E: vanja@vanjastace.com | P: +61 (0) 425 433 335
Digital marketing & design
Shoes – I love ‘em! The quirkier the better. Since discovering Jeffrey Campbell shoes at Solestruck my shoe-drobe has developed a rather interesting personality.
I own a few pairs of JCs and I ALWAYS get compliments. I mean, I love the shoes but compliments make it so much better. I get them shipped to the office and then my colleagues insist on a mini fashion show. It would be rude of me to say no, wouldn’t it!?
Brisbane boho luxe fashion label Surafina celebrated the opening of their Paddington store on Friday 21st October. The launch was a who’s-who of the Brisbane fashion scene, packed with media and the glitterati. Surafina designers Laura Hart and Rechelle Vidakovic looked stunning in their own designs as they welcomed guests.
The entire collection was available for purchase which kept the store girls quite busy. I couldn’t resist the temptation and I bought a gorgeous red one shoulder top. Surafina prices are unbelievable; I fell in love with a tailored linen jacket and it was only $199.
Check out the full Surafina Summer 2012 collection online and if you’re near Paddington go and visit their store. You won’t regret it!
Willow & Lotus Phoenix, Sandra Darling and Vanja Stace
Rechelle Vidakovic (Surafina) and Vanja Stace
Daniel Alexander Couture recently moved to a bigger space in Fortitude Valley and Daniel invited me to visit the new showroom.
His new space at 39 Berwick Street in Fortitude Valley is actually a funky warehouse which now houses his workroom and showroom. There are no hangers in the showroom – instead, fully dressed mannequins decorate the space. Daniel says that now that his clients see dresses in a three dimensional form, they rarely try them on.
The showroom feels more like an exhibition space than a store. The emphasis is on displaying pieces with as much drama as possible. He achieves this with subtle lighting and negative space – the more dramatic a piece, the more space it receives.
If you visited Daniel Alexander Couture in his former Ann Street store you would have met his gorgeous pooch Vivian (she was named after Julia Roberts’ character in Pretty Woman – how cute!). Vivian was more than happy to pose for my photos and at the end I was tempted to sneak her into my bag and take her home.
Daniel has ambitions plans for the showroom and an opening party the town will never forget. I will do my best to keep you posted but for now here are some photos I took of his new space.
Daniel Alexander in his Fortitude Valley showroom
Vivian
Daniel Alexander
Images © Vanja Stace 2011
Brisbane fashion powerhouse Easton Pearson just opened their ‘EP by Easton Pearson‘ pop up store in Winn Lane. Pamela Easton and Lydia Pearson celebrated this milestone only days after their diffusion line ’EP by Easton Pearson‘ made its debut at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival (Brisbane) with the 2011 Cruise collection.
The pop up store opening was a Mexican fiesta themed event; lively and thoroughly enjoyable. Sangria, floating corn chip bowls and breaking of the piñata were a great touch. A few well aimed hangers and that piñata exploded with abundance, glittery feather necklaces poured out. No sooner than they were gathered in baskets, Pamela and Lydia offered them to their guests. That was most kind – they participated so joyously and then shared the love and made sure everyone left with a little token of their appreciation.
Thank you once again to Easton Pearson for having me at the fiesta, I had a fantastic time and I’m glad I got to share this moment with you all.
Vanja x
Piñata time! Lydia Pearson and Pamela Easton give it their best shot
Pamela Easton sharing treats
Salita Matthews, her mum Renu Matthews and myself
Danny Stace
Monday 22nd August 2011 was a big day for Brisbane store Izabel & Sebastian. They showcased their labels in a show at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival (Brisbane) and hosted a secret garden soiree at their store after the show.
Patrick, Izabel & Sebastian owner, told me that the show was fantastic and their labels made an impact on the catwalk (see photos on the Izabel & Sebastian blog). They showed their Brisbane labels Bianca Batson, Emma Rea and House of Ezis. Unfortunately there was a mishap on the runway, a model stumbled and grazed her leg, but these things happen sometimes. I hear that she carried on despite the accident and finished her walk like a pro.
Danny and myself attended the secret garden soiree themed after party at the Izabel & Sebastian store in Southbank. It gave me a chance to browse through the racks and shelves and drool over a few new Melissa styles. I couldn’t not make a purchase, I mean I was already there and it just had to be done.
The party had a great turnout and a fabulous time was had by all.
Izabel & Sebastian information
Wesley – Izabel & Sebastian security guard
Anni & Thiago
Wesley and Patrick
Melissa wedges
The security guard had a thing for me…
Frockshop, the legendary Brisbane based online store, has launched its own capsule collection called ‘fs by Frockshop’.
Heralded as a collection of ‘the missing pieces from your wardrobe’ it celebrates colour in soft, feminine fabrics and cuts devoid of frivolity.
Priced between $90 and $250 it is guiltless shopping at its best. For a 10% discount on your next ‘fs by Frockshop’ purchase enter FSBYFROCKSHOP at the checkout. Hurry, code expires on 31st of August.
>> Shop fs by Frockshop at Frockshop.com
Lily Frock $250
Miann Playsuit $150
Torah Frock $150
Davina Tank $90, Ella Maxi Skirt $140
When I was in New York last month I shopped like a maniac. Sephora, Betsey Johnson, Barneys – you name it. The most frustrating thing? Not being able to shop at these places now I’m back in Australia. Enter USA Shopping Affair!
USA Shopping Affair offers personal shopping buying sprees in the USA as well as mail forwarding for all your online shopping all the way to Australia.
Each month they nominate a US online retailer that they purchase bulk orders on behalf of clients, allowing them to buy single items without the excessive expense.
Charmaine Graham, founder of USA Shopping Affair says that “there are a lot of companies based in the US offering package forwarding services, but none are coordinated from Australia consolidating multiple client purchases to enable discounted shipping. Essentially USA Shopping Affair facilitates ‘collective buying power’ that an individual would not normally have access too. The result is an affordable and reliable shipping option that offers online shoppers even more incentive to snap up bargains from the US.”
VS
Register now at USA Shopping Affair and start shopping!
Sgt Sookie is an online store based in Melbourne. They sell new and vintage clothing and accessories from Australia and overseas.
They travel overseas on a regular basis hand picking gorgeous additions to the store. From Paris, Tokyo and New York, they work the market scene tirelessly just for you.
I found quite a few items I like, in dresses and accessories as well. I just wish the model would crack a smile, I feel like giving her a hug!
>> For my readers only! Get 10% off EVERYTHING by entering FASHION2011 at the checkout.
The first Queensland PeepToe store opened today in Queens Plaza. The store sparkled when we went in, the jewellery is divine. My fave shoes are these ones below, I love the colours and the shape.
My day today started with chocolate torte for breakfast and a new skirt for dessert. C’est magnifique!
So you love new designers but they’re hard to find outside your city. ASOS Marketplace changes that. It’s a collection of young, up-and-coming talent from across the globe. Dive in! Discover something new…
And what a block it is! Accross the road from Libertine and Sass & Bide, this new store lives up to its name with a modern mix of clothes and accessories to suit every style. What’s even better, there’s a SALE on at Melange so if you’re near James Street make sure you pop in and say hi.
During my short trip to Melbourne I had found the cutest store – Harem Boutique on Brunswick Street. The store assistant had kindly allowed me to take some photos of the interior, it’s just too gorgeous to keep it a secret.
This could be your project :)
