Between the Bookends

So I hope this is a start of a brand new section to the Halcyon Future Fashion blog! As I've already mentioned, I'm a complete bibliophile and beside my bed lies an ever growing and tottering pile of books.

One collection I've been looking at recently expanding is my collection of fashion and style books. As an aspiring fashion editor and dangerous clothes addict, they provide me with role models to aspire to be and images to be inspired by. They're informative, gorgeous to look at and unsurprisingly look damn good on the bookshelf too.

So I thought I'd share my current collection with you, especially because I made two new additions yesterday that I'm particularly excited about.

Latest purchases

The first is 'The Vogue Factor' by Kirstie Clements, former editor of Vogue Australia. It charts her career from the front desk of Vogue where she worked as a receptionist, to her rise to Editor some 14 years later. I couldn't wait to start reading, so am already devouring through it.

The Vogue Factor - Kirstie Clements

The second was a book I hadn't planned on purchasing, but was conned into by a clever marketing scheme. I'm always a sucker for those - the '3 for 2' or 'buy one, get one half price!' signs that lure you in. That said, it ended up being a great bargain and its a beautiful book to add to the shelf so I'm not too heartbroken about the whole thing. It's one of a series of books published by Vogue (common theme today!) called 'Vogue On', with each book a definitive little history and guide to iconic designers.

There were two on the shelf - Alexander McQueen and Christian Dior, which made it a hard choice to make! I ended up opting for Christian Dior, as I'm feeling more inspired by the classic styles at the moment, and I love looking at old fashion photography. I'll probably end up going back for McQueen at some point though...

The others...

1. Grace: A Memoir  by Grace Coddington

This was actually a gift I bought myself for Christmas (this seems to be a common theme with my fashion books actually.) I absolutely love it and would highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in fashion (or cat lovers). Her personality shines through the pages as she recounts her incredible career - from growing up in the middle of nowhere in Wales, to a promising modelling career, to finally being the huge force she is today at US Vogue. I love the commentary she provides in general about modelling and the changing landscape of the magazine industry and she also draws the cutest illustrations! She was the surprising star of the fashion documentary 'The September Issue' which I would also recommend.

'Grace-ing' the cover of I-D Magazine

2. The Sartorialist Closer by Scott Schulman

This is the second book from the man behind pioneering street style blog The Sartorialist. I find this particularly inspiring when I'm facing the daily challenge of deciding what to wear. It's filled with pictures of stylish strangers from the streets of London, New York, Paris and Milan. But the main reason I love it is because its not just about fashion - it's focus is on style, which could be the way the subject carries themself or an interesting way they're wearing a particular accessory or colour combination. It's these little things, such as attention to detail and attitude, that really make you stand out from the fashion pack.

3. Style Notes by Maggie Alderson

A collection of Maggie Alderson's columns from The Age. Maggie is a london-born Australian author, magazine editor and fashion journalist. She's edited ES (the Evening Standard magazine), British ELLE, and in Australia Cleo and Mode. I was lucky enough to meet her when she was promoting her latest novel Everything Changes But You last year at the bookshop I used to work at, and she kindly signed a copy for me. The articles provide interesting commentary on anything and everything related to fashion - always funny, witty and informative.

4. Front Row - Anna Wintour: What lies beneath the chic exterior of Vogue's Editor-in-Chief  by Jerry Oppenheimer

This is a very well-thumbed copy that I picked up for about $10 about five years ago. It's an unauthorised biography of Anna Wintour and follows her from birth to her current position as possibly the most influential and important figure in fashion (and obvious US Vogue Editor). There are detailed accounts of both her personal and professional life and although admittedly - given that it is 'unauthorised' - one cannot verify that it's 100% truth or fact, it's certainly extremely interesting to get a clearer idea of what she is like. I always come back to this book and re-read certain parts, and if you can find it in any bookshops, definitely pick it up!

5. Beauty in Bloom - A collection of beautiful inspiration by Natalie Bloom

This is one that I bought on sale at my old bookshop, mainly for the beautiful illustrations. It's written by Natalie Bloom of Bloom Cosmetics and as well as looking absolutely gorgeous, it's also full of some great make-up and (inner) beauty tips, quotes and inspiration.

