Chanel, Dior, Largefeld, Madam Virtue, Names, Names, Names Darling!

In case you may have wondered where I was on Wednesday, it was not the opening of Zara. It was the wonderful Haute Couture Show of Madam Virtue that is located in Crossley Street Melbourne, where an unmentionable show host flaunted her birthday couture in aid of Racing Fashion.

Located behind the Prince in St Kilda the refurbished Circa Restaurant not only had our taste buds humming with delectable delights but the Laurent Pirrier danced on our taste buds to begin and dine through the formidable Couture.

Hosted by the Zestful Phillip Boon from 'Fashion Torque', with the ever lovable 'Jenny Bannister', we were treated to a spectacle of Haute Couture that is to rival Paris.

Although Winter flu did have me feeling under the weather, I was in Princess mode wearing Cassini, couturier to Jackie O, OH, no, not that Aussie one and Princess Grace. Thank you so much JC and Dean of Madam Virtue finding all my curves in all the right places with the perfect dress.

One thing is for sure when you are attending a Haute Couture event, it is all about the fashion that was far far ahead of anything I have seen in catwalks in Australia that I can remember. All Garments were flawless with the finest attention to detail. Embellished with Chanel and Pearls there were no errors just magnificence and huge applaud. JC and Dean take a bow.

Tom From Couturing www.couturing.com, always such a pleasure, you are a gem and the gorgeous www.cecylia.com it is such a wonderful place to be in wonderful company with other bloggers writers, reporting on our favourite thing. No rivalry amongst us only accolades to each others achievements. Thank you Madam Virtue and Circa, not to mention that we raised funds for the Prahran Mission for people in need. A day for mindfulness and fashion.

Jenny Bannister in her Anna Piaggi memorial Blue Hair with Dean Hewitt.

We love you Jenny Bannister, a forefront of Australian Design, and love to mention that she is one of my mentors.  Brilliant Designer as well as a wonderful person. 

Matt Wren, I see you!

Gorgeous, Dean Hewitt

Dean and beautiful Equestrienne, Katharine. x

So loved JC with Jenny

Tom from www.couturing.com

giggles and smiles with Freya

More photos to come at www.racingfashion.com.au

Another Legend Dies, RIP Anna.

Today I had the pleasure of attending the sublime Haute Couture Collection of Madam Virtue, in case you did not know is my favourite Haute Couture label with amazing gowns and the most beautiful accessories.  In saying this one of my favourite ladies that I look up to has passed today.  Anna Piaggi.  May you rest in Peace.
Today when Phillip Boon was talking he turned to Jenny Bannister, another Australian Fashion Icon who I admire and gives me inspiration to believe in myself and not to be scared to take risks.  The beautiful Bannister wore her signature colourful style, that I asked today, "Are you a little Queensland inspired?",
to take away from the hum drum Melbourne beat of Black and White.
The Amazing Ms Bannister paid homage to one of her icons, wearing Blue Hair.
If we do not have these amazing people stepping out of the box to show us how much fun fashion can be and how to capture people spirit through an outfit, where are we heading?
I am so happy that people push my boundaries in fashion, Dean Hewitt and  JC Llyod,Southwell d'Anvers.

I am sorry, I do not find Sarah Jessica Parker a particular style Icon, she is a character that is constantly styled.
I do find that Anna Piaggi and Isabella Blow, Anna Della Russo and even the stiff upper lip of Anna Wintour the ladies I look to as well as the amazing Jenni Bannister, Australian Icon.  Kelli Hush, now editor of Bazaar is keeping the magazine in keeping with the age group and coming from Grazia is definitely growing the monthly magazine to a must have addition.  I am sure Kelli also has had it from me going on about hats, but alas the last 2 covers or Bazaar do have hats.  Yes the hat is BACK!

In Summary, I had the pleasure to greet one of Anna Piagi's friends today, who was a fashion palette within herself and her dear friend of 90. 

She said I looked wonderful, which was lovely and she asked about my fashion hero's.

I said, you are!  Ladies of yesteryear who wore a beautiful garment to every occasion for and dressed for everything.  I am not the best China that sits in the cupboard that waits to be brought out for the visitors.  I am that visitor, I am worth being my best everyday.

Anna Piaggi, did tell that in 1972 Vintage is going to be the thing to wear.  

Right on ANNA!

I HEAR YOUR FROM THE GRAVE, and I will keep praising your words.

Ladies who dress for an occasions and are not scared to step out of the box, you are my idols. 
I appreciate youth in beautiful garments, but mature ladies, you are my mentors, I follow you and love you.

RIP Anna Piaggi, you will be sadly missed.

www.racingfashion.com.au

STREET STYLE: PARIS A/W 12-13 HAUTE COUTURE

From http://www.harpersbazaar.com.au

Photographed by Jason Lloyd-Evans.

www.racingfashion.com.au

Cyber Hugs for Everyone! Sometimes we have to go to dark places to see light!

Something is in the air or the stars. Everyone is seeming to have some sort of difficulties on a personal level at present. Facebook has been a wash with slurs and innuendo.

Maybe it is just me, but many have been sharing a special message, which I have wanted to share with everyone. It is like a big Facebook Hug.

This is a post I saw earlier and is now becoming bacterial, let the hugs be viral.

To all my friends (including me) who are going through some issues right now--Let's start an intention avalanche. We all need positive intentions right now. If I don't see your name, I'll understand. May I ask my "FB Family," wherever you m

ight be, to kindly copy, paste, and share this status for one hour to give a moment of support to all those who have family problems; health struggles, job issu
es, worries of any kind and... just need to know that someone cares. Do it for all of us for nobody is immune. I hope to see this on the walls of all my friends just for moral support. I know some will!! I did it for a friend and you can too. Share some faith, love, and spiritual healing for all in need.xxxxxxxx

No matter who you are or where you are. Besides seeing words pop up on a computer, behind those words are a person. I have been overwhelmed trying to pick up business to try and make some $$$ for the upcoming season as well as battling a cold myself, both my children and worse of all my husband has man flu. I know it is lethal and the worst illness ever!

Even though I am on a computer, I try to talk to people or have some sort of personable communication other wise this cyber world we live in, we post something or email something and even though there is no negative intention, no one can hear the inflection of your voice or ask questions if they are unsure of what you are saying.

Let us all just give each other a break, give each other a big cyber cuddle and Keep Calm and Carry On. xxxxx

There are many angels that walk on this earth, let us encourage them and allow them to spread their wings.

Beautiful Images

Photo by KORAY BIRAND

40 this month with two children under 4 and never felt so fabulous!

40 must be the new fabulous. I am feeling more empowered and comfortable in my being than ever before. Racing Fashion is forever evolving and with a shoot with the amazing Madam Virtue, JC and Dean with Matt Wren at the lens I knew I would be taken care of.

Certainly I was shocked when recently I have been asked to model and do couture fashion shoots, but it seems that with Lanvin taking on ladies the right side of fabulous and Advanced Style being such a hit, 40 is the new fabulous.

This shoot has been brought together with the genius of Madam Virtue with their abundance of talent and couture garments which made me feel Racing Fashion Fabulous. We have incorporated this shoot with 'Racing Fashion TV, Season 4, Behind the Sash', to bring a brilliant product.

This advert does bring me to a bare minimum, but Racing Fashion will represent the most beautiful designers this year with colour brimming and marvellous millinery adorning our heads.

Milliners have never been so busy with one new comer telling me “no need for advertising”, as she has practically sold out before Spring has Sprung.

The colours this year will be representative of the Pantone Fashion Palette as well as well fitting couture garments that are one of a kind.

Remember the dinner set that only comes out for visitors, well I think you are worth being the 'VISITOR' every day. Everyday as a woman we should, (when we are not playing mum) give ourselves the time to wear that fabulous dress to lunch. We should wear those special pieces. If we are not good enough for them right now, when will be good enough?

Yes, we are doing it tough financially, but really to get dressed up and have a coffee, does not cost much. I miss the days of sitting with my friends for coffee and catching up on the latest news and shoes. We would always admire one another’s outfits and stroll looking at shops musing, we did not have to purchase. I love blogs, but sometimes I feel that we are spending too much time on the phone and even when I go to a cafe I see people sit down at the table and bring out their I phones. This is taking away from conversation and the art of keeping company.

Big changes are happening in Racing Fashion and ladies, grace, elegance, and classic couture is never out of fashion.

Vintage Christain Dior Dress encrusted with Pearl and Porcelain, Jonathan Howard Hatmaker Swarovski Headpiece, Christian Louboutin Heels, Vivienne Westwood hosiery, Vintage Handbag, Vintage Chanel Pearls with Cross, Vintage Pearl Ring.
Photography, Matthew Wren
Styled by JC, Madam Virtue

Madam Virtue Couture Gown, Pearls are a private collection.

Vintage Hat from Madam Virtue, Vintage Chanel Earrings, Vintage Givenchy Scarf and Vintage Fur all by Madam Virtue.

www.racingfashion.com.au