Book review - The Biba Experience

For all those seeking fashion inspiration from the 1960's and 70's and fashion business tactics that are relevant to today, then this book detailing iconic fashion and lifestyle empire Biba is just the thing to get the creative juices flowing.

Biba is a fantastic coffee table book with substance, documenting the entire journey of designer Barbara Hulanicki, from the making of her business to the collapse of her empire. This book also contains beautiful full page photographs of the Biba collection over its eleven year stint.

This book is beautifully presented with its decadent art deco & art nouveau imagery and eloquently captures Biba's "rock and roll promise to live fast, die young and leave a beautiful corpse".

The Biba experience can be purchased from Ariel and Kinokuniya.

http://www.bibaexperience.com/

Muse - Donna Summer

Style icon Donna Summer was a chameleon. In her ever changing wardrobe, Donna experimented with layering, contrasting prints, feminine goddess like dresses and edgy accessories, such as cowboy boots and chunky costume jewelry.

DIY

It's not always easy finding good vintage, let alone finding it in the right size and colour. One thing that I have discovered is that there is an abundance of vintage patterns available in op' shops and charity stores which is a great solution. Over time I have collected many styles, some of which are very relevant to today's trends, such as pussy bow blouses, bomber style jackets, and high rise skirts and shorts.The patterns are worth buying for the illustrations on the front alone. Vintage patterns can be picked up for around 50c each and to cut the cost further, you could cut up second hand garments made from great fabrics and rework them into a new piece. Some op' shops even sell bundles of unused vintage fabrics and jars of unusual buttons and trimmings. Unique fashion doesn't have to be expensive.

Darlinghurst

Purple Sneakers

Mala Brajkovic Winter 2008 collection

New Zealand fashion designer Mala Brajkovic has just released her winter collection titled "Pepe's Revenge', a range with a sexy bad girl, rock 'n' roll vibe that draws from early 90's influences.

This collection consists of ultra mini skirts, fitted denim jackets with wool trim collars as well as tailored box shoulder jackets and detailed pencil skirts. The colour pallet is a striking mix of ice wash denim blue, hot pink, silvery grey and military green offset by vampy black.

As always, Brajkovic's collection is fun and wearable with unique idiosyncrasies.

http://www.malabrajkovic.com/

Shag, Paddington

Paddington

Surry Hills

Paddington

Interview with Fontaine Anderson

Fontaine Anderson is a graphic designer and freelance illustrator from Adelaide, South Australia. She has completed commissions for a range of clients including Yen Magazine. Fontaine's work is enchanting, intricate, meticulous and an inspiration to many aspiring creatives.


1. Describe yourself in a sentence.

My name is Fontaine, I am an illustrator and a lover of all cats.

2. At what age did you start drawing?

I can't remember exactly so it must have been when I was very young, I remember becoming seriously interested in magic markers when I was ten.

3. How did you get to where you are now?

I studied Visual Communications at university with a major in illustration.

4. What has inspired you?

Going overseas and visiting amazing cities like New York and Tokyo. I am always inspired by fashion and nature.

5. What is your aesthetic?

I love the contrast between black line and soft water colour and I explore this in many of my illustrations. My illustrations are very focused on fashion and inspired by the elegance of flowing fabrics and elaborate costumes.

6. What is the best thing about what you do?

Working with many of my hero's and the drawing of course!

7. What are you working on right now?

Illustration concepts for Natalie Wood's label 'Something'.

8. Where do you see yourself in the future?

I really don't know, I wish I knew!

9. Where can we see some of your work?

my website: www.fontaineillustration.com

10.What is the price range for your prints?

A4 $100
A3 $150