Melbourne's GPO » leather

Arthur Galan Autumn Winter 2010

Sarah — Sun, 30 May 2010 10:44:47 +0000

Leg warmers, parachute pants, not-so-subtle Ray Bans, the dreaded mullet. The decade that was the 1980’s did not let men off lightly when it came to sartorial tragedies. Yet from the much maligned era several classic shapes emerged, and it is the best of the 80’s from which Melbourne fashion designer Arthur Galan takes inspiration this Autumn Winter season.

Slim pants balance out boxier tops. Choose from motorcycle styles, skinny suit pants or acid scoured jeans. Galan pays due attention to detail with features like irregular seams, zips and trimmed edges. Glossy finishes and a feature colour palette of juicy tomato red and shocking candy pink are tempered by a pewter backdrop. In terms of styling notes, the snood – a piece usually worn as a hood – add interest in place of a scarf.

Highlights from the collection are the graphic ‘Tomato Contrast Panel Knit’ sweater, the ‘Grey Contrast Trim Military Coat’ and a gorgeous ‘Washed Leather Jacket’ that begs to be touched. Both of the former pieces have strong lines as their distinguishing feature.

Who knew the 80’s could be so effortlessly chic?

Visit the ‘Land of Fae’ with Manning Cartell

Sarah — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 02:50:08 +0000

Manning Cartell’s latest Autumn Winter collection, entitled ‘Land of Fae’, appears to draw from myth and legend. From Queen Boadicea to the Mikado to modern fairytales of the supernatural, the sisters spin a tale of their own.

Luxury and unexpected details abound; a zip here, a flash of citrus or the addition of leather there. Furs, textures and embellishments are bold.

This season’s emphasized shoulder is present, but is more subtly highlighted rather than exaggerated as in recent incarnations of the style. Plunging necklines throughout the collection are provocative.

The colour palatte, often metallic or mysteriously murky, draws you in. Yet angelic whites, pops of pink tending towards fuschia and splashy watercolour-style prints add levity to the range.

A selection of our favourite pieces are found below. We particularly covet their Watermark Dress and the Matte Lustre Top. Overall Manning Cartell’s Autumn Winter 2010 collection is intriguing – somewhat indefinable – but still very, very cool.

Visit Manning Cartell on level one (take the lift) or call 03 9639 2878.

Style Spy #18

Sarah — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 13:10:34 +0000

A leather jacket is staple in many a fashionable wardrobe. From cropped to trench to biker, the leather jacket is a highly versatile and can give an edge to the frilliest of frocks. Add in other touches of leather if you really want to toughen up your look, perhaps in a bag, watch or flats or even a cuff. Just make sure you don’t go overboard and end up looking like the biker from the Village People.

Photographer: Giang Cao of Through the Looking Glass
Ballet flats – Camper, Bag – Mimco, Jacket – Karen Millen.

Style Spy #17

Sarah — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 23:31:32 +0000

A little temptation today for the many men and women out there whose weakness is shoes. We are travelling the spectrum today; with a men’s boot in earthy suede that is certainly made for walking contrasted with this, to use an overused yet apt phrase, “killer heel” that won’t get you far but does command attention. For a similar look for men keep an eye out for Acne’s Desert High boot in brown suede, a classic. Ladies might like to check what Karen Millen have on their shelves and be a bit subtler with this Diamond Court heel or go the whole hardware route with this pair of S tud and Eyelet peep toes.

Photographer: Giang Cao of Through the Looking Glass

Style Spy #11

Sarah — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 23:22:01 +0000

We think men who know how to pull off a brown shoe (figuratively speaking), whether leather or suede, really know their stuff. Brown used to be the shoe colour du jour but now it seems that prizing some people out of basic black shoes or sneakers is a tricky task. The examples below show you how to wear them well. Wear co-ordinating socks or none at all, keep footwear clean and/or shiny, and to avoid looking old fashioned or dowdy make sure the rest of your outfit is neat and tailored. Easy!

Photographer: Giang Cao of Through the Looking Glass

Style Spy #5

Sarah — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 22:46:48 +0000

It’s not yet time to disregard layers in Melbourne. The unpredictability of Spring at the moment means we have rare patches of warming sunshine in between, blustery winds and plenty of (glorious, wonderful) rain. These two stylish specimens below show how to stay warm, relaxed and comfortable. A favourite scarf seems to be the key. Which is your favourite look?

Photographer: Giang Cao of Through the Looking Glass