Mugshots

These super cute mugs have arrived in store - and make the perfect gift for Father's Day on September 1st.

Add a bit of colour to Dad's morning tea or coffee...

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Five minutes with fashion blogger, Lady Melbourne

As editor of Melbourne-based fashion blog, ‘Lady Melbourne,’ Phoebe Montague’s fashion commentary and style has earned her a reputation as one of Australia’s key fashion bloggers. Founded in 2007, the blog has grown to include a social media reach of over 50,000 unique likes, fans and followers across platforms like Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Discuss your five favourite things at home.

Artwork, fresh flowers, books, candles and the one I love. 

What are your top five professional moments?

1. Winning 'Best Fashion Blog,' at the NuffNang Asia Pacific Blog Awards in 2009

2. Being on the cover of Peppermint magazine in 2009, the first blogger to ever appear on an Australian magazine cover 

3. In 2012 I worked with digital blogging agency to organise Fashionopolis, Australia’s first ever national industry day for fashion bloggers.

4. Being flown to Hong Kong in 2013 to shoot in various locations for the blog

5. My 1000th Blog Post Party at Miss Fox in 2011

Tempt us with your five best cheat day foods.

1. Homemade chocolate brownies

2. Croissants

3. Crusty bread with butter

4. Chocolate cake

5. Triple cream brie.

As a photographer, your five best shoot locations?

1. New York

2. Hong Kong

3. Anywhere inner-city Melbourne

4. Natural light at sunset

5. Grand old buildings.

And finally, reveal five moments you wish hadn't happened.

I don't regret moments or things that did or didn't happen, I think it slows you down to dwell on negatives. I do have a nice long list of things that I didn't buy on my recent stint in New York that I wish I had, if you care to hear...?

1. A Nepalese beaded handbag from a trader just off Broadway, it was $50.

2. A butter yellow porcelain mason jar for $8 that exactly matches the colour of some tiles in my bathroom.

3. A royal blue glass lemon juicer from the 1930s at the Chelsea Antique garage. It was $20.

4. The perfect pink lipstick at Sephora.

5. A pair of heart shaped gold earrings from a little boutique in the East Village.

www.ladymelbourne.com.au

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Lo & Behold

Lo & Behold is the brainchild of best friends Lisa and Odette, who source a collection of progressive and effortless men’s and women’s fashion from the best Australian designers. 

Their selection focuses on labels specialising in thoughtful, well made wardrobe staples. 

They feel strongly about supporting up-and-coming designers, making sure to stock at least one new start-up label per year. 

What sort of products and/or services can we expect from you, and how do you source them?

We actually spend hours upon hours researching labels to work with but we believe every minute is worth it. We are regularly trawling the internet, local and international blogs, style pages, magazines, attending student fashion shows along with the main runways at fashion week to find the best up and coming labels, along with current leaders in the Australian fashion. Our style ethos for LO is pretty simple: we like to stock well made wardrobe staples. Things that will be in your wardrobe for years to come, basically they have to be items that we would wear ourselves. It's no use trying to be something you're not, we live and breathe our business. Because we operate our business ourselves from sourcing through to working with our customers on the floor it means that we understand how the pieces work for every shape, we love helping people work our favourite pieces into their own wardrobes. There is nothing more satisfying that seeing our customers come back into SO:ME space to tell us how they've worn our clothes and all the happy compliments they've received.

How does working within the SO:ME Space enhance your business, and what are the best aspects of the space?

We have just recently moved into our abode at SO:ME Space, and we couldn't be happier. We really weren't sure exactly what to expect. Working with like-minded businesses who are passionate about quality Australian produce means that not only do we share common values, we also have fantastic shopping on our doorstep (yes we're guilty of shopping a little too much!). The community vibe that the hub has is really supportive of all sized businesses. The ever changing landscape in the centre of SO:ME space is fantastic, the pop-ups bring so much product variety but also a steady stream of friendly faces. We have met some wonderful people through SO:ME and have really enjoyed being part of the community.

