5 Trends To Embrace In 2018

5 Trends To Embrace In 2018

Set your sights on the new season? Up your game with Vogue's edit of trends for 2018. We're talking ugly shoes (it's a thing!), the fresh model face to know, and the unlikely return of cycling shorts... all beautifully illustrated by fashion's favourite illustrator, Tanya Ling.

Short Order

Cycling shorts are back, requisitioned from the Eighties aerobics studio. Well, only if they’re beautifully rendered in lace, as seen at Saint Laurent, where they were worn underneath a voluminous ball gown, or Nina Ricci, where they underscored tassel-heavy shirts. Time to tone up those thighs.

Radical Transparency

The style cognoscenti don't waste time with handbag clutter. Streamline your daily haul and upgrade your wallet: with plastic as a key catwalk trend at Valentino (seen here, with a studded purse interior), Chanel and Céline, your entirely see-through handbag should only reveal a neatly curated interior.

The Cardigan Fling

Any summer wedding guest can throw a cardigan over their dress - it’s those who are fastening them at the throat with a bejewelled brooch, arms left trailing (à la Erdem) that are winning right now.

Pretty In Porcelain

You're never too old to play with porcelain: a raspberry chain of embroidered dolls on white cotton at Simone Rocha, inspired by her collection of childhood toys, is the new-season update on florals. If that feels a little girly, try chintzy feet: Mulberry's sleek ankle boots come with a bone china heel fit for a country house dresser.

Fresh Face: Fran Summers

We love the lissom Yorkshire teen Fran Summers, who stormed spring at Saint Laurent, Miu Miu, Louis Vuitton and Céline in her debut season. Her agent signed her up on the premise that she reminded him of a young Natalie Portman, playing child assassin Mathilda in Léon. True to form, she's killing it.

2018's Most Wearable Trends

2018's Most Wearable Trends

Jane Austen would be proud of the Spring '18 lineup that comes with corseted waists, billowy sleeves, and soft, romantic florals. This feminine look was a heroine on the runways — and soon, in your closets.

From left: Brock Collection, Valentino, and Loewe

Liven Eats @ MOMO Dumpling Plus Tea

Liven Eats @ MOMO Dumpling Plus Tea

Thursday 22nd June

Momo Dumpling, sounds odd without the s... is located around the corner and a block or two off the main street in Prahran. It's not really somewhere you'd stumble upon - unless you were looking for parking.

When the lighting and mood of a warehouse-y restaurant reminds you of juvie XD A modern concrete reflection of the urban jungle eloquently put, but no, this place reminds me of juvie. There's even a brightly lit corner for that kid strapped to a hospital bed.

This place is huge! And empty at 6pm, the location seems to be a secret...

Chicken & Prawn Dumplings $12

Six gyoza shaped dumplings. They were juice and very good, with skins that weren't too thick nor thin, and not sticky. Served with chili sauce, on a bed of purple shredded carrot. 

Bio guy had the duck baos which aren't on the menu? He said they were very good though a third of his food budget for the week. He spends $20-30 a week on food, minus the times I drag him out of rehab.

It was a grab and go order as I was on my way to work, we were hoping to eat in if we could within 15 minutes.

Thursday 3rd August

Lunch at Momo goes till 4pm here! The latest I've seen anywhere. Wow that menu is hard to read thanks to the background. As I publish this review they've actually closed, so it mightn't be useful to anyone anyway. 

Wonton Noodle Soup $15

We ordered the wonton noodle soup from the $15 lunch menu. Through liven it's $17... I hate it when apps used as an incentive end up costing you more, as the place passes the fee onto you.

It was a classic low flavour comfort food, I like it but it wasn't remarkable. 

Service was friendly. Probably won't return, as it doesn't really stand out. 

Snacks @ Europa Cafe

Snacks @ Europa Cafe

Saturday 5th August

Europa, is a branch of the same name bakery hailing from St Kilda on Main Street, Carnegie. With many exciting offers in the window, the range and space is smaller and do we feel more confident about visiting. In St Kilda, we wondered how long ago everything was made...

There's also a fridge inside with cream cakes.

As well as being a bakery, they also have seating for dinning in and a basic breakfast/lunch menu though nothing fancy. Most people ordered take away. 

Cream Cakes

We had an Italian pastry, the softest and fluffiest croissant for $3 and a sour cherry pastry, a popular choice though average. Much like mother's apricot cheesecake. Chunky bits in the base. I prefer small bits scattered evenly throughout.

With friendly service we might stop by again when in town. 

Catherine Loiret; French Individualism & Luxury Leather on the Left Bank

Catherine Loiret; French Individualism & Luxury Leather on the Left Bank

On the left bank of Paris not far along the bustling Parisian fashion street Rue Saint-Dominique you come to a narrow side street, the charming Rue Amélie where I was recently staying. And it's here under the omnipresent Tour Eiffel, along with with restaurants and small hotels, a theatre and a gift shop; that one morning I came across the French boutique leather goods maker Catherine Loiret. How had I missed this shop before? I know; I was always walking the other way; but not on this morning. Here was a shop that I could easily tell had quality, hand made - just a little quirky - fashion handbags, and while it was not open just yet I was determined to drop back in when it was and check it out properly for myself.

