With every day I get a little bit more anxious about what I’m going to wear to the Chambord Shine Awards finals and while I’ve cobbled an outfit together, it pales in comparison with these pieces from Monif C’s newest collection. LE SIGH.

I wonder if I can pay for [...]]]>

With every day I get a little bit more anxious about what I’m going to wear to the Chambord Shine Awards finals and while I’ve cobbled an outfit together, it pales in comparison with these pieces from Monif C’s newest collection. LE SIGH.

I wonder if I can pay for one of these gorgeous frocks with drawings?

We three bloggers landed in Sydney yesterday morning, ready for the town to work its butt off at the Shine Awards. Brisbane’s designers kicked off proceedings fabulously and Melbourne’s talent totally met the challenge, so we were all curious to see how Sydney’s local designers were going [...]]]> Sponsored by Nuffnang

We three bloggers landed in Sydney yesterday morning, ready for the town to work its butt off at the Shine Awards. Brisbane’s designers kicked off proceedings fabulously and Melbourne’s talent totally met the challenge, so we were all curious to see how Sydney’s local designers were going to measure up in the competition.

We were on unfamiliar turf last night as we tripped into The Loft, and in a way it was kind of nice to be in a city that none of us had any allegiance to! The Loft is a dark, intimate space with bouncy carpet and beautifully textural walls, looking out on to Darling Harbour and all its winking lights.

After securing a vantage point amongst the enthusiastic crowd I was pleased to discover that the lighting was going to work to my advantage, seeing as I typically avoid flash photography. I’m pretty pleased with the photos I took, you can see a lot more details but certainly a lot of the ambient light roaming around the frame is missing – and I know a couple of you really like that effect!

Judges’ choice Danielle Van Camp with her fantastic designs.

Lulu in Chains are going through to the finals thanks to the judges too.

The crowd chose Lulu in Chains as their favourite.

I was really impressed with Sydney’s entrants. Every collection had something I liked, and there was a distinct sense of excitement and enthusiasm vibrating through the room. My stand out favourites were Lulu in Chains and Danielle Van Camp, and I was pleased to see the public and the judges (respectively) reward them with a place in the finals. The other judge selection was LUELA – check out the photo in the gallery, the detailing on the neckline is very pretty.

It’s been an absolute blast attending these heats and covering them on my blog, and it was made even more fantastic because I got to share the experience with Lady Melbourne and Fashion Hayley, two fancy ladies whose passion for fashion is infectious. It’s not over just yet though! The finals will be held at The Strand, Sydney on August 29 and while 9 finalists are locked in there is one spot remaining and you get to vote your favourite designer in.

VOTE YOUR FAVOURITE IN TO THE FINALS

So! The time has come to select your favourite wildcard designer to send to the finals at The Strand in Sydney! Go take a look at the many dazzling entrants right now and then go to the VOTE NOW! tab to cast your precious vote. Voting closes July 11 – just do it now!

I’ve been invited to attend the Chambord Shine Awards in three states, to cover the heats and finals on my blog and also to involve you fancy lovely people to vote on your favourite fashion designs. It’s a huge honour to have been invited as a blogger and considering the [...]]]> Sponsored by Nuffnang

I’ve been invited to attend the Chambord Shine Awards in three states, to cover the heats and finals on my blog and also to involve you fancy lovely people to vote on your favourite fashion designs. It’s a huge honour to have been invited as a blogger and considering the calibre of fashion bloggers invited to cover the event – the fabulous Fashion Hayley and Lady Melbourne – I was feeling more than a little nervous as I stepped into Cloudland for the first heat of the awards last night in my native town of Brisbane. I needn’t have fretted, Lady M and Hayley are adorable and effervescent and Chambord treated us to our own little Cindarellaesque bloggers’ booth stage right of the main action!

I got the opportunity to get to know my Nuffnang co-bloggers over Chambord French martinis, sushi and other nibbles. As the night progressed our blogger’s pumpkin saw a steady procession of local fashion designers and fellow fashion fans. Despite being a Brisbane local, I’d never been to Cloudland before – it’s quite easy to get lost in the many details of the lush, textural interior fit out.

I do hope you enjoy my impressionist photography of the fashion show! My little camera tries very hard to keep up with all the glamour but sometimes all you get is a smear of bright lights and voluminous textiles.

Lady M and Hayley noted that Brisbane was dressing awfully like Melbourne – indeed a lot of our people were draped in black last night. We need to talk Brisbane. Did the unusually cold weather freak you out?! I decided on a pop of colour at the last minute, you guys know how I feel about blending in! After seeing the hooded, layered black and gold number from Subfusco (check the above video) the universe is pointing me in a layering/ shapeless direction and I’m thinking about a bit of DIY effort for my trips to the Melbourne and Sydney heats (if I have time… though if you’re a local designer who’d like to dress me, say hi!) I’d like to unleash the Beth Ditto domino dress but it’ll be cold down south, so the notion of a long trailing cape is exciting me. For further inspiration you should check out Lady Melbourne and her amazing long black sequined number!

I think it’s time to look at some proper photography of the finalists – these shots are all courtesy of Karen Watson.

George Wu with his designs – one of the judges’ picks for finalist.

The judging panel also selected Jacqueline Buck‘s designs.

The crowd voted for Talulah as the people’s choice in the finals.

Three designers will be chosen from each runway showcase in Melbourne and Sydney, but there is one more slot in the finals and that will be chosen by YOU on the Chambord facebook page. Voting takes place from July 8-11th and after the Sydney heat I’ll remind you to go vote your butt off for your favourite so a winner can be selected and sent to the finals at The Strand, Sydney.

ETA: Vote now for your favourite designer to go through as a wildcard entry in the finals!

I came across naKIMuli via the fabulously talented Nikki of Decadent Industries. NaKIMuli’s designer Tennille is a wonderful bright spark, designing crazy awesome clothing for people who don’t mind showing off their bodies in fabulous body con garments. The most refreshing part? She does a plus size line as well! [...]]]>

I came across naKIMuli via the fabulously talented Nikki of Decadent Industries. NaKIMuli’s designer Tennille is a wonderful bright spark, designing crazy awesome clothing for people who don’t mind showing off their bodies in fabulous body con garments. The most refreshing part? She does a plus size line as well! HORAH!

I’m expecting big things from this label, so make sure you keep an eye out.

I love Black Milk leggings and I can’t be quiet about it any more. I’m currently getting some custom made leggings from another designer but one day I’m going to get some Black Milk on my legs. Probably when I move to Melbourne and can wear PVC without dying.

James, the head [...]]]>

I love Black Milk leggings and I can’t be quiet about it any more. I’m currently getting some custom made leggings from another designer but one day I’m going to get some Black Milk on my legs. Probably when I move to Melbourne and can wear PVC without dying.

James, the head designer at Black Milk, will custom create leggings for clients on request, but because he’s based in Brisbane I have this fantastical notion of collaborating with him to create a proper plus size collection. i.e: My fat body, maybe some of my illustration printed on fabric, and his amazing stretch pattern drafting skills.

I can dream!