make a 25 – 30 metre replica of the Effiel Tower. Part of the set will include a pop-up shop where Sonia Rykiel for H&M lingerie will be available for purchase 4 days before the official on sale date with proceeds going to Unicef.

The event will be streamed live online at hm.com/soniarykiel on Tuesday December 1, 23:00 CET (GMT/UMT = 22:00, EST = 17:00, AEST = Dec 2 9:00,).

The first Sonia Rykiel for H&M collection for women and girls hits 1,500 H&M stores on December 5, 2009.

Who says summer is not a big deal in Australia? We live for the sunshine and the beach (if you’re lucky to live near the water) and the ladies behind Zimmermann know it. They’re opening a Summer pop-up store at Whale Beach on Sydney’s Northern Beaches next week, embracing their childhood memories of summer’s in Australia.

Read the rest of this entry »

It seem like every day another model reveals a new extracurricular project; yesterday was Nicole Trunfio with news of her jewelry line and today its Jessica Hart with news that she is set to design a clothing line. Teaming up with Australian retailer General Pants (who stock, among other things, some of the hottest denim labels going around) for a collection called NEON HART. No word on what the inspirations are or the price ponts, but Hart did mention on her blog that it will launch in early 2010 with a percentage of the profits set to be donated to children’s charity Destiny Rescue.