Wednesday 28 November 2012

Blogger picks: stasia fox

In an exciting new blogger project, I have asked a few fellow bloggers to pick one of the 7AL pieces from the first collection, style it and then model it in a mini photo-shoot in one of the famous Melbourne alleyways. 

First up, we have the lovely Anastasia from stasiafox.com who chose to style the 20th century gladiator necklace.

 

Don't forget to like the official Seven Autumn Leaves jewelry facebook page 

And head to the website www.sevenautumnleaves.com to pick your favourite!

Friday 23 November 2012

Coffee With: Cathleen Jia

I'm excited to introduce a new series on the blog called 'Coffee with...' where I get to know and interview a few people from the fashion industry who truly inspire me. First off, I'm happy to start off with the talented designer Cathleen Jia who I caught up with over coffee a few weeks ago to discuss her journey with her label 'Cathleen Jia'

 
Tell me a little about yourself and your fashion background.

When I’m not working I enjoy having great coffees around Melbourne but lately I’ve been working seven days a week so life has been very very hard.
I’ve always wanted to do fashion but I didn’t get into fashion design straight away I started doing retail first because it’s such a competitive field and I wanted to just get a touch of fashion. Then I worked along a bridal industry while I was doing retail. After the business closed down, I got a job at Anna Campbell and she absolutely inspired me to do my own thing. Because I’m an odd shape, I wanted to design dresses I wanted to wear, I didn’t think about capital or anything.

Do you follow trends when you design your collections?

I don’t follow trends at all. Lately it’s been one of the hardest things because trying to get stockers and things like that has been hard because the Australian buyer market is very conservative, they don’t like to venture out there and experiment. They just want to buy what they know will work and sell. I get asked “why are you not doing pastels for spring?” but just because every other person does it, what am I offering that is different? And I’m not competing with all those people who want to mass-produce and sell them overseas at xx price; I like to take care of my garments, I make them myself. It’s all about timeless and classic garments.

So how and when did you start your label “Cathleen Jia”?

I started in September of last year. That’s when my business was registered and I had my first photoshoot in October. As to why I started, it was just time to do something for me.

Describe your label, your latest collection and your inspirations. 

Cathleen Jia is all about classic, beautiful dresses with beautiful fabrics that drape on the body. Taking inspiration from your screen goddess from the 1940s-1950s, that era when everything was very elegant and ladylike. I want to celebrate the female body, not everyone is a size 6. 
My latest collection, High Society, is inspired by the gorgeous Grace Kelly and the movie High Society. I don’t see this collection having a time frame on it.
I also design around fabrics and embellishments. I don’t draw things down, I’m constantly thinking about them in my head. I see an embellishment or piece of lace and create something and design around that feature.

 Taken in Angelique boutique in Armadale
 
How do you keep the balance between the creative and business aspects of running the label?

I’m a very business focused person to begin with. While having creativity, I don’t just make really beautiful dresses and let my imagination run wild and not think about who’s going to wear this and how it’s going to fit into the market. It is hard because most of the time you just want to put hundreds of meters in a skirt and make that work but then you’ll be charging a client like five thousand dollars for a cocktail dress! You have to set yourself boundaries.

And finally, what advice would you give to those seeking a career in clothing design or fashion in general?

I would tell them to be very thick-skinned, persistent and work hard. If you want to be in the fashion industry thinking it’s going to be glamorous and beautiful and you’re going to be the next John Galliano immediately, forget it. Don’t get into it thinking you’re going to be rich and the next big thing. It’s a very hard industry and not as glamorous as it seems. Be in it because you love it; don’t be in it for any other reason. At the end of the day I work seven days a week, if I didn’t love it I would’ve given up maybe five months ago.


Tuesday 20 November 2012

Pearls & Chambray

I love mixing and matching styles because you never know what you will get as a result. I wanted to put a ladylike twist to the classic chambray blouse so what better way to achieve that than pairing it up with pearls and a pencil skirt?

What do you think of it?


