All articles tagged 'aesthetic'

I recently had a girl write to me, saying that she was sick of wearing jeans to university every day, & could I please come up with some potential outfits for her to wear? When she added, “Maybe they could be themed according to what people were studying”, a light-bulb went off in my head & I thought, YES! Yes! I WILL do that for you! It’s too great a concept not to.

Cute Coats (& How To Wear Them)

So, you’ve read How To Buy A Winter Coat. Now you just need to decide what you want! Here are some of my top picks & a few tips on how to wear them.

Black In Fashion: Mourning To Night

A review of the Black In Fashion exhibition at the NGV.

Skinny Ties

Audrey’s take on skinny ties.

How To Make A T-Shirt More Interesting

What do you like to wear with your favourite t-shirt? How do you make it look stylish?

Neogoth

So, what’s neogoth about, anyway? First of all, it has nothing to do with The Matrix — perish the thought! Nor does it have anything to do with bright, neon colours. ‘Neo’ is meant here to mean recent or new. Combine that with ‘goth’ & you get a fresh, modern version of the goth aesthetic. & not a moment too soon!

Fafi For MAC

I LOVE this range so much. Not just the make-up, but the accessories too! After all, who could say no to a Fafi t-shirt with striped arms? Or a silk scarf printed with Fafi characters?

Geek Chic

Start reclaiming things that you used to get shoved in your locker for wearing!

Top 5 Fictional Female Style Icons

Television & movies are overrun with underdressed & badly-styled characters. But what about when the major studios get it right? This is my little homage to who I think are the 5 most stylish female characters.

Dali Atomicus

This photograph was shot live. It took 26 attempts, & over five hours to get it to look like this. Halsman would count, & on ‘four’, Salvador Dali would leap in the air, three assistants would throw cats, one other assistant would chuck the bucket of water, & Halsman’s wife would hold the chair as Halsman took the picture.

Hair Extensions

Cass has a really amazing system of attaching extensions, the likes of which I’ve never seen before (or even heard of).

New Hair!

I have new hair!!! There are not enough exclamation marks to describe the excitement I feel!

Tarina Tarantino Interview

I got the opportunity to ask Tarina Tarantino some questions, & here are her answers!

Fashion & Style Predictions: 2008

The colour of royalty, homosexuality & Prince is making a comeback in a major way. It’s been blasted all over the catwalks, from Lanvin to Comme des Garcon & all the way to Pucci, in every hue imaginable: violent violet, lascivious lavender, punchy plum & apoplectic amethyst.

Fetish Wear

“I was wondering if you would write an article on fetish dressing. I always find fetish dressing comes off looking extremely tacky and “goth” looking which of course is not the way I want to look. I’d like to be able to incorporate items such as platform “hooker heels”, bondage corsets, pvc, etc. into a more neutral or even girly wardrobe.”

Gibbous

I thought I would introduce you to a little clothing house called Gibbous.

Things I Love Thursday

New music, Sofia Coppola, cleaning & organising, & a huge pile of other stuff!

Tomboy Boot Camp

“I was a tomboy as a child, then as a teenager I had an ubercasual, slightly androgynous style (jeans/tees/trainers). But now I’m rapidly approaching 20 and desperate to look and feel feminine and sophisticated. I tried to throw myself in at the deep end by buying a couple of pretty skirts, but I feel overdressed and awkward so I’ve never actually worn them outside my flat. How can I ease myself gradually into this girly stuff (without feeling like a drag queen)? And how can I look feminine and still be casual for uni?”

Bed Head

Tomorrow morning, when you get out of bed, walk to the mirror & look at your head. Though tempting to beat your hair to submission, take time to admire its wild composition…

Beloved Aesthetics

Do you love girls with long red hair, or curvy women in jeans & heels? Do you have a weakness for tattooed Japanese boys, or for men in impeccable suits?

Preparatory Style

When it comes to restyling the traditional prep look, your imagination & courageous spirit are your best assets. Well, that & your Visa!

Decorating A Room

I think bedrooms say a lot about their owner. If you don’t believe me, think about your own room (or even cast a glance around it). Is it dark & messy? Do you ever make your bed? Do you keep the blinds open at all times?

Operation Athletic Bling

What happens when a glamour-fiend starts exercising…

Bow-Tie Ideas

Put a bow-tie in your hair for a bit of sparkle!

Hallowe'en Costumes

Do some research. Really sit down & have a think about your dress-up options. Once you start pondering it, the ideas will really start to flow, it’s just that you need to be in the mindset first.

Spray Tanning Put To The Test!