Why would you advocate visitors to the space?

One stop shop? I think the changing landscape is a real incentive to not only get down to SO:ME space once, but regularly. With the pop ups changing on a monthly basis there is always something new to tickle your fancy not to mention us 'regulars' with beautiful quality Australian garments sourced with love.

What is your professional background?

Professional background, that kind of makes us giggle a bit. I'm not sure that either of us would qualify ourselves as professional.

O: Lisa and I met 'professionally' 12 years ago when she employed me at Boost Juice…I was 16 years old and loved working with Lisa. Our friendship has developed over the years and the enjoyment of working together has remained. I worked in corporate for 5 years without much direction when Lisa and I decided to embark on our little project. I didn't have any experience with retail prior to opening our business but I always loved following the Melbourne fashion scene. I had dreamed of working for myself (I didn't realise how married to our business I would end up!) so with Lisa's experience it really made sense to embark on LO. Since opening our first boutique in Yarraville two years ago, we have enjoyed quite the adventure together.

L: For me fashion has always been a creative outlet, I just love how you can express yourself through clothing and once our smoothie days were over, I got a job in retail. I began fantasising about owning my own clothing store and so enrolled in a Fashion & Textiles Merchandising course at TAFE to build up my skills. Odette was the perfect choice in business partner as we work really well together. We both bring very different skills and opinions to the table but they really compliment each other. I don't think I could have done it without her, I certainly wouldn't have enjoyed it as much anyway, we have a lot of fun!
Where do you think we're going with regards to the way we shop? Are we pulling back from the cheap thrills of online buying? Are we moving back to the notion of supporting local trade easily, or is it a battle?

I think that the fashion industry is going through a period of change. We've come to accept online shopping as part of our lives both as customers and retailers. I think there were a lot (probably still are some) people who didn't trust the online world, fraudulent payments, not getting sizing right etc but on the whole things have moved to a new phase where we are more savvy online. 

As retailers we need to provide more information for our customers, accurate descriptions of styles, shapes, and exactly what our designs are made of along with of course how to wear it. Sometimes we forget how valuable conversation is in a shop where you share the finer details of a garment that help educate a customer in their choices. There has been a bit of a push and pull between online and bricks and mortar stores but I think the answer lies in a combination of the two. 

Our online store is open 24/7 while our physical space is only open 4 days a week, these days we live busy lives with less time to shop for pleasure, so when you're after a certain item it's handy to be able to pre shop. I think our customers use our online store, Facebook and Instagram almost as a catalogue so they know what they can find when next around the market. Of course it works the other way as well, sometimes people come into the store and can't decide on a purchase then go away and think about it, later we find the sale comes through our online store. So we really find that online and physical talk to one another, they work hand in hand to give our customers a better shopping experience. 

As for cheap and cheerful online shopping, I don't think it's going anywhere fast. It's here to stay but I think the customer is now a more discerning online shopper. As shoppers we now understand what we're in for and know that if the marked price is low, the garment is likely to be made of cheap fabric and perhaps not have the lasting appeal that something of better quality material with a higher price tag might have.

Tell us the things you most love about Melbourne?

O: Gosh what do we love about Melbourne...everything! Lisa is a Radelaidian, where as I am Melbourne-born and bred. I can't imagine living anywhere else. Melbourne has a rich and diverse culture with pockets of different cultures all over the place. Specifically, I am a big fan of the Otways, the Great Ocean Road for a summer or winter getaway. We love to steal weekends away in and around Lorne hiking, eating beautiful local produce and soaking up the beachy relaxation. Around Melbourne town we love…South Melbourne market of course - amazing food and diverse shopping. I'm a big fan of the Melbourne CBD rooftop bars, especially Carlton Club and Roof Top Bar for balmy summer eve's spent boozing in the open air. It's hard to go past the shopping of Gertrude Street, Fitzroy, amazing bars to stop at in between purchases.

