Glamorous designs, embellished sequins and luxurious fabrics are the signature feature of Australia fashion designer Rachel Gilbert. In a new partnership with Sportsgirl, Gilbert will unravel a stunning seven piece collection making high end fashion available to more fashion-savvy women. Gilbert’s designs have been seen on the likes of Taylor Swift and the Veronicas and from just $250, you too could be wearing one of her gorgeous black or white dresses. These designs are now available exclusively to Sportsgirl’s online shop and selected stores.

xx

Ever imagined eating breakfast with 6000 other people? That’s what the lucky ticket holders of Sydney’s ‘Breakfast on the Bridge’ will be experiencing on October 25. As a part of Crave Sydney International Food Festival, for the first time ever, the Harbour Bridge will transform into Sydney’s prime picnic venue, complete with 10,000 square metres of turf.

Breakfast on the Bridge is a NSW Government initiative to create an innovative, inexpensive experience for Sydneysiders and visitors, giving them the opportunity to enjoy breakfast away from the hustle and bustle of the city. What better way to enjoy a breakfast treat than in the company of friends and family with a view of the beautiful city and harbour landscape.

Unfortunately registration has already closed, but luckily it will become a yearly event, so watch out for next year. In the mean time, be sure to check out Crave events, such as World’s Funniest Island comedy show or Danks Street Festival. For more information on more Crave events visit http://www.cravesydney.com/

Let’s hope the picnic doesn’t break out into a food fight!

Sophie, Jess and Shan
xx

Glaceau Vitaminwater has to be one of the coolest brands to emerge this century – from its humble beginnings in 2002, endorsement and a 10% share by rapper 50 Cent, eye-popping flavours to refresh and revive, and a multi-million dollar international empire and a clutch of copycats.

Now design minds can have a swig of the action, as Vitaminwater prepares to launch its brand new flavour, running a collaboration competition for fans of the brand. You’ll have the chance to name the flavour, whip up the bottle copy (a tough act to follow) and design the label – AND win $5,000.

As copywriter and designer extraordinaire, we’re brainstorming our ideas now – watch this space! Click here to get involved.

Amy and Ik-dawg xxx

Officially our new obsession!! You might be asking yourself what is Fashion Food Fatale? Fashion Food Fatale is a luxurious melting pot of culinary and couture delights. The girls from Fashion Food Fatale, Elizabeth Clarke (stylist, fashion and beauty writer) and Jane Walsh (foodie and graphic designer) are constantly craving, coveting and seeking out the most delicious news and fatally fabulous fashion the world has to offer…and the Betties are loving this perfect mix!!

This site purely for fashionista’s and foodies alike, among an array of articles, turns the lock to take a sneak peek inside the pantries and wardrobes of some seriously savvy people to discover their staples, must haves and secret longings!

The girls also look at famous last words on fashion and food. What if you only had one more day on earth? What if this was it- your last moment to savour and devour? What would you choose from the globe’s culinary and couture delicacies? That final salty and bitter-sweet moment to indulge whilst dressing for a date with destiny…?

Check it out for yourself on http://www.fashionfoodfatale.com/

Get it while it’s haute!!

Mon xx

Last night I found my dream wedding dress, chose my bridal make-up and hairstyle, decided on my table arrangements and venue, and even sampled the perfect canapés for my wedding reception. And I’m not even engaged!

It was diamond sparklers and bride-to-be’s at the ready last night, as The Wedding Establishment hosted a luxury bridal showcase in the QVB tearooms as part of the 30 Days of Fashion and Beauty. The crème-de-la-crème of Australia’s wedding experts gathered in the decadent surroundings offering everything a stylish bride needs to plan her big day.

Wedding dresses, planners, caterers, stationery, cake creators – the room was styled to perfection and was buzzing with excitement as the lucky ladies samples the delights on offer. One display that was never short of visitors was ‘Lydia Jewels’, the exclusive wedding jewellery label from Sydney stylist and designer Lydia-Jane Saunders. Lydia understands that for a blushing bride to feel truly beautiful, she should be adorned with gorgeous jewellery that is completely unique, and is making the dream a reality for Australia’s brides-to-be with her exclusive bespoke design service.

Already a well-known name in fashion circles for her decadent jewellery collection, ‘Lydia Jewels’, Ms Saunders has now branched out into Bridal jewellery, creating a stunning collection of pearls, signature swarovski crystals and antique touches, to compliment every bride’s elegant wedding ensemble.

All the guests adored Lydia’s creations and we’re sure blushing brides will be adding her bespoke pieces to their wedding ensembles. If you’re tying the knot this summer and missed The Wedding Establishment showcase, visit www.lydiajewels.com.

Amy xx

Well it has all come to an end and I am so sad to be leaving SBHQ.
Over the last year and a half I have laughed, sung, danced, screamed, cried and laughed more!!!
I have had the best time at Sweaty Betty – where I have worked on amazing events and rubbed shoulders with Snoop-Dogg himself, been the door girl for some of the top A-list events of the year and had the privilege of sitting next to Roxy for my last two weeks.

