FNO Promo 2012 featuring Taylor and Justin!

Are you ready for Fashion's Night Out 2012?  It's only two weeks away!  The event will be held on September 6th globally.  This year, Taylor Swift and Justin Bieber have joined forces to create the Fashion's Night Out Promo!  Both have added their own personal touch to this year's FNO tee.

Bring on Fashion's Night Out 2012!

         

Fashion's Night Out 2011!

Fashion's Night Out is one of my favourite nights on the fashion calendar, which is why I'm so disappointed that I missed out! Yes, the flu kept me in bed, which meant I missed the festivities of Fashion's Night Out Sydney. However, I couldn't just let Fashion's Night Out pass without reporting on all the goss and glamour, both here and abroad!

Fashion's Night Out was originally created to revive the fashion world and to encourage consumerism, as well as putting the 'excitement' back into shopping. Since it began three years ago, it's amazing to see just how much the event has blossomed both in Australia and globally...only the work of Anna Wintour of course!

Sydney participated in their second Fashion's Night Out and this year was the first time the event was celebrated in the new Westfield Sydney. This meant shoppers experienced exclusive events by local designers and for the first time, major international designers! Over at the Calvin Klein store, the Spring/Summer collection was brought to life with yellow decor, CK signatory cocktails and an array of Australia's hottest celebrities including Kate Waterhouse and Luke Ricketson, the team from Bondi Rescue and Nacho Pop.  Meanwhile, at Mulberry, the store was transformed into a magical forest!  Elsewhere, Dider Cohen and Erin McNaught embraced summer at the Strand Acarde, Myer launched Lipsey and the David Jones designers mingled with customers. Shoppers were treated with exclusive one night discounts and offers and were able to purchase a Fashion's Night Out T-shirt designed by one of my personal favourite designers, Diane Von Furstenberg!

And as for New York? Let's just say I'm already planning for next year! Fashion's Night Out New York, kicked off New York Fashion Week and what an event it was! Fashion's elite were out in full force from Rachel Zoe at Bloomingdales, Leighton Meester at Tiffany and Co, Justin Bieber and Chace Crawford at Dolce and Gabbana, Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio and Erin Heatherton at Victoria's Secret, Alexa Chung at Stella McCartney, Joe Jonas and the Glee Stars at Saks on Fifth Avenue, Coca Rocha at Topshop....Diane Von Furstenburg, Michael Kors, Marc Jacobs, Oscar de la Renta, Anna Wintour, Joe Zee, Tinsley Mortimer, The Kardashian Girls, Pauly D, Usher and that was just the start! I cannot wait till next year's event!

Fashion's Nigh Out Sydney

Vogue Editor Kirstie Clements and Jessica Gomes

FNO Opening

Designer Camilla Freeman Topper and Kym Ellery

 Kate Waterhouse and Nacho Pop at Calvin Klein
(Images Hush Communications)

 Mulberry

Didier Cohen and Erin McNaught at the Strand Acarde

Fashion's Night Out NY

Rachel Zoe at Bloomingdales

Diane Von Furstenberg and Anna Wintour

Tinsley Mortimer at Samantha Thavasa NY

Alexa Chung at Stella McCartney

Victoria's Secret girls

 

Chace Crawford and Justin Bieber at Dolce and Gabbana

Joe Jonas performing at Saks on Fifth Avenue

Model and fellow blogger Coca Rocha at Topshop 

Sophia Bush at D&G and DVF

Leighton Meester performing at Tiffany and Co 

Kim Kardashian and Pauly D at DASH

Whitney Port and Diane Von Furstenberg

Rachel Bilson

Lauren Conrad Nordstrom LA

IFB Conference LIVE from New York!!

From the moment I started blogging, I've been a member of the Independent Fashion Bloggers community.  The IFB community is perhaps the largest global fashion blogging community.  Each year an exclusive conference is held in New York and London during Fashion Week.  Unfortunately this year I'm not in attendance (next year I will be), so I thought I'd share the stream live from New York.  The most exciting part of this year's event is that Joe Zee (Creative Director of Elle Magazine) is guest speaking!  The conference begins at 9am (NY time) and ends at 7pm (Joe Zee as the final guest speaker).  The event begins in a few hours!

