LAST TRAIN: Ondria Hardin for Vogue Australia March 2016
Magazine: Vogue Australia March 2016
Model: Ondria Hardin, Jimmy Young-Whitforde
Photographer: Will Davidson
Fashion Editor: Christine Centenera
Make-up: Kellie Stratton
Hair: Sophie Roberts
Showing posts sorted by date for query Fashion Dresses In Australia. Sort by relevance Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by date for query Fashion Dresses In Australia. Sort by relevance Show all posts
SASHES AND TIARAS.....Miss World 2015 "World Fashion Designer Dress" Part Two: My Choices for Good and Cray-Cray!
Can You Guess Which The Good and Which are The Cray-Cray?--Miss World 2015 "World Fashion Designer Dress" event--Miss World 2015 Sanya China
All photos courtesy of MissWorld.com
In my last post HERE, I discussed the announcement of the Top Ten (according to the Miss World Organization) Designer Dresses in the Miss World 2015 "World Fashion Designer Dress" event. I was skeptical and slightly questionable of the choices so...I decided--after looking at all the designs--to give MY Top Choices that should have been there. Because it is the "Miss World" pageant and this is the "World Fashion Designer Dress" event, there's always a bit of Cray-Cray and Oh Dear! creations. So, in addition to my choices for good, I've also added some of the Cray-Cray. Let's get started:
The Good:
Honduras Gabriela Salazar: I thought this was one of the best gowns from the "World Fashion Designer Dress" event/competition. I loved the fit and the length was just right (no sight of platform heels! Yeayyy!). I also liked the sequined red criss-cross details layered over the black colored gown base. The design was impacting and gave a slight nod to the red color in China being such an important color in that nation--which is hosting this year's Miss World.
China PR Yuan Lu: Speaking of China, the host nation's representative, Yuan Lu, wore this wonderful navy blue with green sequin detail strapless mermaid style gown. I loved the draped petal-like flourish in the front and the dress was dramatic in a great red carpet way.
Venezuela Anyela Galante: Anyela wore this violet blue knit gown featuring long sleeves, a raised mock-neck and thousands of glittering sequins. The design was simple and arguably, not so directional or Haute Couture-like exciting but I loved the heavy-to-light effect of the sequins, reminding me of a midnight sky with falling stars. I also liked her slicked back hairstyling.
Philippines Hillarie Parungao: Hillarie's gown choice (just like Venezuela's) may not have been so "exciting' in terms of design but I thought it was beautiful. The pink fit-to-flare style featured silver sequined applique leaf-like scrolls as well as straight-line crystals on the diagonal throughout the body of the dress. Feminine, delicate, and very, very pretty.
South Sudan Ajaa Monchol: Ajaa looked like an actress on the Cannes Film Festival red carpet in this black chiffon with sequin applique gown. The style was elegant, had enough interest with the detail and made the over six foot tall beauty look almost regal.
Malta Katrina Pavia: I loved Katrina's one shoulder gown. How this didn't make the actual Miss World Organization's/Judge's Top ten is beyond me. It reminded me of a glorious Indian sari as well as an updated version of something we would have seen Elizabeth Taylor wear to a gala or awards show in the 60's or early 70's. The sequined embroidery looked well done.
Guam Aria Perez Thiesen: One word--WOW! One normally wouldn't expect a representative from Guam (sorry Guam!) to 'bring it" in terms of a quality gown, but they did this year! The sequined emerald dress was definitely an entrance-maker. The jeweled bead work in the front torso was very impacting as well. If I had any complaint, it would be in the over-the-top styling: the Pageant Bouffant, the Too-Mucheeey accessories/jewelry...all that was so unnecessary, especially when the gown is so "Jeweled" already. Loosen the hair, ditch the earrings...and you are good to go!
Australia Tess Alexander: Tess' gown was definitely a stand-out amongst the 100+ contestants. It was one of the only true "ball gowns" and I thought it was both fun and glorious. The fit was great, it didn't look like a top of a wedding cake and I liked how her hair was relaxed, modern and young. She looked like a young aristocrat at the Paris Crillon Debutante Ball.
Honorable Mentions for Good:
Nicaragua Stefania Aleman: I liked this "different" style worn by Miss World Nicaragua. The blue coloration was impacting and elegant but what really got my attention was the fabulous guipure lace hi-lo "cape/coat".