Gorgeous illustrations in 'Beauty in Bloom'

And that, so far, is my fashion bookshelf. Know of any books I should add to the shelf? Let me know in the comments below!

My Week Living The Dream

This week has been an amazing one - full of interviews, events and writing that have totally reassured and convinced me that a career in (fashion/arts&culture/music) journalism is exactly what I want to do.

To read more about it, scroll down or click the links below.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

These are my three very different looks I wore for my three fashion related assignments for Onya Magazine.

1. The opening of The Woodsfolk in Hawthorn on Wednesday evening.
I'm wearing a white long top from a boutique in Phillip Island, leather skater skirt from H&M, My favourite Wittner shoes and a studded leather clutch, also Wittner.
 - See Part 2 or the full review on Onya Magazine.

2. VIP Launch of the Wardrobe Weekender, Captains of Industry on Thursday evening.
I'm wearing my mum's black silk draped top, skinny herringbone trousers, the same Wittner shoes and an electric pink, black and white clutch from Dangerfield.
- See Part 3 or the full review on Onya Magazine.

3. High Fashion High Tea, L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival at the Park Hyatt on Sunday afternoon.
I'm wearing a monochrome silk shirt from H&M, leather skater skirt also from H&M, black/silver chanel-style jacket from Sportsgirl, red suede heels from Novo and a red leather/leopard print bag - a christmas gift from mum!
- See Part 4 or look out on Onya Magazine for a full review very soon...


Which one is your favourite? Would love to hear your feedback!

Brittany x

My Week Living The Dream - Part 4

This is a fashion-related part of a larger series of four blog posts about 'My Week Living the Dream' - don't forget to check out Part 1 , Part 2 and Part 3

Just as I thought the fashion assignments for Onya magazine couldn't get any better, I found myself waiting in the lobby of the Park Hyatt for the High Fashion High Tea event presented by Fashionista's Australia (Emily Power) as part of the L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival. It was absolutely surreal. I was sat on Table 1 - the official media table - surrounded by extremely stylish women (and a few men!) about to have afternoon tea at one of Melbourne's most luxurious hotels. Pinch me!

Although I was doing it stag this time, it was a glorious afternoon. I was sat alongside many fashion bloggers who I admire, including Phoebe Montague of Lady Melbourne, Sarah Willcocks of Style Melbourne and met some new ones that I quickly became fans of, including Cecylia. There were finger sandwiches, tarts, cakes and scones galore - as well as a catwalk show, shopping avenue and amazing goodie bags. Watch out for my full review, to appear on Onya Magazine very soon....

That concludes my week living the dream! It's been absolutely amazing and has made me even more determined than ever to work hard and be successful in I believe is the most interesting and exciting career paths I could possibly have chosen.

Brittany x

My Week Living the Dream - Part 2

This is a fashion-related part of a larger series of blog posts about 'My Week Living the Dream' - check out Part 1 on my other (media focused) blog 'The Brit Estate'

For those of you who read my other blog, you'll know that the past week has been like a dream for me - full of assignments and interviews that have given me a taster of what a career in journalism could be like. This week I was given a number of fashion events to cover for online magazine, Onya. The adventure continues on...

Wednesday

Today was the first of three events I was assigned by my lovely editor Sandi Seiger at Onya Magazine. The event in question was the opening of a new 'family store' called The Woodsfolk in Hawthorn. It was a lovely evening - the shop looked fantastic, decorated with fairy lights and full of quirky items such as toadstool shaped lamps, pom-pom rugs and wine-bottled shaped candles. My auntie visiting from Canada was my +1 for the evening and together we enjoyed the delicious food on offer (my personal favourite being the homemade chocolate brownies and mini chic tops!). You can check out my full review on Onya Magazine.

I believe they were also visited by the contestants from the latest series of Nine's 'The Block' - which isn't much of a surprise given how lovely their stuff is! Watch out for the show later this year to see them featured.

Keep reading for Parts 3 & 4!