Watch live streaming video from ifbconference at livestream.com

(NOTE: It will be live and I'm hoping there won't be any technical difficulties!)

Glee's Fashion's Night Out Promo

To complement their shot in Vogue's US September Issue, the cast of Glee have created a little Fashion's Night Out Promo clip.  The cast strut the runway as they recreate David Bowie's 'Fashion'. 
I love Fashion's Night Out and can't wait for this year's event! 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

 

Camilla takes us back to the days of Woodstock!

She's the Kaftan Queen, one of Rachel Zoe's "most cherished worldly designers" and her pieces are endorsed by celebrities including Oprah, Beyonce, Fergie, Elle Macpherson and Nicole Kidman.. I'm talking about the one and only Camilla Franks, whom I was so fortunate to meet and view her amazing new A/W 2011 Woodstock collection. I recently attended an exclusive event at Camilla Franks' Bondi Beach House boutique. Camilla's Beach House is exquisite! It's her 'baby', her little sanctuary and after spending the afternoon there, I can see why!
To my surprise, Camilla actually began her career in theatre. However, it wasn't too long before Camilla discovered she had a natural flair and talent for design. Camilla's pieces are sold in high end boutiques and luxury department stores across the world...not forgetting she has three gorgeous boutiques in Australia and sold nationally in David Jones stores and online. When I think about Camilla's pieces, I automatically think long kaftans, vibrant neon colours, psychedelic and unique prints and exquisite beading, featured in her S/S 2010/11 Babylon collection. However, Camilla claims she has two sides to her personality her bubbly and vibrant (her Babylon collection) and her more relaxed, love of nature and music side (her Woodstock collection). Camilla's current collection is inspired none other than the famous Woodstock Festival of 1969..think rock music like Jimmy Hendrix, hippie fashion, campfires, peace and mother nature. For this collection Camilla remained true to her design aesthetic, but decided to add a few new colours, techniques, pieces, styles and prints. Camilla opted for a traditional winter pallet with natural earthy tones. Camilla gave us an insight into the different ways to wear a kaftan.. you name it, long, short and even a skirt! The versatility is unbelievable and so trans-seasonal. Her Woodstock collection incorporates her signatory kaftan, however, now it’s all about 'layering'. Take the kaftan and create your own style, by adding layers! Camilla's product range has increased and now includes, leggings, leather vests, harem pants, cashmere knitted jumpers, camisoles, reversible cardigan, beanies, scarfs, shoes and my favourite, the 70s turbans! What intrigues me most about Camilla's collections, especially this one, is her attention to detail. Each print is unique. Camilla designs her prints, one even featuring her jewellery. Each piece is individually printed so it sits perfectly on the varying necklines and silhouettes. Her use of Swarovski crystals, beading and silks is exquisite. As for the leather vest? Camilla used an old art form where stones are embedded in the leather and then hand painted. Camilla embraces every woman's shape and size by enabling each individual to adapt and style the pieces according to their shape.
Not only do I love Camilla's unique aesthetic, but I also love her warm and friendly personality. She really took the time to talk to everyone and made us feel really welcomed. It was a pleasure meeting Camilla, her 'kaftan princesses' and the team from Hush Communications.
(Images taken by me)

Camilla Franks on the right

Camilla's Babylon Collection

Camilla Franks on the right

 (Image below - Hush Communications)

For more of my images from the event be sure to check out my Facebook page.  

www.facebook.com/TheLilacMannequin

Fashion Weekend Sydney

Taking a pause from my RAFW posts, thought I'd promote Fashion Weekend Sydney presented by Shop Til You Drop!  The event kicks off Thursday night and continues right through till Sunday (12th-15th May 2011 at the Royal Hall of Industries).   A shopping experience no Fashionista should miss!  Enjoy savings of up to 70% off all your favourite Australian designers including Bec and Bridge, Shakuhachi, Maurie and Eve, Peeptoe and that's just the start.  The event also includes catwalk shows, a Toni and Guy pop up salon, makeovers by NP Set, manicures by Essie and Chic Model Management will be scouting!  For more information and tickets visit http://www.fashionweekend.com.au/