Rue Saint-Dominique

So here I am with next to no French beyond "Bonjour Madame" and "parlez vous Anglais?" conducting an impromptu interview of sorts with artist and designer Catherine Loiret her very self. And here is some of what I learnt. Catherine created the kind of bag she wanted for herself, something more personal than what was already available in the luxury leather goods market. She draws on her experience from working with the likes of HERMES and creates bags that are very flexible; and when I say flexible I mean reconfigurable, in look and use, her "Bagasutra" says it all really, and all made in France. Anyway that's over on her website  and you can take a look for yourself. It was lovely meeting a knowledgeable and creative designer, and to just stand in a shop full of beautiful colourful pieces, breathing in the leather and looking at her personal work space and bits and pieces of her craft. You can always tell a real artist when you meet them, they know what they do intimately and although it is an overused term, Catherine clearly has a real passion for her designs. So if you are in Paris looking for some unique luxury you won't see in every international airport; taking a trip to Rue Amélie should certainly be on your list. And thank you Catherine for taking time out of your day and chatting with me; a most enjoyable Paris experience indeed.

http://catherine-loiret.com/

Telling Stories in Pictures all over..

Kent Johnson, Sydney, Australia.

0433 796 863

kent@artcommunication.com.au

www.kentjohnsonphotography.com.au

www.fashionphotographysydney.blogspot.com/

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Food Trucks - Ghost Kitchen

Food Trucks - Ghost Kitchen

Friday 4th August

At an event we went to lunch options were limited to brunch acai seeds and similar "healthy" food like that, or Ghost Kitchen. The ladies raved about their chips, and so we just had to try them!

Sweet Potato Chips $10

Sweet and Sour Plum Seasoning

Crispy on the outside, fluffy with in these were perfect. Often sweet potato chips are overcooked if not burnt, not sure why. It's all about the seasoning, sweet and tangy, kinda like Samboy BBQ chips seasoning but different. Whatever it is, it's amazing!

Spring Onion Pancake with 'The Lot' $10

Egg, Pork Floss & Asian Doughnut

This was something completely new. Delicious though with lots of variation in texture. A spring onion pancake, savory with pork floss, it's like savory cotton candy, but more dense in texture and salty. It was really interesting (good interesting) and like nothing I've ever had. 

Ghost Kitchen has a thumbs up from us, those chips are amazing! Though $10 is a bit much for chips... though food trucks are often pricey, sometimes you can find a meal for under $15 but not often.

Brunching @ The Train Yard

Brunching @ The Train Yard

Charlie & Co. dined as guests.
Saturday 19th August

*This side is totally fine in my edit mode, but the size of a stamp when live...*

Heading north for today's adventure we're off to brunch at 'The Train Yard' in Heidelberg. With a name like that you betcha it's within walking distance of the station, just on the main road. Eltham line. If you're in the area check out the castle.

A modern setting, not hipstery with exposed walls or uncomfortable seating, however there's still plenty of man buns around. :P

Seated out back in the beer garden it was a lovely afternoon (surprisingly so given the wet and windy weather this week!) in the warmth of the heaters and later the sun. 

Oreo Milkshake & Espresso Martini

I love that if you don't drink that's ok, there's plenty of non-alcohol drinks to choose from including a range of house made cold pressed juices, smoothies and milkshakes! 

What's your poison? We love a good G&T!

Coney Island Hot Dog

Poke Bowl - brown rice, red cabbage, broccolini, beetroot, avocado, 

roasted sweet potato & hummus topped with Harissa grilled chicken

What's for brunch? Everything sounds amazing! Mushrooms, fried chicken & waffles, other waffles, pancakes, superfood salads. The menu is your oyster* and there's something for everyone.

*there are no oysters on the menu :P

Superfood Salad

Enoki mushrooms, tossed baby spinach, kale, beetroot, quinoa & 

house seed mix with a honey & dijon vinaigrette + house cured salmon 

 Fried Chicken & Waffle with Maple Syrup

Pulled Pork Burger

Train Yard Benedict

Two panko crumbed eggs, smoked bacon, fresh chilli & herbs 

finished with a housemade Sriracha hollandaise on grilled roti bread

Oreo Milkshake - I love my milkshakes and the classic oreos was my to go drink. How was it? A dream in a drink! Other flavours that are awesome included mint slice (choc mint) and peanut butter.

Ronnie Biggs

100% wagyu beef patty w/ smoked bacon, American cheddar, 

onion, lettuce tomato, pickles, mustard & housemade chilli jam

+ seasoned french fries served w/ tomato sauce & housemade aioli

+ sweet potato chips + sweet chili mayo dip

Meanwhile Fernando had a burger, not the most exciting thing on the menu, but there is something for everyone here *shrugs*. He did ask me to order for him, but I thought I'd let him choose, bad decision.

It was a great brunch he said, the burger was a challenge to eat though really good. "I loved the extra kick the chilli gave it, but it did need a relish to tie everything together. Relish and chilli would have been amazing."

He had it with a serve with sweet potato chips with a Red Rock deli sweet chili mayo dip - which he didn't share. "I feel like more needs to be said on the chips about how me not sharing was because I liked it too much ..." - Fernando.

Wild Mushrooms on Brioche

Sauteed wild mushrooms w/ rocket & parmesan, a fried egg 

& truffle oil on toasted brioche + a side of avocado rose

When your side comes literally on a side plate! 

"I'd add a quick little bit about the avocado slices being put together, really cool, but only because I enjoyed watching you pull it apart" - Fernando.

As my first meal today I went with savory, but still what to order... The classic mushroom dish, every brunch spot will do a mushroom dish. And I love mushrooms. Even better on brioche. 

A huge thick cut slice of beautiful soft buttery brioche, was the bed to this lovely dish, a marriage of mushrooms, cheese, an egg and that extra special something - truffle oil! It was delicious, I loved it and would most definitely order this again.

Should mention that this dish is HUGE, that's why the food looks small - but it isn't . It's quite filling and the perfect size.

Group shot with Wandering Ella & her +1.

We can see this being quite a hit with warmer days creeping up. But then again there's always the great indoors! I've read that this spot, the beer garden in particular is a hidden secret! For dinner there's slow cooked meats from the smoker on offer, we simply must return soon!