HIGH HEELS SOCIETY

Do you have an uncontrollable urge to purchase tremendous shoes aka Carrie from Sex and the City?

Don’t worry, you are not alone.

On August 20 Limes Hotel Rooftop Bar launch its monthly event ‘The High Heels Society” where women can get together, wear their latest shoe obsession, watch a complimentary film and win big fashion prizes!

The monthly gatherings will include judging of the most outrageously fabulous shoes & the winner is up for some great prizes.

To become a High Heels Society member visit Limes.

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MBFF DAY 3: FINETTI, JOHNSTON & HO

Day 3 @ MBFF was yet another sweltering Queensland winter’s day but the Mercedes-Benz Group Show 7 showcasing; Nicola Finetti, Kirrily Johnston, Pink Mint (featuring Jenny Bannister) & Lisa Ho was a breath of fresh air.

Undoubtedly the best assemblage of designer compilations @ MBFF this year, Kirrily Johnson & Lisa Ho’s collections were feminine, wearable & beautiful.

The stand out of the evening was indisputably Finetti’s stunningly tailored collection, mixing strikingly bold colours with blacks, whites & natural tones.

Undeniably the best show so far!

While some may consider the festival all but over, there are still 3 days of events ahead, including Thursday night's wrap party @ Cloudland. Visit MBFF for more details.

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MBFF DAY 2: GRBAC TRIUMPH

Day 2 of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival was jam-packed with fashion frivolity.

The Sunday Mail Group Show, set against the backdrop of Brisbane’s grandiose City Hall, was an undoubted highlight featuring; Chelsea de Luca, Talulah, Katlyn Aslett, Sacha Drake, Pia du Pradal, & Grbac.

Most wearable collections were Talulah & Sacha Drake, both channeling fabulously bright summer hues.

The dazzling Juli Grbac, of Project Runway fame, showcased her fresh ready to wear collection Juli Grbac (that will retail at the more modest price point $300 - $500 as opposed to $500 - $2,000 for her Grbac label) to a convivial throng of fashion followers.

With Vogue’s Kristie Clements & Kristi Hinze front row, this distinctive show was a must!

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HINZE & PERDIS TALK UP QLD FASH-PAK

Kristi Hinze & Napolean Perdis talked up the Queensland Fash-Pak & Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival in Brisbane this morning on Mornings with Kerri-Anne.

Both Hinze & Perdis gave glowing references to Queensland designers & Brisbane’s audience of consumer fashionistas attending this year’s MBFF.

For more on this interview visit the KAK website.

Hinze will be in Brisbane this week attending a range of high-profile shows including tonight's Sunday Mail Group Show featuring last season's Project Runway winner Juli Grbac.

Perdis is presenting today @ the National Media Lunch & Napoleon Perdis make-up colour trend forecast @ GoMA.

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JUNIPER GROUP SHOW HAS SOUL

Astronomical Akira delivered tonight in the sold out Soul by Juniper Group Show showcasing; Akira, Camargue & Easton Pearson.

In a coup for Brisbane, Akira’s current collection debuted for the first time globally on the catwalk at Brisbane’s iconic City Hall, alongside local retail institution Camargue & Queensland powerhouse label Easton Pearson.

Festival Director, Lindsay Bennett & Brisbane’s Lord Mayor Campbell Newman launched tonight’s show with a salute to public support for the festival.

The Rosemount 0 Bar @ Sebel Citygate played host to post show revelers in true Fashion Festival style.

Some tickets are still available for shows during the week, visit MBFF for more details.

View full photo gallery @ news.com.au

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SWIMWEAR DOES NOT DISAPPOINT

The vibrant Portside Wharf @ Hamilton & the glamorous 60 metre MV Fantasea Ammari were the ultra chic backdrops for the sold out Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival Swimwear Group Show.

While fashion followers sat valiantly in the 30 degree heat that is Brisbane’s winter, models clad in the incandescent collections of; Flamingo Sands, Riot Swimwear, Karen Neilsen, White Sands, Rebecca Manning Swim & Colin Heaney flowed from the impressive Ammari onto the Wharf.