Zambia Michelo Malambo: I was impressed by this gown worn by Miss World Zambia. The regal purple color looked amazing against her skin color and the design--albeit a tad "Pageant Betty" was still well done--I liked the folded front peplum with lace overlay as well as jeweled front torso details.
Fab Hat Gal:
Lesotho Relebohile Kobile: Three words--Go On Girl! I loved this entire look. She literally is giving "Lesotho Flag Couture"! Love it.
Panama Diana Jaen: I gotta give Miss World Panama points for Design Chutzpah! She decided to go all out Asiana Queen with what she wore for the "World Fashion Designer Dress" event/competition, paying homage to China, the nation where Miss World 2015 is being held. Normally, I might have put this under the "Cray-Cray" but A) wait until you really see THE CRAY-CRAY (below) and B) this was well-done and styled from head to toe; she looked like the Queen of a Macau Casino. And I loved that!
The Cray-Cray------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Croatia Maja Spahija: Where do I begin with the design cray-cray. Maybe the pointed front bustier/torso "rabbit ears" might be a good start. I can only imagine this design in front of the "Project Runway" judges and we know Nina Garcia, Zac Posen and Heidi Klum would have a FIELD DAY! And if the kooky pointed front wasn't enough, look closely, there's a candy colored tulled underskirt. Cray-cray for sure. On a good note, I do appreciate all the pattern and technical work that probably went into creating all those torso paneled sections.
Lace 90's Cray-Cray:
Aruba Nicole Van Tellingen: Will someone please tell Nicole--and whoever designed this--that it's not 1994 but 2015. The gold lace mini dress with the acid orange/red tulle overskirt reminds me of a cheap knock-off of a late 80's/early 90's Christian Lacroix creation. Maybe she was trying to be "Designer Retro"...who knows.
Netherlands Margot Hanekamp: On a good note--Margot looks like she would be fun at a cocktail party! On a not-so-good note--this dress is a big ol' tacky mess. The gold lace, the "Dynasty"-like shoulder, the too short front, her hair style, THAT one TOO-BIG earring...Who told her this was a stylish look? Poor thang.
Polyester Madness:
British Virgin Islands Sasha Wintz: Looking at this gown hurts my eyes. There's so much polyester here in the cheap satin and cheap lace that I am afraid if someone with a lighter gets too close to her, she might catch on fire! On the design front, the horizontal ruching and lace-and-diamante top and the diamante trim on the dress...PLUS...the mermaid shape...this is just beyond tacky-licious.
Germany Albijona Muharremaj: When I look at this dress, all I can think of is an episode from "My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding". There are so many things wrong with this: the cheap $2.99 a yard red stretch sequin fabric, the nude illusion with red sequin detail at the torso and then the poly chiffon back panels. She looks like the hostess in a very off-the-strip Vegas strip club.
Bridal Sale:
Namibia Steffi Van Wyk: This looks like a wedding dress one would find at a 70% end-of-the-year sale at David's Bridal. What was Steffi thinking? And that necklace??? Ayyyy Dios Mio!
Slovakia Lujza Strakova: Another bridal-like design that somehow was forced upon a very pretty contestant. On a good note, I can almost see something like this in a Chanel Haute Couture runway show but then again, it would be made of very expensive, very luxe, very beautiful fabrications and would look and fit impeccably. But this doesn't. It's A LOT, and A LOT of mess. And somehow, she thought that wearing this wasn't enough of a "look" so she had to wear THOSE feathered earrings. Please don't.
Sheer Hoochie:
Cyprus Rafaela Charalampous: Oh Rafaela. What were you (and your designer) thinking? OK, let's get this out of the way: it's a black netting dress black hot shorts underneath. And this considered stylish? Where? I don't even think the tackiest of the Kardashian sisters would have worn this, even before they were multi gazillionaires. If this is an example of Cyprus Fashion, I may have to question their taste level.
Do Not Focus on THAT Part of the Body:
Mexico Yamelin Ramirez: While I do like the top section with its interesting laser-cut lace, it's that twisted rosette detail that is quite HUGE and placed right in front of her you-know-what, that makes me put this design under the "Cray-Cray" section. I can't believe nobody looked at the placement of that skirt drape and thought it might look a bit awkward! This is a mess of a design.
