30.11.10

On my Christmas Wish-list.

Pretty self explanatory post. What's on your wish list?

1. Hermes twilly scarf: Covetable, collectable and ultimate luxury.
2. Charlotte Olympia heels: Move over Louboutin, there's a new heel in town.
3. Gold Rolex watch: Telling the time will be so much more luxe.
4. YSL cocktail ring: Iconic knuckle-duster for added statement.
5. Isabel Marant jacket: Parisian effortless chic. Need I say more?
6. Christopher Kane dress: The ultimate party dress.
7. Alexander Wang bag: The 'it' bag of the downtown jet-set. Love the colour.
8. Elle Macpherson Intimates: Sexiness with a touch of class.
9. Givenchy gold croc-embossed Nightingale bag: A bold twist on a new classic.
10. Airline tickets to NYC: This will be the cherry on top of a good year.
XO LC.

25.11.10

Best cheap & chic XMAS fashion gift ideas.

There's nothing like the feeling I get when I receive anything from Tiffany & Co in that iconic blue box. Holly Golightly would be proud.

I know that many of my readers don't work in fashion however like everyone they live and breathe it and simultaneously they too would love a taste of affordable luxury. Being an avid shopper (and in their Topshop shoes once upon a time) I've selected my favourite Christmas luxury stocking stuffers that won't blow the budget. Perfect to buy for a friend and with a little spare change so you can spoil yourself as well.

1. Chanel nail polish (www.chanel.com): AUD $39.

If there's any fashion house that screams luxury, it'll definitely have to be Chanel. Okay, so you probably missed out on the Chanel skin art but never fear, designer nail polish is NEVER out of fashion (and you can quote me on that). From the label that brought 'greige' onto the 'it' scene and on the fingers of socialites, fashion people and the 'it' girls alike, it's no wonder why I collect these Chanel nail polishes. What's not to love about a little bit of Chanel cheap & chic?
2. Christian Lacroix Papier: From $29.99+AUD

Lacroix Papier first caught my attention on a department store catalogue and since then, I've never looked back for affordable and artistic stationary. I could spend hours just writing in the cute signature Lacroix note books complete with monogrammed Christian Lacroix on the footer of each page. Designer note cards are also a part of this covetable collection. It is undoubtedly a true luxury to be able to write on designer paper and send your closest girlfriends Lacroix fashion illustration note cards which I'm positive they'll love.
3. Jessica Walker London Chocolates: From $5.95AUD

Chocolate is probably one of the most indulgent foods available and what better way to spoil yourself and a friend with divine Jessica Walker Chocolates in their pretty brown and white striped boxes? These are available in deluxe boxes or alternatively in (my favourite) heels and inside cute handbags. Sure, their not Godiva but Australian designer Leona Edmiston has collaborated with Jessica Walker to create the most perfect choc-a-lats! These sweet treats make the perfect stocking stuffer and I've never met someone whose said no to these delights before!
4. In Vogue: The Illustrated history of the World's most famous fashion magazine. (www.amazon.com)

Coffee table books are always a safe present option. Sure there are plenty of other ways to spend your money but coffee table books are what I like to consider as an oldie but a goodie. This In Vogue book is perfect for fashion photography lovers with a variety of fashion editorials and it's contributors include the one and only Anna Wintour and Grace Coddington, therefore making this the ultimate book buy.

5. Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupte lipstick (www.ysl-beauty.com).

This is the perfect lipstick for your to pucker up to someone special with. Silky, sensual and full of colour, Yves Saint Laurent is the epitome of chic and this lipstick does not disappoint. It's won many beauty awards and made it on the top of Allure and Glamour Magazines product list. Keep on trend with the haute-est pop of lip colour. The perfect accessory.
Happy Christmas Shopping!

XO LC.

The art of being well-heeled.


Dior, you know I love you but you're shoes are killing me! Not the Rachel Zoe 'I die' way either. Ouch!

The idea of fabulous and comfort are two words that I'd hardly put in the same sentence. I mean, if it's comfortable, how fabulous can it 'really' be? Surely not fabulous enough!

The party season has begun a little early and right now, I'm positive that every chic fashion girl is on the hunt for the ultimate pair of statement heels to take them from effortless garden lunches and alfresco dining straight into the sophistication of luxe cocktail parties where we stand eloquently and sip 'it' cocktails before making a fast getaway to dance the night away at a haute new speakeasy and such. Oh, the fabulous life.

The perfect pair of heels should be comfortable in the sense that wearing them for 30 seconds outside of the house should not cause immediate heel pain or discomfort. Sounds impossible but really, this is the making of every 'it' heel at the moment. I recently tried on a pair of sky-high Dolce and Gabbana velvet sculptural heels and to say my feet died is just putting it frankly. I could barely move because of both the instant pain and the fear that I was going to topple into the rows of Louboutins which seemed to stare at me as if daring me to complain! Talk about a fashion faux pas on my behalf. You'll be glad to know that I didn't get them.

There seems to be a new emergence of this 'ideal' of foldable flats. A PR company recently sent me a pair of foldable flats to review and as 'comfortable' as they were, I have to honestly admit that I find the concept just a little, okay a lot, tacky if not irritating. I mean, why spend a $1500 on a pair of amazing heels only to have to change into a pair of foldable flats? I know beauty is pain but there's nothing worse than wearing a beautiful dress which you've had to trade down because the accessories are just not 'with it'. I mean, is that not a huge fashion contradiction in it's own right?