There was a veritable profusion of colour presented across all collections ranging from cut-out one-pieces & low-riding Brazilian briefs to a much fuller pant, reminiscent of the 1950’s. Swimwear is not alone in its return to 50’s glamour, with European & Australian designers seeking inspiration from this era in ready to wear collections for the coming season.

Concluding with a river cruise on the MV Fantasea Amari under the clear blue sky, 2009’s MBFF Swimwear Group Show once again lived up to the hype.

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MBFF MAKES A SPLASH!

Today is the calm before the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival storm.

What better way to kick off a festival of all things fashion in Queensland than a sold out Day 1 @ Portside Wharf for the Swimwear parade.

Traditionally the Swimwear show is a standout for MBFF & tomorrow promises to be no exception.

Watch this space for updates over the coming week @ MBFF or visit MBFF for the full program.


(Image: MBFF)
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EXTREME STILETTO FALLS TO FLATS

Just as we'd managed to convince ourselves that 17cm heels were a practical footwear option, rather than the modern equivalent of foot-binding, designers have made a radical U-turn.

Flats are back. You could call it fashion's banking crisis: heels rose to unsustainable heights and, as with the recession, no one quite saw the fall coming.

Now, even Britain's Trades Union Congress has jumped in on the act. Earlier this month it announced that high heels are demeaning to women and should not be worn in the office. Make of this what you will, but its suggestion that women should wear "sensible shoes" has inadvertently put the TUC in the same style camp as Vogue and it is unclear which party is more surprised.

News that pancake soles are the new vanguard of style will be a shock for many women (not to mention their shortened Achilles tendons). Sales of flat shoes may be up by 20 per cent at Selfridges, but the thrill of prancing about on a pair of toughened knitting needles is impossible to recreate with both feet safely on the ground.

Let's be clear, even though Christopher Kane, Hannah MacGibbon at Chloe, Calvin Klein and Lanvin's Alber Elbaz endorsed flat shoes on the catwalk, your old scuffed ballet slippers will not be at the forefront of fashion next season. That would be too straightforward.

Kane, who is fast becoming one of the most influential designers around, is adamant about the type of flats he deems acceptable. "Is it ballet pumps?" he asks. "In my opinion, no; flats need to be more boyish."

They must have attitude too...


Image (Tracey Gillinder @ Jimmy Choo, Sydney) & article published in The Australian newspaper, Wednesday 19th August 2009. To read the entire article visit The Australian.

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IT GIRL: TARA MOSS

With the impending release of her 5th novel, we celebrate this Siren’s fondness for stilettos…


WHAT MAKES YOU A DEDICATED SHOE ADDICT?
In researching my first novel Fetish, about a killer with a penchant for stilettos, I think I inadvertently gave myself a shoe fetish. I own perhaps fifty pairs of shoes.

YOUR FAVOURITE PAIR & WHY?
It is impossible to choose, but my fifteen year old black satin YSL evening shoes & my red Manolo Blahniks have to be up there.

YOUR SHOE PHILOSOPHY?
The higher the heels, the closer to God.

For more on Tara Moss's Siren visit www.taramoss.com

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GUCCI FALL WINTER 2009-2010

Champagne flowed & limousines were packed this week on the Gold Coast when style mistress & Courier Mail columnist Elizabeth Clarke hosted Gucci’s fall winter 2009-2010 collection launch.

While this collection is far more adaptive from day to evening it is no less glamorous. A nod to British style, it has a dash of 80’s. Metallics, asymmetrical stripes, shots of turquoise, bold shoulders, short dresses, kimonos & draped tops. All Über sexy & easily revised from work to party mode.

The amazing over the knee ‘division’ boot & gorgeous 'riddle’ boot with buckles & lace up front detail have fuss free side zip closure for easy booting up!

This collection rocks, so get your Gucci on.

Head to your nearest boutique or visit Gucci.com

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THESE SHOES AREN'T MADE FOR WALKING...

Hilarious clip of staffers @ New York Magazine attempting to walk in current collections gargantuan heels.

