Samantha Wills – Hotel Bondi Swim

Style Palace is loving the new Samantha Wills collection, featured here during the Hotel Bondi Swim show at Fashion Week and on the arm of fashion industry icon, Jodhi Meares of Tigerlily.

Samantha’s colourful statement pieces go perfectly from beach to bar to boardroom and are sure to win you plenty of compliments.

We say, bring on summer...!

Rosemount Australian Fashion Week - Final Day 5

By Friday many of the RAFW fashion set were beginning to look a little bleary-eyed, but still turned out in force to view the Mad Cortes show. This collection showcased designer Mira Vukovic’s unique and fresh style which was a breath of fresh air to the Festival. Stand-outs were the intricately hand-beaded black mini dress with origami folded detailing and striking prints juxtaposed on feminine silk with bold hand-painted fabrics.



The afternoon’s focus turned to the New Generation parades where many up-and-coming designers showcased their first collections. We loved Will & Roth’s stunning butterfly-print silk dress, Miischa’s feminine ruffled dresses and feather and sequin embellished creations. Perth label Adam Wore Short Pants showcased a feminine street-ready collection while Michael Lo Sordo’s silver geometric print and ruffle creation closed the show on a slightly darker futuristic note. Congratulations to all the New Generation designers who showed at Fashion Week and best of luck for the year ahead!



Well, that’s it from us at Fashion Week. We had an absolute ball and can’t wait to share with you the amazing calibre of spring/summer collections we have secured for the launch of Style Palace.

Stay tuned for weekly blog posts and exciting announcements as we draw closer to our official launch in September.

Thank you to all the wonderful designers and staff for bringing these beautiful collections to fruition. You remain our inspiration.

Ciao!
SP xx

Rosemount Australian Fashion Week - Day 4

Camilla’s show Sirocco took us on a wonderful journey from Northern Africa, through Southern Europe and to the beautiful Mediterranean, drawing inspiration from the colour, vibrancy and cultural diversity of Morocco, Alhambra, the Greek Islands and St Tropez.

Beautiful models and celebrities Annalise Braakensiek, Jane Flemming and Charlotte Dawson took to the catwalk before a stunning visual montage of fabulous and faraway places.

Camilla spring summer 08/09 Sirocco collection promises to be one of flowing, effortless femininity with garments boasting luxurious silks, intricate beading and embellishments, exotic prints and vibrant colour. This collection is one that will inspire sultry seaside adventures and we can’t wait for it to grace our Pool House this September.

Manning Cartell’s collection 'I Wanted Wings' did not disappoint the fashion set and easily regained the spotlight after Jennifer Hawkins stole the pre-show focus. The collection boasts white sequin dresses, soft crocheted detailing and flowing maxi dresses with feminine ruffles and armour-like embellished necklines. An injection of colour came in the form of electric blue, watermelon and soft green plaid. As always the Manning sisters have lived up to their fan’s expectations and this is sure to be another strong season for them.



After spotting Kirrily Johnston wearing one of her beautiful Hooded Wanderer designs, Darlene couldn’t get it out of her mind and she just had to have it! Cue ... a visit to Kirrily’s Oxford St store. Following this, a quick trip to the Willow boutique where the gorgeous staff witnessed us fight over a stunning midnight blue backless dress. We learnt it was the only one in our size in Australia ... so after a rejected time-share suggestion and a brief catfight (Princess Style) between us, we came to the amicable resolution of ‘sharing’. How very civilized of us ... stay tuned for more catfights when we both want to wear it to the same event!

xx SP

Rosemount Australian Fashion Week - Day 3

Flamingo Sands hit the runway with their sizzling swimwear collection titled ‘A Wonderful Life’. The Cargo Theatre played host to the show with a thumping soundtrack and impressive lighting display which set the scene around the mirrored catwalk. The models boasted enviable tans and killer curves, making them the perfect canvas for this amazing collection. Expect to see the label’s signature triangle bikinis and hot bandeau styles in a range of fun pink florals, animal prints and beautiful shades of emerald green. As always, detailing is a must so look out for cheeky ruffles and sequin embellishments and cover up in the sun with silky kaftans and lounge pants.

During the shows we have noticed that spring/summer 08/09 promises to be full of flowing feminine pieces, drawing strong inspiration from the bohemian goddesses of the 1960s. Rework the look this season with a more glam take on the Boho look. Sexy playsuits, soft ruffles and embellished silks are all key looks for the season. Colour ways are dominated by royal purples, emerald green, hot pinks and steel greys.

Another nod to the bohemian era was announced this week as the NSW government unveiled its plan to bring back the double-decker buses that we last saw here in the 60’s and 70’s. The move is a positive one for the environment and the view will certainly be sweeter – but we’ll sure miss those signature ‘white-knuckle’ taxi rides that Sydney has been dishing out this week!

P.S. When in Darlinghurst, be sure to check out ‘a tavola’ restaurant. A boutique-style Italian restaurant where guests share a marble dining table, which also doubles as the prep bench for the chefs and wait staff. This restaurant is fabulous for fresh handmade pasta, Italian wine and intimate and attentive service - SP stumbled across this great little eatery after a busy day at the Festival and we were very impressed - visit http://www.atavola.com.au/ and make sure you check it out on your next trip to Sydney.