Queen of Cray-Cray:
Sweden Natalia Fogelund: Just when you thought you'd seen a lot of Cray-Cray, in walked Miss World Sweden. Just take a look at this torn tulle black and white mess. It's like she went through a hurricane or tornado...or maybe a paper shredder. Wow. And for that, she gets my Top Cray-Cray prize for World Fashion Designer Dress award.
GOLD RUSH
Cotton On blazer / Sportsgirl dress / New Look metallic slides
I need a little more culture in my day-to-day life. New York Fashion Week started off as the root of the problem - I've been debating with myself on which season to escape to New York to and have been caught up in the fantasy of their Winter Wonderland. I just want layering - with dresses over pants, coats overs coats, and scarves the size of blankets (I will ignore how miserable people tell me New York is in Winter). I want Central Park in the snow (thanks Nicole for setting the expectations very high), I want spiced hot drinks and cozy apartments. I can do without the rain though (for blog photo's sake).
And now, I'm so over the warmer weather that I find myself saying what gives? I've been using the official end to the sunny season as an excuse to put my heater on in the mornings and wear layers around the house (look I'm just always cold okay?), and it's disappointing when my elaborate outfit planning doesn't match the weather for the day..
I came to realise that I think I just rave about Summer because of the thought of somewhere exotic (please send me on a holiday), and Winter if it's somewhere where there is culture, and people celebrate the holidays and seasons as they should be celebrated (again, please send me on a holiday).
I spent all yesterday at the Ventana Fiesta Festival, which is a local festival that comes once a year to celebrate the vibrant world of Latin America, Portugal and Spain. I felt like I was in a completely different country, yet I was standing near the cinemas that I've visited so many times before in that town. I had bean tacos, a Mexican BBQ panini and churros, and stood back and people watched as they celebrated the culture with traditional dancing, market stalls and live bands.
As much as I love Australia, culture is something we greatly lack. Melbourne is known as a very multicultural place and it's great, don't get me wrong, that we're a country that celebrates so many cultures and is accepting of other traditions, as well as being able to experience cuisines from around the world - but I feel like it's time for Australia to step up its game a little. Let's get past this mentality of BBQ's and slang being enough for our nation's representation. I get that our holidays aren't in conjunction with the seasons as they are in the North, and that our weather works a little differently in general (with our lack of snow and no extravagant pool parties - Mary-Kate and Ashley films are also to blame here), but let's not get boring. I'm sure we're able to think of something - give me some culture, please.
Building A Capsule Wardrobe: The Little Black Dress
"When a little black dress is right, there is nothing to wear in it's place." -Edith Piaf
During the 1920s Chanel created a little black dress which popularized black dresses for women. After her lover Boy Capel died in 1919, Chanel wore and made black dresses inspired by the women in mourning she had seen in the French villages as a child. In 1929 Vogue printed an image of one of Chanel's black dresses in their article on Parisian Fashion. Implying the popularity and instant long term appeal of the 'LBD', Vogue dubbed the dress 'the Chanel Ford', linking it with the popularity of Henry Ford's Model-T motor cars.
Ford was known to have said "any customer can have a car painted in any colour that he wants so long as it is black".
Practical, flattering and sophisticated, the little black dress could carry women from the afternoon through the popular cocktail hours. Made from crepe de chine, the 'Chanel Ford' dress featured a slashed neckline, a bodice that bloused slightly at the front and sides, a tight bolero at the back and diagonal pin-tucks across the front. It was simple, elegant and very in keeping with the modern way of life. Over time the dress grew to become a staple in the wardrobe, as women heeded Chanel's advice.
"One is never over nor under dressed in a little black dress."
In 1961 the world went a little mad for the wardrobe of Holly Golightly, elegantly portrayed by Audrey Hepburn, dressed in Givenchy for Breakfast At Tiffany's. Personally this one is my favorite. Adopted each generation in a different way, the little black dress is synonymous as the essential item in a women's wardrobe. Today it can take you across any occasion, it can be styled simply or paired with accessories. I love that a black dress offers a reliable outfit in my wardrobe that I can turn to knowing I will have something to wear, no matter the occasion. Somehow, even wearing the same one again and again, (something a little taboo of a printed or coloured dress) is not an issue. Should you choose to wear a little black dress again and again, it is simple attributed that you have 'style', are 'classic' and elegant.
