Beans and Bunches - Posy Workshop

The lovely Stacey, owner of Beans and Bunches has a penchant for blooms. When she's not at her florist shop, listening to groovy tunes from her husband's record store out back, she's holding workshops. 

When I stumbled across her Posy Workshop, I knew I had to get myself a ticket. I have known Stacey for a year or so now and after she made my beautiful table bouquets for my birthday last year, I knew her workshop would be all kinds of lovely. Stacey creates some amazing bouquets for all kinds of occasions, be they for formal functions, weddings or birthdays they are not pretty bouquets to miss. 

Daphne Cafe was a beautiful and sweet smelling place to be that Sunday afternoon. Stems of ranunculus and gum sat in metal buckets on top of tables and although they weren't arranged in any particular way, looked beautiful enough as they were. It was hard to imagine that we could further perfect what was sitting in the buckets awaiting our clippers. 

As the workshop commenced, we soon found out that we could pull together these somewhat beautifully haphazard stems into a sweet posy. The workshop was a lovely and super chill way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Many of the girls dug into a crispy croissant and an amazing afternoon coffee from Daphne's, only before soon settling into stripping back leaves and figuring out just how big they wanted their posy to be.

We learnt how to strip back our stems and why it was so important to, learnt about height and how to get that nicely spiralled posy. After that, it was time to learn how to wrap it. (It's not as easy as you think!)

Incredibly talented and passionate about flowers, Stacey has a lot to teach about what is required to create the perfect posy. Influenced by natural aesthetic and organic state, Stacey utilises the local botanics and clearly defines how colour, texture and shape work in unison. Head over to her website or Facebook page if you'd like to find when her next workshop is, or visit her in store for a beautiful bouquet. Don't forget to hit up Daphne for a good cup of coffee and some sun in the summer. 

Beans and Bunches
Shop 3 Arcade, 189 William St
Northbridge WA 6003

Hikefolk - Ellis Brook Valley

4am. I wasn't sure if I would be able to wake myself from sleep. Matthew was up and waiting for me at the door, flannel on and shorts to match, yelling out that the sun waits for no one. After a half hour bleary eyed drive to Ellis Brook Valley, Htet, Rhianna and I found ourselves freezing but happily crammed ourselves into Matthew's car while we waited for Jinn and Sarah. 

Apart from being crispy and cold, the sky was clear and the views were far from disappointing. There were plenty of wildflowers in full bloom and rows and rows of banksia trees. A tiny but distinct Perth Skyline sat in a purple haze. The old quarry was particularly fun and  made for amazing photographs. Many of us honed our rusty rock climbing skills and banana throwing/catching abilities. Jumping across puddles is also much harder than you think. 

I've met a fair share of people and can say that moments are special due to the people whom you share them with. Only so few would be willing to wake up at dawn and chase the sun. It's terribly cliche but there is certainly some truth in it. 

Ellis Brook Valley is located in Gosnells and is home to many trail walks. The 60 ft falls walk is one of them. Unfortunately as it had been a dry winter, the waterfall wasn't as splendid as it should have been but the other views more than made up for it.

And yes, Socality Barbie - when people go on morning hikes it's not unusual to bring along a flask of coffee and drink it on a rock in an abandoned quarry.

Akira Isogawa - TPFF 2015

I almost feel as though Akira Isogawa's work needs no explanation as they speak for themselves. There is so much brevity in his experimental, contemporary designs that require nothing more than appreciation. For many, his designs evoked an almost spiritual zen - an atmosphere and calm that emanated from the TPFF catwalk last Saturday night. Models stepped slowly across the catwalk to calm melodies while leaves gently fell on a screen behind them. Apart from the music and the sounds of cameras, Fashion Paramount was quiet, with members of the audience captivated and engrossed in the display of craftsmanship before them. 

Akira is innovative, cheeky and masterful. His designs possess elements of both the modern and traditional and with that it is no surprise his collection is influenced by his Japanese heritage. The designs themselves are stunning in real life, the models were adorned in ruffles, silks and embroidered flowers. All wore sneakers. 

The models walked out balancing floral head pieces and others wearing glasses made of orchids, adorned in a beautiful collection that spoke innovation and simplicity. Red was a prominent feature and although poignant, did not overshadow other subdued colours. Textures and materials were layered and otherwise seemingly strong colours blended beautifully - reminiscent of kimono. The garments were broken up with finer details of embroidered flowers and stitching. 

Akira's masterful collection was one that captivated the audience and will no doubt transgress to those who visit his collection in Claremont Quarter. There was so much fluidity in his collection and would not cease to inspire others, particularly across a spectrum of other personal styles and tastes. A magical night that was much talked about once closing. 

International Runway: Phuong My TPFF 2015

After her beautiful Spring '15 collection, Phuong My (pronounced Me) was a fashion walk I was dearly looking forward to. Sure enough, it delivered. Symmetrical and asymmetrical designs flowed onto the jet black runway, of which was broken up with geometric rose petals somewhat resembling romantic getaways with loved ones. I suppose that's what Phuong's collection was about - romance. 

Eva Scolaro's voice filled up the room with her strong melodic vocals, singing tunes of jazz and blues. Keynote renditions of Fever and Feeling Good accompanied the models down the runway, evoking a sense of romanticism. The models looked good and no doubt they felt it too.

The collection was an explosion of textures, folds and shapes. Pearls and embellishments were masterfully women into the fabric, low set chignon buns were adorned with petals. Some of the gowns echoed petals of ranunculus and others were well structured, fitted pieces that could easily be translated from day wear to night.