L: The food! So many great cafes and restaurants from such a diverse range of cultures. I love that you can get a bowl of delicious pho in Footscray for less than $10 which is as good (if not better) as I've had in Vietnam. It really is such a liveable city, I wouldn't live anywhere else in Australia, sorry Adelaide!

O: Oh yes, the food…

Lo & Behold - SO:ME SPACE, Stall 135, Corner Cecil and Coventry Streets South Melbourne

http://www.loandbehold.com.au

Bosky Terrarium workshops -http://www.loandbehold.com.au/collections/workshops/products/terrariumworkshop

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White Moose

Formed in 2010, White Moose is 'designed to not only remind you of yesterday but lead you into the future'. With this charming motto, and one sole product on the top of a small wooden box at the Rose Street Artists Markets in Fitzroy, Colin Hutson saw an opportunity for his brand to develop. Today, alongside the one-of-a-kind Melbourne-produced items, you'll find internationally-sourced products -  via like-minded creatives at the forefront of redesign and reconstruction.

White Moose now occupy a space at the hip SO:ME Space inside South Melbourne Market. This new retail concept aspires to deliver ideas that are unique and surprise the customer, and they strive to offset their impact on the environment by using re-purposed materials.

BSV caught up with owner director, Colin, for a chat about the business, and the fit with SO:ME.

What sort of products and/or services can we expect from White Moose, and how do you source them?

White Moose is all about four principles; nostalgia, reinvention, invention & environment.

Nostalgia: product material will encourage a certain feeling (e.g. our cassette tapes will remind you of your favourite music or when your crush made you a mix tape in primary school)

Reinvention: turning those nostalgic items into a new item for a new purpose. For example, the cassette tape has the mechanisms removed and then lined with fabric and a zip so it can be used as a coin purse.

Invention: developing brand new products that are still blended with the concept of 'reinvention'. Our life-size resin animal head wall feature is a take off of hanging a real animal head on the wall and is therefore socially more acceptable.

Environment: offsetting our footprint by creating new products with what would essentially be landfill.

Most of the products in store have been handmade and have been locally sourced, however we feature designers from all over the world including Germany, Asia, United Kingdom and the United States. Inspiration for new product is found from our own research through blogs and other social media. Discovering new designers who help create the White Moose collection are also discovered in this way.

How does working within the SO:ME Space enhance your business, and what are the best aspects of the space?

I started off at South Melbourne in the SO:ME space, however I now occupy another part of the market at Shop 220. The space is a great addition to the market and offers an opportunity for not only new designers to be recognised but also gives the market visitors an opportunity to purchase a unique gift that supports small business. The SO:ME space has allowed White Moose to reach new customers who have not seen our type of concept before.

What is your professional background?

I have a tertiary education in Visual Arts & Design from Latrobe University, which included an exchange program to the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada. I have worked as a design assistant in the homewares industry while located in the UK as well as 5+ years in the retail industry here in Australia, specifically mechanising and retail operations. Most recently I was in a brand management role for a successful Australian retail brand.

Since 2010 I have been developing White Moose and selling at similar market environments across Melbourne.

Where do you think we're going with regards to the way we shop? Are we pulling back from the cheap thrills of online buying? Are we moving back to the notion of supporting local trade easily, or is it a battle?

There will always be a need for a physical retail presence. The battle is being the best. Small business is competing with large successful companies with the budgets for marketing campaigns however small business doesn't have that. As a small business owner coming from a career with large retail brands I have an understanding of ways to keep the customer interested and more than anything that's what selling yourself is all about.

In the grand scale of retail there will always be the online customer, and the in store customer, in the same way there is still people who buy CD's and don't download music. It's simply a generation thing.

The market environment is an interesting one as it's still seen as 'alternative' for many people and in a way discourages some shoppers as they haven't been exposed to that way of shopping before. Those who do shop at markets are the kind of customer who want something unique at an honest price so there's a lot of things to weigh up and get right. And in the same way stores in a giant shopping centre compete for the same customer a lot of the time in a market environment we are also appealing to the same customer. It's all about having the point of difference to engage the customer to come to you.

