past tense

Beautiful memories from Sydney Fashion Week 2013 shared with Hannah and Rachel.

Good friends, food and clothes. What more could a girl ask for!?

1. Working away on my laptop 

2 & 3. Lunch at Cornersmith in Marrickville

4. Lunch at Youeni in Surry Hills

5. Posing for a polaroid with my Celine cabas bag

6. Estelle Deve wearing her own jewellery designs

7. After the Karla Spetic show

8 & 9. At Cafe Belgenny in Surry Hills wearing my

 Tome shirt and Unif.m leather pinafore

Photos by Rachel

fashion week polaroids

 A few street style Polaroids that Hannah, Rachel and I took at fashion week.

1. Candice and Zanita, 2. Aubrey, 3. Sara, 4. me, 5. Connie

vanishing elephant

Photos by Rachel Kara, Layout, Edit and Handwriting by Talisa Sutton, Words by Hannah-Rose Yee

We never thought that Vanishing Elephant would have a runway show. Their label - all cool-girl (and guy!) clothes for everyday living, the kind of things you wear to get steak at the Shakey - is more about the "after the show it's the after party", right? Well, that's what they did, a presentation down the catwalk that turned seamlessly into a warehouse party; just add cocktails and stir. It worked because that's what Vanishing Elephant are all about. Their slick suiting for guys and gals,  the leopard print shorts and silky tee shirts, the 'formal' parkas, belted over jacquard trousers were all made to be worn to a warehouse party. And, chances were, variations on those outfits lined the front row, the backstage, the general admission line and even the pit. Vanishing Elephant has become a ubiquitous feature in our everyday lives. And that deserves a party, doesn't it?

It's just as well that Vanishing Elephant have started doing womenswear, because the borrowed-from-the-boys look is starting to irritate the boys. For those still looking to mine the closets of their other half, there's plenty to scope out. The denim robe (a favourite of street style paparazzo Tommy Ton) is particularly fantastic, as is the polkadot sweatshirt and pants of look 17. This look was mirrored for the ladies at the next exit; a matching two-piece (one of the biggest trends to emerge from this season's runways) of buttoned-up shirt and trousers, emblazoned with oversized polkadots. Why not embrace the moment and add the boys' sweatshirt to the mix? Similarly, those bright floral pants from look 16 had a mate in the menswear version (drawstring waist shorts, for barbeques and beyond!) from the exit before. Couple dressing has never looked cuter.

It was this continuous thread from masculine to feminine and back again that emboldened the collection. Labels that show both sides of the coin sometimes tend to lose the symmetry that inspired them in the first place. Not so with Vanishing Elephant. The quirks of androgyny were still to be found in everything from those matching patterns to the styling (cleverly rendered, girls often wore the exact same ensembles as guys, with a flash of skin or an accessory thrown in for variation). Vanishing Elephant design for girls who are one of the boys, and boys who are as beautiful as the girls. And if that means suiting up for formal events next season, shirt, blazer, trousers and all, we have absolutely no problem with that.

See Rachel's posts on Ellery and Romance Was Born, Hannah's posts on Alice McCall, Kate Sylvester and Camilla & Marc and my previous posts on Manning Cartell, Karla Spetic and Christopher Esber. 

toko

 

Photos by Rachel Kara, Layout, Edit and Handwriting by Talisa Sutton, Words by Hannah-Rose Yee

Where did we find an oasis of calm during fashion week? Where did we find a few hours to sit down, away from the madness and unglamourous and tragedy (of parking tickets and forgotten memory cards, among other things), and be taken away to somewhere so perfect and simple, in the way that only good food and great cocktails can? The answer to that question is Toko, Sydney's best and most innovative Japanese restaurant, tucked into the heart of Crown Street, yet with the atmosphere and feel of a restaurant like nowhere else. 

Because it has such style. The cocktail list effortlessly blends Japanese flavours (there's a shochu caipiroska, and their famous bellinis add a dash of sake to the prosecco and peach juice mix), a sign of good things to come from the kitchen. We mused that it would be an excellent place to go on a date - streamlined and slick, how could it fail to make the best possible impression? - and we looked enviously over our shoulders at the family of six celebrating a birthday milestone with their signature dessert plate and sparklers. Toko is a restaurant made for celebrating - and celebrating in real style. 