Wearing: Blouse: H&M / Skirt: Target / Shoes: Brian Atwood / Bag: Michael Kors / Necklace: Equip / Earrings: Portmans


 

Sunday 18 November 2012

Shopping Sunday: under $60

When I go to an online store, usually the first category I click on is the sales category. It's something about snatching a bargain that makes me excited and convince myself that I've spent my money wisely. When you have other expenses most of the time you need to justify purchases over $100 so I have saved you some time by picking out some items on Shopbop that are less than $60 so you can shop guilt-free.

Hope you're having a fabulous Sunday! x




Friday 16 November 2012

7AL rings & pendants

A white tee is the perfect black canvas to highlight other aspects of the outfit and showcase any jewellery. Everyone needs a white tee in their wardrobe (or 5). It is one of the most versatile key pieces of clothing that is a definite timeless staple. I have chosen to wear a white tee with some of my Seven Autumn Leaves rings and pendants because of the reasons mentioned above but also because it shows that they are pieces that speak for themselves. The wooden colour of the plywood and the translucency of the perspex exist naturally against a blank white background and show how easily you can style these pieces by simply pairing them up with a plain white tee.



You can find all of those pieces on the official Seven Autumn Leaves online store: www.sevenautumnleaves.com

Have a great weekend! x


Sunday 11 November 2012

Shopping Sunday: relaxed chic

I have literally just clicked on 'upload' and submitted my last assignment and after all those sleepless nights and being a big unsocial caterpillar, I can officially say I can welcome my summer break with open arms! It is the most relaxing feeling once all the work is behind you and you don't have to think about it for a few months. I can't wait to catch-up with friends and go out for a coffee and/or shopping date. To channel my new found relaxed-self, I have picked out a few pieces I thought would be perfect for the start of summer.
Hope everyone is having a good summer!










Friday 9 November 2012

Happy Movember


 Hi everyone! I can't believe movember is here already, this year has passed by so quickly I feel. I'd like to also say I'm sorry I have been M.I.A again for the past week or so and that's because of my assignments that have resulted in me getting 5 hours of sleep at most in the past 2 weeks. Blame uni for my lack of posts! I do finish this week though so the finish line is nearing and I'll have about 3 and half months off. yay summer!

I wanted also wanted to share two pieces of news with you. Firstly, I'm back on the style panel for the second time at What Should I Wear.com which is a lovely community that I have been a part of since January. Check it out, sign up and I'll see you all there!



Secondly, if you didn't watch the V & S show this Tuesday the hosts Victoria and Sasha looked fab in Seven Autumn Leaves pieces which I shared photos in an earlier post. The girls announced a Seven Autumn Leaves giveaway taking place on their fb page so check it out and enter the comp to win a 7AL piece of your own!


Have a lovely weekend all, and hope you enjoy it and you're not stuck writing a 3000 word essay like I am!

Sunday 4 November 2012

Shopping Sunday: Goot florals

Josh Goot is, without a doubt, one of my favourite Australian designers of all time. His minimalist yet feminine pieces are aesthetic masterpieces which make every girl fall in love with them. In the spirit of the races, I have chosen to share some of his floral printed pieces which are absolutely perfect for the occasion. They are the ultimate spring/summer staples that you could wear for many years to come.



Josh Goot also designs Jackets, Tops & Vests with his unique floral prints.


Friday 2 November 2012

Off to the races

It's Melbourne racing season and I wanted to style some of the Seven Autumn Leaves pieces as race wear to showcase how versatile they can be.

Last week I posted the newest addition to the 7AL collection where I wore the necklace as a headband for Caulfield Cup (see post here). In these photos I decided to wear one of my personal favourites from the collection which is an edgy piece because of its heavy presence of geometry.This was inspired from a 20th century designed chair I came across at the museum and just fell in love with the geometric masterpiece the alignment of lines had created.

Shop here for the 20th century gladiator necklace or choose one of the many others available on the online store


Wearing: Zara blouse / Forever New fascinator / Seven Autumn Leaves necklace