It also must be said that working in a market environment allows you to meet other creative individuals and allows an opportunity to network for future projects. Everyone that shops at a market or sells at a market wants to be there, so that alone creates a very positive shopping environment.

Tell us the things you most love about Melbourne.

I love Melbourne. I grew up in rural Victoria and never visited the city much as a child. I found the people, the modes of transport and the buildings so fascinating. In my home town there is one building with an escalator and that even excited me. I think I was made for the city.

No matter how many decades you've lived in Melbourne you will always discover something new or see the city in a new light. The skyline alone is beautiful to look at. Walking the streets and seeing our iconic graffiti and environment is constantly sparking new ideas for product and for store experience.

In the way my brand has been developing since 2010 many aspects of the brand are inspired by the city. From product that includes iconic imagery of the city to the wooden crates inspired by the stall holders displays at the Artists Market where I began White Moose, to music played in store which a lot of the time features Melbourne born bands, White Moose is distinctly Melbourne.

White Moose - Shop 220, SO:ME Space, South Melbourne Market, 322-326 Coventry St, Melbourne

Wed 9am-4pm,Thurs 5pm-9pm, Fri 9am-5pm, Weekends: 9am-4pm

http://www.whitemoose.com.au

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Project 1908 - Sugar High

Making wedding cakes, an (iPhone-quality) photo essay:

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South Melbourne Market - SO:ME Space

Formerly a home for cheap, offshore products, South Melbourne Market has undergone a radical transformation since 2011. In the heart of the market now exists the SO:ME Space: a contemporary hub of local and pop-up traders - a place to find art, bikes, clothing and accessories.The focus has been to provide small business owners, often emerging designers, a space to directly communicate with their buyers without the high lease cost of a standalone store, allowing brands to experiment with retail concepts in a dynamic environment. As a result, there exists a high level of customer and personalised service, and the interaction allows the sellers to engage with their clients - often providing a bespoke service. Store owners are encouraged to complement their products by running workshops, like Lo & Behold’s terrarium making course, regular cooking classes, and style workshops by Bleecker Street Vintage.

SO:ME benefits from some solid foot-traffic; its location in Coventry Street puts it at the heart of a thriving hospitality precinct. Padre, inside the market, and Clement serve exceptional coffee. Also on Cecil Street you’ll find acclaimed Turkish restaurant Koy, Teppanyaki-style seafood restaurant, Claypots Evening Star and new wine bars.

The pop-up concept has been gaining traction over the last decade, both in food and fashion. While online shopping has risen exponentially in popularity, there is still a huge contingent of consumers craving the personal conversation - supporting local trade remains the cornerstone of the conscientious buyer. There is value in a story behind a product: knowing who made it and/or where it came from. Pop-up spaces provide visitors with a different experience each time, and it’s special - a far cry from oversized hectic malls.

The SO:ME site itself was constructed from sustainable raw timber, and boasts draping greenery and hessian lined walls. This is shopping at it’s true best.

SO:ME Space, South Melbourne Market, 322-326 Coventry St, South Melbourne

Wed 9am-4pm

Thurs 5pm-9pm

Fri 9am-5pm

Weekends: 9am-4pm

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Your Style = Street Style

Straight from our home at SO:ME Space, South Melbourne Market:

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Repro French bread boards

We have limited number of French bread boards in store!
With spring just around the corner, they're perfect for cheese platters, pizza, quirky serving trays for drinks and to sass up a picnic. 
(I'm thinking of sneakily taking one for myself as an early 'Father's Day' gift...)

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Dress sample progress

For those not aware, or new to blog (welcome!), I've been working on inaugural pieces for a vintage-inspired fashion line.