The revamped and reinvigorated menu is a charming reflection of this. Featuring venison, baby squid and quail, tempered by Japanese flavours such as miso, ponzu and dashi, head chef Ben Orpwood has taken Toko back to its roots, with locally-sourced ingredients and exciting (surprising, even) flavour combinations. The slippery Garfish, rolled elegantly into a coil and seasoned with yuzu and ginko nuts was warily approached but swiftly embraced; the flavour a sophisticated play of fresh sea-water and fragrant herbs. One of our most-loved dishes of the evening was the spiced tofu squares, effortlessly partnered with an avocado salsa. We also made room for Toko's new favourite dish - pork belly with apple relish - well worth the hype. Even after plates of this (as well as maki rolls, seared wagyu beef, vegetable tempura and scallops) we indulged in one of Toko's beautiful desserts (well, when in rome!). The coconut pannacotta - all light-handed creaminess, pierced through with the lovely acidity of strawberries - was the perfect end to our meal. We started on the short walk back to our hotel and back to reality (late-nights editing photos, writing reviews and putting together blog posts) but we felt refreshed, revived and, well, lucky. Not everyone gets to go to Japan for dinner on a Wednesday night. 

We stole a moment with new head-chef Ben Orpwood to talk about fresh produce, new blood, and cooking at home:

1. How would you describe Toko's cuisine?

 I like to describe Toko's food as authentic yet not traditional Japanese... by this I mean we use authentic Japanese ingredients, authentic Japanese cooking and serving techniques, and we pair this with contemporary cooking and flavours to cater for the western palette while staying true to our Japanese roots. 

2. What can diners expect from Toko's new tasting menu?

The tasting menu is notoriously hard to change, as it’s kind of a Toko favourites menu... we have added a Venison Carpaccio which has been received incredibly well. We did this to try and get people interested in new flavours and different meats. I grew up in the country side and Venison was a staple for us, so I like to introduce people to different flavours in a palatable way. The new pork belly dish with apple and wasabi is flying out of the kitchen.... It’s our version of pork and apple sauce, again a familiar flavour done in an authentic Japanese way. 

3. How did you get your start in the restaurant business? 

When I was 16 I applied for an apprenticeship at Queens College Cambridge... In hospitality you get bitten by this bug and you stuck with it. My old catering manager would say to my you get out what you put in, so after I qualified as a cook I went to London to put in and see what I got out. I came away with an amazing journey that took me from London to Istanbul, to Dubai and Sydney... 

4. What is your favourite item of produce that you work with at Toko? 

What makes it so special? The best produce to work with at the moment would be the local seafood; Garfish, Baby Squid and Mackerel. I’m very much about supporting the local fishermen and local industries. Being able to use fish caught locally is a wonderful privilege. In Dubai most of the food is imported from France, UK or Australia and you’re dealing with the middle man sales person, for me, this is sad. I like to be able to talk with the guy as close to the produce as possible, at Toko we are very lucky to work with some of the best in the business, Frank from De Costi and Ishisan at Wellstone. 

5. What is your favourite meal to cook at home? 

Cooking at home is a bit of a luxury as my wife works in the restaurant business as well, so we are really never home.. But when I am, I love baking... I bake bread and pastries, there is normally a tart of some kind in our fridge. Also we have a small garden, so cooking with what I have grown is something I really enjoy... The last thing I cooked at home was butter milk fried chicken with a coleslaw with kohlrabi, radishes and cabbage from the garden. 

Thankyou for having us Toko!

the last sitting

 

Polaroids taken backstage at Kate Sylvester.

Head over to Hannah's blog to see our full coverage from the show.

manning cartell

 

 

Photos by Rachel Kara, Layout, Edit and Handwriting by Talisa Sutton, Words by Hannah-Rose Yee

 

In our circle of friends we have name for this season's Manning Cartell girl - all short skirts, long legs, big earrings and bigger hair. We call them 'badgals'. They're the ones who party the hardest - and why not in little short suits or geometric bodycon mini dresses with their bandeau bras peeking out - and the ones who really get it all started in the first place. They always know what song to play (Beastie Boys Groove Holmes was playing while guests filed into the show, a real winner) and they look the best dancing to it. They rock a statement lip (for Manning Cartell it was a bright hit of orange) and some truly outsized jewellery. For badgals fashion is a fun, playful thing to be enjoyed rather than over-analysed. And secretly we all want to be one.