One of the funniest things I've seen this season. (Aside from models doing Bambi's first steps impersonations on catwalks @ Fashion Weeks all over the globe...)

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GUCCI RONSON POP-UP

Still on sneakers; luxury fashion house Gucci has joined forces with music mogul & producer, Mark Ronson, to launch the Gucci Icon-Temporary flash pop-up sneaker store that is set to travel the world.

Ronson, who has produced a string of hit records with No1 selling artists such as, Lily Allen & Amy Winehouse, has teamed up with Gucci’s creative director Frida Giannini to design a collection of limited edition Gucci Ronson sneakers.

Out in October, the range consists of 16 men’s styles and 2 women’s styles incorporating classic Gucci design signatures, such as the GG logo and a stylised version of the iconic Gucci red and green web detail. The sneakers will also come with silver or gold metal dog tags attached, with customers having the option to purchase customised leather dog tags with their initials on the laces.

The duo are set to host a celebratory launch party at the 1st flash store in New York on 23rd October. The NY pop-up will stay open for just two weeks and be decorated in a slick white gloss and an oversized red and green web band that wraps around its perimeter.

In December the flash store will then move from New York to Miami, continuing on to select cities in Europe and Asia such as London, Berlin, Paris, Hong Kong and Tokyo. At each international destination of the tour a new limited edition Gucci Ronson sneaker will be introduced. Sadly there are no destinations in Oz for this venture, but every customer that manages to snag a pair from overseas will also receive a custom 12-inch vinyl record with exclusive tracks, produced by Mark Ronson, as a gift with the Gucci Ronson sneaker.

Any potential for a snippet of this collection to reach down-under? I am told by a source @ Gucci that Ronson sneakers 'may be able to be sourced' from the US. Any interested candadites should check in @ Gucci Stores.


For more information visit www.gucci.com

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BLING IT ON!

Global footwear & apparel player Adidas will launch a diamond studded edition of sneakers on the occasion of its 60th anniversary in January 2010, as part of its lifestyle brand 'Adidas Originals'.

The special 'Superstar Diamond Shoe' will feature the three leaf logo & be embedded with six 0.02 carat diamonds along the stripes of each shoe. While only available exclusively @ Adidas Originals stores, I don't suspect we'll see them in Australia.

"The shoes inherit Adidas' legacy of soulful and stylish designs with six 0.02 carat diamonds skillfully embedded along the stripes on each shoe. The stylish Swarovski crystals studded on the accessories accompanying the shoe add on the extra style quotient," Adidas says.

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DJ's FASHION PACK

Hundreds of fashion pack, celebrities and designers watched yesterday as Miranda Kerr strutted the catwalk for David Jones Australian-themed Spring Summer launch at Sydney's Hordern Pavilion.

Bright flowing dresses and bohemian styles dominated the collections and were mixed with a healthy dose of animal prints and metallics, with the stand out being the gorgeous Kerr dazzling in a stunning off the shoulder red Alex Perry dress at the parade's close.

Celebrities such as actor Miranda Otto, ANTM host Charlotte Dawson and former DJ’s ambassador Megan Gale (this is Gale’s 3rd session on the bench) sat runway-side during the parade, as did leading fashion editor Vogue's Kirstie Clements.

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DESTINATION HAWAII, HONOLULU

Tracey's article in Jetstar Magazine this month:

Honolulu, on the island of Oahu, is one of the world’s most exotic cities. Encapsulating a modern vitality with the delightful charm of old Hawaiian, it reverberates with Aloha, the spirit of welcome.

MUST EATS:
Tony Roma’s – A Place For Ribs, for a casual lunch or dinner of ribs, seafood and steak. I recommend the baby back ribs with half an onion loaf to start. Not healthy, but a must try!

BEST NIGHT OUT:
Walking through Waikiki at night, wandering in and out of the Boutiques (especially during sale time @ Christmas), followed by shopping at the International Market Place. Be sure to stop at the Yard House on Waikiki Beach Walk for a drink.

MUST BUY (Money no object!):
A bottle of Moët at 2am for US$35 (AUD$43.50) at Hawaii’s 24 hour convenience stores called ABC – just because you can!