Throughout my time I have learnt to run very quickly when my name is called, crush boxes, hold glass doors and always ensure that there is no tupperware in the kitchen.

Learning from the PR GRRRRRRRRRRR has been an experience I will never forget.
I came to Sweaty Betty knowing nothing about the fashion and PR world and now having being taught by the best I am walking away with a wealth of knowledge.

Sweaty Betty can never be replaced and you guys are one of a kind!!
Stay sane and tie those bows on the left.

Love you forever
Caz xx

Trixan Body, Australia’s premier swimwear and lingerie e-boutique, is branding it’s homepage pink and donating 5% of all profits from the month of October to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Stocking a huge range of intimates from top Australian and international labels, including mastectomy bras and swimwear, Trixan is fully backing ‘Breast Cancer Month’ and hopes to raise a significant amount for the research into the prevention and cure of breast cancer.

Start your shopping sprees from next Thursday ladies!

www.trixanbody.com.au

Sydney Designer, Maryanne Petsinis’ new label Pink Stitch, defines street fashion. From dinner with friends to a music concert, these pieces will meet any occasion. Her edgy and modern silhouettes blend night-time glamour with an easy-to-wear style. Her newest range ‘Amazon Glamour’ features bold colours; hand-beaded garments and acid-wash denim helping you release your inner rock-goddess. Each item has been carefully crafted with an eclectic twist, to deliver a distinctive style. With high quality designs and prices ranging between $50 and $140 these individual pieces will be envied by all. To check out this must have range visit www.pinkstitch.com.

Dexter Morgan – friend to all, donut supplier to colleagues, keen sailor, devoted boyfriend to Rita and proud guardian of her children, big brother to Debra, keen sailor, dedicated law enforcement employee…and secret serial killer.

Anyone who tunes in to the US series ‘Dexter’ will know the deliciously dark comedy is one of the most clever, chilling shows on TV (move over CSI!). The lead character (played fantastically by Michael C Hall) is a seemingly normal Miami resident, working as a blood spatter expert alongside his cop sister, but hiding a deep dark secret – witnessing the brutal murder of his mother when he was just a child has shaped him into a devious serial killer, and through the coaching of his police officer father Harry, he makes a pact to kill only those that truly deserve it.

What kind of warped person would dream up such a character? I found out last Thursday when Jeff Lindsay, author of the ‘Dexter’ novels, staged a Q&A at Leichhardt bookshop Shearers. Citing a lifetime growing up in crime-ridden America, an extremely overactive imagination, and a murderously boring lunch with a group of lawyers as his inspiration for the Dexter story, Lindsay gave us an insight into his life as a writer, his involvement with the hit TV series, and his proof-reading and critiquing process (namely, his wife!)

A previous stand-up comic, Lindsay had us all in fits of laughter with his deadpan answers and hilarious anecdotes – including the time he received fan mail from the real Sergeant Dexter Morgan in the mid-west, his only cameo on the show (when he was a bystander in the police corridor) and his plans to bring ‘Dexter Down Under’!

Jeff Lindsay was promoting his latest instalment, ‘Dexter by Design’, and even managed to stay behind and sign copies for his adoring fans.

Amy xx

An Exhibition by Mooks Artspace winner Rob Tucker.

Opening night: THURSDAY 24TH SEPT 6.00PM
Exhibition continues from 25TH SEPT – 10TH OCTOBER, 2009.
MC Gallery: 20 Burton st, Darlinghurst


About the Exhibition:
21 year old Rob Tuckers’ rise in New Zealand’s art world has been organic but rapid, a transition from high school to full time painting that has not been prescribed by formal training. It all started casually, having the odd show down at the local gallery, and this is where he met people who helped him initially start moving forward.
It was a new and exciting way to express himself, but at the time he never saw it as a career path -even though it was always a dream. Rob says of his rise: “I have never had any training for my art. People see this as a non-conformist approach but to me it is more of a natural progression of my ideas about art. This has helped me forge my own opinions of what I want to achieve rather than being told by someone what is good and what isn’t.”
 
2008 was a really exciting year for Rob in the sense that he came to the realisation of a career that he is interested and passionate about. His more current work focuses a lot on advertising and mass media and this is the aesthetic that will be gracing the walls of galleries in 2009. “I have been flicking though old 1990’s magazines like Woman’s Weekly to get inspiration. I like to take ads and look at the funny ways they attempt to grab attention and convince the viewer. This could include cheesy plays on words, stupid statements and promises, composition of the page and the nostalgia surrounded by the product or ad campaign.” Tuckers art is a mix of innocence and icons, bold statements and self taught refinement.

Rob Tucker is the second winner of the yearly Mooks Artspace competition. For more info, check out Mooksartspace.com

Duty Free sponsored by the good people at Mooks.