Michael Clarke's trunk to be auctioned for charity

Michael Clarke unveiled a special order Louis Vuitton cricket trunk at LV's Sydney flaship boutique yesterday.

In the spirit of philanthropy and the long time support of the Sydney Children's Hospital Foundation and Louis Vuitton, The Cricket Trunk will be auctioned by Christie's to benefit the Art's Program at The Sydney's Children’s Hospital.

'I have been working with Louis Vuitton for some time and had the opportunity to personalise it as much as possible. There's an iPod dock and speaker. I feel very honoured to design this unique piece, being able to create something that embodies my love and respect for cricket and also knowing that all proceeds of the sale will go to a wonderful cause like the Sydney Children's Hospital,' Clarke said yesterday at The Cricket Trunk's debut.

'Kyly (Clarke's wife) and I travelled to Paris to see the Louis Vuitton factory, which was a great experience, to see first-hand the artisans at work. One artisan worked across the whole project from start to finish,' he said.

As well as being decked out with an iPod dock, The Cricket Trunk (which has a reserve price of $170,000) contains valuable memorabilia, including four signed cricket bats and a helmet worn by the captain himself.

No room for heels in this one though gals, guess we'll have to get to it and design our own.

The Cricket Trunk will be displayed at the Louis Vuitton George Street Maison in Sydney from October 2nd.




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These shoes aren't made for walking

 

There's no question about it, these shoe aren't made for walking.

A South African artist has created these odd looking sky-high heels designed with the heel in front of the shoe.

The wearer fits her foot into the ballerina-like insole and must lean forward and balance her shins against the front of the shoe or 'heel' to remain upright.

While this is merely an artistic reinterpreration of the high heel it's certainly not one I can see taking off  for anyone who isn't Lady Gaga, especially given the bird-like stance they give the wearer.

Conceptualized by artist Leanie van der Vyver and made by shoe designer René van den Berg, they’ve been dubbed Scary Beautiful.  Her goal was to 'challenge our current beauty ideals by inflicting an unexpected new beauty standard.'

Van der Vyver’s design was nominated for a design prize at her university, the Gerrit Rietveld Academie.

The design jury applauded the artist’s attempts to 'force the wearer to develop a new way of walking, leaning forward while refinding a painfully fragile balance.'

Think I'll stick with the more traditional scary beautiful 15cm heels.



(Image Credit: Lyall Coburn/via Vimeo)



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Celebrating 50 years with sassy new havaianas

 

I don’t know why it happens but it so often does... One week at the beach house with two brand new pairs of Havaianas procured (after much deliberation on design of choice I might add) and this media release hits my inbox the first day I step off the sand and back behind my desk.

Sassy designers Heidi Middleton and Sarah-Jane Clarke have partnered with Havaianas Australia to introduce a limited edition sass & bide x Havaianas style, “Brazil Brazil” available from this month (October 2012).

As much as I adore my new Swarovski Crystal Havaianas, I absolutely would have bought these (although it's likely it would have meant I had three new pairs instead of two).

The design duo has transformed the much loved summer footwear favourite with their eclectic use of combining print and embellishment to create a unique take on the Aussie summer staple. The slim style, “Brazil Brazil” features a monochromatic cheetah print, adorned with the iconic sass & bide gold star charm; a symbol of Sarah-Jane and Heidi’s enduring friendship and love.

Sarah-Jane Clarke commented on the collaboration saying; “Brazilians and Australians share a love of all things summer, that’s why we felt the partnership was a beautiful match. We’re excited to start the summer with Havaianas.”

The release of the limited edition footwear coincides with Havaianas global 50th anniversary in 2012.

Sass & bide x Havaianas“Brazil Brazil” RRP $49.95 are available from Havaianas online, all sass & bide boutiques nationally and the sass & bide online store.

Sold.  Looks like I'm racking up three in a week. Love!

Watch the short film celebrating the partnership: