Due to arrive in Feb, there is some scorching hot styles coming our way from Penny Anne, Adelaide, Australia!

Here at polly we love supporting independent designers ... A ; it's so refreshing to see something different B ; so lessen the chance of running into yourself on the dance floor  C ; keep aussie $ in aus.

So PA has just crossed our path and we're excited.  She completely matches our criteria ... girl, direction, different, expression, fun ... all things polly!

The backless leotard (pic) is obviously a cracker sexy back piece.  Can't decide whether i'll style mine up or down ... probably both.

I'm loving all her embellishments.  Expect great sleeves (metallic, leopard, leather, lace) on leos, dresses & camis. 

I do believe she has only stocked in boutiques in SA so it will be great to see a refreshing new label on the QLD shelves ... but watch this space as PA is researching and beginning manufacturing so ... in purchasing her goodies you may just be helping along the next big thing!

She has a blog and a face book if you want to check out more.  Go the google.

All very exciting!  AW is on our doorstep!

I love watching the SS to AW change in Qld.  It's funny.  It is THAT hot and yes, (fashion first) girls are styling up in layers, boots, hats to go.

Dedicated.  That's what it is.

Yes, although it is 30degrees until April, the fashion world seems determined to bring fashion out far before it is really necessary ... but hey, I am WAY ready for a change of scenery.  aka ... over beach & brights.

Brissy girls are so forward.  Loving the grandpa blazers and 90's jacket silhouettes I'm seeing already ...

I can't wait to style up with the cape personally.  I don't think it will be strong commercially but the cape will  be a fun shape for 2010.  

Seeing some great boots about too.  The military boot is going to be strong again.  Plus anything metal hanging off them.

The most exciting thing for this AW is the colour!  FINALLY designers are hearing that colour works in AW ranges and we will be welcoming more than blackgreyblackgrey this year!

Off the top of my head ... I can't wait until the fuschia pink mega padded blacker arrives.  Shotgun the 8.  ha ha

m x

Wow!  This project never ceases to inspire me!

This year, TAP (The Amira Project) is hosting a Princess Party for 500 girls and has been blessed with the sponsorship and support of Conrad Jupiters at the Gold Coast.

We have just finished the first planning meet for 2010 and I have full confidence in my heart that this is going to biggest, most impactful, inspiring event EVER!!

Check their website at www.theamiraproject.com for a project overview but ... in a nutshell ... the Princess Party is a most amazing, fun & inspiring event in the world for teenage girls at risk.  PS - at risk can be anywhere from sad, disengaging from school, to homelessness, self harm, teen pregnancy, etc.

TAP believes that the underlying problem in 'youth at risk' is low self esteem, SO (unlike many charities that focus on relief) they focus on SOLVING THE PROBLEM through their Princess Parties! 

Princess Parties bring inspiration speakers, hair & make up artists, world class talent and beautiful settings (and so much more) together to give these girls a WOW experience that changes lives.

Get involved if your interested - it's something that has changed my life by being involved.  VOLUNTEER today!

www.theamiraproject.com

Being a style post we at times give our worth of 'dress to impress' opinion.

I've said it before and I'll say it again ... it just fascinates me how styled up and fashion focused people get for the music festivals.  Not that I don't love the passion!  But all that icky dust and sweaty men ... I can think of many more deserving arenas to strut your style.

Anyhow, here's our POLLY guide;

STABILITY - you never know when some boozy bogan will come galloping by and catch your dress in his too big hands.  Dress with security in mind!  Avoid bows and ties ... 10 x bourbons inside boys and they think it is funny to untie strangers dress ties ??

ORIGINALITY - plan ahead pretties.  Mass gatherings + shop for your outfit that week = see yourself walking around.  Look for one off pieces or purchase brands/styles that aren't created in volume.  POLLY loves 'My Sunday Feeling' & 'Erin Louise' ... !

NOT WHITE - hello dust.  mud.  no seats.  8 + hrs of event.  Your butt will be green/brown if you wear white.  Go denim.  Denim, denim, denim.

FLASH PROTECTION - think carefully where you will be dancing.  In the crowd or or top of it??  If you are less than 180cm you have a v good chance of being lifted up so wear shorts and full panties pretties!!

LOVE IT - feel fabulous in your outfit.  Make no doubt about it, people style for these events so spend your planning time wisely!  Festivals are a great opportunity to style in a way that wouldn't normally ... anything goes ... so go ahead and try something different ... and love what ever it is!

Happy music fashion kisses.

m xx

I've just returned from the SADIE showing and am really excited about the new direction this lil label is heading.

Think girl, think art, think print, think texture, think pretty ... ooh I do love finding a great range.  They're photo campaign is much stronger this season so you may see some preview pics for the web flash images!

I'm loving the muted colours showing strongly already for the start of Autumn.  We are definately going to skip down the muted pastel palette so get your new make up shades ready girls.

Loving dark peach, muted musk, camel brown, warm mint.  A lovely interpretation of OS s/s and a refreshing change from the usual winter black, grey, black, grey.  The prints are lovely to match ... folk/country seems to be the flavour. 

But on a different note ... strong shapes, big silouettes and bold prints are having a big presence also.  Black (of course) never left the stage but is bringing  a leopard friend along this year.  v 1990.

But it is only the start of the season so who knows where we will fly ...

m xx

Coming into festival season I'm always on the lookout for something fresh and new for the music fashionista  I swear music festivals should be called fashion festivals ... I think most research their outfit more than the event line up ... ha.

Anyhow ... we've stocked her goodies for 2 years now (when we can pin her down and get her sewing!) ...

'Her' is Melody.  Beatiful gypsy, surfer, vintage, lovely Melody!  She has a big smile, a big laugh and a BIG TALENT!

Personally I have 4 of her dresses.  Not that I haven't loved many more but they sell so fast!

She used to use all vintage fabrics but now the vintage materials just feature in the trims.

Her dresses are all one off designs - perfect for the independant, creative girl ... and perfect for festivals as you have a 'can't see anyone in my dress' guarantee.

And they are just sooooooooooo pretty.  Femme to the end and summer dreaming with feel.  I'm obsessed and can't wait to open the next delivery.

Oh my ... seriously, I have never seen so many shops.  And I shop.

Street after street after street.  Centre after centre. Level after level.  Boutique after boutique.  Rack after rack.  Suburb after suburb.

Am exhausted again just thinking about it.

So, have just got back from 3 days shopping in Tokyo.  A lifetime must trip if you've never been.  And you probably will have to go again just to see it properly.

I loved Harajuku the best.  The ecclectiveness was amazing.  The cliche style girls were out in force - like super cute real life dolls ... the girls were styled in all flavours of sorbet colours ... tutus, platform heels, extension everything to decorate themselves into the most stylised idea of beautiful I have seen in real life.  It is so facinating ... why some Japanese are completely obsessed with turning themselves into 'other than human' characters!?

But Japan wasn't all Harajuku cliche fashion.

I was really suprised how much 'cheap' shopping was about.  For some reason, I never expected to find Chinese fashion product in Japan?  But it was there ... by the truck load.  And all on sale.  I swear,  Aussie girls would run a mile if they were ever in a shopping centre like it in Aus ... but they SCREAM at you.  For such tiny girls ... they are really loud.  I guess the market is so competitive ... but really ... banging instruments, screaming through megaphones, dancing on podiums ... it was all very extreme for a dress that cost 3000 yen.

The houses were AMAZING.  We just don't have shopping like it in Australia.  Poor Brisbane with one little Louis Vuitton and an excuse for a shoe department in DJs.  Sydney and Melbourne (even the GC) fair better that we do but even still it cannot compare with a whhhooooole street of CHANEL, DIOR, LV, GUCCI, PRADA, FENDI, DOLCE & GABANNA, CHLOE ... and more and more and more ... as exhausted as I was after all my (looking) I'm sure I was floating at the end of the day ...

But my favourite was all the Japanese independant stores. 

I found a shopping area called Laforet.  It was like a big siver organic rocket ship of shops.  Kitson marks the entrance (so packed) that opened to 6 levels of really interesting Japanese independant boutiques.  The style was really mixed.  I saw a lot of simple lines and an overall earthy approach.  The girls were doing a 'bohemian/country' thing ... not sure if that mix is going to roll here but I suppose 6 months will reveal all. Rock/punk/street was really strong for the boys.   The shops were very neat and beautifully merchandised.  Alot of attention was put into making a special unique experience for the shopper I thought. 

But back in Aus now ... to our little island of creativity.  For how teeny tiny we are, gosh I think we do well.

It is always interesting to have an insight into the personal world of the designer & creative source of a brand.

Miss Unkon (emerging amazing & currently local creative fashion label) just delivered us a pretty, pretty dress yesterday and inspired me to write a little story!

Courtney (Meyer, Head Designer) is a personal friend of mine so I love her all the more but seriously ... she is one creative force!  Constantly in head to toe colour or some outfit with serious structural statement (think 8 inch heels, massive long poof skirts, big hat, etc).

We of Aus are completely priveledged that she is manufacturing for us as she is a true artist - so her fashion is just a wearable version for us!  Her house is covered with acrylic paint canvases (big faces and colour splats), magazines, samples, sewing machines and more!  Just going to her space inspires you to create, create, create!

Check her out with a little MISS UNKON google ... she has a great blog, facebook and ofcourse, interactive fashion label.

Just in her early fashion life - she is certainly one to keep an eye on!

For the pretties who have been sheltering under a rock ... Toi et Moi is the newly launched fashion label from Australian Gill Milligan (ex Milk & Honey).
Producing a great palette of fashion choice - street/festival cuties to pretty pretty party frocks - TOI ET MOI has been flying out the door as soon as it hits the racks ... generally a good indication of hot property fashion at the Polly.

So anyway, have just finished at the 2nd Autumn Winter showing and am particualarly excited.  They're using COLOUR (which I always look for for POLLY winter), great light fabrics and heaps of detail to create that unique TOI ET MOI edge.

I've reserved myself a particularly cute pair of multi-coloured sequined harem hammer pants .... I know they're never very pop with the boys but hey ... i can't help it if they don't understand.
Check them out at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Toi-Et-Moi/119200796530

and while your at it, let's use the POLLY POWER and vote them up at;

Australian Fashion Awards Nominee - Toi et Moi "Best Up and Coming"

How do you say BYE in French?

WOULD LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your feedback for the SS Toi et Moi range ... tell me all x

Shop Online for Toi et Moi here