I've seen 'those' girls at the Melbourne Cup race events who will look appropriate dressed up at the event in a pretty cocktail dress, fascinator and such but only once it's over does comfort rear it's ugly head and the heels are gone and thongs, of the Brazilian type, have replaced the heels immediately. From click clack comes flip flop. I honestly cringe at moments like that! It's not called 'Fashions on the field' for no reason!

So what's my ultimate luxe party season survivor heel? Louboutin peep toe platforms with extra pailettes (sequins) never ceases to get the job done! In both comfort, style and, my favourite, pizazz.
These sparkly, statement and dare I say, comfortable Christian Louboutins are my ultimate party season pick!

XO LC.

17.11.10

My sophisticated style in a nutshell.

I'll have one of everything thanks, Tom Ford.

It's not unlikely that people ask me who are my favourite high fashion designers. Usually, I have a few in mind but in all honestly, it's not that easy to find designers who really epitomise your style, capture your personality and reveal a slight alter-ego from within and this is just from a collection of beautiful pieces (supported obviously, by the right brand philosophy).

Generally my style is generally metropolitan sophistication meets luxe embellishments otherwise a 21st century Great Gatsby meets Holly Golightly is perfect too. Imagine a pair of perfect cropped Balenciaga cigarette pants, an extravagant loosely beaded camisole (Oscar de la Renta) finished off with a pair of classic sky-high Louboutins, Yves Saint Laurent le smoking tuxedo jacket and a luxe Celine tote and a fierce lashing of Tom Binns cocktail jeweller...yes that is really me in a nutshell.

Designers? Think Yves Saint Laurent, Isabel Marant, Armani...and now: Tom Ford. Tom Ford captures the allure of ultimate feminine sophistication in a range of to-die-for pieces. The pictures below really speak for themselves as I'm left completely speechless! Enjoy.
XO LC.

15.11.10

On my Christmas Wish-list...

This is my current desktop wallpaper. Hope it's subtle. And I hope everyone sees it.

14.11.10

Frock yourself into the festive season.

So many Christmas parties, so many frocks.

With just over a month left until Christmas fever really hits, I've kept my eyes open for the ultimate party frock, in particular one which can take me from day to night and without the need for snide 'Didn't she wear that yesterday?' comments. Hypothetically speaking, of course. There's something about Christmas which makes me feel the need to either be understated and effortless for day (pastels, sequins and chiffon) and over the top, ostentatious, extravaganza (Daphne Guinness meets Studio 54) at night. Here are a selection of statement frocks that will take you from 'now' to 'wow'.

Day ONEBaby-doll silk crepe and lace dress by Rosamosario.

Night ONE:Bead embellished dress by ADAM.


Day TWO:

Silk flower and pleat embellished dress by 3.1 Phillip Lim.

Night TWO:

Chain embellished pailette dress by Balmain.
Day THREE:

Angel-silk jacquard dress by Alexander McQueen.


Night THREE.Strapless lace corseted dress by Jason Wu.

XO LC.

Have yourself a merry little pre-Christmas.


Would it be okay to put these Chanel Christmas ornaments on my Christmas wish-list?

I know that I've been going crazy for Christmas and pre-Christmas celebrations and traditions right now but if there's anything that's motivating me to get my current work over and done with, it's definitely Christmas. With all Christmases, it doesn't help that my favourite department stores (David Jones- Sydney, Bergdorf Goodman and Saks- New York) have already started going a little crazy with beautiful glass decorations, amazing flourishing real (or faux-real) trees, tradition carols played on the piano-forte, piles of designer gift-wrapped presents and buckets of faux (or real) snowflakes. In two words: beyond bliss.

Every year since I was very little, we've always had a Christmas tree which my sister and I would decorate with baubles and dangly things we've accumulated and collected over the years. It would be a mid to late November tradition and we'd always have more fun in concept because building a Christmas tree is no simple business (as fellow Christmas tree builders might know) and before you know it, all that's missing are a big pile of boxy presents which we patiently wait for on Christmas Eve.

However, unlike every other year, I've just recently learnt that my mum threw out our Christmas tree as I recently moved (a year ago) into my own place which is a lot smaller and admittedly I'm sure that a 2.9m Christmas tree will go very nicely with my high ornate ceilings but might simultaneously eat up all the space available in my living room. Instead of watching television, I think I might find myself watching the tree. Lucky me.

In a celebratory manner, I think that it only seems like a slight blessing in disguise that for once I get to decorate my own tree, my own way to suit me and my interiors. I've been looking for some chic XMAS inspiration which connotes a polished and stylish appeal. Something cheap and chic and ultimately, very 'me'. An affordable tree is first on my to-buy list followed by some beautiful embellishments to jazz it up a little bit...or a lot, depending on my mood which is usually unpredictable and at times, spontaneous.

Silver themes may appear a little frosty (no pun intended) whereas gold looks a bit more regal, proper and conservative, multi-coloured trees can look a little over the top and out of place (or at least, a good idea at the time) whereas red, gold and green can seem to be a piece shot out straight from Santa's Workshop. This year, I'm sensing intricate snowflakes, Hallmark glass baubles, and layers of clear crystal beads and absolutely NO TINSEL or GLITTER as, from experience, tinsel usually equals post-Christmas mess and glitter equals tackiness. Sigh.

Still, there's a lot of thinking to do, a lot of inspiring to consider and a lot of pizzazz to execute. And there's seriously nothing stopping me from calling St Nick himself for a different opinion...and definitely Karl Lagerfeld for the last word.

Christmas dilemmas would be solved if only this Dior by John Galliano Christmas tree fit through my front door...

XO LC.