GINGER AND SMART RESORT 2017

GINGER AND SMART RESORT 2017

Design duo Genevieve and Alexandra Smart of Ginger and Smart produced an effervescent collection brimming with practically minded pieces. Charming, sophisticated garments flourished on the runway offering freedom of movement.

Swimwear was introduced to Ginger and Smart's Resort 17 collection, the show opening with a sleek, optic white, semi transparent, undulating one piece. Details included a round neck, keyhole, underwire bust, long sleeves, form fitting panelling and an open back design. Accessories comprised of raffia pool slides, arctic white weekender with rose gold hardware and a minimalistic bum bag worn nonchalantly on the hip. A mesh characterful sunhat featured a gargantuan brim which covered the model's entire face and back falling elegantly under the glutueus maximus, the ultimate in sun protection for an exotic excursion abroad.

A cornflower blue, sheer, off the shoulder kaftan oozed with fluidity. Swimwear was paired underneath consisting of high waisted black bottom, diamond torso cut out, floral, halter neck, crossover bust in delectable watercolour shades of cobalt, lavender, mocha and pearl. Simplistic oyster grey, strappy leather pool slides concluded the breezy number.

Energised cool dominated on a terracotta, off the shoulder one piece with sensual torso cut out. The swimwear acted as a bodice when married to a floral, high waisted, panelled, diaphanous midi skirt in delicate shades of blush, rose, sky, ink and lilac adding tenderness. The wraparound style featured plenty of body baring flesh on a hot summer's day.

A bold cabana stripe, asymmetrical, cropped flounce top starred in a colour palette of electric eggplant, azure, lime splice and vanilla. A matching voluminous mullet skirt was teamed to the crop and exuded good times and balmy nights spent in paradise. The striking shades and silhouette sure to garner plenty of attention.

A royal blue, sheer, lace tunic, offered gossamer airiness. Elongated sleeves worn off the shoulder engulfed fingers. A halterneck, t-bar design was layered to an athletic, cutaway royal blue one piece adding a geometric element to the softened arabesque.

Other key garments included a liquid silk, dusty pink, halterneck, bias cut, midi slip dress modelled by Nicole Pollard. A zig zag, wraparound woven mini skirt was layered to the dress with raffia fringing cascading from the hem. Minimalism versus maximalism came in the form of a snow white, v-neck asymmetrical crop layered to a bulky, raffia infested matador cropped jacket. A spliced torso melded effortlessly into a wraparound raffia mini skirt. Billowing, languid trousers offered an elegant interplay of draping when layered to the textural mini. 

A fashion forward display evoking relaxed Australian prestige.

By Courtney Jones. 

CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE

CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE

1) Luxury lover-

H&M bra $21

MOET & CHANDON Brut Imperial $50

REPOSSI Stack Ring $22 080

SAINT LAURENT Fringe Handbag $3162

JO MALONE Candle $90

VOGUE PARIS Magazine $14.95

GUCCI Sunglasses $800

SAINT LAURENT Sandals $985

DIOR Makeup Palette $110

TIFFANY & CO Diamond Earrings POA

MAC Lipstick $36

2) Tailored, casual cool-

MICHAEL KORS Watch $489

RAY-BAN Aviators $250

PARKER Pen $100

CALVIN KLEIN Trunks $52

RELIGION T-Shirt $40

BALLY Satchel $1650

PAUL SMITH Jeans $250

APPLE iPHONE 6s $1250

ACQUA DI GIO Eau De Parfum $145

POLO RALPH LAUREN Chambray Shirt $220

TODS Suede Loafer $600

3) Ocean explorer-

WITCHERY KIDS Stripe Tee $36

RAY-BAN Wayfarers $56

HAVAIANAS Thongs $38

DOT & BO Beach Art $39

US DIVERS Junior Snorkelling Combo $25

ONEILL Boardshorts $44

PUMPKIN PATCH Slip On $39

BONDS Chino $20

SEED HERITAGE Backpack $39.95

ROSANNA Beach Wall Decor $28

4) Dainty, girlie charm-

SEED HERITAGE Fedora $29.95

RAY-BAN Mirrored Aviators $59.95

SEED HERITAGE Two Piece $41

SEED HERITAGE Indian Bracelet Set $9.95

MACARONS Ladurée Macarons $3 each

PUMPKIN PATCH Sun Dress $37

SEED HERITAGE  T-bar Jelly Sandals $34

By Courtney Jones.

Q&A with Australian designer Kelli Wharton of womenswear label, Talulah

Q and A with TALULAH designer, Kelli Wharton

EASTERN SUBURBS NEWSPAPERS- What was the driving inspiration behind your Mercedes Benz Spring / Summer 14/15 collection?

KELLI WHARTON- Crystal tropics was designed for exotic vacations and spring oceanside escapes, silhouettes are soft and feminine, juxtaposed with strong graphics, detailed finishes and silk fabrics to instil confidence in its wearer.

Splashes of spring florals play through print, decorating one piece bodices, beach sarongs, silk maxi dresses, paisley shorts and kaftans. Innocent whites whisper springs new romantic sensuality,

with crochet apparel and sheer panelling finishes, while frilled details enhanced bikini separates that are mixed and matched for eye catching and feminine beachside combinations.

ESN- Which garments from Talulah's S/S 14/15 Collection would you pack for the ultimate summer, exotic, sojourn?

KW- There are too many to choose from! This is one of my favourite collections yet – but I say that every season. A standard that we have featured in one of our campaign images and look book is the Sail Away Mini Dress. A white summer dress with soft tropical print and layered white fringing – the ultimate throw on to take you from pool to bar on your next vacation.

ESN- Complete this sentence: The TALULAH young woman embodies...

KW- Creativity, confidence and femininity.

ESN- You've created a swimwear line, Talulah Swim and a High Street line, Isla by Talulah. Any plans to branch out into anything else?

KW- We have some exciting new product lines launching this year including a TALULAH homewares range using the TALULAH prints and brand aesthetics.

ESN- How important is social media to your business? Do you use those platforms for specific purposes?

KW- Social media allows us to have personalised shopping experiences with our customers, communicate our brand aesthetics through different channels and to different customers and provide exceptional customer service for each customer that engages with the brand 24/7.

ESN- What is a typical day for you and your team?

KW- My family and I are lucky that we share our office and home with the beautiful surroundings of Byron Bay and its beaches. In A typical day my husband and I are up  early with our two children, drop them off at day care and then head over to join our TALULAH team at TALULAH HQ. Every day is busy in the office, but we are lucky that everyone who is part of our team loves what they do. Plenty gets done in a single day, but the day’s definitely run away with you. My husband is company Director and I am Creative Director for the TALULAH business and each of our brands that fall under the TALULAH title. In a typical day I share my time between designer new ranges, working with our Sales and Marketing Manager and leading the creative direction for the business.

ESN- Where did you attain your design acumen?

KW- I have always been creative. When I was younger I would design apparel and sell to local boutiques. As the demand for my designs grew I refined my skill to showcase a consumer collection at fashion week. This was where TALULAH was born. Since launching in 2005 I have built a team of creative women around me to help build on my own design skills, to grow the TALULAH brand that has a team of female talent behind it.

By Courtney Jones.