Cue The LBD. New to Australia, The LBD is a manufacturer and online retail boutique with a unique concept certain to revolutionize how women source and select their perfect LBD. Finding the perfect LBD until now, could prove to be a challenge. Fit, price, availability and seasonal collection changes all conspire together to make it a challenge to find the right one for each woman. Over the past 12 months, the design team at The LBD have been crafting the capsule collection, built around classic, timeless designs to create a versatile foundation wardrobe. Each LBD is available in styles to enhance the individual customer's assets. These days the average Australian adult female is an average size 14, but the LBD designed to suit body shapes rather than label sizes. Adapting necklines, sleeve and skirt styles and hemlines, there is a whole range of silhouettes to choose from, each dress is made of trans seasonal high quality fabric for year round wear. The site also features a unique Dress My Shape Guide complete with a shape guide and calculator. Each dress has been sized against its counterpart, meaning the sizes remain the same no matter which style of dress you choose. I personally find the unstandardized clothing sizing system in Australia to be extremely frustrating. I am a size 8, no a 6, no a 10... or all three, depending on a garment or brand. Not with The LBD! I calculated my size, and it fit perfectly.
I will share my outfit post in the dress I chose in the coming days, (below is one of my styling boards I have made up featuring it) but in the mean time, I thought I would share a link to The LBD so you can check it out. I can not stress enough how useful a little black dress is in building your capsule wardrobe!
Cue The LBD. New to Australia, The LBD is a manufacturer and online retail boutique with a unique concept certain to revolutionize how women source and select their perfect LBD. Finding the perfect LBD until now, could prove to be a challenge. Fit, price, availability and seasonal collection changes all conspire together to make it a challenge to find the right one for each woman. Over the past 12 months, the design team at The LBD have been crafting the capsule collection, built around classic, timeless designs to create a versatile foundation wardrobe. Each LBD is available in styles to enhance the individual customer's assets. These days the average Australian adult female is an average size 14, but the LBD designed to suit body shapes rather than label sizes. Adapting necklines, sleeve and skirt styles and hemlines, there is a whole range of silhouettes to choose from, each dress is made of trans seasonal high quality fabric for year round wear. The site also features a unique Dress My Shape Guide complete with a shape guide and calculator. Each dress has been sized against its counterpart, meaning the sizes remain the same no matter which style of dress you choose. I personally find the unstandardized clothing sizing system in Australia to be extremely frustrating. I am a size 8, no a 6, no a 10... or all three, depending on a garment or brand. Not with The LBD! I calculated my size, and it fit perfectly.
I will share my outfit post in the dress I chose in the coming days, (below is one of my styling boards I have made up featuring it) but in the mean time, I thought I would share a link to The LBD so you can check it out. I can not stress enough how useful a little black dress is in building your capsule wardrobe!
If you have missed any of the 'Building A Capsule Wardrobe' series, check out the previous posts here.
I will be bringing you more of this sort of post in coming weeks, so stay tuned, and please share any comments or ask any questions below.
Happy Capsule creating!
xx Jenelle
Instagram @jenellewitty
BRETON
Glassons striped dress / Mink Pink sunglasses (similar) / Diavolina platforms by Robert Robert / Sussan bag / Colette earrings
Made famous by Coco Chanel, Audrey Hepburn (ultimate lady/one of my top style icons) and basically anyone who was big in the 50s and 60s, the humble breton stripe has always been in fashion and will never go out (great news for people like me!). When I saw this striped dress come into work, I knew that it would end up in my closet. Although I already own a tonne of stripes - tops, jumpers, dresses, pants - I figured it never hurts to add a few more to the collection, right?! Besides, it's made out of a mid-weight cotton which makes it the perfect transitional staple piece for any season, and if the big leather pocket details don't make you fall in love with it then I don't know what will because basically any item of clothing with pockets earns big points in my books.
Also an update: The mini store full of goodness for your hair is finally up and running and can be found here!! Should you make a purchase, please read the policies before you do so as the standard shipping rates are via Australia Post, but I can also send them via Skippy Post if you prefer shipping to be 50 - 75% cheaper (who doesn't want that?!).