For a brand that made its name on event-dressing this collection had a remarkable focus on separates. Shorts were the focus, cast in a veritable candy shop of eye-catching lurex, silky-smooth satin and buttery-soft leather. Manning Cartell is the queen of the short suit, and this season's version offered a buffet of choices; you could pair your shorts with a cropped boxy jacket, a longer-line trapeze coat (in sheer fabrics with geometric applique or in a bold print), with leather toppers or a motorcycle jacket zipped up tight. They're not exactly office-appropriate but that doesn't really matter, not when there are parties to go to. Manning Cartell is seeking to reclaim the formal shorts and also the formal midriff. Some of the best looks paired thigh-skimming shorts with matching crop tops. For the brave and beautiful, it's an ensemble that would really turn heads.

The collection was fun, and youthful, and carefree, which was kind of the point. Sometimes fashion shouldn't be too serious. Badgals aren't worried about things like direction and metaphor, they only want to look good and have a great time. And that's exactly what Manning Cartell caters for.

See Rachel's posts on Ellery and Romance Was Born, Hannah's posts on Kate Sylvester and Camilla & Marc and my previous posts on Karla Spetic and Christopher Esber. 

style notes

Can't believe fashion week is almost over... These are two of my outfits from earlier this week, I have
since moved on to sneakers and silk pajamas because at the moment comfort is key!

Unif.m leather pinafore, Tome shirt, Zimmermann clutch, RMK heels

Photographed by Nicole Cooper for ASOS

Unif.m dress, Zimmermann clutch, Dries Van Noten heels

Photographed by YoungJun Koo for NY Mag

karla spetic

 

Photos by Rachel Kara, Layout, Edit and Handwriting by Talisa Sutton, Words by Hannah-Rose Yee

The Karla Spetic girl is all woman. She proved that today with her beautiful show, held bright and early on day 2 of MBFWA in the white expanses of the Ray Hughes gallery in Surry Hills. There, the models sipped on green juice and had their hair loosely plaited down their backs. Their nails were painted in pastel shades of Essie sweetness and their faces were scrubbed bare; the picture of youthful vibrancy coming into their own. The week so far has been all about confidence; camilla and marc's power femme-fatale, Christopher Esber's singularity, Romance Was Born's defiance and creativity. The confidence on the runway at Karla Spetic was a kind of grown-up loveliness. These were the girls - the lolitas of old - who used to prance around in peekaboo lace shifts and sheer organza confections, who picnicked at hanging rock and who blew kisses at the camera. Now, seasons on, with famous fans (Natalie Joos! Susie Bubble!) sitting front row and editors clamouring to take their seats, the confidence in the room was palpable.

The strength of Spetic's design lies in her ability to relay femininity for the modern woman. The usual trappings of girly dressing are her hallmarks - the flounces, the frills, the lace, the Barbie-perfect fuschia - but she translates them to the real world effortlessly and without pretension. The leading finale look was a shift dresses with delicate spaghetti straps, embellished with lace panelling and a soft flounce. It hang straight and true from the shoulders, hemline grazing the knee of the model, imbued with all kinds of knowing innocence. The perfect white silk suit was completed with a sheer tee shirt with oversized floral applique. Toned midriffs - the Karla Spetic girl has a great body as well as great hair - poked out from cropped shirts with flirty flounces. This was sweetness without the saccharine taste left behind in the mouth, this was femininity without the frou, this was innocence without the naivety.

Entitled 'Faith', this moniker seemed remarkably apt upon reflection. Not just because of the Jesus prints that emblazoned circle skirts and little blouses, but because of the open-armed way the collection was presented. Spetic asked very little of the audience, other than that they enjoy, and you could tell that. The models walked gracefully and without hurry, the show moved with a quiet elegance and the designs made steady ripples as opposed to the crash and bang of waves. Bright colours tempered with soft silhouettes, the flirtatiousness of lace given a wink and a smile with boxy shapes, sheer panels completed by a high neckline and buttoned-up sexiness. This art of balance was nowhere better epitomised than by Spetic herself, who took a bow in the collection's stand-out silky jumpsuit completed with a pair of converse. A woman in control. 

This is our first review from day two! See Rachel's post on Romance Was Born, Hannah's post on Camilla & Marc and Keep your eyes out for our Ellery and Manning Cartell reviews coming soon.