in my studio

A little look at my studio space in our old apartment is now up on Sportsgirl.

Missing the natural light and beautiful garden views! Will post pictures of our new place once it's
organised and decorated (we're getting there!).

1. Sewing / getting crafty 

2. My side of the desk with a few new favourite books

3. Collage & illustration by me using images from Russh magazine

mon amour

This weekend will be last as a guest Instagrammer for Sportgirl, but the fun isn't over yet! If you haven't already, head over here to find out how you can win a one off collage print I designed in The Slashies Pinterest competition.

p.s. I also have a new interview up at Hall of Furs, thanks Sophie x

don't ever leave

- Joan Didion, The Paris Review, 1978

Light streaming in through the windows, starting the day with a beautiful breakfast, fresh flowers, the smell of old paperback books, the excitement of turning the pages of a new magazine and of discovering a new label. 

These were a few of the highlights from last week - the new Rika magazine arrived, I welcomed a surprisingly warm first week of winter and the start of anemone season, more Joan Didion (always) and a beautiful package from New York-based designer Gillian Tennant.

Gillian's clothes are exactly what I have been looking for, well made and stunningly simple pieces designed using only natural fibers that work perfectly into my wardrobe. I was so happy that the sun stayed out all long weekend and I was able to give them a first outing. Over the next few months there will be lots of layering and dreaming of spring!

1 - 3. Gillian Tennant shell blouse and gathered skirt, Uniform Wares watch, Petite Grand necklace, See by Chloe wedges 

4 - 5. Gillian Tennant shift dress, Uniform Wares watch, See by Chloe wedges  

Thankyou Gillian! x

i love mr mittens

It's always a pleasure to work on a project with Hannah and Rachel. Our latest collaboration involves photographing, designing, illustrating and wording the I Love Mr Mittens campaign, one of my favourite jobs to date! I feel so lucky to get to work with such an amazing team and a beautiful label like Mittens, my Popeye beanie (with a pom pom!) has been keeping me warm in the cold Winter mornings for the past week. Add a warm cup of tea and a cosy blanket and you have the recipe for a perfect weekend.

Photography | Rachel Kara       Design & Illustration | Talisa Sutton      Words | Hannah-Rose Yee

kit:gorman

Yesterday I was lucky enough to attend the launch of a collaboration between clothing label Gorman and Kit cosmetics. I have been a fan of Kit nail polishes for years and have built up quite a collection, the colour I left with (almost mauve) is the perfect shade - soft and neutral that goes with everything. I also got my nails done with the leopard print stick-on nail strips, I have never tried these before but they are actually pretty fun and have held up well overnight. Now can we talk about those leopard print Gorman trousers!?

1. Gorman trousers and Kit:Gorman ready-to-wear nail strips in Autumn Sunshine, watercolour handwriting my me

2. Kit:Gorman nail polish in Almost Mauve, ready-to-wear nail strips in Flash and socks.

3. Kit:Gorman nail polish in Almost Mauve, watercolour by me.

travel light

My Illustrated list of travel wants is now up on Spy Style. I swear I need them all.

Illustration of the Monocle x Porter Boston Bag by me

on a throne in the sky

One of my favourite things about this time of year is the Fall issues of all my favourite bi-annual magazines coming out, and also finishing up uni for the semester. This week marks the last of classes (with exams and presentations still to follow) but it is also the half-way point of my degree, pretty exciting!

So today, alongside finishing a few projects, I'm taking some time out to read, burn my favourite candles and maybe even do some baking.

1. Lula magazine F/W 12.13 photographed by me. Thankyou Ro for the beautiful anemones! 

2 & 5. Scans from Lula magazine F/W 12.13 via TFS

3. Maison Balzac candles in  L'Eglise and La Rose photographed by me

4. Collage by me using scans from Lula magazine F/W 12.13 via TFS and oil paint

now and always

"There was something perfect about the finish. The colours were bound with a bi-coloured cording that matched the label, the buttonholes were exquisitely turned, the buttons themselves were made specially for the shirt. When you deal with Dries Van Noten you enter a world that is entirely his own creation; that's what makes it so special."