If I had some photos of the dress samples to show you I would, but I was far too absorbed in the process of critiquing the samples with industry peers, and as such, forgot to take any! 

Upon looking at the silhouette of each piece, they look stunning, which is positive. On close inspection, though, a few errors were found.

Between you and I, the samples I made could have been better (and will be next time). I also should have made a spec sheet outlining seam allowances, finish and hem measurements, but I was rushed for time (that's my excuse & I'm sticking to it).
A sample is always critiqued before production, and errors are always found, therefore I'm trying not to be too hard on myself.

Now that I have a better idea of where I'm at in terms of production, I'm not sure the clothes will be ready for the Adelaide Vintage Expo at the end of the month. Instead, I'm aiming for just 2 or 3 units of one or two designs or none at all. I'd rather have something done properly than have it rushed and made poorly.

I'll be visiting my manufacturing friends again next week to see how everything is going and perhaps this time I'll remember to take some photos.

Cheery,
Jason

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Bleecker Street Vintage is in the Herald Sun!

If you are a reader of the Herald Sun, then you would have read the article about Melbourne's 25 best shopping secrets.  Included in the list is SO:ME Space & Bleecker Street Vintage!

Thanks Kim Wilson and Anna Byrne for adding us to the list!





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Your Style = Street Style

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Five minutes with freelance stylist Amita Kala

 

Amita Kala: 

Freelance Fashion Stylist

Discuss your five favourite things at home.

1.     It’s safe to say I would not be able to function properly without my Macbook. The screen is cracked but that just adds to its character.

2.     The fridge. I am a passionate foodie and health fanatic, I believe everyone should have chia seeds, LSA and quinoa stocked in their cupboards at all times.

3.     Electric blanket, a winter necessity.

4.     Glasshouse Vanilla Caramel Candle.  No explanations needed.

5.     A jewellery storage cupboard which allows me to easily see all of my jewels - having everything displayed stops me from wearing the same accessories over and over. Accessorising an outfit differently can completely change the look and vibe of what you’re wearing!

o   What are your top five products on fashion shoots?

1.     Clips, I can’t emphasise enough how handy these babies are when shooting- if the clothes aren't sitting right on a model, out come my clips to cinch and tailor where needed. Lifesavers.

2.     Nail polish remover, because coming to set with hot pink nails isn't okay.

3.     Lint roller, it helps keep everything polished and clean.

4.     Steamer, particularly good for unidentifiable stains or when my car is jam packed and clothes end up crinkled on set (steamer to the rescue!)

5.     Lucas Paw Paw ointment. The red tube every girl should have in her bag. The end.

Tempt us with your five best cheat day foods

1.     KFC wicked wings box – sinfully satisfying for deep fried cravings.

2.     Milse, their salted caramel hazelnut chocolate ice cream leaves me in shivers.

3.     Sushi  – I know this may not seem like an ordinary fat laden cheat food, but for me, eating white rice (and so much of it) is a cheat. 

4.     Barilla in Auckland – their dumplings are cheap and delicious, best combination ever.

5.     Let’s be honest: chocolate in any flavour, shape or form.

Five best shoot locations?

1.     White House Studios: so fresh and so clean.

2.     Going on a road trip with the team in one car, stopping when we find a beautiful spot and letting inspiration take over.

3.     An abandoned town would be airy and have a lot of character that I feel would translate well into an editorial.

4.     I have always wanted to do a shoot in an antique store, the vintage ambiance is so relevant.

5.     New York, so I can sing ‘…started from the bottom now we here’- appropriate #drakereference

And finally, reveal five moments you wish hadn't happened.

I live life with no regrets and believe wholeheartedly that everything happens for a reason. If I were to nominate events in my life that I wish hadn't happened it would be the equivalent of asking what body part I’d want to remove – all moments I have experienced equate to the person I am now, no situation is ever bad, rather a life event that has proved as a learning opportunity.

You can see more of Amita's work over on her Tumblr. Amita works in New Zealand currently.

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