Happy Family

Nfu.Oh Singapore and Malaysia family gathering at the luxurious Nfu.Oh booth during NailExpo Korea 2008. We came back with new designs, new techniques, new ideas....and a burning desire to propel our skills to another level and just can't wait !!!

S.A.A.'s Favourite Supermodel in Fashion Giant Squeeze! - Miranda Kerr

Breaking News today with our Golden Girl Miranda Kerr is that the soon to be David Jones ambassador was discovered by arch rival MYER to have appeared in a couple of the stores catalogues and runway shows in Ms Kerr's early days before she made it big with underwear giant Victoria's Secret and other lucrative brands. A 'very young looking' Miranda was found in 'several [Myer] catalogues in 2002 and 2003' two years before her shoot to stardom. This recent shock discovery left a poor DJ's spokeswoman with nothing more than a melancholy, no comment.

Love Always xoxo
S.A.A.

Article to Left: Courier Mail, April 16, 2008, p.30

How old is too young? Australian fashion Week News

Article: The Courier Mail, April 12-13, 2008, P.11

The recent buzz surrounding the up and coming Rosemount Australian Fashion Week has not been all that positive after event casting directors choose to fly in a 14yr old model from Poland named Monika Jagaciak. Monika a stunning 14yr old caused quite a stir after plans were released a couple of days ago making her the star model at Fashion Week. Influential members in the industry (Kirstie Clements, Vogue Australia's Editor-in-Chief) cried out in protest at the suggestion of a 14yr old girl heading down the runways, saying that girls of this age should be at school and not modeling in what is considered a cut throat adult industry. Organisers of the event then backed out of the deal with Ms Jagaciak. Creating a ban on all girls under the age of 16 from appearing on the catwalk.

The removal of the 14yr old has cleared the catwalk for 16yr old local Brisbane model and Sandgate state High school student Kristie-Lee Hughes. This shift has been heralded as a much more sensible option, giving exposure to 'the next big thing' in modeling who is also a local talent. This issue brought up the old debate about what age is too young on the catwalk and whether age limits should be set? With set age limits being the growing trend among fashion festivals it won't be long before Paris and other fashion capitals follow suit. Forcing the industry to take a much more realistic approach when selecting their models and the images that they wish to portray.

Love Always xoxo
S.A.A.

How to keep your wardrobe looking as efficient and shinny as Gisele's Hair!

Photo: Ikea.com screen capture of wardrobe option available
My Shoe system :HINT: Stuff boots with plastic bags to help retain their shapeWooden hangers help preserve garment shape!

Wardrobe Systems. Some folks dread them and others relish in how great theirs are. But for all of you who happen to have one...that looks like a moldy bowl of pasta this 'How to guide' in wardrobe maintenance and organization should be a god-send.

First of all Wardrobe's should be at all times systematically organised period. No Wardrobe is too big or to small to house quality coat hangers, proper packaging and systematic storage compartments. If you don't believe me just go to www.ikea.com which has great storage solutions for both small and large homes and wardrobes.

Getting back on track... Every good and efficient wardrobe -regardless of price- contains these 5 vital ingredients:
1. Quality Wooden Coat Hangers-Keeps garment shoulders in shape and doesn't rust like wire hangers do all over your pretty spring dresses
2. Shoe Boxes - whether they're the boxes the shoes came in or specialized clear containers
3. Moth Balls - even if you don't have the nasty things living there, one day you may just open the cupboard door to find your favourite cashmere sweater in tatters wishing you'd just thrown in a couple of dollars worth of balls to save the heart ache.
4. Tissue paper - great for retaining the shape in shoes and wrapping delicate garments
5. Cardboard dividers- Makes it easier to distinguish the socks from the stockings and the Belts from the Bras.

Now with these tools you can ensure all of your clothes stay just as beautiful as on the day you purchased them no matter how long ago. And to keep track of all these wonderful garments any wardrobe OCD (Obsessive Compulsive) will tell you 'systems are the key to success!'.