INSIDERS TIP:
Waikele Premium Outlets is a must-do day trip, about 25 minutes’ drive from Waikiki. You’ll find great American brands such as; Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger as well as imports. Purchase a voucher book for US$5 (AU$6.20) and it will save you lots of money.

BEST IDEA FOR A FAMILY OUTING:
Hire a car and drive around Oahu island. The winter waves at North Shore are incredible and you may get to see a pro surfer or two? The shrimp vans at the side of the ring road are excellent lunch stops.

I LOVE HONOLULU BECAUSE:
It’s relaxed, casual and laid back, with some great bargains to be had. There’s something remarkable about sky-high palm trees, white sandy beaches and the Waikiki sunset.

Go to Jestar Magazine

(Image published in Jetstar Mag, photographed by Michael Greves)

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VOGUE'S 50th BIRTHDAY BASH

Sydney's bash of the year was indisputably Vogue's 50th Birthday celebrations, with the who's-who of the fashion industry, political heavyweights & VIPs in attendance.

The 50th Anniversary issue is not out until this Wednesday 5th August & while those on the inside were trying to keep the cover under wraps, blogger & new media enthusiast Patty Huntington of, Frockwriter fame, has already posted the scanned versions featuring the gorgeous Cate Blanchett. (Pictured: Vogue Editor, Kirsty Clements).

Go to Courier Mail Photo Gallery

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THE BEAUTY & DANGER OF SIREN

Tara Moss delivers a world of beauty and danger, of French cabaret and terrible revenge in her 5th literary installment, Siren.

Famous for her hands on research, Tara was set on fire by Hollywood stunt company West EFX, choked unconscious by Ultimate Fighter 'Big' John McCarthy, and earned her PI licence for this latest novel.

Best of all, Mak is back.

Mak Vanderwall - beautiful, street-wise daughter of a cop, graduate in forensic psychology, and now PI - is hired by a widowed mother to track down her missing nineteen-year-old son. Has he come to harm? Or has he run off with a bizarre troupe of shady French cabaret artists sweeping through Australia? Has the dark beauty of the burlesque, the magic, the mind-bending contortion, beguiled him? Or has he been seduced by the mysterious and amoral older woman who has a terrifying starring role in the troupe's modern performances of the Grand Guignol 'Theatre of Fear', famous in Paris in the early 1900s? And what of the rumours of violence and tragedy that have plagued the troupe for the past decade? Is their horrifying past fact or fiction?

Meanwhile, Mak is increasingly obsessed with the powerful Cavanagh family, one of Australia's richest and most ruthless families, whom she believes has got away with murder. And it seems their security advisor Mr White, and his hit man, Luther Hand, may not have forgotten about Mak either ...

Tara will be on tour throughout Australia in September, catch her in the closest captial city near you!

Pre order Siren now. After all, who can resist a good thriller series that began with a stiletto murderer?

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WANT TO BE A NATIVE NEW YORKER?

Fancy an evening coctail @ the rooftop bar (pictured) of the Gansevoort Hotel, complete with 360 degree views of New York City & the Hudson River?

Perhaps dinner at the tremendously chic Pastis, made famous for its frequent appearances in Sex in The City? Private shopping experiences at Sale prices?

Design legend Daniel Lightfoot & style aficionado Margo Bowers will wisk you away on the trip of a lifetime, the Native New Yorker Tour.

A few short blocks away from Times Square exists a city beyond your wildest imagination. A place of underpriced designer fashions and overpriced cup cakes. Where bars and lounges can resemble Marie Antoinette's apartment or your grandparents living room in the 70's but equally represent the essence of chic.

Daniel & Margo will take you on to the New York tourist rarely experience. From Freemans, a hidden culinary gem in the grungy East side, to the fashionable Bar American in midtown, to the Blue Note Jazz venue in the fashionable West Village.

Discover New York City away from the tourist trail where locals dine, shop & party.

And for one brief shining moment - you are a New Yorker!

Not busy this November? For more details contact Debra Grandidier @ Flight Centre Management on 1300 557 813.

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