Well, yesterday was one of the most unusual experiences of my life. Yes, I deigned to have a spray tan. There was a voucher in an issue of Cosmopolitan magazine offering up a “free spray tan”, which of COURSE I couldn’t resist.

How To Dress Like Edie Sedgwick

Here’s how to shoot a little Edie into your aesthetic, & some pictures of me adopting the style!

Dressing With The Essence Of Fairytales

“I was wondering if you could help me out. I really want to redefine my style so that I can dress ‘with the essence of fairytales’, but I don’t really know where to start. I sort of have a vague idea, but if you have any suggestions that would be great.”

Fashion Report: Spring/Summer 2007/08

My direction for spring/summer 2007/08 is a mix of aristocratic, tennis & haughty chic, with modern edges.

The Power Of Eyebrows

It’s truly incredible the way a pair of well-shaped eyebrows can completely transform your face, as seen here!

Less Is More

Try experimenting with the “less is more” look. Here’s why.

Winter Style 2007

Things I would definitely be wearing if I was in, say, New York. (Swoon.)

Sealed With A Kiss

How to write a great letter, make an interesting envelope & keep the your postal communication vibrant!

Camping In Style

Recently, a very sweet girl told me she was on her way to a school camp & didn’t know what to wear. She said that while her mother always tells her to take practical clothes, she often felt shown-up by the other girls, who were immaculately groomed — even after canoeing! Ahh, the joy of school. But it did prompt me to think that surely there was a way to camp in style. It can’t be all mosquito spray & burned marshmallows, can it?

Winter Essentials 2007

Some things you might want to invest in for the chilly months. Tartan, a striped umbrella, yoga classes, Oxfords, & more!

Things I Love Thursday

Violet Crumble ice creams, long naps, super-speedy morning walks, vibrant blue skies, mismatched saucers & teacups, other people’s birthdays…

Summer Essentials 2007

Tennis lessons, sunblock, postcards, lip venom, photobooth strips & more!

Happy Birthday To Me!

Happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me! Happy birthday, dear Gala, happy birthday to me!

Equestrian Chic

I was never one of those “horsey girls”. You know, those ones who were NUTS about horses. They read The Pony Club books, had weekly riding lessons & obsessively doodled the likeness of their favourite horse, “Speckle”, in the margins of their math book. Maybe you were one of them! I wasn’t.

Things I Love Thursday

Things I Love Thursday is about building appreciation & gratitude. Here are the things I appreciate today.

Corset Remix

The other day, a friend & I were discussing our old gothic predilections. It turned out we were both harbouring corsets in our closets, but since we both felt like we had moved past our old style, didn’t really know what to do with them. Corsets, especially the good ones, tend to be really expensive & some of them are gorgeous pieces of work. Too precious to throw out or give away, but too ‘goth’ to wear. However, the more I thought about it, the more I realised there was a middle ground.

Things I Love Thursday

Violet hair, birthdays, gift vouchers & more!

Dissecting Men's Style

A breakdown of some stylish men’s outfits, & how you can achieve a similar effect.

Betsey Johnson's Apartment

Her incredible decorating skills.

David Jones Designer Collections Summer 2007

Show coverage in haiku form.

O Magazine & Ellen Barkin

What exactly is she trying to say here? That women over 50 should cover up & shuffle down the street as if invisible? That once you hit your 50th birthday, your time in the spotlight is over? Time to eat at the early-bird special, grab your Zimmer frame & don orthopaedic shoes?

Nu Rave

How to dress “nu rave” without looking like a complete goober… !

Style Icons: Madonna

“I think you can be defiant & rebellious & still be strong & positive.” — Madonna

Men's Summer Style '07

Ben asked me what I thought men should be wearing this summer, so I illustrated my point with several cute boys from street fashion blogs.

Style Icons: Marchesa Luisa Casati

She wore live snakes as jewellery, & was infamous for her late-night walks, during which she would walk cheetahs on diamond-studded leashes, while completely naked beneath her furs.

Summer Fun In Your Backyard

“Hello, I have a little backyard that I’m just dying to make into the perfect place for picnics and parties during the summer, but I’m not quite sure what I want it to look like! I’m looking for small backyard inspiration, any suggestions would be wonderful! Furniture, lights, decor, etc etc.”

I Love Victoria Beckham!

I never thought I’d see the day.

The Fashionable Jew

“I have to abide by some rather strict religious rules with regard to dress – not just at school, everywhere. (The rules: no pants, nothing tight or revealing, shirts up to the collar bone and past the elbows, absolutely no exposed midriff, skirts past the knee, no visible underwear, nothing transparent or too sexy in general.) I was wondering if you could help me get out of my rut, or if I should just resort to wearing a burka.”