This nifty system ensure all of my beauties stay in front of my eyes and not long lost with the mouldy socks and other long forgotten fashion flops ...ahem... bubble skirt:

All of my wardrobe that is not hanging up is divided into 7 basic sections which are:
1. Uniforms -work or school
2. Tops
3. Socks Hosiery and Swim-wear
4. Winter staples
5. Bottoms -shorts, skirts, skorts etc
6. Pj's and;
7. Shoes

These 6 different sections suit me just fine but some people may find that they have twice as much tops as they do bottoms and so you can adjust the amount of storage given to either accordingly. The second part of this system involves organizing each section generally it goes as follows:
1. Tops are sorted in either colour, season, most worn and least worn, fabric, style or a mixture of a couple.
2. The same is done for bottoms
3. Socks Hosiery and Swim-wear are sorted accordingly preferably within cardboard dividers as previously mentioned and;
4. Pj's are sorted into winter and summer with which ever season's crop sectioned towards the top or front.
5. Shoes are sorted so that everydays are at the front moving down to the 'rare occasion' good dress shoes at the bottom and each box has a Polaroid of the shoe inside attached to the front so that you can keep track of them all!

These solutions should help give order and purpose to your wardrobe allowing you to make quick clear sartorial decisions in times of hast or crisis. You should also remember to have at least two fail safe 'look amazing' outfits in times of dire desperation and these should only be used in these situations to avoid over use. Some other handy hints to make your wardrobe look like the fashion closet of a star (if you have the time) are:
1. Pretty ribbons can be placed tied to the tops of coat hangers to add a decadent boutique like finish
2. Yummy smelling salts and Potpourri can be kept at the bottom of your wardrobe to keep you clothes smelling clean and fresh and;
3. Cute wrapping paper or specialty wallpaper can be applied to the insides of your wardrobe to help inspire you to be creative with your outfits each day and also to show off all of you glorious clothes, cause lets face it after spending all that money on each item you want them to still look pretty even if they are patiently waiting to be worn.

So there you have it the perfectly organized, presented and smooth running wardrobe to ensure that you'll never be caught out looking for those grey marle tights; or finding that favourite scarf....moth eaten at the back of your undies draw ever again!!!

Love always xoxo
S.A.A.

ELLE Veteran Fashion Director Sacked?

In other News... I've just found out that veteran fashion director of ELLE magazine Nina Garcia has been fired or rather 'let go' according to sources. I just recently was talking about her new book 'The Little Black Book of Style' in a post and now this?

But judging by the rep this girl has she's shore to have something lined up in no time at all. Only question is will she still be judging on the highly successful TV series 'Project Runway'? Whatever the case no need to worry cause I can guarantee we'll be seeing her back on the masthead of some other lucrative magazine sometime soon!

Love Always xoxo
S.A.A.

Gail Reid Designer Profile

Photo: Gail Sorronda A/W 08 entitled: White Knight

New Person taking the fashion scene by storm: Gail Reid
What is she?: Fashion Designer/Model
Label name?: Gail Sorronda
Where is she from: Brisbane, Australia

Gail Reid's eponymous label Gail Sorronda is predominantly monochromatic in black and white with a stronger emphasis on the cut and structure of the designs. Gail caught the attention of fashion heavy weights with her debut collection 'Angel at my Table' when she won the Queensland finals of the Mercedes-Benz start up Awards in 2004.

Ms Reid is also regarded by a number of reputable sources as smart savvy and refreshingly charismatic. Some have described her as having an "innately complex and captivating personality"Vogue Australia and striking "intelligence" Oyster Magazine. These attributes only add to the overall appeal of her creations which push the envelope of design whilst still remaining chic and understated taking it's wearer from day to evening.

Gail and her designs have also appeared in notable magazines such as VOGUE Australia, UK and Swedish ELLE and both the Australian and UK Harper's Bazaar. She has also expanded her talents to a Jewelery line; featuring later this year at the Designer Awards in Melbourne, sponsored by Tiffany & Co. Gail also showcased her first individual collection at Australian Fashion Week last year to much hype receiving rave reviews through out the industry.

With sales going well on all 7 continents that the label is sold, things could not be going better for this 25yr old All Hallows Alumni, who has just recently set up a freestanding concept store in Brisbane's Fashion savvy suburb of Fortitude Valley. Which is also home to high end fashion store Blonde Venus.

So all that's left to say is good luck cause it's not likely that this design dynamite will be slowing down anytime soon!

Love Always xoxo
S.A.A.

Up and Coming...

Photo: Gail Reid of Gail Sorronda (Myspace Image)

Hey not much of an entry today cause I'm a bit tired so I'm just poppin in to say hi and to tell you that I'll be doing a profile on Gail Reid designer of the up and coming label, Gail Sorronda and I will also be writting soon, a how to guide on wardrobe efficiency, layout and design so that you can all keep your beautiful frocks and expensive shoes safe and organised!

Love Always xoxo
S.A.A.