I wasn’t too sure what to expect from the Australian Fashion Week Alex Perry show on Thursday night, especially because he had already shown off schedule last week with the pictures posted online already. Then the next day I read that he had told a journalist that he felt the show was a “piece of piss”.

Well that certainly changed my opinion of the collection some what!

You see, Alex Perry had originally announced that he didn’t show on the MAFW schedule because he wasn’t given the opening show - which was given to Akira - and only stepped in when Alex Zabotto-Bentley pulled out of his slot for Fashion Assassin. But all the gossip aside, the Alex Perry dresses were beautiful. Perfect for the red carpet and perhaps if you were going to a ball or getting married.

Floor length dresses flowed gracefully along the catwalk, and lacey little numbers swished as the necklines plunged. Dressed were cinched at the waist and adorned with oversized flowers or ruffles. A woman next to me remarked loudly that many of the dresses looked quite similar to a very popular European designer who had beautiful pink flowers adoring his dresses in the European Spring Summer 06 shows. But we won’t name names.

One plus was watching Lily Cole strut down the catwalk, commanding the attention of the large crowd that had show up for the show. Apparently there was a bunch of TV “celebs” there too, but all I saw was a gaggle of over-styled blondes as they were the only ones to jump up and give the show a standing ovation.

My fashion week started late on Wednesday, with the Alannah Hill show.

As per usual, I expected a theatre production where a show would be put on to entertain the audience. The audience this time is of course the fashion crowd who would have seen show after show where models are just walking down the runway.

And Alannah didn’t let us down… or so it seemed as the show started. All spotlights were on a dancer as she twirled and spun a seemingly endless number of hoola hoops around her as she swung her hips and entertained the crowd.

The first few outfits were somber lacey black or pale coloured pieces which made me wonder where the colour was. This was Alannah Hill where colour, especially red, were always prominent and bright floral prints were the key. Thankfully the bright colourfully beaded dresses, cardigans and skirts came on the catwalk in bright colours with huge floral accents.

As the press release following the show said, the clothes were “gorgeous, wild and mischievously feminine. Think of soft kisses on your lips, flower petal baths, melted chocolate on your tummy and love.”

For more pictures from the show check out Vogue.com.au

Keira Knightley is going from strength to strength, first she scored the coveted cover of US Vogue (and looking stunning in the editorial shoot burried in the pages of the magazine itself). And now she’s signed on to be the new face of Chanel Coco Mademoiselle for the next five years, replacing fashion icon Kate Moss.

To add to that Ms Knightley is also auctioning off her Oscars 2006 Vera Wang dress on eBay for Oxfam aid appeal for drought-ravaged East Africa.

Check out the new Channelling piece at SASSYBELLA.com for some ideas about Kiera’s style and pick up a few pieces to channel her look.

Engish model Lily Cole (pictured right with Gemma Ward) is in town for Mercedes Australian Fashion Week.

She’s reported to be modelling in some of MAFW’s biggest shows, including Charlie Brown, Alex Perry, Bare by Rebecca Davis, Zimmermann and Australia’s newest “it” label, Alice McCall.

MAFW starts in Sydney tomorrow in Circular Quay.

Look out for fashion week updates right here at The Column at SASSYBELLA.com

I, like any other girl, love too walk around swinging my shopping bags after I’ve purchased a gorgeous piece of clothing or accessory. But this bag below, has me thinking twice before I walk out of a store brandishing my shopping bag for all to see.

Source: BriefBlog

The other day I was surfing the internet and came across some adorable pendants by Steven Shein. His Lee Riot collection features some unique 80s rocker inspired pieces that brings colour and fun back into accessories.

Suz and I ohhhed and ahhhed at the super cute rainbow shaped pendant, and what appears in my inbox this morning? A press release and images showing Mischa Barton wearing Steven Shein’s Rainbow Heart necklace, perfectly accessorising her plain white single top. She was also snapped wearing a Rainbow Cone Necklace, made from perspex and sterling silver.

And for a bit of a 6 degrees of seperation twist… Mischa’s boyfriend, Cisco Adler, has a brother who’s in a band called Whitestarr, has a bandmate who’s brother is Steven Sheins! Talk about connections.

Apparently Hilary Duff, Avril Lavigne, Carmen Electra, Paris Hilton and Nicole Ritchie are fans too.

Want to pick up a Steven Shein pendant? Check out:

• Kitson
• MyCatwalk.com.au

Find out more about Steven Shein at: www.stevenshein.com

Well this “spy” was a little more predictable. A friend at work recently purchased a Marc Jacobs Stam, so when it finally arrived the other day we were all ohhing and aahing over the beautiful black quilted bag. It is such a pretty bag… I wouldn’t mind one in off white/cream, even if winter is closing in on us and I should be hoping that I’ll be getting my bags from overseas soon enough.

What bags are we talking about? Just a Luella Gisele I’ve been wanting for a while, it’s purchased and everything by my dear Aunt, but there is now the matter of getting it to me. Which now leads to a lot of questions, like what does it look like in real life? Is it red? Is it the size I wanted? and etc… I don’t even care if the bag is not really a “it” bag anymore, there is something about the Luella Gisele that I still adore.

There is a Luella Stevie on ebay I’ve got my eye on though…

Being back in Melbourne is amazing, ok the weather could have been a little warmer and less windy, but that’s Melbourne. The cold outside forces you to find hidden little cafes or shops that will have you coming back for more.

Yesterday Suz and I did the whole meandering thing through some of our favourite shops - with me browsing through two different Kinki Gerlinki boutiques three times. I picked up a gorgeous chiffon forest green dress with white floral applique and matching satin green sash. Perfect with some my bronze strappy sandals for an event this coming Tuesday night.

We ducked into cafes, clothes stores and ofcourse shoe stores while the wind was blowing and rain was falling. But it was fun! Eventually we ended up in Cookie, a bar / restraurant with a yummy Thai menu and funky decor. I love that place, there’s nowhere else like it. And they do a mean Cosmopolitan.

To top off the whole book-ish decor where bookshelves are lined with hardcover books and bottles of wine, the bill came placed inside a copy of children’s book Dumbo. With it’s name inspired by a Lewis Carol story what more could we expect!

Ah I love Melbourne.

Reports from FashionWeekDaily.com over the last few days about the happenings at Vogue all over the world have been worth a bit of a read…

• Carine Roitfeld (French Vogue Editor) is rumoured to be taking Glenda Bailey’s position at Harper’s Bazaar [source]
• While Anna Wintour is rumoured to be thinking about asking Sofia Coppola to guest edit an issue of US Vogue. [source]
• Read more about Italian Vogue Editor, Anna Piaggi opinion on hats [here]
• And also Australia Vogue’s own Kirstie Clements was interviewed with Australian Fashion Week just around the corner… though she stated the Vogue offices were in the Sydney suburb of Surry Hills, but I swear they’re in Alexandria… [source]