Daily Outfit -- 14th July 2007

Channelling the Marchesa Luisa Casati & wishing I was in the Hollywood Hills.

Majority Rules!

Pink it is!

Hello Blondie!

I got my hair cut! Should I dye it pink or purple?

Things I Love Thursday

Learning to appreciate small things makes life much more pleasant. Here are some things I’m loving today.

Gala's Guide To Tennis Chic

Start spending time at a country club. Remember to wear pearls & get blitzed on gin & tonics like the rest of them…

Initial Rings

I love Girl Props. I feel like Liberace.

Zee 'Air Down There

Someone asks me what I think of pubic hair grooming. I give my opinion, & then everyone else gives theirs too!

Grey Gardens

I love Little Edie, & I want to have a Grey Gardens party. BYO flea spray.

What To Do With Candles In Glass Jars?

“What do you do with the pretty glass holders the candles come in, once the candles are spent? Do you throw them away, or save them? Since the design on the glass was half the appeal, it seems like it would be a waste to throw it away. Do you think it would be tacky to save it?”

Top 5 Ways To Define Your Own Personal Style

A five-step process to help you cultivate an aesthetic.

Madame Pompadour

On an exploratory visit to the Victoria Markets, Ana & I stumbled across a shop called Madame Pompadour. It’s gorgeous — like something from a Francesca Lia Block book. It is INSANELY pink, a treasure trove of homeware, clothing & accessories. I took a whole bunch of pictures because I thought it was gorgeous.

How To Rock A Wig

“Oh my gosh, will you please write an article on how to wear a wig! I’ve tried cheap ones on at novelty shops before, but they just look like a Halloween costume on me. But your looks just wonderful, like I actually thought you dyed your hair for a minute. It doesn’t have to look completely natural, but I would love to know how you pulled that off without making it look like it was just a silly costume. Also, what did you do with your hair underneath it?”

Living It Up At Burning Man

There are so many essential packing lists & pages of information on how to do Burning Man properly, & attempting to re-create or better those would be an exercise in futility. I can, however, tell you about my experiences & give you some suggestions.

Flickr Favourites -- 27th April 2007

A selection of my Flickr favourites for the week. Lots of bright colours!

Burlesque Chic

For anyone who wants to incorporate a little old-world glamour into their daily dressing, here are some ways to do it…

Apartment Living & The Single Gal

I recently had a request from somebody who wanted to see more photos of my apartment in Auckland, New Zealand. The good news is, I have a lot of photos I can show you. However, most of the pictures have people in them too. I guess I didn’t think at the time that one day I would be doing an online show-&-tell of where I used to live!

Miss Sixty Fall 2007

Okay, I know I don’t normally publish runway photos, but this collection — Miss Sixty Fall 2007 — is incredibly cool &, in my opinion, very wearable.

Urban Bohemian

I thought some of you might find these pictures stylistically inspiring…

Possible Style Icons

I’m not 100% sure on either of these girls yet, but I think they have definite potential.

Primp My Ride

“I have an article idea for you me dear. Pimp my ride Gala-stylezzz! Please? The Toyota Corona I got for my 30th is sooooooo lame and has no sass compared to my old Peugeot that gave up. Help me make my ease-ey pease-ey Japanese-ey car cool?”

How To Get A Great Tattoo And Never Regret It

While tattoos can be fantastic & beautiful, they can also be hideous & embarrassing. This article will tell you about the sort of things you need to consider before you get a tattoo, how to pick a design, how to choose a tattoo artist & how to look after it once it’s done.

How To Wear A Scarf

“I bought a couple of scarves the other day and would love to know the best way to wear them! It sounds like a silly question as I know how to tie a scarf, but yours look fab and so effortless. One I bought is long, slim and silkish, black with skinny red double striped border. The other is a square (to be folded into a triangle) and cotton with a grey tiger print and tiger face on one corner – red trim. They would both give quite a different look. Any advice would be great!”

Shaved-Back Hairline

That’s how I looked three years ago! I basically shaved my hairline back about three or four centimetres. I don’t know why I did it, I just grabbed a razor & went to town on myself! I think it looks mildly cute, in a lost-hardcore-vegan kinda way.

What Are Your Style Trademarks?

I used to love the idea of having some piece of jewellery that I always wore — I really liked the idea of having a permanent identifier. Now I feel like it’s okay for my identity to be more fluid, to dress like an eccentric Parisian one day & to look like a Japanese raver the next.

Gala Darling