Phuong My's collection is her best yet, pulling together aspects of her previous collections. Shapes from both her Spring Summer 2014 and 2015 collections were evident in this year's. It was reminiscent of her Fall Winter 2014 cinched wasted and exaggerated hourglass shapes. The textures were complimented with splashes of metallic golds and silvers almost resembling flaking gold and silver leaf on rippled fabrics of silk and organza.

Structured shoulders, generous skirts and complementary colour pairings and incredible attention to detail are what make this collection so downright gorgeous, provocative, feminine and chic. The female form was not lost under the layers of beautiful fabric, if anything the female figure was accentuated.

Feminine a-lined hems skimmed the runway and Mel Dreams Shoes walked the catwalk. It was refreshing to see a collection with an understated beauty, presenting pieces that were both bold and refined - items I could see many girls purchasing and wearing.

It is not at every fashion show that you can say you could easily wear the garments on parade. Phuong My's collection is exceptionally gorgeous and its key signature pieces are elegant, adaptable and timeless. Phuong is an international designer to watch, that's for sure. 

Phuong My - Spring/Summer '15 - Telstra Perth Fashion Festival 2015

“Florals? For Spring? Ground breaking. ”

— Miranda Priestly, The Devil Wears Prada

It's hard to forget a quote like that. Meryl delivers her lines in such a dry manner that is more than enough to cause anyone to re-evaluate their position on wearing florals during the Spring. Forever. The thing is, after setting eyes on Tran Phuong My's new collection, I couldn't disagree more with Miranda Priestly's remarks. If anything, her collection has reaffirmed my need to spend the Spring season in sculpted floral garments of beauty.

Consider this: Juxtaposed against firm and structured cuts, Phuong My's Spring/Summer 16 collection boasts cinched waists, flowing silk and femininity. Amongst the open backs, off the shoulder dressing and deliciously layered textiles are garments that somewhat resemble mid century style inspired by the orient.

Flirty feminine silhouettes are made out of a variety of materials including silk, lace, silk net, opaque organza and wool of which are sourced from Paris, Milan and Hong Kong. As international as her fabrics, Phuong focuses on complementing elegant and modern designs with the Asian female aesthetic.

Born in Ho Chi Minh City, Phuong studied mathematics before leaving for America. Graduating with honours from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco and holding onto her penchant for design, she has presented at New York Fashion Week, Tokyo Fuse, Mercedes Benz Stylo Malaysia, Shanghai and Singapore Fashion Week to name a few.

Phuong is now in Perth for the Telstra Perth Fashion Festival and has brought her forty-six piece collection with her, in addition to her vision of sharing the beauty of the modern Asian woman, globally. She has certainly shared the beauty of both her gowns and South Korean Model, Kwak Ji Young. I do have to admit, the windswept hair does remind me a little of Margaret.

Her designs are housed throughout the globe, with store in Paris, Kuwait and most recently the twenty seven year old has launched her sister label My My (read: me, me) in Singapore's home of fashion on Orchard Road, Takashimaya.

Come October 2nd, she will be working in collaboration with Singapore's young artist prodigy Gelyn Ong to create fifteen special edition dresses for charity.

In muted green, pink and blue shades come floral designs produced in Vietnam and influenced by fashion and culture in countries that Phuong My has herself visited. 

It is easy to spot where she has drawn her influences,  with necklines of cheongsam, folds and layers of hanbok and the fitting of ao dai, traditional dresses of China, Korea and Vietnam respectively.

She has collaborated with the likes of Zhang Jingna. The images of her latest collection have been shot by Zhang, or as many Deviant Artists like myself know her as, Zemotion.

Zhang Jingna has worked with Phuong for years, photographing her first collections spanning autumns and winters to the beautiful editorials for the Spring/Summer'15 Campaign shot for Elle Singapore pictured here.

That's not to say that Phuong herself has not been a part of the fashion production and styling industry. She is well versed in the stylings of Harper's Bazaar, Elle and Vogue. However it hasn't been the easiest of processes along the way as she has had to overcome stigma and move past her parent's expectations of pursuing a career in business. She is dedicated to design and still sews her own clothes. 

Phuong remarks that "good designs get the basics right through colours, material and design", believing that excellent designs "go beyond that to distinguish the way clothes drape your body, the construction of fabric, its cut and finishing". 

It is evident that Phuong's focus is on accentuating the female aesthetic with clothes that surpass being just "good designs." It is refreshing to see a young and bold designer creating garments that are not only beautiful but provide women confidence in themselves.

So in response to Miranda's retort - ground breaking? Yes. In this case Phuong My is breaking floral ground throughout Asia and has cast her eye to the fashion realm internationally with her Spring/Summer collection.

I can't wait to share my photographs and experience of the show with you all. Phuong is presented by Singapore Airlines and will showcase her collection at 9.30pm on Friday the 18th of September at Fashion Paramount, Perth Concert Hall. Tickets available here.  Photographs accredited to the talented Zhang Jingna.

Jaime Lee SS16 - Telstra Perth Fashion Festival 2015

There is always something so captivating about delicate garments that are somewhat ethereal in nature. Jaime Lee Major's collection on display at Enex 100 as part of the Telstra Perth Fashion Festival (TPFF) is just that. The embellishments, beads, jewels, sequins and crystal drops almost transform the fine and flimsy lace and into something more heavy duty. 

However, this combination works beautifully across a spectrum of colours and materials. Some resemble stained glass windows and sparkling sequinned dresses that I imagine mermaids would own. Jaime Lee has adorned the likes of Kimbra, Lady Gaga, Rita Ora and Katy Perry in these magical and distinct dresses that ooze fantasy and drama.

Jaime Lee Major's demi-couture SS16 collection will be shown on Thursday the 17th of September at the Perth Concert Hall.

All photos taken with my iPhone.