Ciao!
xx SP

Rosemount Australian Fashion Week - Day 2

Day 2 began with Camilla and Marc’s feminine and intricately detailed collection which was shown in East Sydney’s Luxe Studios. Expect to see gathered ruffles, sharp tailoring and touches of lace which emphasize the light, modern feel of the collection. A stand-out collection so far!

Lisa Ho drew the celebs to the front row, with Lara Bingle, Jessica Rowe and Pia Miranda all turning out to view the Spring Summer collection. Strong features include shades of royal purple, soft ruffles, geometric prints and cheeky swimwear. Style Palace loved the back and white floral fusion print dresses – a print that is exclusive to the Lisa Ho label.

We are very happy to welcome accessories label Samantha Wills to the Palace, and look forward to her spring/summer collection ‘la Muse de Bohéme. Drawing inspiration from socialite Talitha Getty and the bohemian glamour of the 1960’s, expect to see statement turquoise and Green Jade pieces and SW’s signature oversized cuffs and dress rings.





Samantha Wills










Australian newcomers Bec & Bridge filled the Cargo Theatre for the showing of their ultra sexy spring summer collection. This fun and flirty collection featured boldly printed body suits, sexy lace leggings and summery dresses all carefully designed in beautiful fabrics. SP has done its Bec & Bridge shopping so get ready to look fabulous this spring/summer.




Bec & Bridge parade at RAFW




We are extremely excited to welcome Camilla Franks’ label Camilla who also joins Style Palace with her beautiful 08/09 collection titled Sirocco. This collection will take you on a journey from Northern Africa, to the glitzy beaches of Monaco and the Mediterranean seaside. Expect a stunning array of digitally printed silk crepe dresses and Camilla’s signature billowing silk kaftans in beautifully sequinned and beaded shades of turquoise, hot pink, burnt orange, canary and animal print. This label has become a favourite among celebrities the world over, worn by the likes of Delta Goodrem, Beyonce, Fergie and Tara Reid to name a few. SP will also be attending Camilla’s parade on Thursday so visit again find out all about it. If you don’t own a Camilla piece you’re missing out – definitely a luxurious necessity for every girl. SP wanted to buy the whole collection!











Nikola and Camilla




Today was very busy rushing around to shows and appointments and we were totally exhausted by the end of the day. But of course it's all in the name of fashion and we are sure you won't be disappointed when you see the first Style Palace collection available online in September.

Sweet dreams & love from Sydney ...
xx SP

Rosemount Australian Fashion Week - Day 1

RAFW kicked off today with a suitably glamorous crowd filling the halls of the Overseas Passenger Terminal at Circular Quay. Big name celebrities such as Miranda Kerr, Megan Gale, Mischa Barton, Dannii Minogue and Tara Moss were among the A-listers’ who stole the spotlight of the front row. The real stars however were the hot Australian designers who continue to catapult the Australian fashion industry to international acclaim.

Kirrily Johnston opened Fashion Week with her collection of flowing gowns which featured gold embellishments and were teamed with strong head dress pieces. Our day began at the Nicola Finetti show, where models with nude lips and winged eyes strutted their stuff. The collection consisted of beautiful lilac silks, soft ruffles, geometric prints and flowing, racer-back maxi dresses. Expect to see oversized clutches and sky-high patent heels in Finetti’s aXessory collection.

Wayne Cooper’s Clouds and Rainbows collection was a palette of deep purple, lilac, burnt orange and steel grey, with billowing fabrics, soft ruffles and feminine frills. Shown before a backdrop of striking sunsets and images of clouds, this iconic Australian designer is still going strong and has outstanding international appeal.

Style Palace welcomes the beautiful Hussy label to its collection, with designer Marie Hatzis producing an amazing African inspired collection, aptly titled ‘Exotic Escape’. Expect to see Hussy’s signature feminine lines in fun and flirty dresses, sexy playsuits and maxi dresses. The palette is powder blue, flamingo pink and emerald green, with beautiful signature floral prints injected into the collection. Expect the usual high calibre of detailing, embroidery and hardware embellishments that this label has become so famous for.

The Madame Marie label is Hussy’s glamorous sister label and boasts a beautiful collection of flowing silk gowns, oh-so sexy silk catsuits and elegant maxi dresses to be worn to that extra special occasion or just to be noticed. SP were excited to have viewed the Hussy and Madame Marie collections and will be bringing them to you at the Palace ... get ready to look and feel gorgeous.

Look out for Melbourne fashion accessories label, Ceinture, which we also welcome to the Style Palace collection. Sisters Kimberley and Stephanie Bunning are gorgeous, stylish and very talented and have created a wonderful addition to the Australian style scene. Expect to see luxuriously soft leather bags and oversized clutches, finished with the utmost attention to detail. Choose from a palette of classic black, tan or chocolate and from finishes such as croc, cow-hide and cane toad. This label is certainly one to watch!

Darlene & Leili with Ceinture designers Kimberley & Stephanie Bunning

Look out for more updates tomorrow ... Your SP Princesses need their beauty sleep to bring you more RAFW updates from Sydney.

xx SP

Style Palace Launches in September 2008

We are very excited to announce that Style Palace will officially launch on Friday, 5 September 2008 at a special event during the Perth Fashion Festival.

Leading up to our September launch is going to keep us very busy getting the Palace ready for business. There's lots of buying, organising and styling to be done and we are looking forward to our trip to the Rosemount Australian Fashion Week to view designs and meet with designers. Any Style Princesses dream!!

Keep an eye out for our updates over the next few months and make sure you register at http://www.stylepalace.com.au/