Hot new European Salon Trend Opens in Perth

Australia has opened its doors to Europe’s hottest hair and makeup trend – an express-service blow dry and makeup salon.

The nation’s first concept salon, Style Bar will offer fixed-cost 30 minute hair and makeup sessions with a backstage at fashion week atmosphere.

Style Bar clients can walk in off the street – no appointment needed – and select from a carefully-crafted menu of classic and seasonal hair and makeup styles.

“Style Bar will be the nation’s first express-service hair and make-up beauty salon, following suit of new concept salons that have been making waves in glamorous cities like London and New York,” owner and creator Paulette Contessi said.

Ms Contessi said Australia was making a name for itself in global fashion and the introduction of Style Bar was another example of the country’s pace in worldwide style trends.

Style Bar will initially be established in Perth but had already received interest from Sydney and Melbourne and the intention is to expand across Australia in the near future.

Style Bar will have an exclusive line of makeup – ‘Style Bar Cosmetics’, and will be the first in Perth to stock the full range of GHD hair products and straighteners.

Style Bar will also be the exclusive Australian outlet for Jonathan Products – created by world-renowned stylist Jonathan Antin, who has worked with a host of celebrities including Madonna, Kate Bosworth and Olivia Newton John.

Style Bar is set to open in Carillon City, on the Hay Street Level in Perth. For more information on Style Bar please visit stylebar.com.au.

Extremely Ethical Clothing

It is always great to hear about people and businesses that give a little back to the community and support making the world a more sustainable place to live. I came across this great site called lightningfast.com which was set up in 2006 by Steve and Will who wanted to make a difference and help the plight of children in some of the world's poorest communities. They have developed a range of groovy organic t-shirts and channel 50% of their profits to charities helping children and families in countries around the world.

Sustainability is part of all activities Lightning Fast is involved with and it's great to see fashion supporting such a great cause.

Please check out lightningfast.com and see what it's all about.

Congratulations Steve and Will from everyone at Style Palace - we salute you for making a difference.

Perth Fashion Festival Wrap

The 2008 Perth Fashion Festival wrapped on Friday after 10 days of exciting fashion-filled events. Celebrating its tenth year, the Festival served up a fashionable frenzy of shows and parties to lure the style set out from their winter slumber.

The VIP Launch Party on opening night saw Pierucci celebrate 25 years in the industry with a spectacular showcase of stunning gowns, cocktail dresses and Pierucci’s signature trench coats for the ladies while the lads were catered for with sharply tailored suits in plaid and velvet finishes. Guests sipped champagne in the Kurv Fashion Bar which became a favourite haunt for fashionistas throughout the Festival.

The weekend was welcomed with the official launch of Style Palace (in case we forgot to mention it previously!). Perth A-listers and the local style set converged at Perth Town Hall to celebrate Australian style and fashion from the likes of Aurelio Costarella, Wayne Cooper, Camilla, Flamingo Sands, Bec & Bridge and many more.

Indigenous designer Joanne Pellew launched her hot swimwear label, Kooey, in a spectacular show that will no doubt catapult her designs into the international spotlight.

WA fashion icon Melanie Greensmith of Wheels and Dollbaby fame was recognized with her induction onto Perth’s Fashion Walk of Fame in the trendy King St precinct, the same street where she recently opened her stunning new boutique.

The WA Designer Collections showcased a bevy of our State’s finest with spring/summer collections from the likes of Aurelio Costarella, Joveeba, Story by Tang, Ae’lkemi and a host of amazing new student designers.

The Mercedes–Benz WA Fashion Awards closing night was the perfect finale to the 2008 Festival. Congratulations to all nominees of the Student Fashion Designer of the Year awards. Newcomer Leanne Lim took out both runner up and winner of the contemporary evening wear category, and Alira Callaghan was awarded for her designs in the student ready-to-wear men's wear division. Best costume design was awarded to Louisa Bannah.

We’d also like to congratulate two of our SP models, Emily Cattermole for taking out the Runway Model of the Year Award and Pip Bingham who was joint winner with Letecia Price of the Photographic Model of the Year Award. The Hot New Talent award went to Rosie Tupper.

If you would like to check out all pics from the Festival visit http://www.stefangosatti.com.au/ for all official event photographs.

It was an exciting, busy and fashionable 10 days and now we must get back to work at The Palace. Only a couple of weeks to go and we will be live so keep an eye on your computer screen and we will let you know when!

Until next time ...

Love & Style
xx

Emily Cattermole - Winner, Runway Model of the Year

Winner - Leanne Lim, Contemporary Evening Wear Category

Photos courtesy of www.perthnow.com.au

Style Palace Launch

The official launch of Style Palace took place last Friday, 5 September at the Perth Town Hall as one of the feature events of the 2008 Perth Fashion Festival. It was an amazing night and the show has had so much wonderful feedback. It was the perfect way to bring Style Palace to life. Thank you to everyone involved - it was a brilliant team effort.

Check out the story and some great pics at PerthNow. Style Palace will be open for trading at the end of September. In the meantime, check out the following pics from the show and what will be available at The Palace. Pics courtesy of PerthNow.

Lara - our Palace Princess in Aurelio Costarella

Sophia in Wayne Cooper

Crystell in Flamingo Sands

A Summer in Wittner Shoes

For hot, hot heels you must check out Wittner’s latest collection.

This wholly Australian owned company was born in 1913 in Footscray, Melbourne and is now managed by three generations of the Wittner family.

Their spring/summer 08 collection is dominated by baby soft matte and patent leathers in hard-edged Gladiator sandals and heels. Also look out for rock-chick studded embellishments with enough attitude to knock his socks off!

Previously a favourite haunt of mine when shopping on the east coast, Wittner is (finally) opening soon on William St in Perth, Western Australia.

Get inspired or shop online at http://www.wittner.com.au/

What's Hot ...

Cocktail rings were hot in the 50s and they are back again. Check out gorgeous pieces on page 86 of the September issue of Vogue Australia or simply Google 'cocktail rings' and take your pick!

Kerr Crazy!

As the new face of David Jones, Miranda Kerr is creating a fashionable frenzy wherever she goes. Miranda was named the new face of the retail giant after fellow Aussie, Megan Gale announced her retirement from the catwalk.

Miranda shot into the international spotlight thanks to her sizzling appearance in last year’s Victoria’s Secret show and later became romantically linked to Hollywood heartthrob Orlando Bloom.

But despite her growing appeal to the paparazzi, this girl has made it in her own right for being Australia’s quintessential girl-next-door, with just the right amount of cheeky sex appeal thrown in to drive the boys’ wild.

The gorgeous girl from Gunnedah walked the boards for DJ’s with her signature cheeky style, opening the show in a stunning hot pink one-piece swimsuit by Jets which was styled with an elaborate feathered head piece, reminiscent of a Venetian carnivale.

Kerr closed the show in this show-stopper silver beaded Collette Dinnigan number – proving that every girl loves a little bling!

We’re not afraid to admit it – we love Miranda!

SP
xx