- Lucille Lewin (founder of Whistles)

 

I can't even begin to describe the way I feel about Dries Van Noten. Every season I'm continually impressed by the effortless silhouettes, intricate textiles and colour palettes. The Spring Summer 2013 collection which just premiered at Paris fashion week is no exception.

I am lucky enough to own a few Dries Van Noten pieces (mostly from my time at Belinda), and find that I wear them constantly, despite being years old. That is the thing about Dries, it truly is timeless. The Dries Van Noten woman never changes, she is just constantly inspired by new things - film, culture, places. I did a research project on the designer not long ago and found some great books on the label like Dries Van Noten : Shape, Print and Fabric and Belgian Fashion Design.

Another favourite is Mono.Kultur vol.20 from 2009 - Van Noten himself tends to shy away from the spotlight which is why this issue of  is so special - a full publication dedicated solely to an interview with the designer. The interview is split up into sections, each dealing with a particular theme. I love the explanation of new collections and the inspiration behind them - Van Noten creates “a character” every season, finding the range comes together quite naturally. He also explains his fascination with traditional elements, textiles and fine detailing.

Another chapter looks at artistic inspiration and the technical process involved with producing textiles. For one particular collection Van Noten used then-new digital prints printed on silk. The processes Van Noten uses are very precise and intricate, getting the fabric right is one of the most important parts in creating the collection. This comes across clearly in Spring Summer 13 where floral prints are mixed with plaid and textures range from sheer silks to heavy applique.

On an end note, I'll leave you with my favourite quote from Dries - “enjoy your life, fashion is not so important”.

1. Pencil & watercolour illustration by me looking at Dries SS13, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8. Dries SS13 via style.com, 4. Mono.Kultur vol.20 photographed by me,
6. My Dries shoe collection photographed by me

Le Sourire

A little peek at what I have been doing for the last few weeks - mostly paintings, collages and essays for UNI as well as working on a few photo-shoots and some great freelance projects with Rohan. Can't wait to share these with you!

Le Sourire I, Mixed Media Collage, 2012

secret south

Secret Squirrel is a favourite Australian label of mine, they have always been a go-to for simple tailoring and unique seasonal prints. Having collaborated with the label in the past, I'm excited to share with you their latest collection 'Introducing'. This is the first collection under their new name Secret South for Spring Summer 2012.
I love the print designed by Elke Kramer, it's inspired by Kilim textiles and also features on an oversized clutch. Hoping I can get my hands on one, thinking It would look amazing with all white!

All photos from Secret South, collages 1&3 by me

compositions

Recent work

Compositions I, II & III (ultra-deep field)

Digital prints, 2012

how to hit the ground running

This is a bit of a belated post - It's a fantastic little flight kit from Mr Porter & Aesop that Talisa got me for my birthday this year. It came in a cool black case, with an little guide filled with Angelo Trofa's illustrations. I love it. Thanks T!

the silent years

Ellery Spring 12

The Silent Years

A collection Inspired by cults and secret societies. I love how Ellery have incorporated soft colours and prints with their signature structural pieces. The ombre coat and dress are my favourite...

Images from Ellery Spring 12, collage by me using images from Wrangler and Catherine McNeil for Numero magazine.

maximillia

Rohan and I just finished working on the re-brand from online store Maximillia.

The collage on the home page will be updated monthly according to new collections. First up is Karen Walker's Sea Monsters, the Jules Verne tribute which sees models with navy nail polish and matching angora sweaters play around with gold brocade and Victorian prints.

All graphics for Maximillia by Badlands Studio

frozen landscapes

Carven Pre-Fall 2012

Another winner. Designer Guillaume Henry describes the knitwear from his Pre-Fall 12 collection as being “picked from a boyfriend’s wardrobe,” while the autumnal colour palette was inspired “by a frozen landscape.”
The starting point for the collection was Diane Arbus's portraits; simple, unfussy clothes with a bit of schoolgirl charm. “I really wanted to get this feeling of the way they used to dress then in the ’60s…there was no question of age or social position.”

I'm hanging out for the first drop of the collection at Bloodorange. I would love to wear it all right now!

Collages by me using lookbook images from Carven via TFS and vintage photos of Twiggy and Jane Birkin.